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RE: Losing Ground - 9/21/2012 11:52:32 PM   
Q-Ball


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

What kind of voodoo are you using to get your P40s to do something besides dying?

Is he coming in low (below 20k) with his sweeps so you get the dive on him?


We have a HR that limits altitude to 2nd highest maneuver band. For the P-40 and Zero, that's 20K for each one. So, his sweeps were 20K, and my Cap was layered at 20K/10K. No altitude advantage.

I have had P-40s on this setting get shot down as well, not sure the difference here. Greyjoy said the Zeros had no drop tanks, so that wasn't the difference.

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Dam Breaks - 9/25/2012 11:13:04 PM   
Q-Ball


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A good turn on the ground for the IJA. I think a couple phases are closing out now, and we are heading toward the next phase; hopefully the one where we come back on the Empire!

Burma: One scene of action.

In the AIR, we have traded hits; he bombed an un-capped Dimapur toasting 30 of my planse on the group (oops). In sweeps of Warazup, though, we shot down 15+ Zeros, leakers from Ledo. I hate Leakers, but in this case they worked.

On the ground, however, the Japanese shoved us back out of Warazup, and toward the Burmese border. That's the last town in Burma, other than Kalemyo, which I hold with 2+ divisions. The remaining troops we have in Northern Burma are moving back into India, for some R and R. We'll be back.

With this, it's going to be quiet on the ground for awhile, unless Greyjoy invades India, which would be fine by me. The Indian Army is still building strength, and we are gathering more units. I can make a strong attack in the Fall of 1942. I will do this not because I can re-conquer Burma, but more to keep lots of IJA troops occupied.

Sub Wars:

NEW FLASH: A Mark 14 exploded, sinking an AKL!! Seriously, I had a long run of "CLANK" all month, with good shots just bouncing off juicy transports. Finally a hit. Can't wait till those damn things are fixed.

Retribution:

Operation Retribution is my cool code name for a new offensive in the Pacific. More on this later, but the pickets are sailing. I am not sure if I will wait for WASP; probably, because I don't know where KB is.

I really don't know where KB is. The last CV I sighted was a month ago, in the Indian Ocean. Hopefully they are in Japan doing the 6/42 and 7/42 AA upgrades.

Even if I run into them, I'll have alot: At Pearl right now, I have 7 CVs, and 2 more should arrive within 20 days. I'll have a brief window with 9 CVs before INDOMITABLE has to be withdrawn. I'll load-up extra Wildcats, and have TBF upgrades by then. I might not lose an encounter with this force.....

China:

Uh-oh.

We've successfully held that mountain hex for over a month, against incessant bombing and several attacks. We both kept rotating units in, but he had an advantage there, and I just ran out of fresh guys. We were shoved out of the hex, accompanied by the typical 1000s of Chinese dying.

We are screwed now; Lanchow and the fuel is about to be cut off, which will make my supply situation lots of fun. I don't suppose the Chinese have donkey carts to haul the gas over the mountains? Probably not.




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< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 9/25/2012 11:25:23 PM >

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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/27/2012 4:13:43 AM   
Q-Ball


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Joined: 6/25/2002
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Status: offline 		5/31/42:

Not tons of action, though the IJA continues to advance.

Batavia: This is my last bastion on Java; and he finally attacks. I think this was the right place to make a stand; while I am about to lose it, he did bring over 100,000 troops in 7 divisions to take it; that's a HUGE commitment:

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 93118 troops, 960 guns, 788 vehicles, Assault Value = 3140

Defending force 30165 troops, 278 guns, 182 vehicles, Assault Value = 756

Japanese adjusted assault: 2375

Allied adjusted defense: 723

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3834 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 252 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 29 (2 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2185 casualties reported
Squads: 73 destroyed, 293 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 79 (4 destroyed, 75 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (3 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
21st Division
33rd Infantry Regiment
Guards Tank Division
4th Division
1st Tank Regiment
16th Guards Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
6th Tank Regiment
5th Amphibious Brigade
56th Division
8th Tank Regiment
14th Guards Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
41st Infantry Regiment
17th Indpt Guards Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
1st KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
1st KNIL AA Battalion
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
KNI Zeemacht
Batavia Defenses
Batavia KM Base Force
KNI Leger
ML-KNIL
7th Avn Sup Afd

So, I should be toast on the next attack, but that is a TON of guys. No wonder he hasnt' tried other offensives.

So, that will free up a whole bunch of IJA troops. Where do I think these guys are headed? Well, the IMPERIAL GUARDS are prepping for Cocos via intel, so I think an invasion there is on the way. The rest? I think at this point, probably fortifying the perimeter, going to Burma, or heading to China. We'll see!

