cap_and_gown(j) v witpqs(a) - no witpqs

[CapAndGown]

Here is a screen shot of allied advances during 1943. There have only been two significant battles in the last year: one at Wotje and one at Ponape. Most of the rest of this territory was ceded without too much of a fight.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Here is a screen shot of allied advances during 1942.

1943?

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Here is a screen shot of allied advances during 1942.

1943?

oops. fixed. thanks.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

Here is a screen shot of allied advances during 1943. There have only been two significant battles in the last year: one at Wotje and one at Ponape. Most of the rest of this territory was ceded without too much of a fight.

nice hold for entering 44 and with your recent victory in the big naval clash you are definetely in a good position.

[CapAndGown]

Dec. 16, 1943

Been a while since I updated this. Things have been rather quite.

Rangoon fell a few turns back, yielding the allies a bundle of VPs. Now supply will start flowing to the Chinese. I am planning an offensive to try to deal with this fresh infusion.

On the production front, both the Tony Id and Frank were advanced to January, while the Jack J2M3 was advanced to February. The Tony Id factories were upgraded to the Ki-100 I model. The Frank factories were expanded and will go directly from R&D to production in January. (For the Tony, the existing production factories will be upgraded to the Id version.)

In looking at my options, I decided that the Jack J2M3 will be the plane of choice for the IJN, at least for those groups that can upgrade to the Jack or the George (I have found if you can upgrade to one, you can upgrade to the other). It has 4 20mm cannons with 2 of them mounted on the cowling, giving better accuracy. This is compared to the George which has its 4 20mm cannons all mounted in the wings. Plus, the Jack J2M3 has a service rating of 2 and a speed that is just about the same as any of the George models.

What this choice meant was that now that the J2M3 has advanced as far as R&D will take it (I can't get it up to January) and with my decision not to bother with the George N1K2 model, it was time to reallocate those R&D factories. In this case, I chose to convert some of the factories to the A7M2 Sam and others to the Ki-84b Frank. I like the "b" model because it has 4 20mm cannons, unlike the "a" and "r" models. Unfortunately, the "b" model has nothing that directly upgrades to it, so you need to research it de novo. (That will also mean that when it becomes available, the existing "a" model factories will need to be converted to something else without the benefit of a "no-damage conversion.")

Lexington showed up on the sunk ships list and in the operation report. I was positive that she was sunk based on the fact that my planes did not attack her in the afternoon phase of the 26th. So that seems to indicate that the tally from the battle of Ponape is, at least:

5xCV (Enterprise, Yorktown, Saratoga, Lexington, Wasp)
2xCVL (Independence, Cowpens)
8xCVE (2 by subs)
1xBB (Indiana, plus maybe one of the Pearl Harbor BBs)

I am currently working on a new doctrine for defeating an allied invasion. My prior planning did not involve trying to stop the allies from landing since I was not that in love with the Marshalls or Gilberts. I am, however, more strongly attached to Truk and the Marianas. Therefore, I am not just looking for a decisive carrier battle, but a surface action that disrupts and perhaps demolishes a landing attempt. I will outline my ideas later, but I certainly would like to hear your thoughts.

Also, I am stumped as to what to do right now. I tried sending out the CVs to interdict allied supply lines. What that led to was fending off a mass a subs without the allied CVs ever coming out to challenge me. My expedition into the Indian Ocean also attracted a bunch of subs without turning up any game. I am not terribly interested in losing my CVs to his subs without some clear goal they can be achieving. (I almost lost the Kasagi in that last foray!) I am also not to terribly interested in risking my CVs against allied LBA. So I am not sure there are too many attractive targets for an invasion. While I still have carrier superiority, I would like to do something with them to hurt the allies rather than just sit and wait for the next invasion. But I am having a difficult time figuring out what I could do that will not get some of my CVs sunk for just a minor gain.

[vicberg]

Since his subs are preventing an exploit, the best thing to do (and the most boring), imo, is to defend. Park the KB at a strategic location, conserve fuel, train up replacement pilots, rebuild pilot reserves, rebuild LBA and Carrier squadrons and wait for him to come. You have an excellent set of interlocking airbases, so any attack anywhere near the SRA or marianas will most likely be met with further losses, especially when kamakazis come into play. He attacks in one spot and is met with 10-20 squadrons (minimum) from multiple locations...it's not looking good for him atm.

Reserves are the key for your defensive scheme, which I think is a very good one. Sitting back and rebuilding is key right now.

If I were him, I'd assault from burma at this point, asap. If you can keep rangoon from being resupplied, the burma supply rules should prevent any major advances, but that's where I'd keep a sharp eye.

[cookie monster]

You can suck supply using the draw arrows into Burma and even China, supply should not be an issue.

