BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[PzB74]

But how do we achieve to get the pilots to 70 exp?
- Train them for 2 years or more?

The war would be long lost before the next batch got into combat [&:]

[LoBaron]

I agree that its tough. There was a discussion about the most important pilot skills some time ago.

Not completely sure yet but my experience up to now is that if a unit has sufficient planes the exp gain through missions
is quite ok.
Many use specialized training squads with a low number of planes because they are not needed for skill increase. If you use the same low
plane squads for exp gain you don´t get much out of them.
I am trying to fill some of my training squads with obsolete planes to the max and until now would say that these squads with fatigue friendly
mission distribution gain exp quite ok. In a small scen thats not really possible but in the grand campaign very doable.

Please treat this as my personal opinion and I could equally be wrong on this:

I´d trade 15 air skill points for 8 exp points any day. Coordination fails can kill many more pilots than a bit lower a2a skills because
where coordination counts is over enemy territory and a kill is practically a guaranteed pilot loss.
70 is not the magic number for any skill, I´m thinking more in relative terms. Based on what I said above I would start shifting my
training to exp gain the closer the pilots get to 50 and max out exp gain as soon as they reach 60.
Its an interesting cost/benefit calculation. Others might think different, but I think the cost of training exp up by sacrificing skill
is so important right because its so hard to gain exp.

With low experience coordinating smaller strike packages, at least if you don´t expect to run into uber CAP, are the way to go.
You reduce the risk of 1-2 bad dice rolls ruining your whole day. You may also get a faulty coordination but it does not automatically
end in a bomber turkey shoot.

One last thing to ponder on: exp is more important on offensive than on defensive action, thats where you need coordination.
so maybe a split system with offensive/defensive pilots can be interesting.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

But how do we achieve to get the pilots to 70 exp?
- Train them for 2 years or more?

The war would be long lost before the next batch got into combat [&:]

exp seems more or less only to go up with missions (above 50), skill seems to more or less only go up (above 70) if you hit the jackpot. Training to 70 skill is no problem, by that time your pilots usually have reached 40 - 50 exp too. Going above 70 skill (to 75 perhaps) takes most of the time longer than reaching 70 when starting at 15 so I wouldn´t care about and skill (air skill) isn´t really improving in combat at all (exp does very well). I sent 70 skill 50 exp pilots to my most succesful Lightning squadrons, they now got some 100 kills each with pilots reaching double ace status but their air skill hasn´t improved by more than one - three points from combat. Their exp usually exploded and is up to 70 on average now.

Same for both sides, I would go with the 70 skill pilots as soon as they reach 70 in whatever skill you want to have. Otherwise this pilots fills up a precious training cockpit for a long time not really getting better when you could train another pilot to 70 skill in the same time.

[PzB74]

Thanx for the input guys!
Think you are both right and that experience is something you have to gain through actual mission and combat while skills is something that can be provided
through training. Nothing can compensate for the real thing, right! [:)]

So the 70 airskill pilots have to prove themselves in service and through battle to reach veteran and ace status.
- Sending lower exp pilots to less "hostile" theaters to turn them into vets would be sensible - if doable that is!

[bklooste]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Thanx for the input guys!
Think you are both right and that experience is something you have to gain through actual mission and combat while skills is something that can be provided
through training. Nothing can compensate for the real thing, right! [:)]

So the 70 airskill pilots have to prove themselves in service and through battle to reach veteran and ace status.
- Sending lower exp pilots to less "hostile" theaters to turn them into vets would be sensible - if doable that is!

I think Castor Troy has the right idea for sweeps use 70 skill /50-70 exp guys in your best planes , try to send the 50 exp guys to semi active theaters first, for cap 50/45 skill is prob enough since lost pilots have a good chance of comming back . In effect they are training . I like 2E bombers to have higher ratings though due to the extra production cost.