China:

After splitting my forces in two, GJ seems to be heading north first, to liquidate the Northern Armies. They are more vulnerable, so why not. Gives everyone else a break though.

Intel:

Japanese planes keep buzzing Pago Pago; I think from Subs. I am going to oblige by emptying the port and placing lots of TFs there; he'll think I'm up to something down there, when I'm not.

Burma:

We are leaving Burma, other than Kalemyo. I don't anticipate lots of ground action for awhile, probably now just bombing and whatnot, while the Indian Army builds strength. INTEL: There is an Air-HQ at Port Blair; will have to remember that, as that sucker is guarding the Bay of Bengal.




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Post #: 183
RE: Dam Breaks - 9/27/2012 10:55:07 AM   
ADB123

 

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Status: offline 		That Chinese Corp in the jungle/mountains will move at 2 miles per day, so it will be a couple of months before it gets to Myitkyina, but it will get there. (I've done the same thing several times in my Allied AAR.)

Just remember to occasionally air drop some supplies to the unit, particularly if it isn't at full strength and if Replacements are set to "on".

BTW - instead of going directly to Myitkyina, why not cut the rail line instead? This way you don't have to take a risk with a River Crossing too.

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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/27/2012 5:03:04 PM   
JocMeister

 

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Status: offline 		Have you bought out that massive AA Bde from Ceylon?

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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/28/2012 12:04:44 AM   
Q-Ball


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Have you bought out that massive AA Bde from Ceylon?


Hadn't though about that, but after you mentioned it, I spent the 90 PPs and bought it. I already have 5 Flak Regts at Ledo, which is the base I really need to defend (the rest, I don't care if they get bombed). So, if he bombs Ledo, should be a huge flak reception.

June 3, 1942

China:

In China, Greyjoy is definitely liquidating the Northern Front first. He should be able to, or at least push me back on Lanchow. Either way, it doesn't matter, since those troops won't have supplies.

Otherwise, it's just constant bombing that I can't do anything about.

Burma:

No Japanese air attacks.....this is odd. He knows what I have at Ledo, he buzzes it everyday. He's got at least 200 fighters in Burma. Why no sweeps?

I am going to build up strength for a bombing attack on Mandalay; we'll test the waters with a big sweep first, then send in every bomber I have to torch it. Probably in a few days.

Batavia Falls:

No surprise here, but the 2nd attack by 7+ divisions forces the surrender of 40,000 dutch at Batavia. At this point, I still hold Balikpapan, Makassar, Den Passar, but I'm sure those will all be taken soon. That will be it for the DEI.

Retribution: This is my attack in the Pacific. We have spotted Japanese Carriers of some sort near Batavia; see below. I think this is Baby KB or some combination of lesser flattops, but that's enough for me to push the GO button on Retribution.

7 CVs sail from Pearl Harbor, accompanied by BBs and even HERMES. WASP group is coming from the West Coast, and ILLUSTRIOUS group is about 2 weeks out. I was waiting to consolidate these 2 CVs, but we are going ahead. I have loaded 12 extra Marine Wildcats on every USN CV for extra CAP.




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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/28/2012 2:57:31 AM   
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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/28/2012 2:58:28 PM   
ny59giants


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Status: offline 		You also should have an AA brigade at Aukland and get another later in the game. Those are nasty when there TO&E is filled out.

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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/28/2012 4:38:21 PM   
Q-Ball


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Status: offline 		June 5, 1942:

Retribution:

The last ships sailed from Pearl Harbor, to the rendevous point. It will take about 2 weeks for this to develop; need to top everyone off, and get the transports loaded up

IO Carrier Move

That Carrier division in the Indian Ocean is now off Cocos. I'm pretty sure it's not KB, but after 3 sighting reports, I bet it's a combination of units like RYUJO, ZUIHO, SHOHO, maybe JUNYO, and a couple CVEs. There is also a cruiser TF there. Why are they there?

It's either a) an Invasion of Cocos, or b) some sort of raid. A raid does not make sense though; I have had very little shipping in the IO, and what little I had (3 transports unloading at Cocos), bugged-out. I literally have no ships at all other than PTs between Perth and Colombo.

So, he must be covering an invasion. It would make sense, if a couple units in Batavia were prepped. Whether he is coming or not, I can't do anything else to prepare; we're already dug-in to lvl-5 forts, I have 4 CD units, 300 mines, everyone is at 100% prep, I mean we're as ready as you can get. I'm not sending any more units; we are stacked to the max, and at any rate, I've loaded Cocos up with "disposable" units, like 45th Ind Bde, Sparrow Bn, etc. So that's it; Cocos will stand or fall depending on what GJ does.

