RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obvert (J)

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: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obvert (J)

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: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obvert (J)

Page: << < prev 21 22 [23] 24 25 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 3/30/2017 3:28:56 AM

SqzMyLemon

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

Okie dokie. It's on me again. The Super E's are a bug, there's a fix, but I just have to deal with it. Gotcha.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/30/2017 3:43:43 AM >

_____________________________

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 #: 661

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 3/30/2017 4:05:54 AM

SqzMyLemon

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

Aug. 11/44:

Uneventful turn.

A long time to complete the next turn. All CVE's that need AA suite upgrades are en route to Sydney. Lexington rejoins the fleet at Tulagi.

A large number of Allied surface task forces are deploying around New Guinea for operations against Hollandia.

Lots of Japanese movement in Burma. There might be some opportunities opening up for ground combat. Ramree Island has over 100k of supply. I'm not setting the base to stockpile and I'm noticing all my troops in Burma, when outside of a base, are being supplied regularly. I'm also now getting TOE upgrades directly at Meiktila. Time to roll up the sleeves and get dirty.

There are now almost 175 B-29s based at Lunga. Time to target weak areas of the Japanese perimeter.

I've withdrawn 12 bomber squadrons from India. They will be deployed to the Pacific and should arrive in time for offensive operations in October.

The upcoming Allied offensive in the Pacific will target the Marianas, Babeldoab, Pelelui, Yap, Ulithi and Mindanao.

I'm waiting on the arrival of more amphibious shipping to reach Port Augusta then the campaign to liberate Western Australia is on. The British Fleet is ready to go. There should be no problem with deploying the British to support Central Pacific operations in October.

Once things are in motion, I'll be throwing everything I have at Erik in an effort to break into his perimeter and sink his fleet.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/30/2017 4:07:31 AM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 662

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 3/30/2017 11:54:51 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

I faced the super E's by just not going to shallow water or going under LBA ASW. In open ocean away from LBA ASW, the super E's aren't quite as effective. Since you can't really do what the US did in the war with regard to murdering the enemy merchant marine, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

I ended up using mine to ferry supplies to islands (you can carry a few thousand supplies at a time with a TF of 25 subs), laying mines, or being actual for-real "fleet submarines" (with fleet ops).

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 663

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 3/31/2017 4:44:28 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I faced the super E's by just not going to shallow water or going under LBA ASW. In open ocean away from LBA ASW, the super E's aren't quite as effective. Since you can't really do what the US did in the war with regard to murdering the enemy merchant marine, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

I ended up using mine to ferry supplies to islands (you can carry a few thousand supplies at a time with a TF of 25 subs), laying mines, or being actual for-real "fleet submarines" (with fleet ops).

I've been pounded whether spotted or not. In areas with no Japanese air ASW I've been able to sink a transport or two, but if they are escorted by Super E's my submarine has been either sunk or heavily damaged. Trading a sub for a merchant isn't a good exchange in my book. All my submarines that have been sunk be E's or Super E's have also occurred in deep ocean hexes, not shallow. So I am really getting creamed in my opinion.

I settled on fleet support a long time ago when you mentioned that's what you did to avoid losses. I prowl where I can, but Erik has good air ASW in place at all the vital areas and he can simply rely on the Super E's to kill whatever I send out. That's what burns me the most, there is absolutely no point trying to get into shipping lanes only to be sunk.

It's all good...I'll flood invasion areas and use submarines in such a way as to force KB to risk a lucky shot...especially eight hexes away from where my carriers will be at any given time. They may be useless overall in stock, but they can still provide a valuable early warning of KB moving around.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 664

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 3/31/2017 4:51:11 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

I totally pooched the file of the latest turn to Erik and he couldn't open it. So last night I had to do everything all over again. It took hours, but I did a thorough job of maximizing fuel and supply movement forward. I had set a number of air attacks the turn before, but ran out of time to set them again the second time. I will have a chance to conduct a number of air attacks next turn.

