Grand Campaign May 42

[pcellsworth]

Revision - added scripts for Japan.

This is a Grand Campaign starting in May 42. I started with a copy of Nikademus AE Grand Campaign May 42 and modified it with the TF that appear in the short Coral Sea scenario. Copy the attached files to your SCEN folder. I used slot 65 so if you have something there already you will have to move it to another slot. Also, I added Halsey's TF near Pearl Harbor with Enterprise and Hornet which is on its way to the Coral Sea. Saratoga is moved to San Diego with some damage to represent torpedo damage to the ship and is repairing. I moved a few transports to different ports. (I have not been able to find anything with ships outside the Coral Sea area yet so I haven't added any other tasks forces other than Halsey's which I know was rushing to the Coral Sea).

Other changes - I tried to make some reasonable base upgrades that could have been done between Dec 41 and May 42. I made a slight increase to Japan's industry - small enough not to change game balance - but an improvement in their industrial base that would be similar to what they would have done historically.

I corrected some errors in the DB that I found.

I have now added scripts for Japan. Let's call this one version 1.0

Added version 2.0

[moonraker65]

No scripts = not AI playable yet then ?

[Alfred]

Correct you need AI scripts to play solo against the AI.

You could try bringing across the existing scripts from stock but that is unlikely to be a success as forces are bound to be not found where the AI expects them to be.

Alfred

[pcellsworth]

I was studying scripts from ironman last night. I think I have a handle on how to write them and I will try some as soon as I have a chance.

[moonraker65]

Excellent. This is a scenario that a good few of us have been waiting for

[mikkey]

Looking forward to AI scripts, thanks pcellsworth

[pcellsworth]

I created the first couple of test scripts and ran them today. They seem to be working so it looks like it will be pretty straight forward to add them; however, it takes many scripts.

In looking at ironman scripts some seem to make no sense - I think that certain fields override other fields and Andy didn't delete some of the extra information when he copied / changed the script because he knows that the field is ignored.

It makes it a little confusing. I will add some scripts for Japan later today and try them tomorow. Maybe soon I can upload a trail version with these initial scripts - it won't be complete but something to test.

I think I can use the existing China scripts as the units are in the same place which really helps reduce the work load.

[moonraker65]

Well done Sir [&o]

[pcellsworth]

Some testing on scripts - sometimes hard to get the computer to run as I want it too. Made some progress. Oh, as a teaser, the Japanese AI pulls some nasty surprises against Allied player.

[derhexer]

Pcell, I really appreciate the work you are doing on this.

IMHO, the spring of 1942 was a critical moment for the Japanese Empire. They had an opportunity to gain a position that might have delayed the until 1947 or 1948.

[pcellsworth]

Scripts now added for Japan AI.

[mikkey]

excellent, thank you pcellsworth

[cohimbra]

ORIGINAL: moonraker

Excellent. This is a scenario that a good few of us have been waiting for

+1, well done Sir!
I've download just now and is seem to be manna from heaven for players that
played more times the first four months of the GC.
Thanks again for your (and your predecessors) hard work.

[cohimbra]

Hi pcellsworth, I want to make a question: in your mod the 11th Sentai, 50th Sentai and 64th Sentai
of the 5th Air Div, started with Ki-43-Ic Oscar and do not have any upgrade in the future (if you
play PDU=OFF); it's a deliberate choise or there is an error? Regards.

[derhexer]

PC, thanks for your work in developing this great scenario! It is realistic and easy to play. Great job

[quertice]

i have found a bug in saratoga damage (for who doesn't know reason of this major damage, in 1 may saratoga was still repairing after was been hit by a sub torpedo in january)



it's like there isn't flood damage, ship isn't repairable even if she starts scenario in repair shipyard, and is fully operative


a question: in pool, japan has 240 zero, and only around 50 oscar, is it historic?


pcellsworth, compliments and thanks for this improved nikademus's scenario [&o][&o][&o]
like cohimbra said, it is a really biblic manna for players like me and cohimbra, my next pbem will be played by this scenario

[Mozo]

First, thanks for putting this together!

Question: Can I assume there are only AI scripts for Japan and that I can't play Japan vs. AI Allies? (or if I do, the AI will do nothing). Sorry if this was already answered. Thanks again!

Mozo.

[spence]

The scenario begins with the Japanese in full control of all of the Philippine Islands. Although the end was a foregone conclusion on 1 May, Manila Bay was still closed to Japanese ships by the American/Philippino held fortress of Corregidor and associated islands. Additional American/Philippino units still held out on Mindanao, Cebu and the Viscayas.

The pools of B5N torpedo bombers and D3A dive bombers at start each hold over 300 aircraft. Why then was Zuikaku forced to sit out the Midway battle in June due to heavy losses in the Coral Sea battle in May. Why also were the air groups of Akagi, Soryu, Hiryu, Junyo and Ryujo all below strength or augmented by a/c and pilots from 6th Kokutai (land based) instead of fleshed out for what Yamamoto himself termed "THE Decisive Battle" against the USN at Midway. "Shattered Sword" explains this paradox by describing how the Japanese had stopped production of both models, the High Command prematurely anticipating the imminent operational arrival of their successor a/c (Judys and Jills). Production of Kates/Vals resumed but both models were in short supply at just the point this scenario begins.

[pcellsworth]

Granted Corregidor held out for a while longer and Japan was not able to use Manila harbor for a few days. I'm not sure how you would represent this as Corregidor isn't a separate island. I suppose you could have some port damage to represent the denial of use. Corregidor surrendered on May 6th so from a pure historical point the scenario isn't completely accurate. Only the forces in the Coral Sea area are truly accurate.

As for Saratoga she wasn't available for the Coral Sea battle and was still repairing. I represented by giving her some damage and put her in the repair mode. This way a player could not rush her to the Coral Sea during the initial part of the battle there. When I tested the damage to Saratoga repaired. Also you may notice Halsey TF is not in the exact starting position (from its real position it is able to get to the Coral Sea too soon instead of being a day or two late).

Most of the aircraft pools are the same as Dec 7, although I increase a few aircraft to represent continuing production. There probably should be more Oscars in the pool but by what amount I do not know. Nikademus may or may not have adjusted these. It was a lot of work for him just to change all the bases and move the ships.

As far as Zuikaku joining the Midway operation, well her air group was shot up, but by using Shokaku's air group and other replacements in pilots and machines probably could have been a part of that battle. The Japanese were thinking they were so superior that it was unnecessary. Besides Halsey was ordered to let his carriers be seen by the Japanese recon. before rushing back to Pearl. So the Japanese were under the impression there would not be any carriers off of midway. I think it was mainly a choice that they did not really need the Zuikaku.

As it was there was a lot of luck for the American's to win as much as they did. Akagi was hit by 1 bomb and was destroyed - with a battle cruiser hull. That was there bad luck just as it was are bad luck to lose the Lexington in the Coral Sea. A little different timing an the entire history of the war could have been different.

[pcellsworth]

By this point Manila Bay is really a backwater in the War. Whether the Japanese have use of Manila isn't an important factor at this point in the war.