Loss Summary to Date:

Here is a loss summary to date of major warships. As good a time as any to post. Of course, FOW applies to the IJN losses, but attached is my best guess:

IJN:
CA: Haguro, Ashigara
CL: Kiso, Kashii
DD: About 18 DDs, give or take. More remarkable, I show only 4 of these are "OLD"; almost all are newer-types (Fubuki and later)
SS: 8; 5 of these are to mine hits

ALLIED NAVIES:
BBs: ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, W. VIRGINIA
CA: Cornwall, Exeter
CL: Pheonix, Boise, Glasgow, Hobart, Marblehead, Emerald, Dragon, Danae, DeRuyter, Tromp
DD: 11 DDs total; however, only 2 are modern USN DDs. The rest are old USN, Dutch, or 2 old RN DD

The BB losses hurt, particularly NEW MEXICO, which was taken out by RO-Boats entirely unassisted (first time I have ever seen RO-Boats take out something that big that wasn't a cripple!). I think the rest isn't bad at all. Of those Allied Cruisers, only the first 4 I listed are modern and decent; the rest are older types that in the long run are not really useful as other than escorts. My DD losses are particularly light; the older DDs are strictly escort ships.

As for the IJN, the two CA losses are excellent, as well as a fairly large number of modern DDs. Every little bit helps.




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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/28/2012 9:10:55 PM   
Q-Ball


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OUCH! Bad turn for me.

Burma: We tried a giant sweep of Mandalay....and unfortunately, it came in the form of 8 different sweeps of small groups, against a CAP of about 70 Japanese fighters. Guess how that turned out?

Badly.......I lost 70 fighters, and shot down about 6. That's not too good. So, no sweeps for awhile.

Tojos are around now a-plenty. I'm concerned about an air campaign directed against Ledo, hopefully putting a billion flak guns there will make an impact. I really need Ledo to stay open, to stave off a China collapse as long as possible.

Lottery Tickets:

I'm buying a Powerball ticket; 2 days in a row, a Mk 14 torpedo exploded, sinking a transport. It must be my day!

China:

Predictably, the supply situation in China is getting grim, with no hope of recovery. We are still producing in the Chungking plain through LI, and between that and airlifts we have some coming.






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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/28/2012 11:40:54 PM   
JocMeister

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

June 7, 1942

OUCH! Bad turn for me.

Burma: We tried a giant sweep of Mandalay....and unfortunately, it came in the form of 8 different sweeps of small groups, against a CAP of about 70 Japanese fighters. Guess how that turned out?



What was your settings for the groups? I have had some various results but using the same altitude and same base seems like a must. Having an Air HQ seems to help too. Also I have had the groups set to LRCAP failing to fly on several occasions without any apparent reason. At least none that I can find.

I have never ever had two groups set to sweep coordinate.

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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/29/2012 1:28:30 AM   
PaxMondo


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister


I have never ever had two groups set to sweep coordinate.

I had to think about this for moment ... you're quite correct. Never seen that either.

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RE: Dam Breaks - 9/29/2012 1:33:39 AM   
Crackaces


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quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo


quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister


I have never ever had two groups set to sweep coordinate.

I had to think about this for moment ... you're quite correct. Never seen that either.


What I have found successful is to set a group to sweep and set the other groups to sweep but the majority for LRCAP the same number of hexes away. Then a building airbattle is at least possible that is larger than a single sweep of multiple groups alone ...

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RE: Dam Breaks - 10/1/2012 4:01:32 AM   
Q-Ball


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Status: offline 		6/14/42:

A few days passed, without a ton to report. But I can't let the AAR slide too far down page 2....

Retribution: All 9 Carriers in the Pacific are about to reach the Rendevous Point. Transports are loading with 2 divisions and Amphtrac units for our target. It should be about 5 days for Greyjoy to know the target, and the baloon will be up.

Overall, this is a pretty conservative operation; nothing too risky at this point in the war. With all 9 CVs gathered, I wish I had planned something a little bolder, but oh well....next time perhaps.

I personally love combining all RN CVs with the USN CVs. Not sure why more players don't do that. The RN CVs really aren't good on their own (too few planes), but they make a great complement to the USN.

