RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

Page: << < prev 254 255 [256] 257 258 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 1:52:53 PM

Bullwinkle58

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

I think Big Tent is simply a big shinny object to attract the interest of the IJ ... while the USN goes elsewhere to reek havoc

Havoc does have its own unique smell.

_____________________________

The Moose

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 7651

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 4:11:57 PM

Canoerebel

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

My posts are full of mistakes and typos; if I would take the time to read them once before posting it would reflect my vocation more credibly.

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)

Post #: 7652

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 5:08:45 PM

Flicker

Posts: 229
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

Woohoo! A turn.

I'll be a little uncomfortable until you take Port Moresby et al to consolidate your lines of communication. Of course you already know this: speed is your friend, especially since you've got John rocked back on his heels in theater (IMO). After Ambon, do you need Death Star in the Spice Islands?

Is it too early to speculate on targets (or operation code names) for what comes after Big Tent / Third Ring? I'd like a port with a repair shipyard.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7653

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 5:12:43 PM

BillBrown

Posts: 2335
Joined: 6/15/2002
Status: offline

Tokyo has a nice repair yard.

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 7654

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 5:16:55 PM

Canoerebel

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

Commencing next turn (I hope), 2nd Marine Division will come ashore at Boela. This was the invasion reserve and is 100% prepped for Umnak Island. How will I use it? I could use it to reinforce the attacks at Dobo and Ambon and/or to take another crack at Namlea. Those are possibilities, especially something like Dobo that should take just a little nudge, freeing the unit up to then do something else. But I'm leaning towards using it to take key bases on my LOC that are still vacant (I think). This would be Babar, Saumlauki, and one other likely candidate.

If I did head that way on that mission, there's a fair chance that from there Death Star and a gaggle of empty transports would proceed to Normanton, Australia, to then handle the Horn Island and Merauke invasions.

Or....I could take 2nd Marine Division and move forward, invading places like Dongala, Kolaka, etc. in the Celebes. This is a bit unlikely, only because those places will be in Indian country and will require lots of attention and will stretch my logistics.

But those are things I'm considering.

I think Big Tent and Third Ring are going to take two to four months. What I do thereafter depends on developments - mainly carrier balance of power and where John has reinforced. As mentioned a page or two back, I have a lot of ideas, but selection will be highly dependant on whether Death Star remains much stronger than KB. If it does, my strong preference is to go island hopping, island chain hopping, or continent hopping. IE, there won't be a methodical expansion from Big Tent. I'd prefer to create another massive lodgement somewhere new and disruptive on the order of Big Tent.

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 7655

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 6:20:38 PM

obvert

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Commencing next turn (I hope), 2nd Marine Division will come ashore at Boela. This was the invasion reserve and is 100% prepped for Umnak Island. How will I use it? I could use it to reinforce the attacks at Dobo and Ambon and/or to take another crack at Namlea. Those are possibilities, especially something like Dobo that should take just a little nudge, freeing the unit up to then do something else. But I'm leaning towards using it to take key bases on my LOC that are still vacant (I think). This would be Babar, Saumlauki, and one other likely candidate.

If I did head that way on that mission, there's a fair chance that from there Death Star and a gaggle of empty transports would proceed to Normanton, Australia, to then handle the Horn Island and Merauke invasions.

Or....I could take 2nd Marine Division and move forward, invading places like Dongala, Kolaka, etc. in the Celebes. This is a bit unlikely, only because those places will be in Indian country and will require lots of attention and will stretch my logistics.

But those are things I'm considering.

I think Big Tent and Third Ring are going to take two to four months. What I do thereafter depends on developments - mainly carrier balance of power and where John has reinforced. As mentioned a page or two back, I have a lot of ideas, but selection will be highly dependant on whether Death Star remains much stronger than KB. If it does, my strong preference is to go island hopping, island chain hopping, or continent hopping. IE, there won't be a methodical expansion from Big Tent. I'd prefer to create another massive lodgement somewhere new and disruptive on the order of Big Tent.

And you could. In fact you could sooner than 4 months I'm guessing.

