RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 7:43:56 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 3

On a roll of 5, the weather packs in just about everywhere.

No DoW

Germany Land, others combined.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 8:31:09 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 3: Naval Movement

While the Japanese press go to town over the recent victories against the much vaunted Yankee marines, quietly and without ceremony the naval base at Truk empties of all vessels except 2 old slow cruisers. The fleet heads to the Marshalls. Vastly outnumbered in terms of surface combatants, it's only with CV's do the IJN approach parity with the USN. 6 CV's plus 3 CVL's will take on 7 of the larger US CV's. With further to steam they will be at a tactical disadvantage compared to the US operating in virtually its own back yard (2-box to 4-box). Its a massive gamble but Japanese intelligence reports an American public growing increasingly weary of the continuing defeats and an ever strengthening anti-war movement. Could one more decisive blow, coming so soon on top of the latest disasters, be the straw, or in this case, sledgehammer, that breaks the camels back?

Elsewhere a loaded Trans sails to the Marianas with a replacement garrison to debark at Eniwetok.

An Italian sub begins patrol in the Arabian Sea.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 8:59:31 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 2: Naval Combat

The Axis decline combat in the Italian Coast, Bismarck Sea and Marianas.

The sub in the Arabian Sea goes searching for the CW convoy but is unable to find the sea zone, let alone any ships in it (10). Fortunately, in their blundering about, they don't stumble into the CW (6).

Attention switches to the Marshalls as the Japanese launch their search planes (initiate combat) and add two fighters to the area (3 and 2 box). With spies reporting the empty anchorage at Truk, the US increase their air patrols with Corsairs (2-box) and P-61 (3-box).

It isn't long before the sighting reports come streaming in and IJN attention focuses on the main body containing the US CV's. The strike is launched and all the while the US ships steam on unaware of the gathering storm.

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< Message edited by AllenK -- 2/2/2015 9:59:44 PM >

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 9:13:25 PM

AllenK

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The blast of klaxons sounding General Quarters sends crewmen rushing to action stations as radar picks up multiple incoming hostiles. US planes scramble aloft, finding themselves at a disadvantage.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 9:55:26 PM

AllenK

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An A6M2, unusually flying as a bomber, is through the US fighter screen before they can react. Meanwhile, the leading US bomber wing is chewed to pieces by the Japanese escorts as it forms up (US 9 AC, Jap 4, AX).

As another Jap bomber clears through the US fighters, the second US bomber wing is forced to ditch bombs to survive and heads back to the CV's (US 12 AC, Jap 7 AA).

It starts to look like a procession as another Jap bomber penetrates the fighter screen while another US bomber is sent crashing into the drink (US 13 AC, Jap 17 DX PX).

Then, a faint glimmer for the US as the leading Jap fighters are forced to break off and return to their CV low on fuel and ammo. The temporary gap created allows one of the US bombers to sneak through and head for the Jap fleet (US 15 DA, Jap 11 DC).

Another Jap fighter is forced to return to CV but not before the final US bomber wing has to jettison bombs and flee back to its CV (US 14 DA, Jap 7 AA).

The departure of the leading Jap fighter wings, evens up the fight. It proves to be temporary as the leading US fighters run out of ammo and break off for CV (US 9 AC, Jap 8 DA).

The US fighters finally get some success as a Jap bomber perishes (US 17 DX PX, Jap 12 AC). Before it too is chopped down allowing the rest of the Jap bombers through (US 11 DC, Jap 18 AX PX).

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 10:21:58 PM

AllenK

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The A6M2's draw the fire of the US AA gunners. They perish in doing so but allow the rest of the strike through (2 surprise points used to reduce AA to highest of 4, which was a 5). Japanese AA forces 1/3 of the US bomber wing to drop short (2 point reduction). The remaining surprise points are used to increase damage.

The Japanese strike is devastating, sinking 3 CV's and a BB, while damaging another.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 10:26:45 PM

AllenK

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The US strike does as well as it could, sinking the Akagi which was chosen for the planes on deck.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/2/2015 10:55:29 PM

AllenK

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With only one CV left with an air wing, the USN retires to Pearl to lick its wounds. The USN is down to 3 functioning CV's, although spare CVP's on the West Coast and reinforcements will re-equip the other 3. That, however, will take time. It'll be November before they are back at Pearl ready for action.

No strategic or carpet bombing.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/4/2015 7:37:02 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 3 Ground Strikes

The Japanese and Germans don't fly. The Italians send two against the OOS Spanish 1 Arm. Despite the rain, the Spanish tanks in open terrain are located accurately dealt with.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/4/2015 7:58:53 PM

AllenK

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The Germans and Italians make a rail move each.

The Japs re-establish supply to Gen Terauchi.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/4/2015 8:15:54 PM

AllenK

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In the east, the Germans give some ground to maintain defensive cohesion.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/4/2015 8:35:01 PM

AllenK

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The Germans and Italians make a combined attack on the Spanish 1 Arm. The Japanese attack the Nationalist 2nd Cav.

Nobody adds any air support.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/4/2015 8:39:16 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 3: Land combat

The 2nd Cav put up a staunch resistance, selling their lives dearly.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/4/2015 8:59:31 PM

AllenK

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The German/Italian effort does its best to botch things up (6 rolled) but starving troops with little ammunition and disabled vehicles are no match. The 1st Arm is destroyed for no loss.

A couple of minor air rebases.

