RE: One Weird Battle (Full Version)

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cookie monster -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 12:37:55 AM)

I was wondering how bad your supply situation was in China with no hump flying. As you mentined its probably not good.



vettim89 -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 1:30:46 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Sadly, this situation with Allied subs is just as you guys say.

Another factor is that by the time the dud rate declines, Japanese ASW is death on Allied subs.

Sometime in 1943, I will stop using Allied subs en masse.  I will use them for screening purposes and to "flood the zone" when I think I know where a big engagement is going to occur.  But I will not even try to impose any kind of blockade vs. merchant shipping.  I did that in my game vs. Miller and lost hundreds of subs for nearly no return.


Well this cements my belief that ASW as a whole is overrated for all sides. I have been playing Andy Mac's Downfall scenario and a USN sub attacked by even one or two E type escorts is always sunk. My problem with modding is that early war ASW seems about right but late war is way too powerful. El Cid did some experimenting with the WiTP RHS mod. Unfortunately AE was released about the time he was getting somewhere. Odd that we never see him over here. I know he rubbed some people the wrong way but he was willing to do the hard work with testing



stuman -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 1:52:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

quote:

irst, thanks for the interesting link yesterday to the "mysterious missile" story. That was the first I'd heard of it and I looked into in carefully.

Second, I was amazed at you catching flak for supposedly posting a story that might generate controversy. Nothing like doing something out of kindness and then getting the blame with a numbskull or two starts a riot.


Thanks for the kind words. I think this has happened to all of us on one occasion or another. Not to be judgmental but I think maybe someone has an ax to grind with one of the people that was posting and I just go caught in the cross-fire. I'll just lay low for a few days so there is no guilt by association.Again thanks and start sending more supply to Bombay. Maybe 1 xAKL at a time


It's too late to lay low. You are being watched.



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 6:20:38 AM)

From AdmSpruance's AAR, here's a good example of what we're talking about with Allied subs and Japanese ASW as you go further into the war:
 
"7/18-7/21/44

SUBS

SS Scorpion is hit by 2 DCs from E boats off Wakkanai.

SS Crevalle is hit by 23 DCs from E boats near Shikuka.

SS Gurnard is hit by 16 DCs from E boats by Toyohara,

SS Bluefin is hit by 4 DCs from IJN ASW TF off Izu Oshima.

SS Spiteful is hit by 4 DCs from IJN ASW near Yokohama."


No Allied subs scored a hit during this period....



Cribtop -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 6:02:43 PM)

Not good. I don't mind IJN ASW achieving better than the historical results if they actually bother to escort convoys, but the ability of the escorts to easily obtain this number of hits, combined with the tendency to waste attacks on escorts instead of merchies, is troubling indeed.



VSWG -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 6:14:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

No Allied subs scored a hit during this period....

Yes, because his opponent isn't running any convoys anymore, and the IJN has been destroyed. There's nothing left to shoot at except the ASW TFs.



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 10:39:20 PM)

8/14/42 and 8/15/42

India Reinforcements: 1st Marines and 1st Marine 'Chutes have safely landed at Karachi (whew!), joining 5th Marines, 1st USMC Tanks, and 1st USMC Arty. This is a big boost to morale. All transports carrying 27th Division (USA) have either arrived at, or come and gone from, Abadan. I've divided the transports into three TFs to minimize the risk of destruction. The first TF will exit the channel in two days; the second in four days; and the third in about six days. Therefore, in about a week, all American reinforcements will have arrived at Karachi and I will begin organizing a push against the Japanese perimeter.

Strategic Considerations: In addition to 27th Division's 390 AV, about 840 Indian AV arrives in Aden during the next 45 days. I am convinced that Brad has only one chance to take Bombay by the end of the year. He has to commit the KB and his combat ships to halt this flow of supplies and troops into Karachi. (Therefore, I have decided to keep the Allied carriers close by just in case. For now they shall remain at Mombasa. I do not think I need the carriers for the Wake/Marcus invasion scheduled for mid- or late October. If Brad sends the KB into the Pacific, he will have conceded the battle for India.) As soon as 27th Division is safely ashore, the Allies will organize two armies - one of about 1250 to 1500 AV to move south from Poona. The second of a similar amount to move south from Indore.