[veji1]

indeed, you will need lots and lots of planes and if not good, decent pilots, for the next big battle. So you want to park the KB (maybe divide it in two, with one fleet in Manilla and the other around Palau) and train your KB wings. On the other hand you want to keep training a lot of you LBA against subs, including your naval LBA : Betties and Nells are great ASW platforms thanks to their range and on the naval side of things his subs are his most dangerous assets. Furthermore next big battle your Betties will go down in flames anyway, they are here to tire his CAP, not really score hits (or against cripples), so you are better off trading a bit of torpedo and bombing ability for more ASW.

If I were your opponent I would try 2 approches :
- beating you by pure LBA and land forces power from Burma, basically trying to push/envelop you out of Thailand and sending troops to China to make it an active theater.
- saving my naval asset for a big bold assault in late 44 or early 45 rather than trying to grind you out island by island, which has failed so far.

This means that to me your utmost priority should be to deal with the Burmese/Chinese situation. You really need to stop him cold. How much troops can you muster to try to seal off China ? what can you do to protect you Thai flank against a major onslaught which could include lots of american troops coming via the Cape ?

[BigBadWolf]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown



In looking at my options, I decided that the Jack J2M3 will be the plane of choice for the IJN, at least for those groups that can upgrade to the Jack or the George (I have found if you can upgrade to one, you can upgrade to the other). It has 4 20mm cannons with 2 of them mounted on the cowling, giving better accuracy. This is compared to the George which has its 4 20mm cannons all mounted in the wings. Plus, the Jack J2M3 has a service rating of 2 and a speed that is just about the same as any of the George models.

Not quite, mate. All 4 of them are on the wings.

[castor troy]

and the George got two more center lined MGs which brings it to a total gun value of 20! I was shocked when I first saw those stats because up to that point I´ve thought the P-47 would be the non plus ultra in regards to firepower of 1E fighters, but the George even got 2 more points. As the Japanese player I would use those as bomber interceptors only.

edit: the P-47 got 24 IIRC so still better than the George, my bad.

[bigbaba]

Great AAR so far. i am very intrested to see your next generation fighters with armor, self sealing tanks and 20mm MK against the allied heavies. maybe something like "schweinfurt in pacific".[;)]

one more question:

can you post us a screenshot of your fighter aces after the huge battle?

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown

In looking at my options, I decided that the Jack J2M3 will be the plane of choice for the IJN, at least for those groups that can upgrade to the Jack or the George (I have found if you can upgrade to one, you can upgrade to the other). It has 4 20mm cannons with 2 of them mounted on the cowling, giving better accuracy. This is compared to the George which has its 4 20mm cannons all mounted in the wings. Plus, the Jack J2M3 has a service rating of 2 and a speed that is just about the same as any of the George models.

Not quite, mate. All 4 of them are on the wings.

Oops, you are right. I must have had the Tony Id in mind when I wrote that.

ORIGINAL: castor troy

and the George got two more center lined MGs which brings it to a total gun value of 20! I was shocked when I first saw those stats because up to that point I´ve thought the P-47 would be the non plus ultra in regards to firepower of 1E fighters, but the George even got 2 more points. As the Japanese player I would use those as bomber interceptors only.

edit: the P-47 got 24 IIRC so still better than the George, my bad.

That is the N1K1 model. The problem with that model is it has a service rating of 3. In addition, those 7.7mm MGs are pretty much worthless. I remember my stupid Oscar Ia's at the beginning of the war: their guns could not penetrate a cotton shirt. So I am going with the Jack J2M3.

ORIGINAL: bigbaba
Great AAR so far. i am very intrested to see your next generation fighters with armor, self sealing tanks and 20mm MK against the allied heavies. maybe something like "schweinfurt in pacific".

one more question:

can you post us a screenshot of your fighter aces after the huge battle?

As far as I know, armor is self sealing fuel tanks.

As to aces: my carrier pilots are not aces. To be an ace means you have killed 5 enemy planes. To kill 5 enemy planes means you have seen a lot of action. For a carrier pilot to see lots of action means the carrier is constantly being used. But I rarely use my carriers. In fact, I rarely have my carrier pilots fly. When I commit them to battle I want them fresh with almost no fatigue, both pilots and planes. (I just went through this anal ritual of dismounting all my carrier planes and remounting them so they would go through the maintenance routine and reduce their fatigue to 0.) It is my army pilots that have the kills. I try to keep the Navy formations out of action so they can train up newbies and add to my reserves. (Right now the Navy is running on fumes - I only have about 50 pilots in reserve. Indeed, I have had to lower my standards and graduate pilots with only 48 experience, though I am still looking for 69-70 skill.)

[veji1]

How is you naval LBA going ? What do you use your betties and nells for lately ? having a high quality ASW air arm would greatly help your fight against his subs.

[BigBadWolf]

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown


(I just went through this anal ritual of dismounting all my carrier planes and remounting them so they would go through the maintenance routine and reduce their fatigue to 0.)

Can you explain this? I haven't heard of such practice.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown


(I just went through this anal ritual of dismounting all my carrier planes and remounting them so they would go through the maintenance routine and reduce their fatigue to 0.)

Can you explain this? I haven't heard of such practice.

probably down-/upgrading. Get´s you all fresh aircraft.