[PzB74]

Christmas Island can now officially be called a fortress.
Level 4 airfields, level 2 port, 35k supplies, 330 AV and support for 150 ac.
- I've moved in 45 Zero's and 45 Nells; that was one painful transfer from the Home Islands, probably lost 10 ac to OPS.
The base will continue to be reinforced in dribs and drabs and should now be able to defend itself from everything but a major enemy assault
by multiple divisions and carriers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 26, 42

Ground Combat

The first big group of Chinese surrenders; 2/3's fight on.

Ground combat at 79,56
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62477 troops, 543 guns, 164 vehicles, Assault Value = 2104
Defending force 15974 troops, 207 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 204

Japanese adjusted assault: 961

Allied adjusted defense: 16
Japanese assault odds: 60 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
10878 casualties reported
Squads: 158 destroyed, 448 disabled
Non Combat: 369 destroyed, 711 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 75 (55 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Assaulting units:
17th/C Division
138th Infantry Regiment
37th Division
35th Division
116th/B Division
13th/B Division
51st Infantry Brigade
17th/B Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
22nd Division
10th RGC Temp./C Division

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
7th War Area
30th Group Army
12th Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------

[Cribtop]

Why not move in jumps via the Jimas, Marianas & Kwaj/Roi Namur?

[PzB74]

I did just so, even via Marianas - Truk - Kwai - Canton - Christmas Island.
Always in clear or partially cloudy weather; record was loosing 5 Nells in one jump.

These pilots are 50 exp ones with ca 70 naval attack so that may be the reason.
Not going to sacrifice the crack units for such an exposed outpost.

[PzB74]

Very quiet so I've launched the only offensive arm ready for action.
28 submarines are getting ready to launch a renewed offensive against enemy shipping lanes between PH and the West Coast.
Based at Christmas Island even shorter range RO subs can patrol the waters around Pearl with a sub tender in port.

I'm scrounging engineer units; 3 will be moved to Woodlark Island, Milne Bay and Rossel Island to complete the defensive perimeter there.
Another one is going to Sorong and Timor. As resources are freed up or becomes available they will go to the islands around and north of Timor and the SRA
to build defenses in depth there.

The armoed division is going back to Rangoon; still without a full complement of Type 1 tanks as I can get it to upgrade 120 tanks to this type.
Motorized support is also only at 35%, otherwise it's at full strength.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 27, 42

Just 2 Chinese corps left in the kessel now.

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 79,56

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62332 troops, 543 guns, 164 vehicles, Assault Value = 2093
Defending force 8489 troops, 166 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 184

Japanese adjusted assault: 1075

Allied adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 107 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3230 casualties reported
Squads: -42950002 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 42949408 destroyed, 130 disabled
Engineers: 42949665 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 133 (117 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
35th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th/B Division
37th Division
13th/B Division
51st Infantry Brigade
17th/B Division
22nd Division
17th/C Division
138th Infantry Regiment
10th RGC Temp./C Division

Defending units:
78th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Base Force
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[CapAndGown]

Motorized support arrives slower than any other type of unit. It is a bear getting those tank divisions to get their full complement of motorized support. Even then, they are woefully short on support elements. It seems each tank division needs to be paired with a HQ if it is to operate at peak efficiency. 

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Motorized support arrives slower than any other type of unit. 

And support seems to be second slowest, in spite of the fact I have bazillions of each. Any idea why or, if purposeful in the code, what is the rationale?

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Motorized support arrives slower than any other type of unit. 

And support seems to be second slowest, in spite of the fact I have bazillions of each. Any idea why or, if purposeful in the code, what is the rationale?

It's really, really hard to train cooks. [:'(][:'(]

[bklooste]

Vets , water purification  and hospitals are a bit harder though..

[PzB74]

Not much to do about lack of support, got 2 HQ's in Burma; hopefully that will help.

The Junyo is heading for the HI's to repair battle damage.
Only one light carrier and 2 escort carriers are left in the Central Pacific for now.
A new light carrier and another escort carrier will join the Fleet by the time the KB and Junyo returns to service.

