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RE: We're Not In Kansas Any More

 
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RE: We're Not In Kansas Any More - 3/13/2010 8:44:12 PM   
Bullwinkle58


Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

11/17/43 and 11/18/43
 
Ambon:  The Japanese are reinforcing - either via fast transport or air.  Part of an infantry regiment has joined the beleaugered defenders.  Barring some major moves quick, though, I think it will be too late.  The two Aussie brigades at Saumlaki should arrive in no more than three days.  Also, the Allied troops already at Ambon whiped out disruption after three days of rest.  The Allies will send a CA/CL force to Ambon to protect the transports.  Of course, Miller may have some moves of his own in mind.



CR, this one makes me think you need to be very careful, and, as always, try to be in his shoes, not in your own.

It may be that any moves you make to expand west--to "broaden the shoulders" as was said so well recently--will meet stiff resistance, while you going north or NE will be "allowed." To the west and you soon threaten both Soerbaja and Balikpapan, and he can't allow that. I think he'll throw the kitchen sink at Ambon, and then the next western target, and the next. Not to say you shouldn't do it, but don't do it on the cheap. OTOH, if he can channel you north from your last thrust (and the big battle) you move into his strength--Palau, Marianas, and the PI, where he has fuel, LBA, and repair sites. He knows he can't stop you, so it's to his advantage to "let" you come to him where he's strong. If you can go west, his oil/fuel dies sooner. If he can make you go north, he can bleed you longer/better.

Just a feeling I have, but anywhere he hustles to scramble to reinforce from now on, I would expect the initial scramble to have a haymaker cocked behind it if you press on.

_____________________________

The Moose

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1201
Nibbles and Hits - 3/13/2010 9:13:52 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		11/19/43 and 11/20/43
 
Bullwinkle, you're instincts are accurate as you'll see in a moment (P.S. Thanks for posting and I'm glad you're hanging around here).

DEI:  The KB sortied from Palau and moved towards Ambon, but not without trouble.  One sub put a TT into CVE Taiho and another scored against a DD.  A bit further west, Searaven put 4 TT into  CL Kashii (Japanese cruisers have really taken some hits lately).  The KB ended the two-day turn near Ternate - on a course that threatens Ambon.

Ambon:  I don't know whether the KB is escorting transports, but I assume so.  The Allied transports carrying reinforcements from Saumlaki didn't get very far, so I'm recalling them until the coast is clear.  I am, however, increasing LRCAP and sending two fairly stout DD TFs to Ambon.  LBA will continue to hit the airfield and ground troops.  The Allied attack here came off at 1:2, but dropped forts to two.  I'm going to try a shock attack tomorrow - one last opportunity before the Japanese reinforcements arrive - assuming that's what's up.

Milne Bay:  The presence of the KB in near Ternate clears the way to hit Milne Bay.  The invasion force leaves tonight - 800 AV 100% prepped, two fast BBs, and four CVEs.  The defense is about 12k strong - Miller has been evacuating, so I hope this is one of those operations that is easier than allowed for.  The best Allied troop transports (APA) are employed, permitting fast ingress and egress, but I sure feel nervous using them.  I'd like to get this base (which secures the major Allied LOC from Noumea to Townsville to Darwin), extract the big infantry division and get it and the transports back to Darwin.  D-Day should be in three days.  (The airfields at PM and Milne are 100% inoperable, so I don't expect much opposition).

Rangoon:  No sign of movement by the IJN as the Allies continue to gather nearby.

Battle Damaged CV and BB:  All of the battle damaged capital ships will have arrived at Sydney by tomorrow.  The shipyard there can handle the two CVLs.  In a few days Saratoga, Bunker Hill, Constellation, Prince of Wales, North Carolina, Indiana, and escorting DDs leave for the West Coast.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 3/13/2010 9:14:49 PM >

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)
Post #: 1202
Kitties and Misses - 3/13/2010 11:44:02 PM   
Heeward


Posts: 343
Joined: 1/27/2003
From: Lacey Washington
Status: offline 		The end to your pilot micromanagement woes - if your opponent agrees:

Assuming Allied Air groups arrive as reinforcements when they are available for deployment and operational, not at some date prior to that to conduct advanced / operational training. And the allied pilot pool should trained pilots by 1943 (as defined by the game as 50+ by the way). Then you with Miller permission's can edit your game data base of the Allied (and Japanese) basic pilot skill. The change would become active next time you load the game.

As for the Japanese - I would also edit up the skill of their limited pool pilots especially for 1942.


_____________________________

The Wake

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1203
More Nibbles and Hits - 3/14/2010 2:07:35 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		11/21/43 to 11/24/43

Very interesting tug-of-war developing in the Ambon region.

Ambon in the Air: The KB slipped up close to Ambon to cover troops and supplies unloading there. Over two days, scores of Allied 4EB and SBD sortied escorted by my most experienced pilots in the best aircraft - P38H, P-47D, and F4U1 among them. The Allies came out on the short end - losing 150 aicraft to about 40. However, Allied 4EB are still able to fight their way through and bang up the airfield.

Ambon at Sea: Lots of ships in confined quarters with subs - especially Allied subs - scoring. Single TTs were put into a Japanese CVL and into CV Akagi (also, CVE Taiyo was torpedoed about six days ago). A number of AKs have been hit. The Allies lost a DD and a few AKs. SBDs from Morotai hit a few more AKs.