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

ORIGINAL: cap_and_gown


(I just went through this anal ritual of dismounting all my carrier planes and remounting them so they would go through the maintenance routine and reduce their fatigue to 0.)

Can you explain this? I haven't heard of such practice.

As planes fly, they accumulate fatigue just like pilots. For planes with a service rating of 2 or more, or for any plane that is damaged, they go through a maintenance/repair routine once their fatigue reaches a certain level. After maintenance/repair, their fatigue is reset to 0. When you dismount you carrier planes to the same base where an anchored carrier is located, they are all "damaged", i.e. made inactive until they repair. Thus, they enter the maintenance cycle and their fatigue is reset.

ORIGINAL: veji1
How is you naval LBA going ? What do you use your betties and nells for lately ? having a high quality ASW air arm would greatly help your fight against his subs.

Most Netties (now with Francis! - Frenetics?) are training pilots for torpedo/nav bomb. My main ASW plane is the Helen. I prefer this plane because its high durability and armor means lower losses from sub AAA and the pay load of 4 250kg bombs seem to get lots of fatal hits. I just heard another sub sink about two turns ago. The Helens are really kicking butt. I wonder, though, whether I should think about making some Helen Ia's. They will get MAD in June 1944. Only problem is they are not armored.

[CapAndGown]

Dec. 24, 1943

Interesting bit of intel came across our desk today: the BB West Virginia was reported as sunk 2 hexes east of Kusaie last turn. The WV took two torpedo hits and 1 bomb hit during the battle of Ponape. She apparently has been trying to reduce sys/non-major float damage at Kusaie and is now being move to a shipyard. This report indicates that WV is probably only making between 2-5 hexes per turn and saw its float damage increase during one of the damage control phases this last turn. It so happens I have a number of SSTs delivering supplies to Jailut at the moment. So they were told to stop unloading their supplies and patrol along the likely path of the WV. Most likely this will just get a bunch of my subs killed. But as slow as that WV is moving, it seems possible for us to score a nice kill.

[veji1]

So what has been happening here ? What are your thoughts and plans ?

[CapAndGown]

Dec. 29, 1943

I have fallen behind here, not because nothing has been happening, but because I have focused on trying to do turns over reporting.

First off, my attempt to target what I believed to be the West Virginia failed. I did not even find a TF.

Now, however, another reported sinking has really piqued my interest. In this case, the Bunker Hill is reported to have sunk on Dec. 28 3 hexes west of Kwajalein. What this would seem to indicate is that Bunker Hill was also at Kusaie and is now being moved east. Perhaps to Kwajalein? That is a level 5 port, the largest the allies have around. And if they have been able to get an ARD out there, then they could repair any major float damage the Bunker Hill has in the Marshalls. Unless, of course, I decide to intervene. I am now thinking about a port raid on Kwajalein. This raid would be staged from 12 hexes to the northwest using Jills as level bombers flying from 9k feet. This would expose the carriers to any dive/torpedo bombers based at Roi-Namur, and any Mitchells based in the Marshalls. I don't believe that would be much of a drawback. The Mitchells could be rather nasty, if they are ready. I would not expect too many SBDs or TBDs to be at Roi-Namur. Instead, the biggest problem would be fighting through the CAP, which would be made up of Corsairs. Kwajalein's airfield is only size 1, but the airfields around it could contribute their CAP as well, and that could be a lot of fighters. Plus, I don't know if the Bunker Hill would still be there by the time I got my carriers into place. Anyway, it is something to think about.

[CapAndGown]

Cont.

I had been thinking about an evacuation of the Gilberts. After examining the situation, though, I have decided the potential costs in lost ships is not worth the price. There are units out there I would like to retrieve, but I would need carrier support for any such operation, and none of those units out there individually or collectively are worth the price of a CV.

Right now I am looking at the situation on the other side of my empire and have uncovered a serious hole in my defensive network in the Adaman Sea. First, I find that Trinkat Island is within 21 hexes of Singapore. This is bad news, since B-24's have a range of 21 hexes. So I want to get divisions to both Great Nicobar and Trinkat. Then, on top of that, I need to build up and provision with air support the air bases at Chumphon and Surat. These are needed so that I can CAP bombardment and surface combat forces at Victoria Point. (Victoria Point has a garrison of 1 division and some arty.) Surface forces in the Adaman sea can be used to repel invasions and suppress the build-up of allied airfields should they capture Port Blair and the northern Adamans. I also need the air bases at Chumphon and Surat built up so that I can use my airforce against an invasion of the Adaman Islands. Right now, if I were to let my airforce range out from the bases in central and northern Thailand all the way to Port Blair, Rangoon would also be in range. And the allied fighter cover their is extreme. There is no way I want my bombers flying into that! If, OTOH, they fly from bases on the Kra Isthmus, then they can range out to Port Blair, etc., but Rangoon will be out of range.

I should have thought of this stuff earlier. But I believe I still have time to get my people into place.