China:

The starving troops of Kungchang folded easily, falling back on Lanchow. Lanchow should fall to the first assault or two, since the terrain isn't very favorable for me, and the troops there are completely spent. I think Greyjoy would be doing me a favor if he continued north of Lanchow, because there is nothing there, and the total supply sources add up to 20 or 40 LI; can't remember, but not enough to do anything. Western China is just a big POW camp at that point.

Not much for us to do in the Chungking plain, except await or fate.

Burma:

Quiet. I'm pulling units into India, and building up the Indian Army. I am withdrawing the Australian units for service elsewhere; not sure where yet, but it will be something amphibious. In the long-run, I envision mostly Chinese and Indian troops along the India/Burma border

Sub Wars:

Greyjoy complained/complimented me on the Sub war score. I don't think I'm doing that incredibly hot, but one thing is for sure: On this DDB mod, IJN ASW is pretty useless. I've had some subs damaged, but only 1 sunk to DCs. Actually, I've only sunk 2, so ASW is borked a bit on both ends.

Stock WITP, subs don't have enough of an impact. The USN Subs were a decisive factor in the war, sinking 1000s of ships in 1944, a time when most Allied players in stock pull their subs in because the losses are too high. So so far I think this is a good thing in this mod, but I should be losing more subs.

I sank a big Yusen-N AK off Truk this turn, which is something like 3-4 transports this month from the USN Fleet boats; a big total considering how many Mk 14s are not exploding. I get alot of "clanks".

The other thing that is helping me: Because he has not 100% cleared the DEI, I have air search STILL all over Borneo, etc. So, I am able to snoop convoys here and there, which helps vector in subs, and know where everyone is going.

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RE: Dam Breaks - 10/1/2012 5:47:16 PM   
Gridley380


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Status: offline 		Two reasons I don't pile the RN CV[]'s in with the USN:

1. It almost never happened historically until late in the war.

2. Keeping a small naval air component in the IO is helpful in deterring IJN raids, or at least forcing them to raid in strength.

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Fun in the Frozen North - 10/2/2012 3:32:01 AM   
Q-Ball


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Status: offline 		June 18,1942

Well, a GLEN sub found my invasion fleet a little sooner than I expected; about a day sooner. Still, we press on....I have enough strength that I wouldn't mind a CV encounter!

Target: Adak and Ulak Islands

So, this is the target. Pretty conservative; Adak has a garrison of about 4,000 guys in 4 units from what I can tell, and and Ulak is empty, but buildable, so I take it.

Amchitka is a level-2 airbase, so that's the only one that can support bombers. It just went to level 2, so I am betting it doesn't support Betties. Even so, I have the aircover.

On ADAK, I am landing 2 US Infantry Divisions. This is overkill, but a) want to build experience for them, and b) better safe than sorry. Don't want to strand troops up there right now!

Our Naval Support consists of all 9 Fleet Carriers in the Pacific, plus a group of 4 BBs, and a SAG of Cruisers. The transports are close-escorted by a couple Omaha-class CLs. We also have fighter support from Umnak Island.

This is not a very ambitious operation, but hey, it's June 1942, no reason to go crazy yet.

Elsewhere:

The forts drop at Lanchow; it will fall to the next assault. After that, I'm sure a new offensive in the interior. I just hope I can hold out until 1943.....

HMS Durban:

I sortied alot of ships in the Coral Sea, including warships, to create some noise as cover for the Aleutians move. Unfortunately, I found out there is a new Air HQ at Woodlark Island. Nells launched, and sank one of my cruisers; thankfully, it was HMS DURBAN, not really one I need in the long-run. PENSACOLA also took a torp, but the damage was moderate. We'll be more careful next time!




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RE: Fun in the Frozen North - 10/3/2012 1:30:10 PM   
Gridley380


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Status: offline 		9 CV and a battlewagon in only two groups? Either you're thin on escorts or those are WAY over the 15-ship ideal...?

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RE: Fun in the Frozen North - 10/3/2012 7:36:37 PM   
Q-Ball


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Gridley380

9 CV and a battlewagon in only two groups? Either you're thin on escorts or those are WAY over the 15-ship ideal...?


They were re-organized into 3 when I added more cruisers

6/24/42:

Aleutian Landings:

We landed on the 20th on Adak and Ulak, and so far things have gone just OK. Ulak was undefended and fell immediately; I am already working on the airstrip there, and PBYs are based there.

Adak, on the other hand, was much more heavily defended than I thought! There are 4 Nav Gd units there, plus base forces and flak, 9 units in total and over 10,000 troops! It turns out, 2 US Infantry Divisions were NOT overkill.

