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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE

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THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/5/2013 7:02:59 PM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

Feb 6, 1944

So here it comes.

While a fierce battle over the skies and in the waters of Sarmi and Ramree Is. rages on, the allies finally reveal their main vector:
FROM BROOME to KOEPANG-ROTI!!!

Several TFs including APA/AKA/LSTs and at least 2 CVEs TFs and 2 CV/CVL TFs suddenly popped up. Also the major BBs are present.
The most advanced TFs on his advance are 7 hexes southwest of Koepang.
The only Kamikaze Sentai took off and hit something, while the rest of my air army keeps on jumping from base to base in order to avoid his sweeps.

The KB is spotted at Makassar, while my SAGs are at Lautem and Kendari... we are in a perfect position. Could not ask for anything more.

Lots of para operations are repulsed at Pantar and Weitar...he wants to isolate Timor...

Lost few minor naval engagements today... but now the decisive battle is upon us. The battle we've been waiting for more than 2 years. The real clash of Titans.

We win or we lose. There's no grey colour waiting for us.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 06, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
DD Kamikaze
DD Oite, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi
DD Yukaze
DD Tachikaze
DD Tatsukaze
DD Suruyame

Allied Ships
DD Fanning
DD Cushing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 2
DD Kamikaze
DD Oite, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 1
DD Yukaze
DD Tachikaze
DD Tatsukaze
DD Suruyame

Allied Ships
DD Nestor
DD Napier, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 2
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Oite
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Yukaze
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Suruyame

Allied Ships
DD Ammen, Shell hits 2
DD Bradford, Shell hits 1
DD Bush, Shell hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ramree Island at 54,48, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Naganami
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Ayanami
CL Teshio

Allied Ships
MTB 275
MTB 276
MTB 277
MTB 278
MTB 279
MTB 280, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 92,114, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Fuyo
E Karukaya
E Susuki
E Yanagi
E Kamo

Allied Ships
DD Fanning, Shell hits 1
DD Cushing, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa
DD Matsu
DD Okikaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Hokaze
DD Nokaze
DD Tawakaze

Allied Ships
DD Eaton
DD Gillespie

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ramree Island at 53,47, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Naganami
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Ayanami
CL Teshio

Allied Ships
MTB 275
MTB 276
MTB 277
MTB 278
MTB 279, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa, Shell hits 1
DD Matsu, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shiokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Hokaze
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 1
DD Tawakaze

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA Wichita, Shell hits 1
CA Suffolk, Shell hits 2
DD Cony, Shell hits 1
DD Fullam, Shell hits 2
DD Lansdowne
DD Meade
DD Lang
DD Shaw, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Perkins

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ramree Island at 54,48

Allied Ships
BB Queen Elizabeth
BC Renown
DD Quiberon
DD Quickmatch
DD Nepal
DD Sims
DD Lardner

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 11
Port supply hits 4

BB Queen Elizabeth firing at 55th/B Division
BC Renown firing at Ramree Island
DD Quiberon firing at 41st Infantry Regiment
DD Quickmatch firing at 55th/B Division
DD Nepal firing at 55th/B Division
DD Sims firing at 55th/B Division
DD Lardner firing at Ramree Island

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ramree Island at 54,48

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CA Shropshire
DD Quilliam
DD Queensborough
DD Petard
DD Penn
DD Thanet
DD Tenedos
DD Stronghold
DD Scout

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA Frobisher firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
CA Shropshire firing at Ramree Island
DD Quilliam firing at Ramree Island
DD Queensborough firing at 55th/B Division
DD Petard firing at Ramree Island
DD Penn firing at 55th/B Division
DD Thanet firing at Ramree Island
DD Tenedos firing at 55th/B Division
DD Stronghold firing at Ramree Island
DD Scout firing at Ramree Island

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 54,46, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Naganami
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Ayanami
CL Teshio

Allied Ships
MTB 275
MTB 276
MTB 277
MTB 278, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Fuyo
E Karukaya, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Susuki
E Yanagi
E Kamo, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA Wichita
CA Suffolk
DD Cony
DD Fullam
DD Lansdowne
DD Meade
DD Lang
DD Shaw
DD Perkins