India in the Air: IJA bombers hit Bombay for the first time, but did no damage. (Bombay has level seven forts that are 31% to level eight).



paullus99 -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/11/2010 11:15:00 PM)

I'm very interested in seeing how things proceed from here. Obviously, he's got a firm focus on Bombay, probably with the same intention of making you bleed for it - but if you're able to open up additional avenues of advance, it will complicate things for him.

Tie that into multiple threats in the north, central, & south, he's going to have a hard time prioritizing where he needs to reinforce and commit - hopefully everywhere but where you want him to do so. I would also recommend making these diversions just large enough, so that if he does begin to react to the real threat (withdrawing troops, ships & planes) you'll be able to take advantage and start nibbling away at the perimeter (Baker Is. was a perfect example of this).

I think he's so focused on India right now, that he may just panic & overreact once you're other operations begin to move forward.

And if you can surprise him with your carriers, if his attention is focused on the land-based aspects of the campaign, you could do some real damage to him.



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 2:18:04 PM)

Map of the situation in India, 8/17/42.

27th Division (USA) will arrive at Karachi in three detachments over the next week. Upon arrival, this unit, two Marine RCT, and one Marine tank unit will serve as the Allied reserve.

The Allies will advance in two prongs - down the coastal road from Surat, and inland a bit down the road from Indore. Both prongs are meant to apply some pressure on the IJ flank north of Bombay.

I believe Brad will then try to apply pressure on the flank of the Allied units advancing from Indore. Such a move by the Japanese will be met by the American units held in reserve.

Upon arrival of the additional Indian troops due by 10/01/42, the Allies will probe further east, circumstances permitting.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/B37617B08E114AC79D422B5BFA45ADED.jpg[/image]



crsutton -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 2:55:05 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

8/14/42 and 8/15/42

India Reinforcements: 1st Marines and 1st Marine 'Chutes have safely landed at Karachi (whew!), joining 5th Marines, 1st USMC Tanks, and 1st USMC Arty. This is a big boost to morale. All transports carrying 27th Division (USA) have either arrived at, or come and gone from, Abadan. I've divided the transports into three TFs to minimize the risk of destruction. The first TF will exit the channel in two days; the second in four days; and the third in about six days. Therefore, in about a week, all American reinforcements will have arrived at Karachi and I will begin organizing a push against the Japanese perimeter.

Strategic Considerations: In addition to 27th Division's 390 AV, about 840 Indian AV arrives in Aden during the next 45 days. I am convinced that Brad has only one chance to take Bombay by the end of the year. He has to commit the KB and his combat ships to halt this flow of supplies and troops into Karachi. (Therefore, I have decided to keep the Allied carriers close by just in case. For now they shall remain at Mombasa. I do not think I need the carriers for the Wake/Marcus invasion scheduled for mid- or late October. If Brad sends the KB into the Pacific, he will have conceded the battle for India.) As soon as 27th Division is safely ashore, the Allies will organize two armies - one of about 1250 to 1500 AV to move south from Poona. The second of a similar amount to move south from Indore.

India in the Air: IJA bombers hit Bombay for the first time, but did no damage. (Bombay has level seven forts that are 31% to level eight).