Ambon on the Land: The back-to-back Allied shock attacks on the 21st and 22nd were very unusual. The first came off at 1:3, dropped forts to one, but cost the Allies far more casualties. But the Allies came back the next day, didn't drop forts, but inflicted far more casualties on the Japanese. The Japanese are landing a new division here, so the battle will escalate.

Give and then Take: After the first two days I nearly committed several Allied DD TFs, but finally decided to withdraw and leave the battle to subs and 4EB for now. The deciding factor was my belief that this battle will turn into a meatgrinder in favor of the Allies - 4EB should be able to keep the base closed and prevent the IJA from rebuilding forts; and the Allies can get reinforcements in under cover of LRCAP from Boela, a level six airbase. In fact, as soon as the KB leaves the first reinforcements will come in. A second wave will be formed from the troops currently landing at Milne Bay. This little campaign has already cost the Japanese.

Milne Bay: These landings are going well - 800 AV ashore facing about 90 AV - what's left of 25th Division and a few other units (Miller was evacuating Milne Bay). This base should fall in a day or two. The transports will remain at Milne and re-embark the big U.S. Cavalry Division and 185th Regiment, which will immediately begin prepping for Ambon. I'll leave behind perhaps 100 AV, two engineer units, and about 50 base force capacity. This base provides welcome security for the transport traffic heading from SoPac to Darwin.

Burma: Allied troops still advancing on Rangoon/Pegu. No sign of movement by the IJA garrisons.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 3/14/2010 2:21:53 AM >

(in reply to Heeward)
Post #: 1204
RE: More Nibbles and Hits - 3/14/2010 6:45:12 AM   
LoBaron


Posts: 4776
Joined: 1/26/2003
From: Vienna, Austria
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

11/21/43 to 11/24/43

Give and then Take: After the first two days I nearly committed several Allied DD TFs, but finally decided to withdraw and leave the battle to subs and 4EB for now. The deciding factor was my belief that this battle will turn into a meatgrinder in favor of the Allies - 4EB should be able to keep the base closed and prevent the IJA from rebuilding forts; and the Allies can get reinforcements in under cover of LRCAP from Boela, a level six airbase. In fact, as soon as the KB leaves the first reinforcements will come in. A second wave will be formed from the troops currently landing at Milne Bay. This little campaign has already cost the Japanese.


Good move.

One of the reasons for Allied superiority is the flexibility to chose which service(s) can bear the best results without too much attrition.
Sometimes I have a hard time accepting this and it nearly always has negative effects:
You will gain the advantage of numbers in every service. Not just air, but naval units, submarines, ground troops, type variation, technology, supplies.

The art is to decide which combination of forces suits your goal the most in a certain area and inflicts casualties with losses you can handle (or where the Japanese
player has the hardest time to react to the threat - like submarines).
You don´t always need to fight the air attrition war, there are many other ways.

_____________________________


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1205
RE: More Nibbles and Hits - 3/15/2010 3:25:43 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		11/25/43 and 11/26/43
 
Ambon:   Status quote here - the KB remains on station as transports unload.  Miller also brought along a bunch of CMs to increase the mine level.  No major air/sea clashes over these two days.  I've formed six new PT TFs at Boela to move out and see if they can interdict the carrier TFs.  Also, a fast DD TF from Saulaki will try a jab at the transports at Ambon.  Miller is trying to keep the airfield open and I'm trying to shut it down.  Right now it's a close thing, but eventually I think the Allies will prevail when the KB moves off.  I have ships loaded with troops and supplies (with plenty of minesweepers) ready to move to Ambon as soon as the KB vacates. 

Milne Bay:  My desire to get in and get out quickly won't be entirely realized.  The first Allied attack came off at 1:2 (despite raw AVs of 700 to 90), didn't touch six forts, but did claim 729 casualties to 230.  That's a good indication that by sheer weight of numbers the base should fall fairly soon.  We'll try a deliberate attack tomorrow.  Frances bombers sortied from Rangoon, but the CVE-provided CAP handled them readily.  All empty transports leave for Townsville tonight.  Some will return to cart off the surplus units once the base is taken.

Rangoon:  All units are now advancing into Rangoon and Pegu, respectively.  Miller doesn't show any signs of wavering.  I'll know in about four days whether the Allies have a chance of accomplishing anything here.  If the Allies could take Pegu it would isolate Rangoon.

IJN Cruisers:  I think the recent battles have really taken a toll on Japanese cruisers.  Confirmed losses have been high, and recently some of the cruisers Miller prefers to use for combat TFs have been sighted in carrier TFs.  If cruisers are in short supply it will be hard for Miller to successfully oppose Allied CA/CL TFs.

(in reply to LoBaron)
Post #: 1206
RE: More Nibbles and Hits - 3/15/2010 2:56:05 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		11/27/43 and 11/28/43
 
Good days for the Allies.

Ambon:  The PT TFs tangled with a Japanese carrier TF, putting three TTs into CV Kaga, which later in the day took two 1,000 pounders from SBD.  I think Kaga is finished and, if so, that helps balance the carrier situation a bit.  During Miller's operation to reinforce Ambon Allied subs and PT boats have put those three TT into Kaga, one into Akagi, one into a CVL, and one into a CVE.  Miller did deposit two units - one an Army division - at Ambon bumping the garrison all the way up to about 35k troops.  It will take the Allies some time and effort to take this island after coming oh so close a few weeks ago (dropping forts from 4 to 1).  The Allies seem to be getting the better of the Japanese in keeping the airfield torn up - important for air superiority but also to prevent the Japanese from rebuilding forts.

