Rise of the Sheep! JocMeister(A) vs. Obvert(J)

[Cap Mandrake]

I have my "pilot rescue ships" out!

[:D]

Someitmes it seems more productive to go after port and airfield attacks to hit the supply depots thatn to attack non-engaged ground troops behind forts with carrier bombers.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Jocke - Doing my orders now. Guess who is going through all his BFs in India/Burma to make sure they have the latest radar?? [:D]

Haha, I´m glad something good came out of my mistake! [:D]

Did you find any?

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

I have my "pilot rescue ships" out!

[:D]

Someitmes it seems more productive to go after port and airfield attacks to hit the supply depots thatn to attack non-engaged ground troops behind forts with carrier bombers.

That might actually be a very good idea. Didn´t think of it! [:)]

The air attack today showed a little bit more promise I´m glad to say. Might be a good dice roll, a fluke or simply that supply is really burned up already!

Morning Air attack on 64th Naval Guard Unit, at 136,98 (Wake Island)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 243
SBD-5 Dauntless x 52
TBF-1 Avenger x 136


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

This is something I can work with!

[JocMeister]

17th - 18th April -44

Wake

As indicated by the above CR it looks like things might start loosening up a bit. I sure hope so. BBs have reach Midway for rearmament. I´m probably going to split them up in two chunks instead to get some rotation.

I´ll do one more airstrike before pulling back a little. I don´t want to get caught with 30% of my strike planes doing ground attack. Lost track of the KB.

Burma

I moved in here in force again. Striking out from Chittagong at Prome. I noticed Erik had troops moving through there so I probably caught them in move mode.

Morning Air attack on 16th Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11
Liberator B.III x 13
Liberator B.VI x 3
Liberator GR.III x 21
Wellington GR.VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 17
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
B-24J Liberator x 163


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 damaged
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
503 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

After that comes some smaller strikes adding another 300 casualties. I´m hoping this will convince Erik I´m moving on Prome. I´m not right now. But Lashio will soon receive a little surprise.

With the 2E reinforcements I sent from the East Coast I now have 1012 bombers in Burma! [X(]

B29s arrived at Calcutta. I have a 700 plane CAP in place. If Erik manages to penetrate that CAP 13 hexes from the nearest Japanese airfield and destroy them on the ground I will never do another AE turn in my life.

New Guinea
Afters shooing away the 2 BBs and CAs I can land a bunch of Engineers in peace and quiet at Sarmi. Ships are starting to come out of repair and gathering at Horn Island for the resupply effort of Darwin.

Colombia detaches from NJ and Iowa and heads to Sydney for repairs. The latter two starts the transit towards the WC. It will probably be at least a year before they see OZ again. Pretty amazing the New Jersey took 5(!) torpedoes and Iowa 3!

[JocMeister]

Operation Aegir

The occupation of Northern New Guinea will be two fold.
- First stage is to occupy Biak and Noemfoor.
- Second stage is the attack and occupation of Sansapor, Sorong and Waigeo

KB intervention is likely so I will have to be careful. The hardest part will be Biak that now has 22.000 troops and 14 Units. I foresaw this being a potential problem spot and have quite a good number of troops prepping. Unfortunately 32nd ID is only at 32 prep while most other units are in the 60ish.

In total I have for Biak
2 IDs
1 Inf. RGT
2 Tank units
1 Combat engineer unit.
4 Art units.

I also have a command HQ (52) and a Corp HQ (25) prepping. Adding the weight of Naval bombardment and 4E I hope this will be enough. I will consider going in pretty low prep here and risk damage on landing.

Noemfoor will be easier with only 2 units found by recon. I have the following forces preparing to land:
2 Inf. RGTs
2 Tank units
1 Arty unit.

The second phase will be a lot easier with a massive number of units for Sorong and Sansapor.