You might consider moving a lot more tank units to India from the US. I find that unless your are engaged heavily in OZ in 1942 these units are not so useful. I mean they are always useful but open terrain such as in India and OZ is where they really shine. You might even bring some Australian units if you can spare them. Once they fill out the Aussie motorized brigades are some of the best early units, and the Aussie tank regiments with matilda and Grants are strong enough to kick around any Japanese armor in open terrain. Keep them a secret and then spring them in mass on him. You might really be able to pull off a serious land victory in India that way and prevent having to grind your way back to Calcutta and Dehli. Combined with the Indian and British armored brigades and the two Indian motorized brigages that you get, you would be able to patch together a fairly strong ad hoc armored corps in India. Frankly, a couple of US divisions in India will help in the short term but a lot of smaller mobile units might make more of a difference later on.




Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 2:59:26 PM)

That's a great idea. I'll load up some of my tank units, though it sure takes a LONG time to get them to Karachi.

On a separate note, I need to clarify regarding Allied intentions in India.

At present, Brad has somewhere in the vicinity of 17 divisions in India. Right now, five are in Bombay, three or four are scattered to the north, three are around Benares, and others are scattered here and there.

The Allies are growing strong in India, but not strong enough to take on eight to ten IJA divisions. What I want to do is nibble at the edges - hitting smaller IJA detachments on the flank. But I can't really move en masse until Brad has the bulk of his army at Bombay. Once that happens - once he has about ten or twelve divisions at Bombay - the Allies could then move more boldly to threaten that stack with isolation.



Smeulders -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 3:58:26 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

8/14/42 and 8/15/42

India Reinforcements: 1st Marines and 1st Marine 'Chutes have safely landed at Karachi (whew!), joining 5th Marines, 1st USMC Tanks, and 1st USMC Arty. This is a big boost to morale. All transports carrying 27th Division (USA) have either arrived at, or come and gone from, Abadan. I've divided the transports into three TFs to minimize the risk of destruction. The first TF will exit the channel in two days; the second in four days; and the third in about six days. Therefore, in about a week, all American reinforcements will have arrived at Karachi and I will begin organizing a push against the Japanese perimeter.

Strategic Considerations: In addition to 27th Division's 390 AV, about 840 Indian AV arrives in Aden during the next 45 days. I am convinced that Brad has only one chance to take Bombay by the end of the year. He has to commit the KB and his combat ships to halt this flow of supplies and troops into Karachi. (Therefore, I have decided to keep the Allied carriers close by just in case. For now they shall remain at Mombasa. I do not think I need the carriers for the Wake/Marcus invasion scheduled for mid- or late October. If Brad sends the KB into the Pacific, he will have conceded the battle for India.) As soon as 27th Division is safely ashore, the Allies will organize two armies - one of about 1250 to 1500 AV to move south from Poona. The second of a similar amount to move south from Indore.

India in the Air: IJA bombers hit Bombay for the first time, but did no damage. (Bombay has level seven forts that are 31% to level eight).



You might consider moving a lot more tank units to India from the US. I find that unless your are engaged heavily in OZ in 1942 these units are not so useful. I mean they are always useful but open terrain such as in India and OZ is where they really shine. You might even bring some Australian units if you can spare them. Once they fill out the Aussie motorized brigades are some of the best early units, and the Aussie tank regiments with matilda and Grants are strong enough to kick around any Japanese armor in open terrain. Keep them a secret and then spring them in mass on him. You might really be able to pull off a serious land victory in India that way and prevent having to grind your way back to Calcutta and Dehli. Combined with the Indian and British armored brigades and the two Indian motorized brigages that you get, you would be able to patch together a fairly strong ad hoc armored corps in India. Frankly, a couple of US divisions in India will help in the short term but a lot of smaller mobile units might make more of a difference later on.