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 54,46, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Naganami
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 2
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1
CL Teshio, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 4
BC Renown
DD Lardner, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Sims, Shell hits 1
DD Nepal
DD Quickmatch, Shell hits 1
DD Quiberon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Biak at 88,111

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Kitakami
DD Yunagi
DD Oite
DD Kamikaze
DD Suruyame
DD Tatsukaze
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
SS Golet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lomblen at 69,111

Japanese Ships
PB Syozui Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Ikuta Maru
PB Spey Maru
PB Tokyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Silversides

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 22
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 35
Ki-84r Frank x 23

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
Kittyhawk III x 7
Kittyhawk IV x 5
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
FM-1 Wildcat x 14
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 3 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk IV: 2 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST-125, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
LST-170
LST-172
LST-72, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-78, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DE Dionne, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-171, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 41
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 40
Ki-84r Frank x 34

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
Kittyhawk III x 2
Kittyhawk IV x 1
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-39N1 Airacobra x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 6
FM-1 Wildcat x 11
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 12 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-39N1 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST-167, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-126, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-170, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Doneff, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LST-172, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Roti at 64,121

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 38,400 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 16 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
APD Noa, Kamikaze hits 1
LST-478, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
LCI-447, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-446, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
532 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Broome at 61,120

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 38,400 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Kinta, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
APA Barnett, Kamikaze hits 1

Allied ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-43-IIIa Oscar flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Sarmi (91,114)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15070 troops, 125 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 474

Defending force 15369 troops, 206 guns, 197 vehicles, Assault Value = 451

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
39th Ind Engr Rgt /1
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
15th Division
44th Nav Gd /1
65th Construction Battalion
17th Army
67th Field AA Battalion
65th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
33rd Infantry Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
1/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
XI US Corps
2/593rd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Ramree Island (54,48)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14046 troops, 145 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 416

Defending force 14148 troops, 319 guns, 326 vehicles, Assault Value = 640

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

Assaulting units:
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Infantry Regiment
55th/B Division
5th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
268th Motorised Brigade
23rd Indian Division
Provisionl Tank Bde /23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Pantar (69,114)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3007 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Defending force 3198 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Allied adjusted assault: 50

Japanese adjusted defense: 142

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
402 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
339 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
503rd Parachute Rgt /1
77th LRP Bde /1

Defending units:
15th Naval Guard Unit
55th JNAF AF Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Wetar (72,114)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 364 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Defending force 1407 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Allied adjusted assault: 6

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2/6 Commando Bn /1

Defending units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 3031

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/5/2013 11:18:36 PM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

Here's the situation....

At Sarmi i hoped to get his amphib TFs...same at Ramree...missed them on both occasions

Attachment (1)

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 3032

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 12:02:39 AM

paullus99

Posts: 1985
Joined: 1/23/2002
Status: offline

Sorry to say Grey - I'm a big Allied Fanboy, so I hope you get your ass kicked, in the funnest & most enjoyable way possible......good luck though, you are going to need it.

_____________________________

Never Underestimate the Power of a Small Tactical Nuclear Weapon...

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 3033

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 1:24:19 AM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
Status: offline

That does indeed look like the real deal. Good luck, GJ!

_____________________________

(in reply to paullus99)

Post #: 3034

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 8:04:28 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

:-) Thanks for your honesty Paullus

Thanks Crib!

Still waiting for Brad to send the turn... these are loooong turns as you can imagine. I've dedicated more than 6 hours to my last one

BTW, a little explanation of the previous turn is needed imho.

SARMI: I've decided not to be too passive there and try to keep him honest. I've seen coming another amphib TFs, along with the usual cruiser SAG that operates in those waters since Nov 1943.
My idea was to intercept the amphib TF with the fast DDs, and then engage the big allied boys with some torps, in order to let my air army do the dirty job in the upcoming morning... But, as u see, things went completely differently. His DDs (which are sooooo strong by now) created an impenetrable screen and we didn't score a single torp against the allied cruisers, missing completely the amphib TFs... amphib TFs that, nonetheless, were still there in the morning...along with the cruisers.... don't know why my bombers didn't aim at the juicy cruisers... misteries of war!