Eastern DEI:  With the KB on the way back to Palau, the Allies will move.  Reinforcing engineers and supplies are heading to Alor (west of Lautem); minesweepers, troop transports, and combat TFs are heading to Ambon, and troop transports and combat TFs are heading to Manikwari.  All these TFs were loaded and at sea, so they should arrive within two or three days.

Milne Bay:  Back-to-back deliberate attacks dropped forts from six to four and cost the Japanese 3x casualties.  The first attack came off at 2:1.  I expect Milne to fall to the Allies within three days.

Damaged Capital Ships:  The Allied TF with damaged capital ships arrived at Auckland.  Next stop is Christmas Island (or, if "temporarly flotation device" failures become a problem, Pago Pago).  Here are the stats on the damaged big ships:  Saratoga (5 12 7), Bunker Hill (0 2 1), Constellation (12 15 22), Washington (4 11 0), Indiana (28 8 3), and Prince of Wales (23 11 26).  None of them are really hard hit.

Burma:  All troops have arrived at Rangoon and Pegu, respectively, and will try probing bombardments tomorrow.  I am disappointed that this move in force on Pegu didn't "scare" Miller into thinking his Rangoon garrison was threatened with isolation.  He's either so strong he isn't concerned or (far less likely) he's already evacuated sizeable cadres from all the units at Rangoon.

Edit: Forgot to mention that the DD TF from Saumlaki caught a Japanese transport convoy at Ambon, sinking six xAK, two E, and one PG.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 3/15/2010 3:56:16 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1207
RE: More Nibbles and Hits - 3/15/2010 6:35:05 PM   
FOW

 

Posts: 499
Joined: 11/6/2008
From: England
Status: offline 		Normally I wont risk moving a ship with major flot damage and sizeable sys damage, like Indianna and PoW. Could you have them lay over in Aukland on pierside repair to get the sys damage down a bit?
Also have you considered the repair yard at CapeTown (can't recall it's size right now with no game here at work).

Sorry to hark back to the pilot exp saga, but I find some people get confused between experience and skill levels. Miller might be saying he has high exp pilots but is he really referring to their air skill ? At game start most pilots have high exp - they are career pilots and veterans. Replacements have no such luxury of years of life experience.
The 'minimalist approach' to pilot training which I believe you are adopting will turn out higher skill levels, but maybe at the expense of being one dimensional pilots, skilled in air or bombing or search etc. Your references to experience of about 40 after months of training is correct if you are referring to pilot Experience (that only goes up very slowly). Being at school will give you the skills but not the experience - that comes from the 'real life world of hard knocks' (and as a dev once mentioned requires front line action to raise appreciably).

Just some thoughts.....

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1208
RE: More Nibbles and Hits - 3/15/2010 7:00:15 PM   
Smeulders

 

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline 		Some great moves these last few turns, that's a lot of damage for the limited naval forces you employed. It's an interesting situation that is developing now, what are your plans if even more Japanese reinforcements find there way to Ambon ?

(in reply to FOW)
Post #: 1209
RE: More Nibbles and Hits - 3/15/2010 8:10:46 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		11/29/43 and 11/30/43
 
FOW:  I wrote down the damage levels of my ships so that I can monitor them each turn.  If problems develop there are several big ports on the route home well-situated for diversion - Suva, Pago Pago, Christmas Island, and Pearl Harbor.  As for pilot training, I'm the poster-child for people who are having a hard time wrapping their heads around the different pilot-experience categories.  I have routinely conused experience with the different skills.  I'm starting to get a better handle on things.

Smeulders:  I feel good about the developments around Ambon and I wonder if Miller will become increasingly reluctant to commit the KB to those confined waters?  Ambon has become our Guadalcanal.  I have a feeling Miller won't try another KB-covered reinforcement mission, but I do expect smaller TFs and air transport.  It will take a big reinforcement from the Allies to wrest control of the base from 35k Japanese.  I don't mind, though, becuase I'd like Miller to keep fighting over Ambon because it's in territory either controlled by the Allies or at least heavily guarded by the Allies.  In the short term, the Allies will continue the bombing campaign to keep the airfield closed and to prevent rebuilding of forts.  In the medium term I think the Allies will try to take Namlea, which is currently garrisoned by just 6k troops.  Namlea can be built to the same size as Ambon (4 port/6 airfield) and would effectively neutralize the base, allow the Allies to begin projecting power forward, and probably persuade Miller that reinforcing Ambon isn't viable long term.

DEI:  With the KB back at Paula the Allies moved forward immediately, making reinforcing landings at Manikwari and at Ambon.  I expect Miller to strike with combat ships - most likely at Manikwari.  I was pleasantly suprised that the minesweepers and transports didn't encounter minefields at Ambon.  The 4EB and Japanese CAP continue to war over Ambon, with things going the way of the Allies as best I can tell.