Although certain routes are more glitzy, when I had my oil cut off after Jocke took bases on West Borneo the end was basically given a timeline. The most effect you can have now is to starve his economy.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7656

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 6:59:37 PM

Canoerebel

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

I think that's the second most effective way, Eric. So I'll be working that angle.

But I think the surest, most direct way to defeat Japan is to attack, neutralize, and destroy her navy. Every step towards that goal means that everything else - interdicting supply and oil, taking bases for strategic bombing, carrying the war to the enemy - becomes that much more possible.

Above every other consideration right now is the objective of efficiently attritioning the Japanese navy.

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 7657

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 7:04:27 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I think that's the second most effective way, Eric. So I'll be working that angle.

But I think the surest, most direct way to defeat Japan is to attack, neutralize, and destroy her navy. Every step towards that goal means that everything else - interdicting supply and oil, taking bases for strategic bombing, carrying the war to the enemy - becomes that much more possible.

Above every other consideration right now is the objective of efficiently attritioning the Japanese navy.

Sounds like U.S. Grant's strategy against the South, a page right out of his playbook.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7658

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 8:26:22 PM

Canoerebel

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

11/28/43

Big Tent: CL Richmond and a DD visit Kendari, sinking four CM (including CM Tsugaru, so Grafin Zeppelin can't participate in this AAR any longer).

It was a busy day for subs on both sides. Japanese subs sank an xAP and an xAK on Ceram's south coast. ASW probably sank one Jap sub. Allied subs sank a DMS near Truk and a TK in the Makassar Strait.

Death Star took position a hex from Boela. No further sightings of enemy carriers, so all Allied carriers go into port tomorrow. The airfield has 115 fighters and will go to level three tomorrow. I'll be very interested in seeing how replenishment goes. I'll give it at least two days. If I don't see any progress, then I'll come up with a Plan B.

The bulk of the lumbering herd only moved one hex instead of the six or seven needed to make it into Boela. I hope that doesn't happen again tomorrow. One of the TFs is carrying fighter squadrons - four of them, two of which are aboard AKV and two aboard xAK. Also, 2nd Marine Division needs to come ashore. I am leaning towards using it to try to bludgeon my way to victory at Dobo before dividing the unit to seize Saumlaki, Babar and either Damar or Selaroe.

No sign of enemy carriers today. I look for them here, there, everywhere. The three likeliest: raid on Oz LOC; invasion in the Marshalls or vicinity; or circle back around and close on Ceram via the Java Sea, seeking an opportunity for a surprise attack on a juicy target.

Operation Roller Coaster: After a long, perilous journey, badly damaged BB Washington made it to Pearl Harbor. I'm going to let SYS and minor FLT damage repair. Then she goes in the yards. It looks like she's out of commission for about 500 days. I'll consider moving her to the West Coast yards at some point.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 10/18/2016 8:27:17 PM >

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 7659

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 8:31:03 PM

Canoerebel

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

Note to Bill Brown: In her 2007 role in Casino Royale, Eva Green was at the very peak of feminine beauty. The highest compliment I can give is that she was as radiantly lovely as Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7660

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 8:50:25 PM

jwolf

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline

500 days for the Washington will stretch repairs out to ... around the end of the war? It's still a nice victory to get the ship safely into a major port. And I would guess the crew can find things to do on Oahu while they are waiting for their ship.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7661

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/18/2016 9:24:00 PM

Canoerebel

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

Washington got clobbered during the Marshalls campaigning back in the summer. She limped into Maloelap, so badly damaged that I dared not send her home given the number of subs John had between the Marshalls and Pearl. My best hopes were that he wouldn't find Washington amongst the clutter of so many Allied bases (he didn't for a long, long time) and that, eventually, the locus of action would shift, prompting John to move his subs elsewhere(which happened just before he discovered Washington disbanded in port). I think he toyed with the idea of sending KB to hit Maloelap after he finally found Washington. If so, Big Tent ended that idea and created sufficient noise so that I could chance sending Washington to Pearl. Hooray for small victories!