Same at Ramree... we completely miss (despite being in the same hexes for two times in the same night!) a HUGE TF containing APA/LST/LSI etc... then we engaged the BBs which were short on salvos... but, again, despite the close range, not a single torp was scored

However my losses are relatively light considering the circumstances. 3 DDs, 3 "E" and 1 CL... could have been worse.

Now Timor... to be honest I didn't expect that move, even if I considered it possible.... it makes sense however: if he manages to grab Roti and the islands between Timor and Java he'll have completely bypass my second defensive line and he'll have neutralized, without invading, the whole Timor defences (thus isolating 100k men!)

...I'm scared to death for the upcoming battle...

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 3035

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 8:41:54 AM

veji1

Posts: 1019
Joined: 7/9/2005
Status: offline

Good luck. I hope you have masses of planes, kamis, bombers, ablative escorts, quality fighters for LRCAP, etc... You need numbers big big numbers

_____________________________

Adieu � Dieu odieux... sign� Adam

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 3036

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 9:03:57 AM

CaptBeefheart

Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline

Hammer time.

Cheers,
CC

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to veji1)

Post #: 3037

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 9:06:32 AM

MrBlizzard

Posts: 636
Joined: 4/16/2012
From: Italy
Status: offline

They're coming!!! The mother of all the battles is beginning!!
These targets are a little surprising indeed, no big bases for 4E??...
Good luck GJ

_____________________________

Blizzard

(in reply to veji1)

Post #: 3038

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 9:17:45 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

:-) Thanks for your honesty Paullus

Thanks Crib!

Still waiting for Brad to send the turn... these are loooong turns as you can imagine. I've dedicated more than 6 hours to my last one

BTW, a little explanation of the previous turn is needed imho.

SARMI: I've decided not to be too passive there and try to keep him honest. I've seen coming another amphib TFs, along with the usual cruiser SAG that operates in those waters since Nov 1943.
My idea was to intercept the amphib TF with the fast DDs, and then engage the big allied boys with some torps, in order to let my air army do the dirty job in the upcoming morning... But, as u see, things went completely differently. His DDs (which are sooooo strong by now) created an impenetrable screen and we didn't score a single torp against the allied cruisers, missing completely the amphib TFs... amphib TFs that, nonetheless, were still there in the morning...along with the cruisers.... don't know why my bombers didn't aim at the juicy cruisers... misteries of war!

Same at Ramree... we completely miss (despite being in the same hexes for two times in the same night!) a HUGE TF containing APA/LST/LSI etc... then we engaged the BBs which were short on salvos... but, again, despite the close range, not a single torp was scored

However my losses are relatively light considering the circumstances. 3 DDs, 3 "E" and 1 CL... could have been worse.

Now Timor... to be honest I didn't expect that move, even if I considered it possible.... it makes sense however: if he manages to grab Roti and the islands between Timor and Java he'll have completely bypass my second defensive line and he'll have neutralized, without invading, the whole Timor defences (thus isolating 100k men!)

...I'm scared to death for the upcoming battle...

Time and again I've faced the same situation. It's so tough against the Allies in 44 with all of those Fletchers and Clevelands plus the APA/AKA/LST amphibs. The window is small and well barred.

Even when I've had strikes make it through the LR CAP to the CL/DD their flak puts up a wall by this time in the war and that combined with their speed makes them tough to hit.

Not sure why he sent out the multiple TFs in the DEI without air protection?? The CVEs are 200 miles from the amphibs? Why? Glad you at least had something on to take advantage because it seems from the spectator view that it was simply poor play unless something was set that didn't happen. It does make me feel like there will be holes you can exploit in the next few days though.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 3039

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 9:19:34 AM

JocMeister

Posts: 8262
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: Sweden
Status: offline

A bit surprised by his choice of targets. That really sticking the head into the hornets nest.