Mini KB will then consist of 1 CV, 2 CVL and one CS while another 3 CVE's will be available to provide support.
The KB with its 6 fleet carriers will be the main striking force and no further reinforcements are expected until the Taiho
can be completed sometimes in late 43 - early 44.

Still not made up my mind whether to convert some of the seaplane tenders; I might convert one or two to complement the Mini KB.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 28, 42

We've squeezed the last Chinese in the pocket!

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 79,56
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62336 troops, 543 guns, 164 vehicles, Assault Value = 2095
Defending force 5751 troops, 92 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Japanese adjusted assault: 1029

Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 1029 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
188 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6090 casualties reported
Squads: 42949477 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 42949561 destroyed, 279 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 116 (98 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Units destroyed 2


Assaulting units:
138th Infantry Regiment
35th Division
37th Division
17th/C Division
22nd Division
116th/B Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th/B Division
17th/B Division
51st Infantry Brigade
10th RGC Temp./C Division

Defending units:
78th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
-------------------------------------------------------------------

China

[castor troy]

If you manage to take terrain up to the yellow line AND manage to hold on Burma you can take out China as a whole (and as a consequence hold Burma) because the Chinese will completely run out of supplies.

[JohnDillworth]

Squads: 42949477 destroyed

Is this a bug? Looks like a lot of squads to me

[PzB74]

Hm, China is doable - Burma not so me thinks.

Yep, an old bug that appears when units are wiped out. Some stack overflow or something.

[Mynok]

Numeric overflow. Stack overflows tend to result in crashes. [;)]

[PzB74]

We had a turn-mess up. Ended up with me having to redo the last turn I posted, annoying since I spent a long time reorganizing.

I can see that oil is slowly continuing its decline.
Advice for how I can achieve better oil economics?

Industry wise I just halted production of Vals and Kates while increasing engine production.
Also upped heavy industry, naval shipyards and repair yards a notch. More industry on Java and in Singapore can only be an advantage.

Upped research of the George fighter a bit as well, the only ac I'm trying to advance right now.

Otherwise I'm shipping out more supplies to China and bases throughout the Pacific than ever before.
Has been a continous problem that I run low on supplies when something breaks loose; will try to improve this time.

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I can see that oil is slowly continuing its decline.
Advice for how I can achieve better oil economics?

As long as you have more refineries than oil centers, your oil stocks will go down. This is not necessarily a bad thing because it is fuel you need, not oil.

So the question is: how are you doing on fuel?

Fuel is used to run HI and the fleet. To save on fuel you can a) shut down some HI, b) not sail so many ships, or c) a combination of the two.

To cut down on HI you need to reduce the need for HI. One common way is to shut down some armament production. Another is to either finish building ships, or not build so many. That way you can shutdown either Merchant or Naval Shipyards, or both. You can also halt engine production. But I would make sure I am generally running a surplus so that my stockpile of engines was constantly increasing.

To cut down on sailing, make sure you are using as few ships as possible to accomplish your ends. I sail with the biggest xAKs I have when transporting resources and supplies so that I can use less of them. Also, try not to use xAKs to transport fuel. This is extremely inefficient. Also, compare the tonnage of your TKs to how much fuel they can carry. Try to use the biggest TKs you have while letting the little ones sit idle. Also, try to ensure that the TKs you use can carry more tons of fuel than their own tonnage.

For combined fleet vessels that have float planes, turn off refueling when just sitting in their home port. Otherwise they cause all the ships in the TF with them to refuel every turn. For CVs, you can stand down all your planes, or transfer the CVs to the port so they don't burn fuel.

If your supply situation is good, you can turn off some LI in the home islands. You won't need as many resources, therefore you won't need to run as many resource convoys.

Do you want a bigger stockpile of oil in the home islands? How is your supply situation in Burma? If it is good, shut off the refineries up there and let the oil flow down to Singapore for transport back the home islands.