I have the Marshall's sorted out now. The remaining Japanese held bases I'm interested in are Wotje, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Roi-Namur and Eniwetok. I can seize these base with minimal effort and can rely solely on LBA to support further amphibious landings.

I think waiting to get all my CVE's upgraded is the way to go. Once I start things, I won't get a chance to do any upgrades for the next few months.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 3/31/2017 5:16:32 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 665

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 4:46:02 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

Plugging away here.

I bombard Hollandia with two U.S. heavy cruisers on the 13th. Results are ok with a few destroyed Japanese fighters on the ground. I bombarded at 20k. One destroyer hit a mine and I sank one Japanese MTB. I tried to send in some YMS's to clear some mines, but they arrived late and were all sunk by Jill DB's flying from Biak. I knew the airbase would be fully operational the next day, but I tried a number of sweeps against the base at low altitude on the 14th to see if that made any difference. It didn't and Allied fighters get creamed achieving less than 1:1. Spitfires and Thunderbolts at 10k, 12 and 15k get handled roughly, with two squadrons of P-47's almost wiped out. Radar put more CAP up then my small sweeps could handle and it got ugly. I lose 40+ P-47s and 18 Spitfires. Despite a 40-50mph advantage in speed my fighters are swamped and drop out of the skies like flies. I lose greater than 50% of my best fighters committed today. I can't get the numbers up enough without committing all my aircraft at once to get any tactical advantage over the Japanese CAP.

I simply can't figure out how to commit my fighters against low CAP to get any tactical advantage. I give up.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/3/2017 5:35:28 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 666

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 5:37:04 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

I've decided to mass the U.S. fleet at New Guinea and use it to take out the two Japanese airbases at Hollandia and Sarmi. Since the Allied air force is useless against all but the weakest Japanese air defences, I'll use the navy.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 667

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 7:45:46 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

What are your pilots like in those battles? Is it possible that everything we've told you to do is rendered irrelevant by a massive pilot disparity in pilot quality?

Make sure you CAP/LRCAP your bombardment forces, and make sure they are not slow BBs and that you "pause" them less than one full speed's distance from the target on the day before.

Bombard with more than 2 CAs. That just isn't very many guns on the target. You can try spamming DDs (think 15+) but you really need the big caliber guns for big booms on the airfield. High DL on the day prior matters, too. I would say you can decrease your distance - if I use any distance at all when bombarding it is no more than 5K yards.

Don't be afraid to night bomb. And try sweeping dot bases or other locations that are outside of the airfield you're actually "targeting" - if Erik is using "leaky CAP" they will get caught and at a numbers disadvantage from being "diverted to support CAP in hex."

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 668

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 8:05:56 PM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

Lok, we have mentioned a lot of those things prior.

I don't know why you thought an all low sweep would work.

Now that you have bombarded with two cruisers expect that Obvert will think you will go with that tactic but in larger size.

I wish you would post some pictures so we could actually see what you are trying to do and what is nearbye.

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 669

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 8:56:43 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

It was a test run for me. It's going to take a combination of a lot of different tactics and platforms to overcome my obvious inability to understand how to beat low CAP.

I didn't expect one day of low sweeps to be decisive. I am using my best pilots, they are TRACOM quality in experience and skills.

I found out that the P-47 sucks at low altitude. I also learned that employing my best pilots and aircraft doesn't mean squat either. They die just as easily as rookies. Japanese CAP was 5k, 7k and 9k and radar gave them all they needed to crush me. I can't get the numbers to counter, so my forces are always at a huge tactical disadvantage. I'm using the navy moving forward. I'll use naval bombardment exclusively now to soften up hard targets.

Two cruisers not enough...lets try the whole U.S. navy in one hex with every gun targeting one base at a time. I'm tired of getting my ass handed to me because I can't figure out the air model. My opponent knows it inside and out and I no longer expect to be able to do anything against him in the air...except watch my air force bleed to death.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 670

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 9:04:36 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Make sure you CAP/LRCAP your bombardment forces, and make sure they are not slow BBs and that you "pause" them less than one full speed's distance from the target on the day before.