Milne Bay:  Two more deliberate attacks further erode the Japanese defenses, dropping forts to 2, coming in at 2:1 and 3:1, and inflicting 1000 to 200 casualties.  Milne should fall tomorrow.  The "permanent" garrison will be about 100 AV, enough base force to handle 50 aicraft, and two engineer units to build this up to a size 6 port.  At some point later the Allies may move toward Lae or Lunga/Shortlands, but not any time soon.  Most importantly, though, Allied control of Milne lessens the risk of IJN raiders hitting Townsville and Noumea.

Burma:  Interesting face off at Rangoon and Pegu.  At Rangoon, the Japanese have 1100 AV while the Allies have 1700.  With urban terrain and big forts, I don't believe the Allies can accomplish anything by attacking except to harm themselves.  At Pegu, however, the Japanese have just 282 AV (two regiments) facing 1400 Allied AV (unfortunately, though, more than half the Allied AV is low experience Chinese divisions).  The Allies will try a deliberate attack and will look at reinforcing this base.  There is certainly a chance the Allies can threaten Pegu, so I think Miller will siphon off a unit or two from Rangoon.

Balancing Strengths and Weaknesses:  The Allied high command is wrestling with the situation in the DEI and forward as we head into 1944.  Taking bases occupied by 25K or more troops is very hard, especially if those troops are behind four or more forts.  It may make more sense to bypass bases when alternative bases can be taken that can be built to similar size, and when Japansese control of said base doesn't pose an inordinate threat.  In the short term, I think it's prudent to take most of the big eastern DEI bases as they pose a threat to Allied security - so I think the Allies will move on Kendari, Ternate, and Manado.  After that, however, it may be possible to avoid Davao, Tarakan, etc. in favor of nearby bases that will be easier to take.  Part of my thinking is that there's still some tough fighting to take place in the next few months so that the Allies need to move carefully.  Eventually, however, the Allies should "break the backs" of the foes, so that ever-increasing Allied strength and steadily diminishing Japanese strength permits the Allies to move faster and leave a few Japanese bases behind.



< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 3/15/2010 8:11:21 PM >

(in reply to Smeulders)
Post #: 1210
RE: More Nibbles and Hits - 3/16/2010 1:17:05 AM   
wpurdom

 

Posts: 476
Joined: 10/27/2000
From: Decatur, GA, USA
Status: offline 		If you're not already committed to returning and you have supplies in Auckland, why don't you put POW on Critical pier repair in Auckland, and send an ASW guard to meet her there. I would think AUckland could do about as well as anywhere on getting the SYS damage down on one ship.

PS congrats on recovering your balance in the DEI. Fine work!

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1211
Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 4:25:36 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Now that we have played deeply into the game, I thought I might comment on a variety of issues that have seemed to affect the balance in our game.  Bear in mind this is Scenario Two, the Allies are now on the offensive, but the Japanese remain mighty in terms of carriers and the air war.

1.  Submarines vs. Capital Ships:  With respect to damage or destruction of capital ships, the Japanese had a devastating advantage until recently.  IJN subs have sunk at least three Allied BBs and damaged five more.  Up through the autumn of '43 the Allies had damaged BB Yamato and that was about it.  Over the past month, though, Allied subs have torpedoed Mutsu, sunk CV Hiyo, and damaged CV Akagi, a CVL, and a CVE.  IJN subs torpedoed CV Constitution resulting in damage that caused or contributed to her destruction later in the day.  Subs success vs. capital ship is a matter of luck and I'd say it's fairly even in the game at this point.

2.  Submarines v. merchant shipping:  IJN subs have been devastating, especially from mid '42 to mid' 43.  The Allies have lost a tremendous number of tankers and transports.  Despite the calendar improvements in torpedo quality, Allied subs are lagging badly in damage to Japanese merchant shipping.  Even if the Allies go on a tear for the remainder of the war I doubt they'll equal Japan's score.  This situation has been affected, no doubt, by player tactics, random luck, and various patches and hot fixes that have addressed the sub wars.

3.  ASW vs. subs and vice-versa:  Before certain patches, IJN subs wrought terrible havoc on ASW.  Those tendencies have been toned down, so Allied subs haven't returned the favor.  I think ASW TFs are fairly impotent in the game (at least since some early patches), but Allied combat TFs have been murder on Japanese subs.  The IJN has lost a huge number of subs in the game - factors of Miller's aggressive employment of the weapon, Allied combat TF success, and early-war ASW success before patching.

4.  Air War:  My failure to engage in certain aspects of pilot management are well known, but there are a few aspects of the air war that seem skewed irrespective of pilot training:  (1) the Japanese are able to replace massive losses in both aircraft and pilots without missing a beat.  In the real war Japan would have been crippled by the losses Miller has suffered, but not in AE.  (2)  CAP seems too porous against strike aircraft.  Overall in the war the Japanese have lost about 1700 more aircraft than the Allies, but the Allies consistently lose any dogfights over Japanese bases and any massive air/carrier TF battles over either fleet.  The Japanese also have a far, far better ability to reach out at long distances and really tag Allied shipping - Betty, Nell, and Frances bombers are tough at very long range.  Allied bombers are nearly worthless at long range.

5.  Artillery:  Early in the game artillery was nuclear and absolutely destroyed Chinese troops and prepared positions.  The developers have done a commendable job trying to address this problem.  Now artillery seems fairly weak against units - at least units in prepared positions with forts of four or more.  While I'm on the offensive now and wish my artilllery was more effective, I believe that the game is better by not permitting wholesale slaughter in China.  IE, better that artillery be too weak than too strong, IMO.

