Lunacy AND Shrewdness (Full Version)

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itsjustme -> Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/19/2006 6:27:52 AM)

Hi all,

Nemo suggested that some folks might be interested in the allied point of view of our game. He is detailing the Japanese side in the thread entitled Lunacy or Shrewdness. Quite frankly I've not written an AAR report before and unfortunately work takes alot of my time these days and I would prefer to spend the time playing as opposed to writing. That said, I am happy to pop in here and give some basic updates and respond to questions about what is going on.

Obviously I would prefer Nemo not read this report and that what's written here stays here. Same goes for me, please feel free to ask questions, but please don't give any of his operational or strategic plans by your questions.

I presume that you have an overview of the general situation from his AAR.

Here's what I see:

China-Desparate struggle here. I suspect that he thinks with the cutting of the Burma road China is doomed. I think that's a possibility, but I don't think that this is necessarily true. I think that I have generally stabilized the western front in China. I have lots of canon fodder currently facing the onslaught and more on the way. The risk here, frankly is from the east as that front is slowly being stripped to put up a fight in the west. The south remains static and I have enough troops to slow and probably stop any thrust there.

DEI-Pretty well gone at this point. As our rules permit anything in the realm of game possibility he hit the DEI hard and early finding much success. I've instituted a fatalistic defence by simply hedgehoging everything in Batavia and Tele. Eventually both will fall and I'll be out of the DEI. Not much option here.

Singapore- All the troops I need and a little more than 80,000 supply points and a level 6 fort (and increasing) should be enough for a very long siege. What will be interesting to see here is whether or not Nemo will continue flying tons of aircraft over Singapore. Thats the only way he will keep bombers from flying and they are very annoying as they drop the occasional bomb on his transports. If he decides to assault Singapore it will be very costly. If he doesn't it will be very costly. If he continues to station lots of troops and planes in the area to contain me, they can't be used elsewhere. Any of these results suit my purpose.

India- Rangoon is proving to be a bigger nut than he expected I think. I was moving some reinforcements into south eastern India via transport fleet and have decided to reinforce rangoon instead. Normally I choose not to reinforce failure, but he has shock attacked a couple of time in a row and he will need to stand down to regain readiness which gives me a bit of gap to run in about 7000 troops, a few tanks and some supply. Hopefully this will provide him with a very nasty surprise when he resumes the attack. Again, this is designed to tie him up where he doesn't want to be and slow down his strategic plans. I suspect that he needs those troops for a full scale invasion of India. The real question is, will he be satisfied with leaving them bottled up or will he insist on eliminating them. He could easily leave a blocking force outside Rangoon and come back to them later. I bet he won't.

Phillipines- Manilla is strong, but not nearly strong enough. There have been lots of ships lost here, but not for my lack of desire to get them out. Initial raids severly damages a ton of vessels. Those that weren't damaged for the most part got out in stages. Those that were didn't have much of a chance and were staying in port on the off chance he left them alone long enough to repair enough to get out. Manilla will fall in a couple of weeks. The remainder of the Phillipines are gone.

South Pacific-I suspect that Nemo has given you an overall picture of things in the SP. He owns everything to Noumea. I have repositioned a number of divisions to Northern and Northwestern Australia to counter any serious move against OZ. Truth is, I don't think he has any intention of taking Oz or parts of it in the near future. There isn't much to be gained by doing so and there is lots to be lost. Instead, I suspect that he will move on NZ. That would provide an almost guaranteed blockade of Oz and would allow him to invade Oz at his leisure once the supplies are cut off. So, I've transferred a couple of brigades to NZ along with a tank bridgade. The question of where to defend is what presents. Auckland is the obvious place as it is closest to Noumea. Therefore, I think he will invade, if at all, (in the theme of Normandy vs Calais) at Dunedin. I will concentrate the defense in the south of NZ with lighter forces in the north. A big gamble, but for now, I can't be strong everywhere. As Sun Tzu said-He who defends everywhere defends nowhere. For now Fiji also remains in my hands. I am not sure I will be able to reinforce it before he makes a move there.