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 7662

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/19/2016 4:26:09 AM

crsutton

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

quote:

John committed a tenacious four-DD TF to a raid on Ambon. It tangled with the CA Baltimore TF. I lost three 10-point DDs (I think all Fletchers), and John lost the same number (also 10-pointers, including Arashio) plus a fourth with "fires, heavy damage." Both of us are bleeding DDs a bit, but since attritioning the Kaigun is my highest priority, I'll take this result. I suspect the enemy TF was highly experienced and had a good commander, because it found several rounds with marked tenacity.

yup, this is definitely "cruiser country" but since both of you are depleted I guess DD's will have to do. Both of you are have success with with those small DD raiding parties. Destroyer production is a battle you can't lose, you get tons. scrape you State Side ports and make sure you have more headed this way. a one or 2 DD TF is often overlooked by search and even if found they are the devil to hit from the air. PT boats are your friend in closed waters. even if they don't hit anything they provide a tripwire and some disruption. At the rate you guys are going you might sail into Tokyo bay on a PT boat. Good to see this AAR back up and running

No matter my long term strategic plans, sinking Japanese DDs is always a top priority of mine. Once they are reduced sinking capital ships gets so much easier.

_____________________________

I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to JohnDillworth)

Post #: 7663

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/19/2016 6:18:03 AM

Crackaces

Posts: 3858
Joined: 7/9/2011
Status: offline

quote:

After a long, perilous journey, badly damaged BB Washington made it to Pearl Harbor. I'm going to let SYS and minor FLT damage repair. Then she goes in the yards. It looks like she's out of commission for about 500 days. I'll consider moving her to the West Coast yards at some point.

I think the WC will take some days off that estimate. I remember having the lady lex with a big vent to the sea and
getting an estimate of about 400 days at PH .. then I sailed her to Bremington Wa and the time was about 120 days less ..

(in reply to crsutton)

Post #: 7664

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/19/2016 6:26:17 AM

Anachro

Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline

The Washington in my Allied PBEM was sunk by two very successful spreads from one sub in one turn...in view of Pearl Harbor. Manly tears were shed...as were may cries of frustration.

I learned the value of escorting a BB with nothing slower than DDs. At the time, I had been towing it with 4 sub-chasers to PH from the WC in prep for movement to combat theaters. I also learned the value of keeping ASW up at all times despite the lack of ANY sub activity in the vicinity of PH for months.

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 7665

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/19/2016 3:04:17 PM

Canoerebel

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

I may have given the impression of assuming there were no subs in the LOC and that I left Washington unprotected for the run to Pearl. While I did think the odds of a hostile encounter had dropped a great deal due to John's intense focus on activity elsewhere, Washington was put in a TF with ASW ships that followed a second ASW TF...and was then met by a third ASW TF coming out of Pearl.

(in reply to Anachro)

Post #: 7666

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/19/2016 6:54:02 PM

Canoerebel

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

11/29/43

Today was a fine day - nothing major happened in the way of battles, but all the important things that underlie waging war effectively seemed to be moving in the right directon.

Big Tent: The sub war went in my favor today. Allied ASW sank an IJ sub near Boela. Allied subs sank two xAK and an xAP in the main area of traffic between the Carolines and Mindanao. John is wisely flooding the area with subs, but the combination of shallow water, plentiful ASW ships, and a goodly number of big ASW aircraft squadrons, has helped whittle down his sub fleet a bit. Those things don't re-spawn, so the effort should pay long term dividends.

Death Star made its first visit to port today, taking station at Boela. Two of the three Death Star CV TFs replenished to 100% sorties; the third is at 80%. The two CVE TFs (which previously visited) have about 98% sorties. Little if any progress was made towards replacing aircraft (I'd like to draw some fighters), so I'm going to leave the carriers there one more day.

Boela airfield went to level three today. The lumbering herd TFs are one hex away and will arrive tonight. I'm hoping an air transport TF with four fighter squadrons will unload. But the field currently has 130 good fighters (a mix of P47, Corsair, Spitfires and Kittyhawks).

Sorong airfield is level three and engineers are also working well on the port. The airfield has 80 fighters. I'm going to chance sending in a small supply TF (from Boela) and a bigger transport TF carrying support troops in strategic mode. This is a bit risky but let's see if the hunch works out. Two combat TFs will move from Boela to Sorong to make sure the way is clear, retiring immediately so that they aren't at risk from air attack.