6.  Bombardments:  Usually ship bombardments are relatively ineffective, at least against well-fortified positions, but on occasion I'll see one that really plasters an airfield and port.  The weak effect can be frustrating, given the awesome effect of BBs in WitP, but it's much closer to reality.  Bombardments in the Pacific in WWII might disrupt operations for awhile, but usually casualties and damage to infrastructure were pretty light.

7.  Forts:  Forts are really tough - units behind four or more forts are tough nuts to crack.  I like this aspect of the game.  It prevents one side from invading and capturing a well-prepared enemy base in a day or two.  For instance, in my game an Allied army of 700 AV just invaded a Japanese base held by 90 AV behind six forts.  The Allies will take the base, as you'd expect given the numbers, but it will have taken a good ten days or more.  This means the Allies have to carefully prepare and plan for invasions that are tough (like Iwo Jima and Peleliu) rather than some of the "presto conquests" we'd see in WitP.

8.  Overall Game Balance and Experience:  Our experience with Scenario Two is that it is much more balanced than was our match in WitP.  We have dealt with certain issues that we felt potentially unbalanced the game and parted with history, but overall this has been an immensely exciting and absorbing experience for both both of us.  Before AE was released I was concerned that by reigning in the Japanese a bit it might lose some of the excitement of WitP, but that isn't the case, at least for a Scenario Two match between opponents of roughly equal experience.

(in reply to wpurdom)
Post #: 1212
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 4:34:28 PM   
AcePylut


Posts: 1494
Joined: 3/19/2004
Status: offline 		With respect to the Japanese replacing pilots, how much of that do you attribute to Scenario 2, and not the Scenario 1?

_____________________________


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1213
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 4:36:09 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		According to Miller it's identical in both scenarios once you get past the opening cadre.  He says the Japanese start with a higher quality pilot in Scenario Two, but once they are gone the replacements and the training process are identical to Scenario One.

(in reply to AcePylut)
Post #: 1214
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 4:41:45 PM   
AcePylut


Posts: 1494
Joined: 3/19/2004
Status: offline 		K, jus wondering.  Thanks to this AAR, I have a lot of idea's about how to play with the allied pilots in my PBEM, which, Singapore is going to fall before New Years, due to the Mersing Gambit.   Looks like my war will last well into '46, given the extra couple months worth of fuel/oil he'll get from a rapid conquest of the DEI. 

I didn't care for "waste of digital space" of having all those squadrons on the WC that were scheduled to be withdrawn in January, Feb '42... so I disbanded a number of them on Turn 1, and now I'm kinda upset that I could have stocked them with crap pilots and trained the heck out of them, then taken out the pilots and disbanded/withdrawan the squad.  oh well.

_____________________________


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1215
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 4:47:13 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline 		RE: Air War, I personally have no issue with more planes getting through CAP. I think it's more realistic, in battle it's certainly possible for groups to get through a big CAP, especially in early-war. I like it compared to the WITP Uber-Cap. I think this favors both sides equally.

There is no doubt that the Japanese in AE can exceed historical aircraft production, and man them with acceptable pilots. I like it in game terms, but it's not historical, at least not from the pilot training perspective.

If you wanted it closer to history, I would probably end on-map training althogether, increase the starting EXP of Allied pilots out of the pool into the 60s or 70s, and increase Japanese pilots out of the pool into the 50s. That would produce a divergence in pilot quality. I would still allow pilots to get better through battle experience.


_____________________________


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1216
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 4:48:29 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I did the same thing - I was especially "proud" when I found "useless" restricted units that I could withdraw early and earn political points.

Meanwhile, I was reading Q-Ball's AAR where he would talk about Nav-B and Nav-T, scratch my head, and wonder, "What is he talking about?  Are we playing the same game?"

(in reply to AcePylut)
Post #: 1217
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 6:36:25 PM   
AcePylut


Posts: 1494
Joined: 3/19/2004
Status: offline 		As far as I know, when you set training, you can set your secondary mission to train in that specific area.  I usually have my fighter groups training "Escort" or "Sweep", my heavy bombers training "airfield", my torp planes and any other LBA that will most likely be used against ships, to "naval"...transports to 'transport'...etc.etc.etc.  A majority of bombers squadrons, however, train "general" because, well, not sure how I"m going to use those squads yet, and don't want a "Ground Bombing skill @ 99" to be attacking ships when their naval skill is "40" (for example).

But I will interject, that I do not know if this is wad.

_____________________________


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1218
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 7:14:54 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
RE: Air War, I personally have no issue with more planes getting through CAP. I think it's more realistic, in battle it's certainly possible for groups to get through a big CAP, especially in early-war. I like it compared to the WITP Uber-Cap. I think this favors both sides equally.


I like the fact that there are "bleeders," too, but in many of my combats I'm seeing only a small percentage of Japanese strike aircraft and escorts actually shot down by CAP or fighters. IE, for an incoming raid of 100 aircraft I might see only 5 or 10 shot down, which seems unrealistic. Of couse, some of this may be FOW - perhaps many more of the aircraft are actually being splashed.