[ny59giants]

CV Air Groups - If you think you may encounter enemy warships, regardless of size, I set my DB/TBs on Naval Attack (10% Search) with a secondary mission AF or Ground Attack with a specific target selected. You should be doing this with all your carriers off of Wake. So, in the AM Phase if no enemy ships targeted, there will not be any strikes. In the PM Phase they will hit the base if no warship found.

Looking at New Guinea, what are you doing about advancing up the southern coastline??

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

CV Air Groups - If you think you may encounter enemy warships, regardless of size, I set my DB/TBs on Naval Attack (10% Search) with a secondary mission AF or Ground Attack with a specific target selected. You should be doing this with all your carriers off of Wake. So, in the AM Phase if no enemy ships targeted, there will not be any strikes. In the PM Phase they will hit the base if no warship found.

Looking at New Guinea, what are you doing about advancing up the southern coastline??

Wow, That is excellent! Never thought of that (as usual)! I had the strike planes on the CVEs set on ground attack only and kept the ones on the CV/CVLs on naval strike only. Kind of not doing either of them very good! Truly magnificent advice! [:)]

Regarding Southern NG I´m going to land at Nabire and then walk to Timoeka. Not optimal but he has 12.000 men at Timoeka and 8000 at Nabire. Don´t have enough troops to prep for them both.

[JocMeister]

19th April -44

Hehe, Erik really doesn´t like the Fletchers! [:D] tm.asp?m=3293750

New Guinea
Lots of traffic going to and from Rabaul. And no bombers...lets see if we can do something here. Erik is also dangling a TF at Biak. A 6 ship Fletcher TF will visit during the night. Reinforcements arrived at OZ slated for NG. 8 More Fletchers together with some APAs and a bunch of LSTs.

OZ
80 PTs are gathering at Horn Island together with 20 Fletchers. Cargo ships are loading up. Gove is already topped off with supply to support LRCAP.

CENTPAC
Very good news from the daily Wake bombings. Looks like things are starting to go my way! [:)]

Morning Air attack on 8th Recon Regiment, at 136,98 (Wake Island)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 238
SBD-5 Dauntless x 52
TBF-1 Avenger x 135


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

I can´t keep this up for more then about a week. I´m loosing some 5-10 planes per day in OPS losses. Mainly Hellcats. I´ve taken Michaels excellent suggestion on settings and switched on the involved groups. I took the decision not to start striking with my full force. I want to appear weaker then I am right now. With the OPS losses and small strike package Erik might decide this is a good opportunity to strike. If he is coming he should come in 2-3 days. In fact he could arrive next turn if he went full speed and counting only one day of refueling. Unlikely though.

BBs arrived at Midway. Will take 2-3 days to rearm I think. I will split them in two groups instead.

Burma
Erik took the bait at Prome. Good! I will move here eventually but need to rest up for 1-2 weeks. In the meantime I might be able to cut him off from China.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

17th - 18th April -44

Burma

I moved in here in force again. Striking out from Chittagong at Prome. I noticed Erik had troops moving through there so I probably caught them in move mode.

Morning Air attack on 16th Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11
Liberator B.III x 13
Liberator B.VI x 3
Liberator GR.III x 21
Wellington GR.VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 17
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
B-24J Liberator x 163

With the 2E reinforcements I sent from the East Coast I now have 1012 bombers in Burma! [X(]

Have you taken out the LI at Rangoon?

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

17th - 18th April -44

Burma

I moved in here in force again. Striking out from Chittagong at Prome. I noticed Erik had troops moving through there so I probably caught them in move mode.

Morning Air attack on 16th Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11
Liberator B.III x 13
Liberator B.VI x 3
Liberator GR.III x 21
Wellington GR.VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 17
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
B-24J Liberator x 163

With the 2E reinforcements I sent from the East Coast I now have 1012 bombers in Burma! [X(]

Have you taken out the LI at Rangoon?

The Moose .. he has over a thousand bombers in theater . should the question not be "Have you taken out Rangoon yet?" [meaning port, LI, airfield, all moving things ... ] [:D]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

17th - 18th April -44

Burma

I moved in here in force again. Striking out from Chittagong at Prome. I noticed Erik had troops moving through there so I probably caught them in move mode.