SigInt is giving solid information every turn. It's clear John is preparing a new line of defense anchored on Mindanao, the Malacca Straits bases, and even Koepang, on Timor. For reasons given previously, this suits me.

I have many things I want to do, all of them immediately, but for the most part I can only do them one at a time. So I'm reluctantly prioritizing - reluctantly because some of the less sexy/exciting logistical jobs are getting the highest priority. Here's the current list in order of importance (and subject to immediate change should KB show up or should other opportunities or problems develop): (1) Get enough supply to the critical bases to make sure they can withstand attack when Death Star leaves; Manikwari and Morotai both need about 25k as they are the most exposed major bases (Sorong and Boela are already good on supply); (2) once 2nd Marine Division is unloaded at Boela, move expeditiously to reinforce the invasion of Dobo; I think this will be enough to quickly overpower the enemy defenders; (3) then divide 2nd Marine Div. into three RCT and invade along the LOC to Oz (Saumlauki, Babar, and one other island); (4) retire Death Star and lots of empty transports to Normanton to pick up the troops for the invasions of Merauke and Horn Island (PM will wait until later) plus the support troops slated for the DEI (lots of base forces, engineers and AA); (5) attend to Ambon.

John already may be experiencing supply issues at Merauke and Horn Island. The latter was a key component of his original line of defense, so I think it has a good garrison with lots of forts; so if ongoing Allied air attacks wipe out supply, that will make all the difference.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7667

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/19/2016 7:14:30 PM

Canoerebel

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

Screen shot for 11/29/43.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7668

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 3:12:25 AM

Capt. Harlock

Posts: 5358
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
Status: offline

quote:

sinking four CM (including CM Tsugaru, so Grafin Zeppelin can't participate in this AAR any longer).

Oh, villainy!

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7669

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 5:41:46 AM

Canoerebel

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

11/30/43 and 12/01/43

These turns were mostly quiet from a combat standpoint, meaning not very exciting for you, the reader, but were immensely significant logistically, so very exciting for me.

Big Tent: There wasn't any combat to speak of, so I'll get right to the logistics:

1. All troops (including Strat Mode) designated for Sorong and Boela have now unloaded. Both bases now have an additional two construction regiments (base building will really ramp up) and lots more aviation support. Both bases also have 80k supply. They are both set now, except for construction. Sorong went to level two port today.
2. The air transport TF unloaded at Boela on the 30th. Boela has 175 fighters; Sorong 150.
3. Lots of supply TFs and several big transport TFs carrying troops bound for Manikwari have moved to Sorong without incident.
4. Death Star has fully replenished all sorties, torpedoes, and made good all fighter replacements. Death Star will move out tonight to cover shipping at Sorong (and thence to Manikwari) and to cover Manikwari and Biak just in case John is moving ships towards either.
5. DMs laid 160 mines at Sorong and then replenished mines. They'll deliver to Morotai day after tomorrow.
6. 2nd Marine Div. is mostly ashore at Boela and will need two days to convert to combat mode. In a couple of days, the unit will load on transports to invade Dabo.

No definite fix on KB or Kaigun. John is working reinforcements hard and beginning to flip turns. He may well have something up his sleeve. But with Death Star fully replenished (and now that I know that Boela can handle the carriers), I'd gladly accept a carrier battle.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)

Post #: 7670

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 6:56:52 AM

Crackaces

Posts: 3858
Joined: 7/9/2011
Status: offline

quote:

These turns were mostly quiet from a combat standpoint, meaning not very exciting for you, the reader, but were immensely significant logistically, so very exciting for me.

Hmmm Actually all the prep and planning that lead to an operation are far more interesting to me than the random die rolls that dictate results ..
How the DEI is unfolding is showing a whole new strategy in my mind to deal with an overly aggressive IJ player .. even one that starts with gobs of toys ...

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7671

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 10:54:38 AM

Grfin Zeppelin

Posts: 1515
Joined: 12/3/2007
From: Germany
Status: offline

Poor poor Tsugaru :(

_____________________________

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 7672

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 11:21:56 AM

obvert

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

These turns were mostly quiet from a combat standpoint, meaning not very exciting for you, the reader, but were immensely significant logistically, so very exciting for me.