The Infantry came ashore clean, and 2 attacks have dropped the forts from 3 to 1. BBs bombarded the island, and my CVs are flying some ground support missions to soften up the troops. His losses have been higher. I had hoped to clear it a little sooner, and start using the airstrip, which would allow me to withdraw the CVs.

I am very concerned now about KB intervention; at this point, 6 days after being spotted, KB can be here from Japan any day. I calculate it will be another day or two if they were at Truk, but point being...I can't loiter much longer.

I am pulling the CVs tomorrow, regardless of what happens at Adak, though we have one more attack going. If that doesn't succeed, we will have a problem: 2 US Infantry divisions stranded! Not good.

So, tomorrow's attack is important. If KB shows up I am OK with a 9 CV Allied CV force, but I don't want to tempt it too much either, so I would like to wrap this up and move on.

Chikhiang:

I hold the city of Chikhiang, roughly SE of Chungking on the map. Japanese units are massing over the river, and I fear an imminent shock attack to dislodge me. There isn't alot I can do about it; my troops there are in good shape, and there are 50,000 of them, they are stacked to the max. All I can do is wait, and hope his shock attack fails.

If this city falls, which I expect, that will open another line of Japanese advance toward Chungking, and signal another front. I will need to fall back toward the plain, but once he's in clear terrain, there will be nothing left to do but pull into Chungking, and wait out the inevitable siege.

Lanchow fell in the north, intact apparently. My troops north of Sinning have no supplies, and no real hope of gaining any. All they have is Yak's milk.

Manila:

My troops in Manila are out of supplies and in bad shape. This is not unexpected though for late June 1942. Some units still have supplies in the unit, but about half my units are at ZERO. A major attack here is probably imminent, as he is moving units into the hex.




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RE: Fun in the Frozen North - 10/3/2012 8:06:52 PM   
Canoerebel


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Status: offline 		So, you're having a Ghormley-Fletcher-Turner debate all on your own? That's gotta be tense for you, but admit it; it's fun!

Good job at Adak. Getting in a solid move this early is a feather in your cap. No only do you pick up good real estate (if the base falls, as seems very likely), you now have put the "fear of Q-Ball" into your opponent just a bit.

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RE: Fun in the Frozen North - 10/3/2012 8:11:56 PM   
Q-Ball


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

So, you're having a Ghormley-Fletcher-Turner debate all on your own? That's gotta be tense for you, but admit it; it's fun!

Good job at Adak. Getting in a solid move this early is a feather in your cap. No only do you pick up good real estate (if the base falls, as seems very likely), you now have put the "fear of Q-Ball" into your opponent just a bit.


Thanks, I think it's important to get a punch in somewhere; it makes the other guy consider defense as well as offense.

I get the feeling though that the Empire's expansion into the Pacific is at an end. He has LOTS of planes in Burma and China, and seems committed to that theater. Why not, because he figures to wipe out China on the current trajectory.

I could be wrong, and I still expect a landing at Cocos (still getting intel on Imperial Guards prepping for it), but that is more cleaning-up the perimeter than expansion.



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RE: Fun in the Frozen North - 10/3/2012 8:41:42 PM   
JocMeister

 

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Status: offline 		Whats your reasoning around going in NOPAC? Is it part of your long term plan?

Good to see the invasion went off smoothly! And good thing you went "overkill"

< Message edited by JocMeister -- 10/3/2012 8:42:26 PM >

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RE: Fun in the Frozen North - 10/3/2012 8:55:54 PM   
Canoerebel


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From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Q-Ball will answer for himself, of course, but his reasoning is very good:

1. Adak is a very good base both for Japan and for the Allies going forward. He denies it to Japan and gets it for the Allies. Voila, he has an advance patrol plane base and Japan doesn't.

2. An Allied build up in the Aluetians keeps an alert Japanese player honest in the Kuriles. Just the threat of an Allied build up will keep a certain number of Japanese assets tied down. That's helpful.

3. If Japan isn't careful, the Allies can create mayhem in NoPac later in the game.

4. Taking the offensive now puts some fear into the Japanese player. He has to be a little more defensively minded and it helps put him back on his heels rather than leaning forward.

5. The operation was relatively safe since it was pretty far out on the margin. Q-Ball knew a KB presence was unlikely but that his own carrier force "stood a chance" if the KB did pop up.

Very well thought out and implimented maneuver. Classic Q-Ball.

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Post #: 202
RE: Fun in the Frozen North - 10/3/2012 9:24:17 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Q-Ball will answer for himself, of course, but his reasoning is very good:

1. Adak is a very good base both for Japan and for the Allies going forward. He denies it to Japan and gets it for the Allies. Voila, he has an advance patrol plane base and Japan doesn't.