Bombard with more than 2 CAs. That just isn't very many guns on the target. You can try spamming DDs (think 15+) but you really need the big caliber guns for big booms on the airfield. High DL on the day prior matters, too. I would say you can decrease your distance - if I use any distance at all when bombarding it is no more than 5K yards.

Don't be afraid to night bomb. And try sweeping dot bases or other locations that are outside of the airfield you're actually "targeting" - if Erik is using "leaky CAP" they will get caught and at a numbers disadvantage from being "diverted to support CAP in hex."

I caught some leaky CAP at Aitape. I swept Hollandia, but bombed Aitape and Erik had set some leaky CAP to cover his Jill strike. I'll use heavier caliber ships next time. The CA's were a test run and bigger ships are moving into place. I did set CAP/LRCAP to cover my bombardment TF, they got away clean other than the one mine hit. I did not set CAP over the YMS's and they were expendable. There are no CD guns at Hollandia, so next bombardment task forces will move in closer, although I worry if that doesn't increase the chance of hitting mines.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/3/2017 9:05:26 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 671

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 9:13:12 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

I'm also creating some larger sweep squadrons. I'm going to try sweeping with Corsairs with 40 aircraft in the squadron. I'll conduct one sweep and add every other aircraft I have set to LRCAP in support. Trying to sweep with multiple squadrons at different altitudes just leads to an Allied bloodbath. I'll try and simplify my tactics. One large sweep heavily supported with LRCAP. Any other combination I've tried has failed, especially when I send multiple individual sweeps at different altitudes. I lose 50% of my fighters every time.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 672

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 9:21:32 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

Anyway, tomorrow is more sweeps. I only used a third of my fighters available in yesterday's sweeps. The P-47's and Spitfires will rest and replenish. Corsairs, P-38's, P-40N's and more P-47's go in tomorrow. 31k for the Corsairs and LRCAP staggered within a few k of them.

Any better suggestions I'm all ears.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 673

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/3/2017 9:34:04 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I don't know why you thought an all low sweep would work.

Why not? If the Japanese CAP is all set to below 10k what difference does it matter what altitude my fighters are set to?

I set low sweeps this time with nothing higher than 15k and high LRCAP at 20k. The radar simply put successive waves of Japanese CAP over my fighters. So please explain to me what is wrong with what I tried? I've tried bringing the Japanese to higher altitudes to stay away from their best maneuver bands, but the air model doesn't put my aircraft at those higher altitudes, the radar always puts the CAP above me regardless of my altitude. I'm not trying to be difficult. Erik flies low CAP...period. At 5k, 7k and 9k and he always get the tactical advantage over me, be it by radar, maneuver or numbers at these altitudes. It doesn't matter if I go high, low or mixed, I don't get better than 1:1.

I send in my best planes and pilots and can't get better than 1:1 no matter what I try. And 1:1 means I lose 50% of my force...every time. I'd like to know if there is a counter to the low CAP. So far everything I've tried has led to no better than 1.5 to 1, when going against heavy CAP. Does that mean I simply can't target Japanese bases with more than 100 fighters present, radar and AA and ever expect better results? Should I never target these kinds of bases? Because every important Japanese base on the map is loaded with fighters...all set to low CAP settings. Does this mean I shouldn't target any of them?

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/4/2017 12:26:04 AM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 674

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/4/2017 12:34:26 AM

SqzMyLemon

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

I decide to not sweep Hollandia again. Why bother. If Erik reinforces I just come out on the short end again. Instead, I order the fleet to mass at Milne Bay, prior to deploying to Wewak and setting up the bombardment runs.

Perhaps seeing the entire Pacific Fleet so far forward will entice Erik to try for another eight hex strike and commit KB.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 675

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/4/2017 1:06:25 AM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Make sure you CAP/LRCAP your bombardment forces, and make sure they are not slow BBs and that you "pause" them less than one full speed's distance from the target on the day before.