Hmmm Actually all the prep and planning that lead to an operation are far more interesting to me than the random die rolls that dictate results ..
How the DEI is unfolding is showing a whole new strategy in my mind to deal with an overly aggressive IJ player .. even one that starts with gobs of toys ...

Yep. This is the stuff I like to sit around and work on in game for hours. I haven't had time to do as much of that lately, but last night had 5-6 hours, and just kept the game open working on logistics the entire evening while watching the Champion's League football and eating dinner.

You're in a good spot, and anything he tries to do involving re-invading any of these bases will be very welcome I'd think. Japan has to work on fluid and active defence at this point.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 7673

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 4:49:33 PM

Canoerebel

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

12/02/43

Big Tent: Allied subs score hits against a TK near the Celebes and two xAK near Babeldoab (Haddo responsible for the latter two).

Death Star declines to leave Boela, set to follow an ASW TF that declined to leave port. My guess was that a cargo TF also set to follow was still unloading, but I couldn't find anything of the sort. So I reset the orders and hope the carriers will leave tonight to take station near Sorong.

Tomorrow is an important day as reinforcing supply and troops are to move from Sorong to Manikwari, which is fairly exposed. Sixty fighters at Manik will provide most of the air cover, and CA Baltimore TF will visit the port quickly to (hopefully) make sure the port is clear.

For the next four to six days, I'll be focused heavily on getting supply to Manikwari and Morotai. Death Star will probably take a blocking position south of Babeldoab. That could draw carriers or combat ships if they're nearby and if John is so inclined.

2nd Marine Div. will be ready to load aboard transports commencing tomorrow. I don't yet know if I'll send them to Dobo without Death Star. Probably not, so that operation might still be a week off.

Allied 2EB and 4EB continue to hit Merauke, Horn Island and Port Moresby daily, both to suppress the airfields and to work on supply stockpiles in preparation for medium-term invasions.

SigInt continues to shed light on John's defensive reaction to all this, which is what would be expected and (mostly) natural under the circumstances - build up a tight, tough line around Big Tent. So I'm giving more thought to what the next big operation will be, though that's probably at least four months down the road. (For one thing, I'll have to get all the empty Big Tent cargo ships and transports back to Hawaii, once Big Tent and Third Ring are finished. That'll take awhile.)

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 10/20/2016 4:50:55 PM >

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 7674

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 7:02:34 PM

Flicker

Posts: 229
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

Since you mentioned Hawaii as a marshalling point, do you have enough shipping and troops there to mount a small invasion in the Marshalls or someplace that John seems to be evacuating? You might be able to pick up a small win and still be ready for your next big operation (Shanghai?).

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7675

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 7:23:33 PM

Canoerebel

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

I have a host of troops at Pearl Harbor prepping for a variety of places, includng Roi Namur, Eniwetok, Marcus Island, Truk, Yap and Ulithi. A sizeable fleet is gathered there, but not one strong enough to take on KB by itself, of course. At some point preliminary to the next big, big Op, I will sortie forth from Pearl to pick off a target or two that will aid in clearing the LOC for that big, big Op.

I doubt I'll ever invade Roi Namur, but it is somewhat possible that I'll reinforce the troops currently on Kwajalein, to try and break that stalemate.

Big Tent has largely made irrelevant places like the Marshalls, Gilberts, Solomons, New Britain, and possibly the Carolines. I don't think any of them hold bases that would merit the effort needed to attack. Such attacks would divert resources better committed to the main thrust.

As long as the Allies maintain carrier superiority, the advance isn't going to be methodical or linear. It'll be deep, bypasing enemy concentrations of force (I hope). (Sub attacks on enemy tankers aren't the only way to reduce John's fuel supply; prodding him to use massive fleets to make sudden, wholesale, emergency changes in his troop deployments uses up alot of fuel. That's an indirect means to achieve a strategic goal - reducing fuel. I wonder how much fuel he's expended in 1943 rushing everything to NoPac, then the Marshalls, and now the DEI?)