2. An Allied build up in the Aluetians keeps an alert Japanese player honest in the Kuriles. Just the threat of an Allied build up will keep a certain number of Japanese assets tied down. That's helpful.

3. If Japan isn't careful, the Allies can create mayhem in NoPac later in the game.

4. Taking the offensive now puts some fear into the Japanese player. He has to be a little more defensively minded and it helps put him back on his heels rather than leaning forward.

5. The operation was relatively safe since it was pretty far out on the margin. Q-Ball knew a KB presence was unlikely but that his own carrier force "stood a chance" if the KB did pop up.

Very well thought out and implimented maneuver. Classic Q-Ball.


Thanks for the compliment, that's basically it: It's a low-risk way to punch back.

Kido Butai is due for several AA/Radar upgrades in June and July 1942. It's also a window where you can get 9 CVs together. So, it's not a bad time to try something, particularly late June when you can replace most of the TBDs with TBF.

The Aleutians is not very strategic IMO, but it's a low-risk way to punch back. The risk was lower, because Amchitka was the only airbase larger than size-1, and it was only size-2, so I expected minimal LBA (especially with so much of it in CBI).

Unless KB was hanging around the North Pacific, I figured I could land everyone and complete landings before he had a chance to respond. It's taking a bit long, but I should still be able to clear it.

6/25/42:

Another attack dropped the forts to ZERO, but failed to take Adak Island. This is getting a little frustrating! We are resting for a day, and the next one should take it; I hope.

I am pulling the CVs, as we are basically done unloading. As a bonus, our cruisers bombarded Amchitka, damaging alot of Mavis, but nothing else; no fighters, nothing.

The only resistance other than on the ground up here is by sub. An IJN sub did put a torp into HERMES, but she is made of tough stuff; just a couple points damage! That attack did reveal the presence of some RN up here, and the Aleutians is not a normal deployment for HMS HERMES, to say the least......

I plan to keep HERMES in the Pacific, and make her basically a flagship for CVE TFs.

Surface Combat:

AG ARGONNE is a picket ship I have north of Midway; she ran into a jap AMC. Somehow, she came off better, putting 4 shells into the AMC and setting her on fire! This was surprising!

Looking at ARGONNE, though, she has 5-in guns, and a crew experience rating of over 50. I know the Jap AMCs have very low crew ratings, so this was probably the difference.

That AMC will probably make port, but that raid is likely over. I bet she was trying to interdict Pearl-San Fran traffic, which isn't a bad idea.

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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 203
RE: Dam Breaks - 10/3/2012 9:32:33 PM   
crsutton


Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

June 5, 1942:

Retribution:

The last ships sailed from Pearl Harbor, to the rendevous point. It will take about 2 weeks for this to develop; need to top everyone off, and get the transports loaded up

IO Carrier Move

That Carrier division in the Indian Ocean is now off Cocos. I'm pretty sure it's not KB, but after 3 sighting reports, I bet it's a combination of units like RYUJO, ZUIHO, SHOHO, maybe JUNYO, and a couple CVEs. There is also a cruiser TF there. Why are they there?

It's either a) an Invasion of Cocos, or b) some sort of raid. A raid does not make sense though; I have had very little shipping in the IO, and what little I had (3 transports unloading at Cocos), bugged-out. I literally have no ships at all other than PTs between Perth and Colombo.

So, he must be covering an invasion. It would make sense, if a couple units in Batavia were prepped. Whether he is coming or not, I can't do anything else to prepare; we're already dug-in to lvl-5 forts, I have 4 CD units, 300 mines, everyone is at 100% prep, I mean we're as ready as you can get. I'm not sending any more units; we are stacked to the max, and at any rate, I've loaded Cocos up with "disposable" units, like 45th Ind Bde, Sparrow Bn, etc. So that's it; Cocos will stand or fall depending on what GJ does.

Loss Summary to Date:

Here is a loss summary to date of major warships. As good a time as any to post. Of course, FOW applies to the IJN losses, but attached is my best guess:

IJN:
CA: Haguro, Ashigara
CL: Kiso, Kashii
DD: About 18 DDs, give or take. More remarkable, I show only 4 of these are "OLD"; almost all are newer-types (Fubuki and later)
SS: 8; 5 of these are to mine hits

ALLIED NAVIES:
BBs: ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, W. VIRGINIA
CA: Cornwall, Exeter
CL: Pheonix, Boise, Glasgow, Hobart, Marblehead, Emerald, Dragon, Danae, DeRuyter, Tromp
DD: 11 DDs total; however, only 2 are modern USN DDs. The rest are old USN, Dutch, or 2 old RN DD

The BB losses hurt, particularly NEW MEXICO, which was taken out by RO-Boats entirely unassisted (first time I have ever seen RO-Boats take out something that big that wasn't a cripple!). I think the rest isn't bad at all. Of those Allied Cruisers, only the first 4 I listed are modern and decent; the rest are older types that in the long run are not really useful as other than escorts. My DD losses are particularly light; the older DDs are strictly escort ships.