Bombard with more than 2 CAs. That just isn't very many guns on the target. You can try spamming DDs (think 15+) but you really need the big caliber guns for big booms on the airfield. High DL on the day prior matters, too. I would say you can decrease your distance - if I use any distance at all when bombarding it is no more than 5K yards.

Don't be afraid to night bomb. And try sweeping dot bases or other locations that are outside of the airfield you're actually "targeting" - if Erik is using "leaky CAP" they will get caught and at a numbers disadvantage from being "diverted to support CAP in hex."

I caught some leaky CAP at Aitape. I swept Hollandia, but bombed Aitape and Erik had set some leaky CAP to cover his Jill strike. I'll use heavier caliber ships next time. The CA's were a test run and bigger ships are moving into place. I did set CAP/LRCAP to cover my bombardment TF, they got away clean other than the one mine hit. I did not set CAP over the YMS's and they were expendable. There are no CD guns at Hollandia, so next bombardment task forces will move in closer, although I worry if that doesn't increase the chance of hitting mines.

In my experience, bombardment TFs very rarely hit mines. The only cases I can remember are when my ships didn't know the minefield was there. Once detected, I didn't hit then anymore. IIRC. I'm sure there's still a chance, but it never seems to happen. Remember that the minefield is really in the whole hex and unless you're transiting a strait or sweeping them up, it is completely separate from all CD gunfire. What triggers them in the case of bombardment TFs is simply entering the hex.

I set the distance to 5K to avoid the smaller caliber shore guns, especially if there are a lot of artillery units at the base. No point in taking fire from 75mm guns and the like that are non-dedicated DP/CD guns.

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 676

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/4/2017 3:09:21 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

In my experience, bombardment TFs very rarely hit mines. The only cases I can remember are when my ships didn't know the minefield was there. Once detected, I didn't hit then anymore. IIRC. I'm sure there's still a chance, but it never seems to happen. Remember that the minefield is really in the whole hex and unless you're transiting a strait or sweeping them up, it is completely separate from all CD gunfire. What triggers them in the case of bombardment TFs is simply entering the hex.

I set the distance to 5K to avoid the smaller caliber shore guns, especially if there are a lot of artillery units at the base. No point in taking fire from 75mm guns and the like that are non-dedicated DP/CD guns.

Sounds good. I'll see how things go.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lokasenna)

Post #: 677

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/4/2017 3:21:57 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

In other news, CV Hancock arrives at Balboa and is deploying to the Pacific.

I'm focusing too much on the air force these days and getting extremely frustrated, which is ruining the game for me. Lowpe's mentioned I have numerous toys to play with, so I'm going to switch gears and get more involved with using the navy to open things up. Perhaps smart use of my naval assets will create the opportunities for my air force to be successful. Right now...I can't take on the Japanese air force anywhere on the map where they are concentrated. I'll have to target undefended bases in the meantime and set up CAP traps with the navy. I need to be careful with my CVs now that I've decided to upgrade all my CVEs. I don't want to offer a chance to attack my CVs at anything close to parity.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 678

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/4/2017 4:34:35 PM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

I see why you would fly some low sweeps in conjunction with bombing attacks, but I think Jugs up high, and Spitfires down lower would be generate a better result with the JAAF flying all over up and down and down and up.

I still am not certain LRCAP does anything for sweeping. My results are really mixed to negative.

Now that you have bombarded once, set up a massive cap trap over some ships.

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 679

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/4/2017 7:02:24 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I see why you would fly some low sweeps in conjunction with bombing attacks, but I think Jugs up high, and Spitfires down lower would be generate a better result with the JAAF flying all over up and down and down and up.

I still am not certain LRCAP does anything for sweeping. My results are really mixed to negative.

Now that you have bombarded once, set up a massive cap trap over some ships.