(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 1219
RE: Game Balance Items - 3/16/2010 7:20:41 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		P.S.  But I don't mean for this to develop into a debate over the merits of CAP. I'm just making observations about a variety of issues in the game.  Overall, the game is offering us a level of balance and excitement that is really remarkable.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1220
Intel Assessment - 3/16/2010 9:02:41 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		12/1/43 and 12/2/43
 
Alor:  A Japanese DD TF hit an Allied CA/CL/DD force that included CA Houston and CL Tromp.  The IJN sank two DDs while losing one.  The Japanese force turned back and the reinforcement landings continued unmolested.  The most interesting aspect of this encounter was the lack of IJN cruisers.  This is a new tactic - just two weeks ago two Japanese CL/DD forces struck in this area during the Battle of Morotai.  Since then, however, Miller has lost many CA and CL.  I think it's reached the point that he's had to ration his cruisers and protect them from further attrition.  If this assessment is accurate it means the Allies can be a little more aggressive in accepting or seeking naval combat, not only because the IJN TFs will carry less punch (those cruisers are tough!), but also because it may be hitting the IJN in its most vulnerable area.

Manikwari:  The reinforcement landings continue (but I better bug out quick since the big IJN base at Palau is so close!) and an Allied deliberate attack came off at 1:3, didn't touch two forts, but cost the Japanese 660 casualties and the Allies 250.  This is a positive development.

Ambon:  The reinforcement landings continue here, too.  The Allies won't attack, however, until we have time to bring in more troops and try to whittle down whatever supplies Miller brought in recently.  Good news:  Allied 4EB have re-closed the airfield.  Ambon is a little too distant from the nearest big IJA airbases to permit efficient LRCAP, so the Allies should be able to keep it shut.

Milne Bay:  This base fell to the Allies on the 1st.  It will take a few days to extinquish the remaining defenders, but the Allies will pull out several units within a week.

Burma:  Interesting situtation developing.  Back-to-back Allied attacks at Pegu came off at 4:1 and 2:1 and dropped forts from 5 to 3.  I'll bet Miller is scrambling (or has already scrambled) to send reinforcements from adjacent Rangoon.  They'll probably arrive just in time to prevent this base from falling into Allied hands, which I think would be a calamitous defeat for the Japanese. 

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 3/16/2010 9:06:46 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1221
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/16/2010 10:52:06 PM   
Grotius


Posts: 5798
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: The Imperial Palace.
Status: offline
quote:

According to Miller it's identical in both scenarios once you get past the opening cadre.  He says the Japanese start with a higher quality pilot in Scenario Two, but once they are gone the replacements and the training process are identical to Scenario One.

I agree that the quality and training is identical. But I do see one other important difference with the pilot pool in Scenario 2, which I'm playing. In particular, I see double the number of pilots in the "flight school" at game start and in January 1942 -- and according to the Tracker guys, those school numbers will only grow, so we'll be saddled with a larger flight school throughout the game. The devs were trying to boost Japan (consistent with the order of battle, which certainly does boost Japan) by making sure we'd never run out of pilots, but they went overboard in a way that actually hurts Japan.

It hurts Japan because each pilot in school costs 5 Heavy Industry a month, and there are thousands of extra trainees! What's more, there's no way to flunk out these thousands of useless cadets you'll never use, or to "turn off" flight school (the way you can turn off factories). In Scenario 1 it's easy to stockpile heavy industry; in scenario 2, it's tougher because of the "flight school tax." Andy Mac has said if he had to do it again, he'd modify the scenario to account for the higher heavy-industry cost of all those thousands of extra pilots, many (most?) of whom will never see action at all. I'd gladly ship half of them off to the Soviets, or make them go to medical school, or something. :)

Apart from that, though, Japan certainly does get more toys in Scenario 2. It sounds like you've sunk most of them, though. :D I bet you're gonna have fun in 1944.

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Post #: 1222
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 4:19:28 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		12/3/43 and 12/4/43
 
Perhaps the best two-day turn of the war to date for the Allies.  The Allies had two ground attacks scheduled that I felt had a chance of succeeding - Manikwari on the New Guinea coast and Pegu, adjacent to Rangoon.  The Allies also scheduled two other attacks - one at Rangoon (hoping to freeze Japanese units in place and prevent Miller from reinforcing Pegu) and at Ambon (where I had no expectation of hope given the recent massive Japanese reinforcements, but decided to try just one since the Allied reinforcements were 100% prepped while the IJA were likely nearer 20%).  The results on Day One were surprising and shocking and, for the Japanese, devastating:

Ambon:  The first "probing" deliberate attack came off at 1:1, dropped forts from 1 to 0, and cost the Japanese 2300 casualties to 500.

Manikwari:  The first attack came off at 1:1, dropped forts to 2, and cost the Japanese 261 to 105.

Rangoon:  I was expecting the Allies to take heavy casualties during this spoiling attack intended to freeze the IJA in place, but the first attack came off at 1:2, didn't touch 5 forts, found the IJA reduced for "op mode" (how many troops was Miller trying to send from Rangoon to Pegu?), and cost the IJA 4,000 casualties to 2,000 for the Allies.  This was a major surprise.

Pegu:  This attack comes off at 10:1, overcomes 2 forts, cost the IJA 5,100 casualties to 425, and succeeds in taking the base.  Abruptly and unexpectedly, the Japanese garrison in Rangoon is isolated. 

The results on Day Two were equally gratifying:

Ambon:  The Allied attacks comes off at 2:1, inflicts 2400 to 240 casualties, and takes the base.  The Allies take a base I didn't expect to fall until early 1944 at further great cost.