Yamamoto reorganises 3 CP's. Manstein reorganises a Ftr, a Lnd and a Mot. Cavallero reorgs a Ftr.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/4/2015 9:03:19 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Allied 5

No DoW.

All choose Land, although the weather being what it is, there won't be much happening.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/12/2015 8:52:35 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Allied 5

The Russians close up to the retreating Germans. The ChiComms put some of the Japs OOS in China.

A couple of attacks are briefly contemplated but the weather bringing the odds to no better than +5 soon abandons those ideas.

An uneventful impulse ends.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/12/2015 9:07:29 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 7

On a roll of 5, the weather eases back a bit.

No DoW

Germany & Italy, Land. Japan, Air.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/12/2015 10:10:28 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 7: Port Attack

At Pearl, Nimitz is fuming. Having reorganised 2 CV's to get them out of Dodge, he is incandescent when he discovers them still at anchor in the harbour. Apparently, the army diverted all resources to land ops, leaving the USN short changed. Why, given the weather and lack of opportunity for anything meaningful, was priority given to land and not naval or at least combined?

As accusations and counter-accusations fly across the airwaves, the IJN recon reports flat-tops at anchor and a lack of fighter activity over the island.

Not quite believing what they are seeing and fearing a trap, the Japanese load every plane they have with bombs and launch them towards Pearl.

With attention diverted to the in-fighting between the services, everybody forgets about the close proximity of the IJN fleet.

Surprise is total (1 vs 10). US AA gunners do what they can, downing one CVP (highest 2 of 2 was a 4 & 1), before the Japanese strike homes in on it's targets (7 surprise points increase damage to 6X, 3D, 3A). The results are pretty devastating for the USN. 2 CV's destroyed, 1 bottomed and 1 damaged. 1 BB sunk and 2 damaged. It was 3 years later than planned but the Japanese strike at Pearl Harbour delivers big time.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/12/2015 10:26:08 PM

AllenK

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I've completely lost the plot with the US

. I reorganised the two CVP equipped CV's so I could move them to safety with a naval or combined move, then forgot all about it and went for land. I only remembered what I had planned to do when the game skipped merrily through naval movement without pausing to allow said movements. I think that just about wraps it up for the US in the Pacific!

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/13/2015 1:44:23 PM

composer99

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Sounds like the US will be making its Pacific comeback... in 1947 when it gets the shiny 1944 and 1945 CVs on the board.

Too late for this game, of course.

_____________________________

~ Composer99

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/13/2015 6:19:25 PM

AllenK

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quote:

ORIGINAL: composer99

Sounds like the US will be making its Pacific comeback... in 1947 when it gets the shiny 1944 and 1945 CVs on the board.

Too late for this game, of course.

Hi composer99.

Thank you for commenting.

Yes, very much too late! It's been obvious for quite a while the Allies had 'lost'. I continued playing for my education as I wanted to see how the consequences of earlier mistakes in production and operations played out. At one point I was contemplating seeing how long I could prolong the Axis survival but my interest is turning towards starting a new game. I haven't yet played with oil rules so this is another area to learn how to mismanage.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/13/2015 6:33:19 PM

AllenK

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M/A 1945 Axis 7: Air phases

Rain stopped play.

Nothing much happens. A couple of minor rail moves and land moves.

The Japs reorg a CVL and Nav at Truk.

The turn ends on a 1.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/14/2015 12:13:18 PM

AllenK

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M/J 1945 Allied 1

The Allies won the imitative (1 to 5) and go first.

No DoW

CW Naval, everyone else land. US puts an O-chit on Bradley.

Weather is fine everywhere.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/14/2015 1:23:13 PM

AllenK

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M/J 1945 Allied 1: Naval moves

Aside from escorts, a number of Amphs plus BB and CA escorts move to the Baltic. Monty replaces Gort in Estonia. Gort is loaded on a Trans in the Baltic. Subs deploy to the Italian Coast and Bismark Sea.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/14/2015 3:09:25 PM

AllenK

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In the Italian Coast, the Italians commit a Nav to the 0-box. They needn't have bothered as the CW fail to locate the convoys.

The Japanese commit a Nav to the 0-box in the Bismarck Sea. The RAN sub locates and sinks the convoy but is forced back to port by the ensuing counter attack (searches allied 4, Jap 8. Surprise used to force sub combat and increase damage). The sinking puts most of the Jap forces in the Pacific islands OOS. What the US would have given for that result last turn!

Bomber Command send three groups to bomb Lodz. with no interference from the Luftwaffe, they destroy a factory and I BP (14 factors, 8 rolled).

The Soviets make 1 ground and three artillery strikes. The Nationalist make a combined ground and artillery strike. The ChiComms have a go with their 76mm as well. The US send 2x2 Lnd, with escorts in Spain and open up with artillery on 2 more.

The Germans attempt to intercept two of the strikes, the Italians one. The Soviets fly a Ftr to counter-intercept.

The Soviet counter-interception is beaten off by Germans Bf-109's. With the odds not too drastic, the Soviet bomber pilots press on. It proves a mistake as they are shot down.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/14/2015 3:13:08 PM

AllenK

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The best the Italians can put up fails to trouble the scorers.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/14/2015 3:16:05 PM

AllenK

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Likewise for the Luftwaffe.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 2/14/2015 3:19:04 PM

AllenK

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The Soviets find aiming rockets isn't as easy as they had expected, although everyone reported enjoying the fireworks as they headed off in all directions.