Central Pacific-He owns almost all of it. Midway, Johnson Island, Palmyra, Christmas Island, French Frigate Shoals, etc. What he doesn't own is Canton (yet). At the very beginning of the game, I loaded RCT, aircraft, EAB, ENG, base force and aircraft in a fleet of transports and sent them deep south. I wasn't sure where they would go, but I suspected he would leave one significant island for follow up invasion. I was right. He left Canton. I've got a couple of artillery regiments, a base force, a marine CD force and a squadron of B-17's on the island with a level 4 fortress and growing. The RCT, EAB and ENG are about a week out. Another 130 aircraft are also inbound. So far, he hasn't been actively going after my shipping and I've not had a sniff of the KB leaving the midway/wake area. Maybe they will and my transports will get killed, but I have a picket line of subs to give me some clue that the KB is on its way and I am patrolling heavily with PBYs. If I guess right, Canton will become a very big thorn. If I guess wrong, I'll be down more than I'd like. My CV's are running a very loose escort to this fleet to the south of the approaches to Canton. I won't get in a fight with the KB over these ships, but I should be able to make life very hard on any surface fleet that shows.

Hope that gives you a clue as to what is going on. Feel free to ask questions if you like. I'll post when I have time and significant events take place.



Feinder -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/19/2006 5:21:57 PM)

The short-list on my advice is, "Get everything that isn't glued down on the West Coast and even North Pac, and send it to Pearl."

I'm not saying that because of any indications from your opponents AAR (I wouldn't dream of screwing with your game). I can say from experience, that you're facing one of most aggressive IJN opponents on these boards. He may not have that much experience in WitP PBEM, but he's playing nearly "the perfect opening moves". It's going to get much worse before it gets better.

You need to be thinking about defending Pearl, Australia, and India NOW.

-F-



Capt. Harlock -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/20/2006 10:47:34 PM)

Nemo is certainly playing an aggressive game. I have to confess to criticising you heavily for allowing Palembang to be seized by paratroops, and whether or not you had good reason to evacuate, Nemo now has a major chunk of Oil to aid him in his plans. The obvious weak spot in an aggressive opening is getting over-extended, but there is less chance of that now. Still, you may be able to help things by sending any engineer units in the DEI to the biggest oil bases you can: they damage the facilities if the bvases are captured.

On the subject of Pearl Harbor: I would expect there to be a major struggle for air supremacy in a little while between Johnson Island and Pearl. Nemo has not seized the place merely to abandon it, and accepting the damage from your airstrikes doesn't seem to be his style.



ny59giants -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/21/2006 2:21:36 AM)

From Pearl you should be running a ML TF using the one ML at Pearl plus the remaining DM's to mine all those other Hawaiin Islands. Run in AK's, singlely if you have to into Pearl to build it up for when he tries to cut it off from the mainland. Like others have said, send everything not nailed down to Pearl. What you got going to Canton should slow him down.
If you can, evacuate some BF's from DEI to northern Oz to help build up your forts. Something I like to do. [;)]
The only caution about Ragoon is if he takes it, you may lose what you put there if there isn't a place to retreat to. [X(]
If he is up to Mandalay already, your forces there could be in trouble.
Keep us posted and I am glad to see you doing an AAR. I have 2 PBEM's going as the Allies and like to see what others are doing in the early stages of the war.



niceguy2005 -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/21/2006 2:30:09 AM)

Hellow itsjustme. Sounds like it will be a fun game. I understand that AARs take time. I hope you will keep us posted once in a while though. I think Feinders advise is excellent. I would only add that I would heavily reinforce PH, but hold a little back. You can strike direct from the WC to central and southpac islands with good planning and recon. If you move everything to PH he can try to bottle you up there. Just a thought.



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/21/2006 7:42:03 AM)

Thanks for the advice all. I'll pop in here as often as practical and let you know what's happening. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I don't mind the criticism.

Bad couple of days for the allies... who am I kidding, bad couple of months.

After sneaking a significant amount of reinforcements and supplies into Canton, I finally got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Huge loss in transports with the loss of a complete RCT and FA regiment. I've put alot of support troops on Canton but not nearly enough Combat power to seriously resist an invasion attempt. What will be interesting to see is how Nemo reacts to knowing I've put troops ashore, but not knowing what kind of troops they are.