As for the IJN, the two CA losses are excellent, as well as a fairly large number of modern DDs. Every little bit helps.




I would say that this is an excellent exchange for the Allies at this stage of the campaign.

In addition, the brief window offered by having nine carriers is about the only time I would consider a heads up fight with KB in 1942. But it is only a short opportunity and a smart Japanese player should just pass it up. That is if both sides are still at full strength.

< Message edited by crsutton -- 10/3/2012 9:36:45 PM >

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(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 204
RE: Dam Breaks - 10/4/2012 2:47:57 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton
I would say that this is an excellent exchange for the Allies at this stage of the campaign.

In addition, the brief window offered by having nine carriers is about the only time I would consider a heads up fight with KB in 1942. But it is only a short opportunity and a smart Japanese player should just pass it up. That is if both sides are still at full strength.


I don't disagree on either count.....on paper, I've lost a bunch of cruisers, but many of those are nothing more than convoy escorts in the long run. The IJN DD losses are very high, and mine are almost none. IJN did get a lick in though last couple days....

6/28/42

IJN SUBS: HMS FORMIDABLE HIT!

The only resistance in the Aleutians has been subs, but GJ has committed a ton; last count was 17 spotted by me! There is a sub basically in every hex. And they managed to extract a price.

I-173 put two torps into CL RALEIGH; she was in terrible shape, so I scuttled her. She wasn't going to make port. Worse, another sub planted two torps into HMS FORMIDABLE; the damage is high, over 70+ float damage. She should make it to Dutch Harbor where I can pump her out, but the Major Damage is over 60; she's going to be out for awhile. With an early 1943 withdrawl date, it's almost as good as sinking her, because by the time I get her fixed, she'll be called back to the UK. ARRGH!

At least it wasn't WASP or something that might have sunk, or doesn't have a withdrawl date.

London Calling:

Speaking of recalls, HMS INDOMITABLE is heading to San Fran, and a withdrawl back to England. Apparently the Admiralty doesn't know that the Regia Marina is out of gas, and Hitler is about to ban the Kriegsmarine from leaving port, but....whatever. Take your CV!

Adak Island Campaign:

Adak island falls on the 25th; curiously, GJ launched a Shock attack a couple days later. He must be trying to kill the units off to get them to rebuild quicker. No other reason to Banzai like that, other than the honor of the virtual Emperor.

We already have a pile of engineers there, so in true Allied fashion, we'll build a major base about 50 times faster than the Empire ever could.

Plans:

We are going to keep the pressure up. All warships and invasion shipping are moving immediately to Pearl. There, we will repair minor damage, re-size the CV airgroups, and load up for the next target: Baker Island.

Baker is another low-risk target. It's not that important, but I just want to keep moving along the perimeter, until Greyjoy sees invasions in his dreams. I have 2 US Infantry Regiments prepped, which should be plenty.

After that, it will be back to the Aleutians, where the conquerors of Adak will be landed on Amchitka and Attu. We are beginning to prep for that, while we also repair damaged elements on the 2 divisions on Adak. We will move in early fall, when we'll be 100% prepped, to beat the winter.

Northern Oz:

I haven't mentioned it in awhile. We landed some units at Exmouth, which was never occupied by the Japanese, and we are building a base. GJ never took Port Hedland, which is still lightly garrisoned by a base force of mine. Once Exmouth is built, I am going to put together a large convoy to occupy Port Hedland in force, if GJ doesn't beat me to it.

China:

Now, the bad news. I am circling the wagons in China, but not a ton I can do.

I counted the Light Industry, we are producing 500 per turn in what's left of China. We are airlifting from Ledo to Tsuyung, but that could be shut down any number of ways by GJ. He hasn't yet. I also can't tell from the base screen, but it looks to me like the Burma Road isn't closed, and Chungking is getting 400 supplies a turn; does anyone know how to read that?