Have you taken out the LI at Rangoon?

The Moose .. he has over a thousand bombers in theater . should the question not be "Have you taken out Rangoon yet?" [meaning port, LI, airfield, all moving things ... ] [:D]

Well, I was trying to gently suggest that mid-1944 is a good time to step up the strategic game and not worry about squashing bugs so much with 4Es. It's hard to let go of tha early-war mentality where you throw everytthing you have at every situation just because you have so little. If the LI is alive it needs to die. Those couple hundred supply per day then have to flow overland (probably Bangkok) or come by water. It makes his life harder than losing 300 squads in the jungle would do.

[Crackaces]

Well, I was trying to gently suggest that mid-1944 is a good time to step up the strategic game and not worry about squashing bugs so much with 4Es. It's hard to let go of tha early-war mentality where you throw everytthing you have at every situation just because you have so little. If the LI is alive it needs to die. Those couple hundred supply per day then have to flow overland (probably Bangkok) or come by water. It makes his life harder than losing 300 squads in the jungle would do.

"Absolutely! and to support your thoughts .. now there is just over a 1,000 bombers .. "Cologne" might be considered and maybe hitting the refinery and the Resources? Then again I am thinking that you are right. It is best to focus all 1,000 bombers on LI exclusvely ensuring the best chance of getting destroying all 40 units on the first strikes [The mission is going to come in multiple passes with 5 here, maybe the 4E will concentrate and get 10-15 ....]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

Well, I was trying to gently suggest that mid-1944 is a good time to step up the strategic game and not worry about squashing bugs so much with 4Es. It's hard to let go of tha early-war mentality where you throw everytthing you have at every situation just because you have so little. If the LI is alive it needs to die. Those couple hundred supply per day then have to flow overland (probably Bangkok) or come by water. It makes his life harder than losing 300 squads in the jungle would do.

"Absolutely! and to support your thoughts .. now there is just over a 1,000 bombers .. "Cologne" might be considered and maybe hitting the refinery and the Resources? Then again I am thinking that you are right. It is best to focus all 1,000 bombers on LI exclusvely ensuring the best chance of getting destroying all 40 units on the first strikes [The mission is going to come in multiple passes with 5 here, maybe the 4E will concentrate and get 10-15 ....]

I don't have Rangoon anymore. I recalled it being about 180/day, but that must have included the Refinery-thrown supply too. I'm not sure this scenario has refinery-produced supply. Not sure. Either way, I'd do the LI first, then the refineries if they are on for supply. If not, probably look for some low-hanging HI targets next.

[JocMeister]

Hey guys!

The LI in Rangoon is still up and running. Never crossed my mind to take it out while the AF was down I´m embarrassed to admit! [:(] And now there is 750 fighters on CAP there...next time? [:D]

Going to be a short break in the game for a few days as the Easter celebrations kick off. Might have time to do an update here though. [:)]

[JocMeister]

19th - 22nd April -44

Some slow turns. Pace has dropped due to Easter celebrations.

OZ

A bunch of slow convoys gather just outside Gove. I have little hope of them escaping detection. I have only a 8 ship Fletcher TF and a 10 ship CL TF for cover. 50 PTs are also here for added protection. Don´t know how Erik will react to this. His latest bombardment have not been able to even scratch the AF so sending in BBs to bombard is very risky. If he loose to many OPS on the way in he may get stuck within range of the DBs/TBs the following morning.

An African ID leaves Perth towards Darwin.

CENTPAC

No sign of KB. Airstrikes are continuing to cause some damage.

Afternoon Air attack on Wake Coastal Gun Battalion, at 136,98 (Wake Island)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 197
SBD-5 Dauntless x 49
TBF-1 Avenger x 112


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Given I have very weak troops prepped I will continue this for at least another week. This will also give the BBs another chance.