Manikwari:  The Allied attack comes off at 94:1, inflicts 725 to 75 casualties, and succeeds in taking this base.

So, what are the implications of this sudden shift in power in Burma and the DEI?

Burma:  A major Japanese Army is penned up and isolated in Rangoon.  Meanwhile, the road is open to the Allies to Moulmein and points south.  Miller will hasten to reinforce and block that road, and will in all likelihood succeed before the Allies get very far; but he also has to deal with the army in Rangoon.  I suspect he'll hastily begin emergency efforts to evacuate cadres rather than see an entire army reduced and then destroyed.  The road is open and the war is once again on in Burma.

DEI:  The Allies have suddenly expanded their "shoulder" dramtically, increasing security and bringing new Japanese bases under threat of attack.  More importantly, I was prepping new troops for Ambon and thinking that would be the major operation into early '44.  Now these troops can instead prep for other targets and the timetables move up considerably for the moves on Ternate, Manado, and Kendari.  Too, the sudden collapse of Ambon, a key point on his MLR, undoubtedly leaves Miller in a position of having to quickly develop a new MLR.

The Japanese High Command:  These events were sudden and surprising and I'll bet it's left Miller in a lurch.  The events at Ambon are particularly unexpected, but Miller did a great job defending the base, and then organizing a major operation to reinforce and resupply the base.  Things went awry for him due to some bad luck (Allied subs and PT boats attriting his carrier force).  I tip my CAP to Miller for an adroit effort to stem the Allied advance at Ambon.

On the other hand, the situation in Burma is a bit of a puzzler. Miller saw the two armies building for months and then advancing over the course of several weeks. The failure to reinforce Pegu before it was attacked surprised me.  But the Allied success in Burma is largely a byproduct of the offensive in the DEI.  Miller withdrew his airforce several months ago to fight in the DEI, where they helped win the Battle of Morotai.  But doing so permitted the Allies to bomb Rangoon and Pegu unmercifully.

So, in a distant yet proximate way, the Allied move on the Kuriles, which allowed the Allies to apply great pressure in the DEI, which persuaded Miller to withdraw his air force from Burma, allowed the Allies to win a decisive battle in the campaign for Rangoon.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 3/17/2010 4:32:36 AM >

(in reply to Grotius)
Post #: 1223
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 2:27:17 PM   
Bullwinkle58


Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline 		Excellent developments on several fronts. Aside from the results themselves, I think all of these operations draw attention away from combat forces bashing each other (recent weeks) to the reality of his more prosaic, but critical, supply operations. In short, he ain't supplying enough troops far enough forward to hold his lines. This is very valuable strategic intel you've gotten pretty cheaply.

The quesiton now is, what does he do about it now that you've broken his glass jaw? Does he fall back to a new MLR, as you suggest? (Probably.) Or, does he counter-attack at Ambon (probably not Pegu due to distance and terrain, but you never know)? If a counter-attack, it has to be soon. If a counter-attack, he may also be counting on catching your follow-up supply TFs in port. Escort heavily and use subs as a screen.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Burma:  A major Japanese Army is penned up and isolated in Rangoon.  Meanwhile, the road is open to the Allies to Moulmein and points south.  Miller will hasten to reinforce and block that road, and will in all likelihood succeed before the Allies get very far; but he also has to deal with the army in Rangoon.  I suspect he'll hastily begin emergency efforts to evacuate cadres rather than see an entire army reduced and then destroyed.  The road is open and the war is once again on in Burma.


A comment on Burma. I've had extensive operations there in my AI game, with massive use of air power by the AI, which I've worked down but not out by March 1944. Rangoon is a jewel to get and hold--great port, great air base, in range of your northern LRCAP, a pretty short run in from Port Blair for LCU and supply build. BUT, also in range of major, and I mean huge, air bases at Tavoy, Bangkok, and (lesser so) Moulmein. The AI commonly can coordinate 3- and 4-way sweeps on Rangoon with over 140 fighters per.

VPs aside, I'd reduce and take Rangoon before worrying about moving down the coast. It's a great supply dump, a true "hinge" hex that opens up ops to the east as well as south. Para-drop operations into central Burma (Chiang Mai, Rahaeng) are possible from there if he's sleeping. There are pretty good heavy road and rail networks running NE to SW through the center of Burma which are gettable with coverage from Pegu/Rangoon if you have Chinese troops available to the NE. Don't think you HAVE to move down the coast to make his life miserable in this theater. Also, against the AI (probably not in PBEM) I was able to use sea power and mobility to jump south and set up a supply-blocking base at Victoria Point.

Last suggestion--Pegu, and to a much greater extent Rangoon, lets you recon Bangkok with many sorts of recon assets, and begin aerial mining ops there. I've bagged a couple of xAKs at little cost or risk. Bangkok is a pretty vital port and a scab well worth picking at.

Again, congrats on the advances. Don't let him take a deep breath.

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The Moose

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1224
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 2:28:16 PM   
FOW

 

Posts: 499
Joined: 11/6/2008
From: England
Status: offline 		Re Ambon,

What major LCUs did you destroy?
( I say destroy even though a cadre may have been kept by Miller - for current intents and purposes such units are combat ineffective)

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1225
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 5:04:33 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		FOW:  The original garrison at Ambon consisted of 2nd Guards Division, which must be a good unit judging by it's tenacious defense.  Miller then reinforced with most/all of 20th Regiment and part of 25th Division.  These three units were savaged in the fighting.  25th Division had garrisoned Milne Bay.  Part of the division remained there and got beaten up when the Allies took that base a couple of days ago.  In addition to 2nd Guards and 25th Divison, 4th Divsion was savaged in the fighting at Lautem and two other divisions were roughed up at Sorong and Morotai.  (I *think* that Scenario Two gives the IJA four additional divisions, so the impact isn't as bad as it seems in all likelihood).