I agree that the Australian tank units are great, but I am quite disappointed in the Indian armoured and motorized brigades. They are magnificent when at full strength, but there is such a lack of commonwealth AFVs... I'm at 8/42 in my game and still short of Valentines and Grants to fill out the first of these Indian formations. Stuart pools are pretty light too and you really need to choose if you will use them for the Australians or for the Indian formations. As long as the Indians are using improvized vehicles I wouldn't commit them if I could help it, a bit like not throwing Australians into the fray if they are still CMF. Overall you are quite right though, I would love to see all those Australians, American, British and Indian tank units together, Q-Ball will not know what hit him. (You can even throw in some New Zealand mounted regiments too, though they are light armour/recon at best)



crsutton -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 4:32:19 PM)

You are absolutely right about this. But even a weak tank unit in the enemy rear is a help. The biggest problem for all Allied tank units but especially the Indian and Brits is the slow flow of replacments in 1942. I still have one or two Indian tank brigades that are understrength in mid 43. That is why I advocate sending American and possibly some Australian units to India. They do not have this problem. I fell victim to the tank bug in my campaign so all of my Aussie units were messed up but if you are careful and do not upgrade to Grant/Lees too early you will have a gazillion matildas by mid 42 and vs any Japanese tank, the matilda is like a tiger tank. My fight was in OZ but with some British units, six or seven American regiments and the Australian mobile units, I had a very powerful tank corp in OZ by September 42. The same can be done in India.

Once you get enough tanks, two of the Austrailian cavalry brigades (infantry movment) upgrade to monster armored brigades in later 1942. One will withdraw in May 1943 but the other does not and is worth making unrestricted. This unit ends up with "120" Grant\Lees and 52 Stuart I tanks. It is virtually a mini armored division. I don't think the Allies get any true armor divisions until very late in the game. This is probably one of the strongest armored units they have until that happens.

But with his losses Canoerebel is not going to be mounting any sort of major offensive for a few months anyways. Plenty of time to find a few tanks. Make sure you turn off all replacements to tank units in New Zealand. They take up the valuable valentines and stuarts.



witpqs -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 4:57:27 PM)

The real problem that Allied armor would face in India in the near future is IJ air power over tank country (open terrain).



JohnDillworth -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 5:46:39 PM)

quote:

The real problem that Allied armor would face in India in the near future is IJ air power over tank country (open terrain).

I suppose it's true but it's probably unrealistic. The Japanese had really had no ground attack capacity on a tactical level. Some elite were trained to hit ships, but not tanks. This is a pretty sophisticated activity. Everyone else got good at it, but noth the Japanese. They really had to tactical air to speak of short of a staffing zero. Funny, just read this this morning in "Fir in the Sky.



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 6:20:09 PM)

8/16/42 and 8/17/42

Thanks for lots of good points and suggestions.

India at Sea: On the 17th, patrol aircraft from Socatra report two TFs of unknown size and composition to the east and southeast. No carriers reported, but I am guessing this is a well-protected invasion force. (I withdrew my little garrision of 19 AV a week ago because I was sure it would be overwhelmed - it is the cadre of the Indian brigade recently defeated at Diego Garcia. I sent it on to Aden where it can make good its losses). The Allied carriers at Mombasa are sortying and heading NE, but I won't give battle unless I really like the look of things.

India on the Ground: Another reinforcement TF (this one carrying Indian HQ and a base force) unloaded at Karachi. The first of the 27th Division TFs should reach the open sea near Karachi tomorrow.

India in the Air: Japanese bombers scored some hits agianst Bombay on the 17th. I'm going to try a little CAP trap tomorrow, with about 175 fighters based at Bombay.

CenPac: Transports are embarking the Marcus and Wake troops at San Diego to move them to Pearl. Most of the troops are only about 10 prepped at the moment. I know that Marcus is very lightly held (SigInt), so I might push the "Go!" button a bit ahead of time if I confirm the KB is covering an invasion of far-away Socatra. The soonest I could begin landing troops is probably at least 30 days away, so by then prep would be around 40. Not sure I want to do that, yet, but I want to prepare just in case.