Burma
I do some bombings here and there switching targets from turn to turn. Erik has withdrawn almost everything towards Prome/Rangoon. I don´t think he has spotted my 1000 AV preparing to strike directly at Lashio yet. I have bought out some Arty to follow along. Only 2500 Troops at Lashio.

I think I may have come up with a plan to deal with Rangoon. More on that later.

New Guinea

I´m starting to regret I only have 2 IDs prepped for Biak. Erik has reinforced this heavily. Hopefully the Tanks, arty and Engineers can make up the difference. 4E strikes at the troops there shows forts are probably decent.

Morning Air attack on 53rd Infantry Brigade, at 87,110 (Biak)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 62
B-24J Liberator x 104
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Not surprisingly there is still no big combat formations in place. Hopefully this will yet again backfire for him.

49th Infantry Rgt /2
9th Tank Regiment
8th Garrison Unit /2
Kure 2nd SNLF
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
53rd Infantry Brigade
4th South Seas Gsn

I´m considering just bypassing the base but this will require full CV support. I think I will need Biak through. Hopefully continued airstrikes and bombardments by sea can whittle his strength enough.

[JocMeister]

Game is slowly going forward. I hope I can do a proper update on friday. Erik is in the states and work is killing me right now. I get up at 04:45 and get back home around 17:00-17:30 depending on traffic. Sucks! [:(]

[JocMeister]

23rd - 27th April -44

New Guinea

I´m still preparing for the Biak invasion. I doubt this will go fast unless Erik has failed to get the forts up. I have about 600 AV landing shortly. Another division is in reserv. This one is suffering from low prep though (35). So it will probably suffer if I have to put them onshore. Erik has 22.000 men on Biak. I do have a good mix of units with tanks and engineers aswell as some arty. I have a Corps HQ at 52 prep and a Command HQ at 60. I need to secure Biak OR Noemfoor. If Biak looks too tough I might try with my two Inf Regiments on there.

Erik is landing troops at Sorong. I decided to let him as I don´t want to draw attention here right now. These troops will be destroyed anyway. Even if he puts ALL troops he has available in the area there it will be swept away. I have a massive invasion planned for Sorong!

Troops will begin loading in a few days for Biak. ETA about 2 weeks.

My rule of thumb is again proven as I loose 7 B24 when 8 Georges comes up to challenge. This is ridiculous! [8|] Erik will probably withdraw but I sent in a P47 sweep tomorrow anyway.

The new Jack is nasty! I get 1:1 against them with P38Js. Crap. I loose some very good pilots.

CENTPAC

Some more BB loving hits Wake. This time the results are a little bit better!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 26, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB California
BB Arizona
BB Nevada
BC Renown
DD Crane
DD Kennison
DD Vendetta
DD Stuart
DD Downes

Japanese ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (17 destroyed, 7 disabled)

This is followed up by the biggest airstrike yet!

Afternoon Air attack on 8th Recon Regiment, at 136,98 (Wake Island)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 449
SBD-5 Dauntless x 231
TBF-1 Avenger x 137
TBM-1C Avenger x 128


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled <-- This I like!
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Assault ships are closing in. Second wave is following a day behind with garrison forces leaving PH now. I need to finish this up. Sorties are down to 60% on the CVs and 50% on the CVEs. We will hang around 2 more days before withdrawing to PH. Then we go Eniwetok!

OZ

I send in a suicide TF with supplies to Darwin. They do excellent and drop of 12k supply for the loss of only 3 xAKLs. I have more waiting in line but Eriks BBs are approaching. I´ll hold back a bit. Last bombardment did nothing so there is no need to risk anything. I have a surprise waiting for him.

Burma

My push for Lashio is almost ready. Resting up a bit of fatigue. Should begin moving tomorrow. I have high hopes this will rattle Erik. I have some 1600 AV backed up by loads of Arty. This has the potential of cutting him off from China. Don´t think he will like that if I succeeds. He will then have to send some troops North to deal with this.