Bullwinkle:  Great suggestions and thoughts and a bit of mutual ESP perhaps.  I have 50th Indian Paratroops 100% prepped for Chiang Mai and a Special Services unit prepping for Raeheng (though I'm not quite sure yet that it has paratroop capability).  Neither of the two IJA divisions (33 and 55?) normally part of the Burma army were at Rangoon.  I don't know where they are.

The Allies should be able to take Rangoon with the troops on hand plus the one big African division (100%) prepped that will arrive in a week or less.  So, while those troops concentrate on Rangoon, part of the Pegu victors will move a hex closer to Moulmein.  I've just transferred four recon squadrons forward to take a peek deeper into Japanese territory including Bangkok and Tavoy.

I assume Miller will be able to form a stiff roadblock at Tavoy and a really, really tough one at Bangkok.  But there is a chance that the sudden shift in fortunes in Burma has caught him with his pants down, so I want to probe and push a bit to gauge opportunities.  But I have an idea as to the overall Allied objectives (I'll keep this to myself at the moment, but it dovetails with Allied grand strategy first proposed in early '42).

As for counterattacks, I'll be watchful, but the Allies have too much in Burma.  As for the DEI, the Japanese are short on troop transports due to some big losses at Semereng in early '42, at Paramushiro in early '43, and in the DEI in '43.  I don't think Miller is going to engage in any major contested amphibious operation to take a base strongly garrisoned by the Allies.

To keep Miller off balance, I'm planning to take Talaud Island by para-assault with reinforcements by a brigade, engineers, and base force to immediately follow.  This depends upon the island being ungarrisoned, though, and I won't recon until the turn before the attack (probably about four days off).

The Allies will probably invade lightly defended Namlea in a couple of weeks.

But there are two big hurdles before the Allies undertake their next big DEI operation (against either Ternate or Manado):  Some of the troops slated for these operations are on the front lines.  I need to mount fairly extensive and well-protected operations to get transports in and out safely to reposition these troops, probably at Darwin but maybe at Boela or Kaimana.  Secondly, I am in the process of retrieving an army from Pearl Harbor and two infantry divisions from San Diego.  I've sent a bunch of my transports back from the front lines to these two ports.  These missions will take about a month.

A final note - I self-imposed a house rule on myself to refrain from any strategic bombing until 1944 (well, I imposed this back in '42 when Miller and I dealt with the China situation).  That deadline is nearing and the Allies are planning an active campaign in SE Asia (Bangkok and Saigon are likely early targets).  I'm still too far from the best DEI bases to hit them effecitvely, but that should change in the next few months.  By the time B-29s come on line, they should have viable and worthwhile targets.

(in reply to FOW)
Post #: 1226
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 5:25:11 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Dan---my .02 is to destroy those troops trapped at Rangoon. They cannot be replaced and the faster you do it the less chance their is for cadres to be pulled out. You've got a golden opportunity to wipe out a major IJA force--TAKE IT!

Beyond that...move south with a screen and grab what you can. It will force Miller to stay defensive and you might be able to advance further then planned due to the suddeness of the Japanese collapse. This being said, don't pull so much to go South when your real objective is killing that army.


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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1227
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 6:28:45 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		That's what the Allies will do.  At Rangoon, the Allies have 1700 AV and the IJA about 1000.  The first Allied attack came off at 1:2, didn't touch five forts, but cost the IJA 4,100 casualties and the Allies about 2,000.  The Allies will continue to attack, bombard, and engage in aerial bombing while awaiting arrival of the African unit of about 380 AV that is 100% prepped for Rangoon.  I think the city will fall in two weeks - less if Miller begins withdrawing cadres of the fighting units.

(in reply to John 3rd)
Post #: 1228
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 9:33:57 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline 		Do you guys have a HR keeping the RTA in Thailand? If so they are probably massing at the border.....

Pretty crap-tastic troops, but 6 divisions of anything might slow you down a bit

Do you have any Perm-Restricted units in Burma?

How many Chinese?

Historically, it was very difficult to get Chaing to release a few troops that were equipped by the US....I think getting them to agree to a major ground commitment in Thailand would be unrealistic (and probably a good way to get the Thais to fight harder).

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Post #: 1229
RE: Intel Assessment - 3/17/2010 9:39:24 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		No HR regarding the RTA.  One division is in Rangoon.

I don't have any permanent restricted troops in Burma (I'm not even sure what a permanent restricted unit is?).  I've paid political points for all of the restricted Indian and Chinese units that I'm using in theater.

I'm going to use the Chinese that I have on hand.  It's not much - perhaps six divisions that can be built up to something like 220 AV each.  Miller destroyed China utilizing the dratted massed artillery and strategic bombing techniques, so these Chinese units (and Chiang) are so pissed off that they've agreed to serve under British and American command anywhere in SE Asia.  (I think that's pretty plausible given the way the game developed).

(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 1230
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