I'm starting to think LRCAP is detrimental as well, unfortunately I have been trying to include it to offset the number of Japanese CAP I face. I'm starting to think adding lots of LRCAP actually improves the Japanese CAP. It creates a larger footprint and results in more Japanese fighters being scrambled. I have no facts to base this on, just what I'm observing when I try large raids. I guess I'll have to just stick to varied sweeps with individual squadrons and hope I can figure out the magic combination to get better results.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/4/2017 7:03:46 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 680

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 4:22:33 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

No turn from Erik last night so I found myself finishing reading "The Dogs of War" and contemplating the game.

I'm not enjoying it and haven't for some time, as is obvious. I've given up on air operations and trying to 'beat' low CAP which doesn't bode well for the future. I'll focus on avoiding unsustainable losses by not targeting bases that have even a modest Japanese CAP. Facing low CAP, my units are not committed in a way that gives me any chance of success, so I just won't anymore.

I've pretty much given up on trying to 'win' the game. So for me now this is about trying to make the remaining time of this game fun. I'll play it out, but I'm not stressing about getting to Japan any longer. I know once I'm in a position to strategic bomb I'll be facing low CAP on steroids and it will be a disaster for my air force and probably cause me to have a coronary. So I just won't worry about it. I'm setting myself one goal and one goal only in this game, destroy the Japanese Fleet. Erik plays for VP's, so he'll win this game based on the fact there probably won't be any strategic bombing of Japan. I'm not concerned anymore about winning or losing. I'm just going to have fun now and if that means I get beaten badly...I don't care. It's all about the journey now for me and how I can make it enjoyable.

If you expect a rational play style with the end goal of turning the Japanese Home Islands into rubble, this AAR will be meaningless to you. It's now about me having fun and getting to the end without me losing my mind.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 681

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 4:52:06 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

No turn from Erik last night so I found myself finishing reading "The Dogs of War" and contemplating the game.

I'm not enjoying it and haven't for some time, as is obvious

It's a good book, give it a chance!

Some things about AE are the way a particular PBM contest goes, but many things are just differences between AE and IRL. And those (AE vs IRL differences) break up into (for lack of a better word) technical effects versus player choice effects. The strategic bombing of the HI in my own meager experience and in the PBMs that I have followed is just way harder in many cases than IRL. Every Japan player knows that it's coming and makes better choices with that hindsight. So, you have to carry it out differently.

You can only achieve good strikes without heavy sweeps and escort when the defender is unprepared. Once he's alerted you need the fighters. You can use the range of the B-29's to hit some places where your opponent does not anticipate a strike at that time, which will have the added benefit of spreading out his defenses. Your best strikes will come when you can also use the B-24's to strategic bomb the HI because of the number of raiders it will give you.

Train up your B-29 and B-24 groups on other targets. Your HI raids will take serious casualties even when making good strikes, so you better make sure those crews can hit their targets. In an odd way the high casualties will cause a more historical self-limiting of using the 4EB. You will get fewer effective shots than against other targets close to your lines, so you must make them count.

Even more so than IRL, you need fighter bases close enough to fight in the skies over the HI. At this game date you will have to be ruthless about bypassing enemy positions to get in close to the HI.

On the way make the most use of the beasts you can in the meantime plus get them experience. Mass raid the biggest ports you can reach. Hit defending troops where you invade. Shut down airbases with them. It was all done historically.

_____________________________

Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 682

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 5:27:29 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

It's a good book, give it a chance!

Ha, I meant the game, not the book. I enjoyed the book and finished it last night.

I appreciate the post, really, but I'm beyond trying to jump through AE's hoops anymore. I'm done and have beat myself up enough to know I have to concentrate on making this fun for me rather than try to win any longer. I won't win for any number of reasons anyway, both real and perceived.

I plan on doing exactly what you suggest with my bombers to train them up and limit losses, but defended targets will be avoided so essentially any bombing campaign I conduct will be all but meaningless to the outcome of the game. I will conduct a long series of tactical operations which may, or may not, lead to reaching Japan. I'm not concerned with playing on a strategic level anymore. I willingly gave that up after the second eight hex strike.