There is a full squadron of B-17s and a squadron of B-26s. Just about any ships coming close to Canton will take a bit of a pounding. I am sending a couple of groups of fighters in a VERY circuitous route to Canton also. Looks like Canton is setting up to be a focal point. My carriers are right in the vicinity of the KB and I am running like mad due east. Nothing I can do to save the men of the RCT now and if I can manage to get away, I'll maintain some striking power during 1942, especially as the Yorktown is now moving towards pearl.

Consistent with everyone's advice, the marines and a number of other units are moving towards the HI.

Curious that the thought would be that he is going to fight me over Johnston. I disagree. I think he took it because he could and he hopes he can make me gunshy. Nemo is a curious character. He professes to play with a soviet doctrine, yet he cannot muster the same types of forces that the soviets did. Slowing him down is the only thing I need to do. Losses for me (absent the carriers) are generally irrelevant. To paraphrase: Eat all you want, I'll make more. The japanese don't have that option. Their resources are truly limited.

Hence the retreat from Palembang. Given how quickly the other bases have fallen, I probably made a mistake, but I assumed my defenses would have lasted longer and that Singapore would be more effective than it has been. Stiil, the resources take time to be transported and more time still to be converted. I don't think the simple loss of Palembang dooms me to failure.

Lots of fighters now arriving in India and at least the air war should get a bit more heated. Looks like there is going to be a fight in India too. Can I accumulate enough LBA to make a significant deterent to his forces which are inevitably going to arrive?

Manilla- This little nugget is proving to be my saving grace. It will fall, but the longer it take and, more importantly, the more casualties I inflict, the less he has to commit to India, which I am not convinced he is going to try and force from the game. If Rangoon and Manilla hold out for weeks, I believe his timetable will be hopelessly wrecked in the east.

Niceguy-- Your point on the loss of troops at Rangoon is well taken. Candidly, I expect to lose them all. The difference is that I think Nemo is an incredibly calculating and mathematical personality, who cannot brook the notion of troops (however well contained) in his rear. As a result, he will expend all his efforts to reduce and eliminate Rangoon. If he chooses to do this, his timetable should be seriously adversely affected.




mogami -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/21/2006 11:04:08 AM)

quote:

If he chooses to do this, his timetable should be seriously adversely affected.


Hi, You only affect the enemy time table if you retain your forces. delay at Rangoon would mean little if it nets troops who otherwise would be defending Mandalay or Imphal or another point.

example. Japan spends an extra two weeks reducing Rangoon . Now they are behind schedule by two weeks (hurrah)
However the defense of a point is weakened by the loss of the defenders of Rangoon and this further point falls faster then Japan expected. Japan is now back on track but has inflicted unexpected further loss on Allies.


The point is don't fight battles like the Alamo. Your forced into that in places like Manila and Singapore but don't add further heroic but hopeless defensive battles to list. I doubt Japan could destroy any force in Burma other then at a location such as Rangoon where it is easy to block retreat paths. Run, run like the wind to Akayab and defend there till the cows come home (your ready to mount an offensive of your own)

The game lasts 1600 turns. delaying the Japanese for 4-10 turns at the expense of a major force that could actually defend a point further back is a waste of material no matter how much you think you'll eventually get. (It takes longer then you think to build up)




ctangus -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/21/2006 1:49:34 PM)

Hi itsjustme,

I'm not the most experienced player around but I did successfully defend against an aggressive Japanese opening in one PBEM. (Well, it was probably 10% as aggressive as this, but it was well outside Japanese LBA cover, which was the limiting factor historically.)

Your opponent can't be strong across that whole perimeter. In addition to building up strongpoints, I counter-attacked aggressively wherever he was weak. I mostly operated my CVs separately since they can't do well against KB, even if massed, and launched a few CV raids when I knew KB wasn't nearby. Some surface raids as well. Remember, until he has an AF to level 4, Bettys & Nells can't launch torpedoes, so that makes his LBA a little less deadly.

I also tried to disperse his airstrength by launching lots of little random raids. You can probably hurt him from Singapore if you have 60K supply there. In addition to naval attacks from there, vary it up. Palembang's an obvious target, but it's probably CAP'd heavily. However, there's lots of resources in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere in Malaya - I doubt he's CAPing it all. Attack the resources in Malaya one turn. Port attack Saigon another. Attack airfields another. Use the IL-4s in China to port attack Hainan, HK, Shanghai, etc - wherever there seem to be lots of ships & little CAP. You could put them on naval attack, too. You could do similar in Burma launching from India. As much as possible, vary the airfields that you're flying from.

I also flew as much recon as possible - at targets I was interested in, possibly interested in and not-at-all interested in (for disinformation's sake). If you're short on planes, you can double up your PBYs, etc. by putting them on recon (primary mission) and 50-80% naval search.

You might be able to re-take some of his furthest conquests before he builds up. What did he use to capture Johnston, Palmyra, Noumea, Koepang? Has he reinforced yet? A brigade or equivalent should be enough to take on an NLF, but prep 2 to be safe. When you know he's occupied elsewhere, charge and damn the losses.

My 2 cents. Whatever you do, good luck! [:)]



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/21/2006 8:54:01 PM)

I completely agree. The size of his takings limits where his troops are strong. I am going to test that theory in the near term at Johnston. I am primarily waiting for the KB to move into another theater. I think I have figured out the strategic plan: Knock India and China out of the game as fast as he can and then relocate the troops to the front against the Amis and conduct a single front war that he can dedicate all of his resources too.



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/26/2006 12:54:13 AM)

Been a while since my last post. Apologies, but sometimes work must come first.

Based on my conversations with Nemo, the Rangoon Gambit is working. He seems to feel that his communication lines are threatened by Rangoon and/or that he must elminate the forces there to free them up from other operations. Whether or not this is simply a tactic designed to make me believe that my tactics are working.

Nevertheless, troops, carriers and support vessels are currently massing for a rapid assault on Johnston followed closely by an assault on Palmyra. I suspect that this will be an unanticipated move on my part as the more logical need is to drive on Midway and reduce the threat to Pearl. I do not really believe that Pearl is in mortal danger at this moment given his troop level commitments elsewhere along with his drive into india. It continues to become evident he is trying for a knockout blow on his western front early so that he can face me with all or nearly all of his forced massed in the east.

China has reached the breaking point. The paradrop into my rear was unexpected. I have troops moving there quickly, but it may be to little to late.

My transports have taken a beating in the Canton operation. My coastal guns are scoring some hits, but I doubt that they are seriously damaging his Battleline. I've moved the 4Es that are flyable on to Fiji and will hope to provide him an unwelcome surprise there. If not, they can hop on to NZ and then to OZ where they can easily be redeployed.

Additionally, it appears that a supply convoy taking a VERY deep route through the pacific will now reach OZ intact with 80,000 supply.

Questions on other theaters or for my thoughts on the battle are welcome.



BLUESBOB -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/26/2006 1:40:19 AM)

All I can say is that the Japanese only get marginally stronger over time...but the Allies on the other hand!

I wish I could play a similar game. I'd try consolidating my forces and holding on to what's vitally important. Buy some time, tie up as much as you can.. Use a little force, such as subs and bombers to keep the perimeters busy. And then I'd mass everything for a push up the middle. Midway, Wake Saipan, Japan.

Should be fun.



Rob Brennan UK -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/26/2006 2:18:29 AM)

Having read nemos posts i salute your bravery, ive never played anyone near as agressive as him. and you 100% right about not being strong everywhere. however what sauce for the goose etc. maybe do lots of medium invasions on fast transports to grab back the cent pac . it cannot be well garrisoned. ( again this isnt based on his posts , i don't think he's even mentioned garrison levels TBH , but from what i know of kwajelien start forces they must be weak)




ny59giants -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/26/2006 3:15:39 PM)

I hope you are able to keep a level head, which it sounds like you are doing, and launch limited counter-offensives. If you don't know now, here is a list of Japanese troops to keep track of: Imperial Div, 2, 4, 5, 16,18, 21, 33, 48, 55, 56, and about 8 independent Brigades. These are free to go where he wants and helps you decide where his main thrust is headed. I keep my PBEM game reports (Combat, Ops, Sig Int) in a folder in "My Documents" to track things.
I have one game using standard setting and one Nik Mod. They are different when it comes to OOB. But, you get a few division on the WC to use for these invasions. Good luck.
Most Allied players use their subs for mine laying, which I hope you are doing. If you haven't done so yet, switch "OFF" upgrade for SS Argonaut. It has superior mine laying capacity, but upgrades in 2/42. [X(]
On your big supply convoy headed to Oz, make sure you drop off enough AK's to your major bases on the way to increase them to over 20k plus. This way troops in Aukland and such can have replacements turned on and built up to full strenght. [:D] [:D]
Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne will reach 20k by the end of 12/41 on their own. This helps you to fill out the Oz Divisions.
If you haven't noticed, I play the Allies exclusively at this point.[;)]
Don't forget to convert some of your AK's to repair ships. They are very helpful in reducing damages and by the BIG upgrade in 10/42, they are essential.
Good Luck,
Michael



Mike Solli -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/26/2006 4:42:02 PM)

Don't forget the 38th Division, the victors of Hong Kong (assuming, of course, that Hong Kong has fallen).



Capt. Harlock -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/26/2006 10:24:20 PM)

quote:

China has reached the breaking point. The paradrop into my rear was unexpected. I have troops moving there quickly, but it may be to little to late.


Nemo is very resourceful in the use of paratroops; he proved that with the seizure of Palembang. I'm afraid you must consider any base within transport range to be at risk. BTW, do you have a House Rule about submarine commandos seizing bases? It wouldn't surprise me if that were his next tactic.



BLUESBOB -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/26/2006 10:57:31 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: BLUESBOB

All I can say is that the Japanese only get marginally stronger over time...but the Allies on the other hand!

I wish I could play a similar game. I'd try consolidating my forces and holding on to what's vitally important. Buy some time, tie up as much as you can.. Use a little force, such as subs and bombers to keep the perimeters busy. And then I'd mass everything for a push up the middle. Midway, Wake Saipan, Japan.

Should be fun.


I was talking about this game with Big B last night and commented that I had no clue how the Japanese got ships around the board so quickly in the first week. Big B told me about the "warping" ability that the Japs had in certain scenarios.

I'd never play a scenario like that. I would have been much more impressed with your opponent's strategy if he had really used skill, cunning, and a little luck to maneuver things around. I salute you for putting up with this nonsense...I'd never play a scenario along these lines.



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/27/2006 12:49:08 AM)

BlueBob,

The warping is only in the intial move on 12/7/41. Its designed to let the Japanese player put his forces in position for the "Surprise Attacks" of that day. We agreed to the rules by which we are playing and its all in good fun. No worries.

The beauty of it is that Nemo is a good sport and will play the game through to its conclusion. Come 1943, there will be some collossal battles that will provide the Allies much entertainment. Alas, I have months of suffering ahead of me. I'll attempt to provide Nemo with the occasional surprise, however.



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (4/29/2006 5:11:01 AM)

Well things are coming to a head in China. I am no longer sure that China will hold, but it has taken a pretty significant toll. Not sure that its enough to slow the juggernaut.

In the central pacific, things are interesting. KB seemed to be making for India, but I recently got a whiff that it was heading back northeast. Was Nemo really attempting to sucker me into a premature move with the thought that he was headed to india? Although I had, and continue, to prep assault forces for both Johnston Island and Palmyra, I think I may well lay back and wait on time to force Japanese action. The Japanese must act decisively in the early war. If not, they fail. Nemo has, and continues to be decisive. However, if he is positioning the KB in the central pacific waiting for me to act on the belief he is moving to India, my best tactic is no action at all. The longer he waits on me to act, the longer he leaves everything else to strengthen.[:-]

I am running some very deep convoys in the south central pacific. Most of them are empties heading towards the US west coast. One is loaded with supplies headed for the NZ and OZ ports. Nemo has positioned a fine picket line which is nibbling at the convoys. The problem is that I can't afford his nibbling at the moment. These convoys will get through relatively intact. I fear that the route from the US to OZ is, however, closed for the moment.



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/2/2006 1:49:54 AM)

I've decided that Nemo is going to hang out in the black hole that is the Central Pacific and see if I do something that will allow him to devastate my carrier fleet for an extended period of time thus securing his rear while he pushes hard on India and subsquently Oz/NZ. As a result I am not taking the bait and the invasions of Johnson and Palmyra are on hold. He is reconing Pearl so he will not be able to miss the build up of troops there and thus should continue to lull him into the sense of complacency about my intentions in the Central Pacific.

However, I am prepping an invasion for the Alaskan base he took on the first day of the war. This has two promising benefits. First, he is clearly not expecting that play and the value of that base is his ability to recon from the complete northern tip of the map to the complete southern tip of the map in a basically unbroken string. If I take that base, he loses the ability to see the entire map. This is important as I am going to attempt semi-envelopment strategy. It is clear that he has taken great steps to reinforce and fortify both Johns, Palmyra and Midway in the hopes of causing catastrophic injuries to my LCU and seabourne invasion forces on my first invasion attempt and therefore make me much more reluctant to attempt a storm accross the pacific. As Sun-Tzu says, he who defends everywhere defends nowhere. Therefore, I bet he has sacrificed some strength at Wake for his strength at Midway and the others. If I am correct and I take way, I should be able to easily interdict future supply runs to midway and sufficiently weaken Midway until an invasion there in late '42 makes sense. With the northern part of the map beginning to tilt to my favor, can he continue the huge gambits of India, NZ and OZ without reinforcing the rest of the central pacific?
[
Its not much of a counterattack, but its the plan that is taking shape.



ny59giants -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/2/2006 3:33:21 AM)

What do you have at each of the Hawaian islands?? You should have at least 1 RCT at each island and build up the forts and not the base AF/Ports. I have two games going with opponents that have different tactics. But first is to secure Hawaii and then the chain of islands to Oz/NZ.
"IF" he decides to go for Hawaii in a few months, it needs to be able to survive the seige by itself for a short time. He may use it to try to draw you out and go CV vs CV before his Zero bonus runs out. Monitor the other islands to see if he is waiting till Johnson Island, Midway, and Palmyra are above level 4 to ensure his Betty's/Nell's can carry torpedoes. He seems to like them a lot. [:-]



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/2/2006 5:24:13 PM)

Fair question. Three full divisions and the 2nd marines along with some subordinate divisions are currently in the Hawaiian Islands. Most of the troops are at pearl, however, a minimum of regiment strength formations are stationed on each of the Hawaiian islands. Supply is up over 300,000 total with more arriving. Lots of fighter cover and a fair amount of LBB. Lowest fort level is currently 3 and all are on the increase. Pearl seems secure.



Capt. Harlock -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/2/2006 10:15:51 PM)

quote:

However, I am prepping an invasion for the Alaskan base he took on the first day of the war.


There's one other useful thing about operations up north. Especially in winter, the Japanese air advantage is much reduced due to weather. Comitting the KB there is very risky, partly because the odds of being surprised by a surface action TF are higher, but mainly because the KB is then way out of position if there's big doings in the South Pacific.



Mike Solli -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/2/2006 10:19:55 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

However, I am prepping an invasion for the Alaskan base he took on the first day of the war.


There's one other useful thing about operations up north. Especially in winter, the Japanese air advantage is much reduced due to weather. Comitting the KB there is very risky, partly because the odds of being surprised by a surface action TF are higher, but mainly because the KB is then way out of position if there's big doings in the South Pacific.


This is exactly why the Japanese player needs to split KB into 2-3 TFs. As long as you can defeat the US carriers with 2 TFs or 1 TF and LBA, you still have an offensive force to employ in out of the way places (such as the Aleutians).



ny59giants -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/3/2006 1:54:20 AM)

Don't forget to set your bombers to "supply transport" and use their home base as destination to build their experince level up into the 70's. Either that or have your B-17's start to bomb Johnson & Palmyra to slow down his base build up. I feel he will be back to Hawaii sooner rather than later.
Hitler had the Atlantic Wall, Nemo wants a Pacific Wall. [:D]



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/5/2006 3:05:23 AM)

Thought I would pop in and give an update on the current goings on.

China is in real trouble. I committed tons of forces and refused to believe they would be cut off as they have been. The future of the china campaign will hang on the outcome of the battle at Kweing. There are a ton of paratroopers there and tons of chinese moving there. If I could manage to surrender that force the results would be two fold. First a serious loss to the japanese for future verticle envelopment operations (which I am sure Nemo has in mind for india) and the first real land setback. Unfortunately I am not sure I will be able to move enough troops to the schwerpunkt in time to end the threat.

India is a connundrum. I've spread the available divisions out across the region in an attempt to deter another verticle envelopment. However, the west coast of india is very vulnerable with only Karachi having any real land combat units on hand. If Nemo tries to make an end run around tricomolee and columbo, I'll attempt to give him a bit of a surprise. I've begun withdrawing the air units from Singapore to rest, replenish and regroup for the coming india fight. The bombing has been massive and unrelenting against singapore and supply is down under 25000. He won't need to assault that fortress, my troops will stave to death.

Rangoon is somewhat different. I've managed to sneak another fairly large supply convoy into that port and it should be able to survive for considerable additional time.

The invasion force is coming together for the alaskan isles although I recently got an intelligence report that troops are loaded on an AP headed for Kiska island. I wonder if Nemo has gotten a whiff on this planning. As of now, nothing is currently en route to the island and the only way he could know is through an intelligence report.

75000 supply has arrived in NZ, forts across NZ are on the increase and divisions/brigades are filling out nicely. If he chooses to hit NZ, he will need to do it en masse. Additionally a number of squadrons of 4Es are now in place in NZ and should have time to whittle down approaching battle forces and transports.

Pearl is completely reinforced. Nothing outside of a sell-out attack would be successful at this point.



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/8/2006 4:08:19 AM)

So now I am struggling with my decisions in the north. Nemo has landed additional troops on various islands in the aleutians. I think I have the forces in place to take all three bases, but I don't see the KB and have no current clue as to its whereabouts. Do I lay back and wait on his next blow or do I try and take at least some of the initiative away. I need to put him in a position of reacting to me as opposed to reacting to him always.

China may have returned to a stalemate. I've managed to put enough troops in at Kweiyang to forestall the advance there. The advance in the north is stalled two hex's NE of Chunking. Rangoon continues to hold and pearl just topped 800,000 supply and has 5 divisions stationed across the islands.

NZ looks weak and I will try and reinforce there next. Things are tense now as the operational tempo has been very low for the last couple of weeks. Both sides have had a bit of a rest. Query whether or not the quiet continues or the storm erupts.



ny59giants -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/8/2006 10:03:32 PM)

I usually preach caution as an Allied player for the first 6 months and build up my defenses. With the level of aggressive play by Nemo to date, I would continue to build up and prepare for his next move. I don't see him being satisfied with his conquest anytime soon. [:D] Build forts and then expand bases when your forts are built up. Don't want to give him a base to use his LBA's from already ready made. [:-]
Time is on your side, not his. Be patient!![&o][&o]



ctangus -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/10/2006 1:08:40 AM)

While I mostly agree with ny59giants, it is possible to mount small local counterattacks early as the allies. I'd wait until you know where KB is, though. It would at least give you more prep points.

You can send subs to likely locations and if they're spotted by Vals or Kates in the middle of the ocean, you know there's at least one carrier about.

If you want to force the issue, have you considered a feint at New Guinea or New Caledonia in the hope of luring KB there?

Also, what strength does recon show he has in the Aleutians? What would you bring against it?



itsjustme -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/10/2006 3:27:15 AM)

The aleutians front turns out to be a near disaster. The 111th Aviation support unit and a base force were unloading at Dutch Harbor when 1/2 the KB showed up. The 40th infantry division was a day out and had no real choice but to run for Dutch Harbor. Looks like they were, for the most part successful in unloading before their AKs and APs were hit hard. I don't think he was expecting much from Dutch Harbor as he parked the Mini KB 2 hexes off Dutch Harbor. I had 4 carriers in the vincinity split into two following task forces. 1/2 the KB vs. 4 us carriers in the northern waters where flights are limited due to weather.... hmmmm. About as good of odds as I could have asked for, so I charged in. As an added diversion, I separated the various escorts in dutch harbor from their convoys, merged them into a surface fleet, and sent them on a death ride into the mini KB. So, what were the results you ask?

Bupkus.

See below:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/15/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 18 troops unloading over beach at Attu Island, 92,34


Japanese ground losses:
118 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 115,61

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 103,36

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CL Abukuma
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arare

Allied Ships
DMS Lamberton, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AP Barnett, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Crescent City
AP President Adams, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
AP Harris, heavy damage
AP Mount McKinley


Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 103,36

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima, on fire
CL Abukuma
DD Hamakaze, on fire
DD Arare

Allied Ships
DD Mustin, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 103,36

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima, on fire
CL Abukuma
DD Hamakaze, on fire
DD Arare

Allied Ships
DD Anderson, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Dutch Harbor, at 103,36

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze, on fire
CL Abukuma
BB Hiei

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 18 troops unloading over beach at Attu Island, 92,34


Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 71,119

Japanese Ships
AV Kiyokawa Maru
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Perch

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35
Ki-49 Helen x 123

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 147

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 10


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Wellington III bombing at 15000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 334
Ki-49 Helen x 26
Ki-46-II Dinah x 8
Ki-15 Babs x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 15 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Port hits 24
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Norfolk Island , at 60,119


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 31


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Sydney Island at 100,102


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Indus Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sansei Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 106,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 12

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 18
F4F-3 Wildcat x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
D3A Val: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CV Saratoga

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The US flyboys hold a bit of their own.

Day Air attack on TF at 106,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 12

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 16
F4F-3 Wildcat x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
D3A Val: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 9 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Still putting a dent in his carrier air wing

Day Air attack on TF at 106,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 15
B5N Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 3
F4F-3 Wildcat x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He finally gets some leakers and puts some ordinance on the Lady Lex. She's dinged up, but making fine time and all carriers are now retiring to Seattle

Day Air attack on TF at 106,37

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 2

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 106,37

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 6

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 6 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 21,58

Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #2
MSW Rokko Maru
MSW Musashi Maru
MSW Hinode Maru #20
MSW Choun Maru #21
MSW Choun Maru #7
MSW Choun Maru #6
MSW Banshu Maru #52

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 116,65

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 12, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD King
DD Brooks
DD Kilty
DD Crane
DD Kennison
DD Crosby
DD Dent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 71,119

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS Perch, hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 45,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 36897 troops, 559 guns, 3 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 623

Defending force 85575 troops, 228 guns, 46 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2287



Allied ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 42,37

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 46882 troops, 555 guns, 2 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 934

Defending force 26077 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 419



Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 45,31

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 25097 troops, 221 guns, 76 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 465

Defending force 5147 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 98

Japanese max assault: 922 - adjusted assault: 1532

Allied max defense: 59 - adjusted defense: 6

Japanese assault odds: 255 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
11024 casualties reported
Guns lost 13


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 48,30

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 100432 troops, 944 guns, 9 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2297

Defending force 5070 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 111

Japanese max assault: 1816 - adjusted assault: 2297

Allied max defense: 67 - adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 1148 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
197 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
11359 casualties reported
Guns lost 43


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Homan

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 34007 troops, 400 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 686

Defending force 18911 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 520



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 23,47

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10308 troops, 182 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 54

Defending force 3600 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2

Japanese max assault: 45 - adjusted assault: 20

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 16

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1



Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Canton Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4123 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 6

Defending force 2333 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 38


Japanese ground losses:
573 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

What is really frustrating is that I got no flights from my carrier aircraft. Really frustrating as I feel like this is was a good early opportunity to put a little ordinance on target and send a flattop or two to the repair yard (or better). Instead, I lost a number of transports and some escort ships. Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but certainly I should have had somewhat better results.
I am waiting on the next turn however, as a large continget of LBA is now in range of the Mini KB if it stays where it is. Just a little luck is all I need here to change the equation, if ever so slightly.



mogami -> RE: Lunacy AND Shrewdness (5/10/2006 4:00:15 AM)

Hi, Feb 42 and your CV are still flying Buffaloes? Because the IJN Kates were using bombs not torpedos I'm guessing you were out of range. (Japan range 5 USN range 4 before new torpedo planes come out)



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