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(in reply to crsutton)
Post #: 205
RE: Dam Breaks - 10/5/2012 4:53:16 AM   
JeffroK


Posts: 6391
Joined: 1/26/2005
Status: offline 		I think this "nipping away" is a vital tactic of the Allies in this time period.

The JFB would still be assuming that he is running the strategy, upsetting this thought process might cause a mistake.

In this case, had you been able to sneak in a bit better (Glen's should be banned!!) you might have seen a reaction with part of the KB, your force might have been able to take ot 1 or 2 key combat ships.
(About the only thing your force couldnt counter were the subs)

Having plans for Baker is, moving up in WA are all worthwhile moves which, at worst, will make GJ have to fight for them as against a peaceful occupation.

Pick up enough "minor/unimportant" bases like this and they may add to a major strategic achievement or place you better/ hinder GJ for a bigger move.

Just takes lots of ASW and commit some aircraft to ASW next time

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(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 206
RE: Dam Breaks - 10/5/2012 5:25:21 PM   
Q-Ball


Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JeffK

I think this "nipping away" is a vital tactic of the Allies in this time period.

The JFB would still be assuming that he is running the strategy, upsetting this thought process might cause a mistake.

In this case, had you been able to sneak in a bit better (Glen's should be banned!!) you might have seen a reaction with part of the KB, your force might have been able to take ot 1 or 2 key combat ships.
(About the only thing your force couldnt counter were the subs)

Having plans for Baker is, moving up in WA are all worthwhile moves which, at worst, will make GJ have to fight for them as against a peaceful occupation.

Pick up enough "minor/unimportant" bases like this and they may add to a major strategic achievement or place you better/ hinder GJ for a bigger move.

Just takes lots of ASW and commit some aircraft to ASW next time


I think this is all the Allies can do offensively; a major landing or attack deep in Japanese territory should be regarded, by a good Japanese player, as an opportunity. I thought about Marcus, but the likely outcome of that would be the destruction and surrender of whatever I left there, at this point. Same for Wake, more than likely.

Need more ASW next time, he did a good job with his subs......

6/30/42:

China:

Still quiet other than the attack toward Sinning, but I'm sure that's because GJ is resting and putting units into place for the next phase, which is cracking my lines around the Chungking plain, and getting into that plain.

Supplies continue to run out, and will only get worse

Burma:

Also very quiet. A large convoy was sighted by USS PICKEREL moving toward Rangoon; not sure what that's about, but probably no good. I expect more bombing, he might be waiting to build up Mandalay or more bases.

Adak Aftermath:

The remaining Japanese defenders on Adak are wiped out; I have alot of engineers there, and we are building up the airstrip and port, while the 2 divisions I landed are rest and training-up for the next target, Amchitka. All shipping is now gone, but IJN subs sank an APD, DD, and AK on my way out of town. Not a huge deal, but something.

The bigger problem is HMS FORMIDABLE. This doesn't really impact the balance of power in the Pacific, because she was going to withdraw anyway in 60 days; but what do I do here?

If I can't get this ship to Seattle and repaired, it's going to cost me lots of PPs. I hate to just waste it, but I'm of half a mind to just unload the planes and let it sink. Thoughts?




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(in reply to JeffroK)
Post #: 207
RE: Dam Breaks - 10/5/2012 6:21:37 PM   
KenchiSulla


Posts: 2948
Joined: 10/22/2008
From: the Netherlands
Status: offline 		It will take you at least 40 days to get to Seattle (cruise speed of 2 NM). That leaves 20 days to do some repairs. If you save her you are doing it because you don't want her to sink, not because you are gaining anything..

With the PP system in place as it is I would try and get her sunk. Just imagine you saved her (you would have done it if not for PPs). It's just the VPs GJ will gain and you are not going to lose by autovictory in this game.

Just my 2 cents..

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"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
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(in reply to Q-Ball)
Post #: 208
RE: Dam Breaks - 10/5/2012 7:59:43 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Holy cow! No way any Allied player can let a carrier sink and look himself in the mirror ever again. Hugely bad karma. No matter what it takes you've got to try to save Formidable. No matter what it costs. Brace up, man! Do your duty!

(in reply to KenchiSulla)
Post #: 209
RE: Dam Breaks - 10/5/2012 8:20:08 PM   
zuluhour


Posts: 5244
Joined: 1/20/2011
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		You want to know what can happen if you choose wrongly, read my last AAR. One Royal Navy ship = no PPs for 6 months. Run her at full speed and scuttle her! Make sure upgrades are OFF! PANIC!!!

actually you have time, whats the sub menace situation?

< Message edited by zuluhour -- 10/5/2012 8:22:17 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 210
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