If I suffer a material carrier setback, I'll reevaluate everything, but that's how things look at the moment.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 10/20/2016 7:24:22 PM >

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 7676

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 8:34:45 PM

Flicker

Posts: 229
Joined: 11/24/2011
From: Rocket City USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the response CR. Yeah, I was hoping for an ersatz force to nip away at the low hanging fruit.

Your Spice Islands operation certainly bypassed concentrations of force, but with the perimeter tightening I wonder how soft John's next underbelly might be... In a war for oil, focusing on the oil producing areas would seem to be as useful as hitting his oil routes. Tarakan and Balikpapan are closer now; Palembang not so much. Taking Manila and Luzon (along with Shanghai) might close his access to those oilfields, but they wouldn't drain his fuel as much. Does John's mod give him oil super powers in addition to extra forces? More tankers?

BTW your game is the only one I'm playing at this moment. I got a new computer and while I've reloaded WITPAE I haven't really started a new game (time constraints). I could reload my old save game but I think I'd like a new start with less Sir Robin and more 'realism'. Part of the fun for me is researching the historicity of gameplay (which I would never do in PBEM).

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7677

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 8:38:36 PM

Canoerebel

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

12/03/43

Big Tent: Death Star leaves Boela and takes station near Sorong. John notices and comments in his AAR. He'll have to allow for a move in nearly any direction. To give him some food for thought, recon will begin working north New Guinea coastline bases tomorrow.

Lots of shipping exposed at Manokwari tomorrow. One more quiet turn and that base should be in pretty good shape. To give it some cover, Death Star will move ENE four hexes, and CA Baltimore TF will return to the port overnight.

Haddo torpedoes an xAK, it's third score in two days.

2nd Marine Division begins loading at Boela tomorrow. Disruption and fatigue were minimal after her long journey in Strat mode. the unit is prepping for Truk (I misstated "Umnak Island" a few days back), but I'm nearly positive it'll go to Dabo, hopefully overwhelming the defenders there.

John's been very cautious with his combat vessels of late - and it seems he's even pulled his subs out of direct contact. I don't think his temerity, if that's what it is, will last much longer.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 10/20/2016 8:48:53 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7678

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 8:45:45 PM

Canoerebel

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Flicker

Thanks for the response CR. Yeah, I was hoping for an ersatz force to nip away at the low hanging fruit.

Your Spice Islands operation certainly bypassed concentrations of force, but with the perimeter tightening I wonder how soft John's next underbelly might be... In a war for oil, focusing on the oil producing areas would seem to be as useful as hitting his oil routes. Tarakan and Balikpapan are closer now; Palembang not so much. Taking Manila and Luzon (along with Shanghai) might close his access to those oilfields, but they wouldn't drain his fuel as much. Does John's mod give him oil super powers in addition to extra forces? More tankers?

BTW your game is the only one I'm playing at this moment. I got a new computer and while I've reloaded WITPAE I haven't really started a new game (time constraints). I could reload my old save game but I think I'd like a new start with less Sir Robin and more 'realism'. Part of the fun for me is researching the historicity of gameplay (which I would never do in PBEM).

I've mentioned this before, but I think the route to victory is this (and in this order): (1) Destroy the Japanese navy; (2) obtain bases with airfields from which to efficiently target Japanese airfields; and (3) wage war against Japan's supply and oil.

The latter can be done directly, by taking oil-producing bases or destroying them via bombing, or it can be done indirectly, by sinking enemy TK and xAK or by luring the enemy into wasteful uses of fuel.

At the moment, the Allies are within 4EB range (or will soon be) of Magwe, Balikpapan and Tarakan. I've taken Boela and Babo, small producers, but John was actively extracting oil from each (judging by Allied sub encounters with TKs in that vicinity). One of the objectives of the next big op will be to finish interdicting John's LOC from Japan to the DEI via the South China Sea.

So I'm working on the oil angle but always keeping in mind that there are two higher priorities.

I don't think John gets extra fuel or TKs in this mod.

(in reply to Flicker)

Post #: 7679

RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 10/20/2016 8:58:41 PM

jwolf

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline

quote:

by luring the enemy into wasteful uses of fuel.

That's a pretty clever strategy. You can push him into a fuel crunch, at least to some extent, even without any fighting.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 7680

Page: << < prev 254 255 [256] 257 258 next > >>

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent