RHS x.771 uploaded

[el cid again]

This update will feature an entirely new set of cam files for all scenarios at all levels.

Historically, at one point, we experienced some problems with corrupted cam files. We went back to an earlier version of the cam files. But we found one remaining issue. So I have gone all the way back to stock - and created 21 different cam files taylored to each scenario at each level - to insure we have as close to the original as possible. We only confirmed the problem in CVO at Level 7 - but all cam files were updated for safety - in the context of a previous known issue with some of them. This is already done - but will be subject to some testing - and also any attitional matters that may be reported will be folded in. The plan is to release Monday or Tuesday - in a validated form - and freeze on it.

Close review of the cam files caused me to make some pilot changes. The five strictly historical scenarios have a lower rate of JNAF pilot generation. All scenarios gained either pools and/or training rates for some Allied powers. I also note that we are starting with 25% fewer JAAF pilots than stock - but I did not change that data. Most nations start with a pool = twice the monthly rate - unless (as JNAF) this cannot be justified. Most already did - so I made it more consistent.

Mifune also has updated ship art on the RHS site so it is more consistent. The Standard ship art package is being worked on - and I have found some missing panels which presumably will be folded in. That is different from the RHS ship art package presently on the site - but will bring RHS in line with the new standard for stock, CHS and RHS proposed by Mike (if I remember correctly).

Reading materials about the Eastern Operation (i.e. invasion of Hawaii) I have decided to change the divisions in RHSEOS tasked for that task to 5th and 6th. These divisions are replaced by other divisions in their role in EOS only. AIO remains as is in that respect. I also learned about tasking of a line engineer regiment - and that the divisions tasked were assigned extra flamethrowers. In RHS the Japanese flamethrowers are part of the assault engineer squads. So I added them to the divisions tasked for Hawaii - and I swapped the construction engineer regiment I originally sent with a line engineer regiment - the significant difference also being more assault engineer squads are present now. In testing I found the contruction engineer regiment combat ineffective on the very first day after landing - there were too few line squads. EOS and AIO have the change in engineers and the change in assault engineers in the Oahu bound divisions. No other scenario is affected - although OIO would be if it were done.

I identified a device problem affecting all IJA 15 cm mortar units. Code has limits - in this case a range limit - and we had to modify real data slightly to make it happy. The 15 cm heavy mortar units would contribute to a defensive battle but would not bombard offensively - until this patch.

One duplicated USN LST was removed.

In some scenarios one IJA 15 cm mortar unit was pointing at 8 cm mortar formations - which means that it would eventually be able to bombard ! - but it is now corrected so it won't change weapons.

There may have been some other pointer corrections or minor eratta since the last update - I am not sure.

If nothing much else appears I will probably try to add some additional USN LSTs in the summer of 1945.

[el cid again]

Testing indicates that the cam file was innocent in this case - but five scenarios had a problem with a single record in the location file. Record 3583 should not be present in CVO, RAO, BBO, RPO or PPO - it is only used in EOS and AIO. While the location file (and ship files) have the convention in RHS that we keep the record if possible and 9999 it out in unused scenarios - TF records do not tolerate that practice. Anyway - the cam file review may have improved pilot data - so it was worth while.

[m10bob]

Sid, in ver 6.xxx,RHSCVO a few patches back, it was observed and reported that an Australian command unit with a static unit was approx 6 hexes west of Brisbane.
The unit is still there (these 4-5 patches later), and has not been moved to Brisbane.
The unit has already been identified (by yourself).
Thank you..

[el cid again]

It is called the Australian CDH Command unit. It is location slot 214. It indeed does seem to be at Brisbane. I remember the issue and I remember fixing it. It also seems to actually be fixed. If you find a scenario that isn't advise me. I checked CVO at all levels. Also EOS at all levels. All show Brisbane.

[el cid again]

I added five USN LSTs in 1945.

I reworked Japanese mortar units. The Very Heavy Mortar units are now renamed Regiments vice Battalions. The US Army believed there were units of both types - and in a sense there were: a "regiment" of larger than normal guns has two "battalions" of two batteries each. These might have 2 or 4 weapons per battery, corresponding to 4 or 8 weapons ber "battalion" - or 8 or 16 weapons for the "regiment." Some of these weapons got very large indeed - 27 cm and 32 cm - and those are the one with smaller numbers. The more common 15 cm were 16 per "regiment." That would only be a battalion in the US - even if we put 4 in a battery we would have more than two batteries per "battalion." Some of the 15cm mortar units pointed at 8 cm (that is, 81mm) formations - so they would eventually "lose" their 15 cm types. But also the 15 cm mortar was not working for bombardment. Now it is working - and it won't be replaced by 8 cm weapons.

Lighter mortars - more or less 81mm size (eventually a 81mm similar to ours was adopted, but there was a longer tubed one originally) - come in batteries of 12 and battalions of 36 - more like we might use. But, paradoxically, these units are not formed up into "regiments." In IJA - a "regiment" is an honorific for "battalion with expensive weapons" - in many cases. Here the usage is also correct insofar as the "regiment" actually has two battalions - but what small regiments they are!

I added some .50 cals to US EABs. Unlike in Japan, these are not intended for air defense: the US units have proper light, medium and heavy AAA. Instead they are to augment ground defense.

[el cid again]

RHS 7.77 files are in the upload process.

5.77 and 6.77 updates are done and will follow

These are comprehensive updates and include (unusually) new cam files. These changed some pilot pools and replacement rates, and decreased the political point option scenarios (PPO, EOS and the Allies only in AIO) to 1000 points per day. This is not changing the rationale, but rather recognizing that players don't use 1500 points - and the glut means they have too few restrictions most of the time.

It is hoped these changes will be sufficient to be final for Level 6.

Plans include possible updating of aircraft data using a British source which seems more comprehenisve, detailed and consistent than most. This work is not being done by me - and may fold in at some point as a microupdate. Otherwise it will be available as an unofficial alternate file.

We also expect to see a final form of the standard ship art for RHS (in sync with common standards for CHS and stock). An incomplete version of this art exists already.

Longer term, if the Allied plane art for EOS is ever completed, we will do an update for EOS and AIO giving the Allies more flexabilty in upgrades - and maybe more plane types - better balancing what has been done to the Japanese. [This is already done for Allied air transport planes - which are integrated and common - and not assigned national art]

Longer term still, I may do pwhex files for monsoon and winter maps for Level 7. Cobra did the Monsoon art - although it will require detail changes discovered as we do pwhex.

I will be moving over to using a defferent Matrix product to develop a modern naval war - possibly vassel. Cobra already has a tentative map made from a physical one I sent to him.

[el cid again]

Level 5 scenarios in the upload process.

[el cid again]

6.77 file sets are now uploaded and should be posted in due course

[el cid again]

I have begun a detail Face to Face game with myself - meaning I am reviewing EVERY unit on both sides EVERY turn - and spotting issues with them. I found four submarines in Level 7 EOS that are still at Level 6 map coordinates. I found two Dutch units with bad pointers. And I have found problems with Dutch AA and CD guns -

mainly that we are missing one of each - and that about 30 units need rework for the former and 2 for the latter.

These matters - and any others which arise - will be corrected in a microupdate - or possibly a comprehensive update.
I am not working for some time - and return to jury duty only Monday - so it might be very soon.

This process should result in slightly better OB accuracy and slightly cleaner files.

Meanwhile, I have confirmation a book was shipped from UK that may permit us to fold in some air unit modifications which already are done and offered for our consideration.

And someday we may get the air art update for EOS that may permit the Allies more flexability - and a few more types (e.g. splitting Vildebeeste and Vincent, Boeing 314 Clipper as an unarmed, Coronado, etc).

[el cid again]

Looking at the device file, I found data on production and pools for Allied AA devices troubling. Comparing, I found they are the same since stock, meaning no one in CHS or RHS has reviewed them (probably). [There are something like 27,000 fields to think about - so many are unchanged] In particular I found the data on the Orlikon 20mm far too low - and the pools of zero probably incorrect except where a device is not in production when the game begins. I increased most pools and a few production rates for about a dozen Allied AAA devices.

[el cid again]

Added two CD units on Java - at Merak/Serang and at Semarang/Kragan - converting the latter to a dual name location.
The latter gets 180 mm CD guns - as does Batavia and Tillitjap CD units already in the game. I found a 7 inch CD gun in CHS - and modified its ratings to RHS standards. This makes penetration increase to 315 mm. Anti-soft drops to 13. It is renamed 180mm/46 CD Gun. Effect (= shell weight) remains 180. Accuracy remains 33. Range remains 23.

[el cid again]

The South Sumatra Garrison Bn at Palembang changes character to about 2/3 regulars, many (light) heavy weapons, and is now defined as Dutch (for combat modifiers).

The Padang Fortress - which is a CD unit - converts its 4.7 inch guns to 7 inch guns (i.e. 180mm) - retains its 75mm CD guns. However, each battery is reduced from 4 to 2 guns.

[el cid again]

Many detail changes to perhaps 60-70 Dutch units. In general, CD is stronger, smaller heavy weapons are generally greater (but sometimes fewer - meaning mortars and HMG mainly), and AA is often less (but where heavy guns exist, they are better 80mm types, and the "artillery group" has a much stronger AA battalion - about 3 times stronger). The "artillery group" is more or less fictional - it is the artillery of the First Department (or First Division) - with the AAA battalion from Batavia attached. The Second and Third Departments (or Divisions) have only an artillery battalion - Dutch colonial scale is weak for fighting armies - these are anti-insurrection troops. There are not enough slots to break out every battalion - so all those at Batavia which are mobile are in the "first artillery group" while those that are immoble are in the "Batavia CD Brigade" - also a somewhat fictional name - although they are under a coordinated command. About five points gained 180 mm (7 inch) CD guns. I did not personally do the KNIL or KM - and as long as we are looking at them (because of the changes to AA and CD guns) we might as well get everything else right. One change that may matter a bit is that most units are now planned to defend their hex - CD units in particular.

[Fletcher]

Can this upgrade (7.771) be added in an ongoing game ? thanks in advance

[Jo van der Pluym]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

Many detail changes to perhaps 60-70 Dutch units. In general, CD is stronger, smaller heavy weapons are generally greater (but sometimes fewer - meaning mortars and HMG mainly), and AA is often less (but where heavy guns exist, they are better 80mm types, and the "artillery group" has a much stronger AA battalion - about 3 times stronger). The "artillery group" is more or less fictional - it is the artillery of the First Department (or First Division) - with the AAA battalion from Batavia attached. The Second and Third Departments (or Divisions) have only an artillery battalion - Dutch colonial scale is weak for fighting armies - these are anti-insurrection troops. There are not enough slots to break out every battalion - so all those at Batavia which are mobile are in the "first artillery group" while those that are immoble are in the "Batavia CD Brigade" - also a somewhat fictional name - although they are under a coordinated command. About five points gained 180 mm (7 inch) CD guns. I did not personally do the KNIL or KM - and as long as we are looking at them (because of the changes to AA and CD guns) we might as well get everything else right. One change that may matter a bit is that most units are now planned to defend their hex - CD units in particular.

Have you mayby all a ETR (Estimate Time of Release). Because as Dutch I am very currious.

[el cid again]

Sabang was renamed Sabang I / Banda

it was increased in importance in several respects -

it is two different ports - and both have airfields -

and this is the location of both North Sumatra Garrison Battalions (all versions of WITP have this wrong).

I increased resources from 2 to 4, and added 1 daily supply (representing fish). The Port level and Airfield levels are both 2 to start.

Banda is also known as Banda Aceh and as Kutaradja.

[el cid again]

ETR today or tomarrow. All a matter of data entry now - I have pretty good data but there are a lot of units to review. A number of things (like where things are as well as what the unit has) will be corrected. Some locations (e.g. Tarakan) got numbers of HMG - and also mortars - added to the basic infantry formations - presumably for beach defense. I also have tried to be more consistent about rating a squad type: if it is regulars they are Dutch Army Squads, if it is militia they are Dutch Light Squads. Overall I think the organization was very sensible. WITP - with its "ABDA troops cannot embark" rules - makes it a lot less sensible - but if we changed that - would players let garrisons stay and defend their locations?

It is no longer possible to land next to Batavia unopposed - I found a set of 4.7 inch batteries at what was Merak. [Now it is Merak/Sarang. The water body is Sarang Bay - so I call the three combined positions "Sarang Bay Coast Defense Battalion".

[el cid again]

I added yet another Dutch gun - a 70 mm LA Army weapon - and increased the status of Medan on Sumatra. Port and airfield build potential are now both 3, while both start at 2. The location has 3 Heavy Industry in addition to resources and considerable oil. It helps explain why it was defended?

[el cid again]

Adding location Riouw & Dependencies - in the hex due west of Singapore -

and added a new location to do it! Slot 900 - never before used in WITP - works for a location definition.

This is a minor location with two small island ports (no road connections) and it has a minor airfield. It had a garrison. In contract, Bankha appears not to have a garrison - so the unit in that slot was used.

Regretfully the slot only seems to work - but is not fully functional. Neither is the label slot 216 fully functional. We must get rid of something to add something. I picked a never used Aleutian island even Alaskans never heard of [Ogliuga].

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

Sabang was renamed Sabang I / Banda

Why Sabang I? Is there another location also called Sabang?