I'm playing for me now.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/5/2017 5:34:37 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 683

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 6:13:08 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

So, just what am I going to do.

Burma will remain a diversion. Australian units will continue withdrawing from the theatre for deployment to the Pacific.

China...dead end. Since I can't strategic bomb in China I'm not wasting a single aircraft in the theatre. If I can somehow get Burma liberated and enough supply into the theatre to supply the Chinese Army, then I'll send Chinese forces back into China.

I'll continue the slow process of liberating Australia. There is next to no Japanese opposition anyway, but it still takes time.

The only offensive action I will take will occur in the DEI and New Guinea. The fleet won't move until October once the CVE's rejoin after upgrades. I won't conduct offensive air missions against Japanese strongpoints anymore until the navy has trashed the airbases.

I'll continue to move in the Marshall Islands until there are no more Japanese held bases.

I won't send subs out to only be sunk by Japanese air ASW or super E's. I will make no effort to get into merchant shipping routes to sink Japanese transports when I know it's only suicide for Allied submarines.

So, I concentrate in the short term on accomplishing some modest objectives that eliminate the Japanese presence in a few theatres.

Almost forgot...try to destroy the Japanese Fleet without losing my own to more eight hex strikes.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/5/2017 6:16:42 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 684

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 7:10:38 PM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

It is your game to proceed with how you wish.

Obvert has gotten so far inside your decision making loop you are pretty much just shutting down. I don't understand it given that there are so many ways to attack in the game.

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 685

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 7:20:58 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

It is your game to proceed with how you wish.

Obvert has gotten so far inside your decision making loop you are pretty much just shutting down. I don't understand it given that there are so many ways to attack in the game.

Actually Lowpe, I see it the other way around. I'm trying to remove Erik from my decision making. I'm playing right into his hands right now. Trying to take on low CAP is a losing tactic, so I won't do it. Attacking with massed bombing raids against heavily defended targets is a losing tactic, so I won't do it. Sending my carriers out without the ability to absorb an eight hex strike is a losing tactic, so I won't do it...etc.

You and more experienced players have made it quite clear that what I have done in the past isn't working, so I'm not going to repeat the same mistakes as I have been. Erik is two steps ahead of me. I'm not playing his game anymore, I need to focus on mine. I'm not giving up, I'm just not going to beat my head against a wall anymore. If that means I don't reach Japan or strategic bomb the Home Islands...so be it.

I need success. There are opportunities for me to have success in this game, but I continue to rage against the machine and throw good money after bad. I'm trying to stop doing that and concentrate on making the right decisions to have success and enjoy the game again.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 4/5/2017 7:47:19 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 686

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 7:56:24 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

I posted a question in Canoerebel's AAR and the answer made me think more on how I'm playing the game.

What is working for other people in other games isn't working for me in this one. CR mentioned a long time ago that I'm up against one of the best players in the community. Had I played Erik a number of years ago I might be doing better, but I'm no longer that player. I'm easily discouraged now, don't understand why certain aspects of the game work the way they do (air model) and just plain tired from not doing well in the game anymore.

So something has to give. This is my attempt to change things for the better. I know Nemo would have a field day with this, but the only one beating me right now...is me.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 687

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 4/5/2017 8:21:08 PM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Actually Lowpe, I see it the other way around. I'm trying to remove Erik from my decision making. I'm playing right into his hands right now. Trying to take on low CAP is a losing tactic, so I won't do it. Attacking with massed bombing raids against heavily defended targets is a losing tactic, so I won't do it. Sending my carriers out without the ability to absorb an eight hex strike is a losing tactic, so I won't do it...etc.

Now that I understand.

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 688

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 5/2/2017 3:20:39 AM

SqzMyLemon

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

We are slowly moving forward and have reached 24 August 44. There was some down time during Erik's vacation which allowed me a much needed break. Understandably, Erik's enjoyment has shifted to his other AAR where the action is fast and furious, but we are back to almost daily turns since his return.