Gutsy move and to be honest I�m not sure its a good one. With the KB in the area I think you have a good shot at slapping him around a bit. Perhaps even stopping him. I think he should have stayed within his own LBA. Now his CVs need to cover themselves, the amphibs and all the various SCTFs. Also don�t understand why he hasn�t any air cover over his Amphibs? And why is he scattered like that?

I think it looks really odd to be honest. Why does he have the Amphibs in the forefront completely unguarded like that? And the CVs all the way back on the OZ coast?

EDIT: Erik beat me to it!

< Message edited by JocMeister -- 9/6/2013 9:20:18 AM >

(in reply to MrBlizzard)

Post #: 3040

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 10:15:54 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

Guys, i'm not that confident. my defences are weak and that's one of the weakest spot on the Japanese perimeter. Brad chose it, for sure, for that reason. Joc and Erik well know how strong the allies are in 1944. Their advance is not stoppable. You can hope to bleed them, but nothing more.
How many CV/CVL/CVEs has he by now?
If i'm not mistaken he should have 8 or 9 CVs, plus a huge number of CVL/CVEs... let's say a CAP of 2000 a/c ?...
Their SAGs are almost unbeatable by now (except for some lucky die&rolls)...we know that.
Even if I can inflict some damage on his advancing TFs I know I cannot stop them.

But I also consider the fact that this could be another smoke&mirrors operation. Let me believe he's moving towards western Timor and then change course and aim at Java for example... don't know...just thinking out loud...

(in reply to JocMeister)

Post #: 3041

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 10:40:35 AM

veji1

Posts: 1019
Joined: 7/9/2005
Status: offline

agreed Greyjoy, at this stage of the game confidence would be misplaced. But still, you are in a position where the fight can be carried at somewhat of an advantage for you if you can gather enough airframes, You have lots of bases nearby, you already have the kamis, he is still far away from the HIs... There are 2 ways to go about it :

1/ Accept the decisive battle (ie for you, no battle is decisive for the allies), knowing that you probably will never get better chances, even though you are more likely still to be defeated. You are in early 44 and this battle could have 2 consequences, ie either you win, you really hurt him and even if you lose some of your CVs and you airforce is shattered, you stopped him again and get more time. Or you lose, which is the most likely, the KB is dead or left shattered, his losses are limited (2 CVs and some CVES, BBs, whatever, he doesn't care) and then the game has changed for good, you enter the painful phase for good, ie you are always overmatched, we no hope of a stop, and just try to make it slow and bite at the heels, getting solace for a few clever hits here and there.

2/ Or you could have gone completely the other way : Keep refusing the decisive battle, keep the KB as a fleet in being, make him go more slowly, keep covering everything, etc.. But after a while this becomes frustrating and is an excercice in self discipline. Strategically from a purely game winning perspective, I think it is still the best course of action (as long as you have enough fuel), but at some point one gets sick of it.

good luck anyway.

_____________________________

Adieu � Dieu odieux... sign� Adam

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 3042

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 11:34:37 AM

GreyJoy

Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: veji1

agreed Greyjoy, at this stage of the game confidence would be misplaced. But still, you are in a position where the fight can be carried at somewhat of an advantage for you if you can gather enough airframes, You have lots of bases nearby, you already have the kamis, he is still far away from the HIs... There are 2 ways to go about it :

1/ Accept the decisive battle (ie for you, no battle is decisive for the allies), knowing that you probably will never get better chances, even though you are more likely still to be defeated. You are in early 44 and this battle could have 2 consequences, ie either you win, you really hurt him and even if you lose some of your CVs and you airforce is shattered, you stopped him again and get more time. Or you lose, which is the most likely, the KB is dead or left shattered, his losses are limited (2 CVs and some CVES, BBs, whatever, he doesn't care) and then the game has changed for good, you enter the painful phase for good, ie you are always overmatched, we no hope of a stop, and just try to make it slow and bite at the heels, getting solace for a few clever hits here and there.

2/ Or you could have gone completely the other way : Keep refusing the decisive battle, keep the KB as a fleet in being, make him go more slowly, keep covering everything, etc.. But after a while this becomes frustrating and is an excercice in self discipline. Strategically from a purely game winning perspective, I think it is still the best course of action (as long as you have enough fuel), but at some point one gets sick of it.

good luck anyway.

A very interesting analysis Veji!
If I lose now, the rest of the game will be dramatic for Japan. Possibly cathastrophic. If I win, well, i'll gain some more months. Nothing more.
Avoid the battle? Sure...but if the allies land clear in western Timor and manages to isolate and bypass it, then Kendari-Makassar are already lost...and those waters will become unpraticable for my ships...let alone the KB who keeps on dancing against enemy's subs.
Will I ever have a better opportunity to seek battle at my own terms? Don't think so. Look at what Brad has done in NG or in the Saumlaki area...advancing using LBA+Barges and swarms of DDs... impossible to stop him! Slow but safe as heaven.

Hard choices. Hard times. Times of war...an war of annihilation.

(in reply to veji1)

Post #: 3043

RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 11:40:01 AM

veji1

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I am not criticizing at all mind you. Indeed there might not be better times to seek a decisive battle. I was just pointing that one could also chose to follow the "fleet in being" strategy, ie keep the KB alive for as long as possible while you still have the fuel to use it, the rationale being that as long as KB is alive, he will have to advance more slowly in case KB interferes. But as you said this strategy has flaws anyway.

So I suppose lots of planes are converging to the battle zone. good luck !

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 1:49:14 PM

Chickenboy

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Very pleased to see your kamikazes score well against underdefended xAP and APAs. Hope you can deploy these to even greater defensive effect in the coming battle(s).

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 2:24:23 PM

Canoerebel

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There is a certain amount of friction involved in every major movement for the Allies. Even when the Allies take a critical base in or near the Japanese vitals, it still takes time to organize, prep, land, build, recover, gather the troops for the next op, load, implement, etc. You've reached a deep point in the game where it does matter when Brad has to take two weeks or three weeks to make the next step forward, because those weeks turn into months and years. He's not in a good position for this point in 1944 and you still have it within your means to harry, sting, and - most of all - to force him to proceed carefully, methodically, slowly. So don't give up that ability in trying to draw an inside straight (not saying you are; just encouraging you not to yield to despair when you don't need to).

(in reply to Chickenboy)

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 2:43:31 PM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

quote:

ORIGINAL: veji1

agreed Greyjoy, at this stage of the game confidence would be misplaced. But still, you are in a position where the fight can be carried at somewhat of an advantage for you if you can gather enough airframes, You have lots of bases nearby, you already have the kamis, he is still far away from the HIs... There are 2 ways to go about it :

1/ Accept the decisive battle (ie for you, no battle is decisive for the allies), knowing that you probably will never get better chances, even though you are more likely still to be defeated. You are in early 44 and this battle could have 2 consequences, ie either you win, you really hurt him and even if you lose some of your CVs and you airforce is shattered, you stopped him again and get more time. Or you lose, which is the most likely, the KB is dead or left shattered, his losses are limited (2 CVs and some CVES, BBs, whatever, he doesn't care) and then the game has changed for good, you enter the painful phase for good, ie you are always overmatched, we no hope of a stop, and just try to make it slow and bite at the heels, getting solace for a few clever hits here and there.

2/ Or you could have gone completely the other way : Keep refusing the decisive battle, keep the KB as a fleet in being, make him go more slowly, keep covering everything, etc.. But after a while this becomes frustrating and is an excercice in self discipline. Strategically from a purely game winning perspective, I think it is still the best course of action (as long as you have enough fuel), but at some point one gets sick of it.

good luck anyway.

A very interesting analysis Veji!
If I lose now, the rest of the game will be dramatic for Japan. Possibly cathastrophic. If I win, well, i'll gain some more months. Nothing more.
Avoid the battle? Sure...but if the allies land clear in western Timor and manages to isolate and bypass it, then Kendari-Makassar are already lost...and those waters will become unpraticable for my ships...let alone the KB who keeps on dancing against enemy's subs.
Will I ever have a better opportunity to seek battle at my own terms? Don't think so. Look at what Brad has done in NG or in the Saumlaki area...advancing using LBA+Barges and swarms of DDs... impossible to stop him! Slow but safe as heaven.

Hard choices. Hard times. Times of war...an war of annihilation.

Yes, now is better than later. Many JFBs avoid battle at this point-trying to build "just a few more carriers" to add to the fleet. However, no matter how big KB becomes it just becomes more redundant. There is really no way you can beat his fleet in late 44. Now is the time. Good luck there.

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 2:44:46 PM

Lomri

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My money was (I guess could still be) on a Sumatra landing. This seems a bit "more of the same". Yes he can grab some very good territory and get closer to your oil supply, but it isn't much of a leap. Despite his losses I think he should be capable of a leap with the quality and quantity of amph ships.

I think this is good news for you. A good spot to fight.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 3:22:05 PM

Canoerebel

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My impression is that Sumatra would be a slog-fest for the Allies at this point. GreyJoy has attended to the key bases since early in the game. Brad can of course land and get a solid toehold, but from that point forward his progress would be agonizingly slow. Of course, he'll be within bomber range of Palembang, but I think the Japanese fighters can actually blunt that threat seriously. Sumatra might be a great target from GJ's perspective.

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 4:05:10 PM

GreyJoy

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Sumatra would clearly be a richer target for the allies but, as CR said, that one is a BIG leap!
From Oz he can bomb Timor to dust using his 4Es... but he has no way to use LBA for a Sumatra operation. Sure the allied CVs are strong at this point but io'm not so sure they are enough to protect a protracted operation without the LBA. In Sumatra I have big air bases, lots of Air HQs and several divisions devoted to its defence.

Still it's the most worrysome place to defend for the IJ... once you lose it, it's over.

However it's still too early to tell guys. The battle still need to be fought and Brad can count on a total superiority in terms of quality and numbers...

Then there's the God of War...and his dice&rolls...

We'll see. Brad is taking forever for this turn...I bet he's just as excited and scared as me

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 4:20:22 PM

ny59giants

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It seems to me that Brad is going to be operating outside of LBA fighter range. So the question will be where does he send his heavy bombers?? They will have to be used to suppress AFs and/or attack ground units. Which bases has he been sending Recon flights??

I would favor landing at islands with one or just a couple of bases at this time. No sense getting in a protracted land war.

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 5:16:31 PM

leehunt27@bloomberg.net

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just stumbled on to this AAR Greyjoy-- pretty impressive playing as the Japanese. I'm in early 1943 in my game and I hope I can keep the allies as far back as you by 1944 :) I'm sorry about your bad luck with many of the carrier duels-- that would be frustrating. Keeping KB alive this well is fantastic though. I'm a strong proponent of the "Fleet in Being" strategy as long as you can as well.

Can you share how your economy and production are going? What's been working so far? Are you using any heavy Fortification level 9 bases?

What have you learned so far? I've noticed tons of FAQ's and strategy threads on 1941-42, but not so much on mid to late war: "How to get your butt kicked by American LBA and still smile."

Oh and of course, we all love to see big map updates :)

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 7:28:24 PM

witpqs

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Stopping by to help GreyJoy's post count.

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 7:31:21 PM

Canoerebel

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Thanks, witpqs, you nefarious traitor!

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 8:02:20 PM

witpqs

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks, witpqs, you nefarious traitor!

(and another!)

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 8:45:32 PM

Cpt Sherwood

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We do need to spam GreyJoys thread to get its count up.

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 9:13:25 PM

obvert

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Cpt Sherwood

We do need to spam GreyJoys thread to get its count up.

He's good enough at that himself. Wait until the big invasions come. It'll take about 10 exclamation filled posts just to get throughout the night phase!

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 10:19:29 PM

witpqs

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Personally, I like Spam. It's a good, wholesome product. And wonderfully low-carb.

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/6/2013 11:17:34 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Personally, I like Spam. It's a good, wholesome product. And wonderfully low-carb.

Minnesota State Fair a couple of weeks ago. Spam is a Minnesota product.

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RE: THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE - 9/7/2013 2:01:30 AM

JohnDillworth

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Folks, lets try it keep it even handed. This is a Jap fan boy thread so if we are going to post pictures of Spam lets try and put a Japanese twist on it.

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