My superstack will soon be complete. I still havn´t decided where to cross. Erik has 70k troops at Prome. So I will probably go somewhere else! [:D]

Strategic Bombing

Has yet to begin. I stupidly enough assumed the pilots that arrived with the squadrons would be trained. They were...in LOW NAV. [8|] I need a week more to sort this out as pilots are in transit. In 4 days I can begin striking at targets in China! This will force Erik to cover a massive amount of bases or slowly see it being destroyed. I´m looking forward to this campaign and I hope the game can manage somewhat plausible results. If its anything like the usual 4Es I will quickly have to resort to night bombing as loosing 1 B29 for each airborne Georges is not sustainable. [8|]

I hope I can do a comprehensive update tomorrow with updates on New Guinea! No screenshot today as I´m not by the game computer.

Skål everyone! [:D]

[JocMeister]

Planned advance New Guinea

Here is a screen of the planned advance. AV numbers are the AV that is currently prepping for the target. Right now Biak is the only place with significant enemy forces (22k). All other targets only have 2-5k men in place. In a addition to this I have a reserve of 450 AV that is already prepping for Mindanao. This reserve can be used on other targets if deemed necessary. If Biak proves too tough I will try and bypass by taking Noemfoor instead.

Strength comparison
Total Allied AV in the region is about 7000. This against an estimated 1000-1500 Jap AV. Only small Japanese units have been encountered since Port Moresby and the 22nd Jap ID. Mostly Garrison, NavGuard and an occasional Regiment/Brigade has been encountered. The first Japanese tank unit in the theatre will be encountered on Biak. I have high hopes the M3s/M4s of the 1st USMC Tank Battalion will make short work of the tankettes. Number of forts encountered has dropped from 6 to 3 over the last months. This indicates Erik doesn´t have enough time to prepare.

Overall I think the Japanese position is very weak. The only thing standing between a swift allied advance is the presence of the KB. I will not underestimate the KB as it is formidable but he can´t cover both the DEI, Marianas and New Guinea. I think its a strategic mistake to count on the KB alone to stem an allied advance all over the map. As soon as allied troops have landed its just a matter of time. KB can´t dislodge troops in place. And once Allied transports get within 4 hexes from an base the troops will land before the KB can stop them. I´m now in a place where I can afford quite serious losses in assault shipping without it being a complete disaster but rather an inconvenience.

I have about 40 APAs and the same number of AKAs in SOPAC right now. A full scale invasion requires about 25% of that. So even if he manages to wipe out a complete invasion armada I can take the losses.

Airlift
Erik has been able to airlift out all forces left behind. This is something I feel the game models very poorly. Its way, way too easy to airlift out units cut off far behind. Even having 100 Fighters on constants LRCAP I only shoot down an occasional transport. Losses Erik can easily replace. Bummer.

[JocMeister]

Burma

Here is a screen of Burma. Its a complete stalemate. But this is making me less stressed out since I discovered some time back Erik has all Divisions but 2 here.

[BBfanboy]

Hi Jocke! I'm baaaaack! [like an annoying aunt who frequently drops in unannounced and uninvited. ]

Glad to see the two Iowas handled their torpedos rather well. I once read a comparison of various BBs by a learned man who said the Iowa class were designed to take seven perfectly placed torp hits [X(] without losing stability. That is amazing, but then I remembered that the Titanic was designed to be unsinkable too!

Now for the annoying, nagging part:
Your invasions at Biak and Noemfoor will occur about 13 hexes away from Babeldaob. The screen pic does not show any aircraft there, which seems unusual. Do you have good recon on it? Is it neutralized?

Given what happened to your Iowa BBs I would not want to face both LBA and possibly the KB during the invasions. Together they can overwhelm CAP.

You may be prepared to suffer loss of APs and AKs, but what about loss of the troops? Can you proceed into the Philippines or DEI if you lose a significant number of them?
[/nagging off][;)]