I continue my preparations for offensive operations in October. The CVE's begin their AA upgrades in seven days and will be ready for re-deployment on 21 September.

The Allied situation remains much as before so I won't repeat the same old information.

Right now my focus is hitting Erik at Hollandia to suppress the airbase and destroy Japanese aircraft. I'm employing new tactics and a major naval bombardment against Hollandia's airbase was conducted on the 24th. Results were good, but I did lose a DD after hitting a mine and subsequently being sunk by Japanese DB's based from Biak. I did sink one MTB and two SSX's during the night naval phase. Here are the AAR's of the naval bombardment of Hollandia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Hollandia at 93,116

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 35 damaged
N1K2-J George: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 37 damaged
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 6 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 53 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 7 destroyed on ground
J2M3 Jack: 23 damaged
J2M3 Jack: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-I Tony: 19 damaged
Ki-100-I Tony: 2 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
xAKL Chosen Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB California

Japanese ground losses:
427 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 22 (7 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 58
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Tennessee
BB Tennessee firing at Hollandia
BB California firing at Hollandia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Hollandia at 93,116

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 5 damaged
N1K2-J George: 7 damaged
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 6 damaged
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-I Tony: 31 damaged
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 12 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Richmond

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

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

CL Trenton firing at Hollandia
CL Richmond firing at Hollandia

On the day, the intelligence report indicated 42 Japanese fighters destroyed on the ground. Even if only half that from FOW, I'm happy. I choose not to follow up with sweeps or bombing missions, because I had a large number of LRCAP assigned to my taskforces and didn't want the fighter cover diluted in any way supporting LBA attacks. I will sweep and bomb Hollandia over the coming days followed by more naval bombardment missions.

In other news, one more day is required to load up the amphibious task forces meant to begin the liberation of Western Australia. Amphibious landings will occur at Esperance, then Allied troops will move overland to Kalgoorlie. Reinforcements will rail to the base once Allied controlled. Then it's simply a matter of mopping up any small Japanese garrison that remains at Perth. I'll remove a modest number of VP's from Erik's base total in the coming weeks.

I feel better about the game these days. The break allowed me to relax and focus on what I want to do moving forward. Hopefully, the AAR will be more enjoyable to follow as a result of a better attitude on my part.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 5/2/2017 3:23:20 AM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 689

RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obve... - 5/3/2017 4:17:41 PM

SqzMyLemon

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

Heavy Allied fighter sweeps are ordered against Hollandia today, 25 August 44. Two larger Corsair squadrons of 36 and 42 aircraft respectively will be the main striking forces. Two P-47 squadrons will also sweep. Three squadrons of P-38L's will provide LRCAP. I set max altitude for these strikes, but in hindsight wish I'd brought the altitude down to between 20-31k. Habit. Recon of Hollandia after the naval bombardment showed 45 Japanese fighters present and no damaged airframes. Erik once again loaded up his damaged aircraft on transports I think, but I never actually spot these TF's for some reason. Not sure how he is doing it, but he's cagey.

I've ordered another battleship task force to Dagua in preparation of another bombardment of Hollandia on the 26th. I've also deployed a heavy cruiser TF to Dagua as well. I've got strong CAP in New Guinea, but I'm vulnerable to a full LBA or carrier strike against my forward positions.

I've ordered a night bombing raid against the port at Sarmi. There are a large number of disbanded ships in port, including around six destroyers. Maybe I'll get lucky, but my expectations are low. I'm using B-29's so if there are NF's, I may take quite a few losses.

Hopefully everything finishes loading up at Port Augusta, then the amphibious forces can sail. It's going to take almost a week to reach Esperance.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 5/3/2017 4:19:24 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

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

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 690

Page: << < prev 21 22 [23] 24 25 next > >>

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: A pick up game and it's not Lowpe! Sqz (A) vs. obvert (J)