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 6:48:42 PM)

Brad has much real life going on, at the moment, so the game has slowed temporarily. Here are some things I've been mulling over and meaning to write for awhile:

1. I will be reluctant to take on an experienced Japanese player in Scenario Two in the future. Not because of India. I think the Allies are fairly well-equipped to handle India's defense. It's Australia that gives me the willies. While I'm facing 15-20 IJA divisions in India, I have 7,000-8,000 AV of my own, with reinforcements arriving steadily throughout 1942. Oz, on the other hand, has the equivalent of perhaps two divisions early in the war, and it takes alot of time and effort to send additional reinforcements from India and/or USA. Wouldn't it be easier for Japan to impose a blockade of the Australian ports as opposed to India? Imagine Japan with 15-20 divisions rampaging through Oz against militia units and a handful of regular brigades. Scary.

2. I have noted that much of what has occured in this game to date has been in accordance with the Allied "master" plan - and that's true. Thus far things have played out in accordance with what I had envisioned early on. Brad, however, has taken advantage of what I've been willing to give, so now I'm working with a much narrower margin of error than I had anticipated. Thus, it remains to be seen whether the Allied plan, while carefully thought out and implemented, was fatally flawed in concept. I don't think so, but I can't be positive yet.

3. Brad has just begun using his bombers against Bombay. He has a vast force in India, so the lack of use has puzzled me and still does. I have no idea what his supply situation is like, but if that's what's limiting his use of his bombers that would be a good thing.



vettim89 -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 7:10:19 PM)

When Q-Ball went ashore in India I self banned myself from his AAR so I could in good conscious freely comment in this AAR. Ergo, I have no facts to base the next statement on, merely conjecture.

I have to beleive supplies are an issue. That doesn't mean his units are out of supply just that he has an enormous army far away from home. While the captured industry may be giving him some, it likely is no where near enough. Just keep AB supply over 20k has got to be difficult. I really wonder if Q-Ballis Patton in the drive across France, lack of supplies has ground his offensive to a halt more than the forces before him. WHat is his port expansion like in captured bases? There are precious few fully developed ports in India at game's start. Did he capture the Bengal region industry relatively intact?



JohnDillworth -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 7:12:21 PM)

quote:

India at Sea: On the 17th, patrol aircraft from Socatra report two TFs of unknown size and composition to the east and southeast. No carriers reported, but I am guessing this is a well-protected invasion force. (I withdrew my little garrision of 19 AV a week ago because I was sure it would be overwhelmed - it is the cadre of the Indian brigade recently defeated at Diego Garcia. I sent it on to Aden where it can make good its losses). The Allied carriers at Mombasa are sortying and heading NE, but I won't give battle unless I really like the look of things.


Carefull. If this is a bombardment task force there a lots of points, but those BB's are dive bomber killers. You could lose a ton of em. On the other hand, it would be tempting. How many days out of a good dry dock is he?



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 7:39:45 PM)

John, does Japanese shipboard flak work? I figured it was borked just like Allied flak.

Vettim, I haven't even scrolled the map to see the state of the industry he captured. I'll do that next turn.

Brad has been actively building ports and airfields in India - including those in rear bases. I assume this is to maximize VP for auto victory purposes.



JohnDillworth -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 7:53:25 PM)

quote:

John, does Japanese shipboard flak work? I figured it was borked just like Allied flak.

It doesn't work great except for DB's vs BB's. Don't know if Allies ar the same but for some reason DB's like to attack BB's and it never does much good, but they manage to get shot down in droves. Your mileage may vary.



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/12/2010 8:19:05 PM)

Well, it will take something truly unusual to get me to reveal my carriers at this point. I want them in position "just in case," but I'm reaping so many benefits from "force in being" use. If Brad's carriers are in the IO, then he's not going to risk much if anything to contest Wake or Marcus, nor is he going to get frisky anywhere else. Once I reveal my carriers, though, he gets bold everywhere they aint. So I won't reveal them unless I believe it will be a hammer blow to Japan.



crsutton -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 6:28:03 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

The real problem that Allied armor would face in India in the near future is IJ air power over tank country (open terrain).


My experience in Oz was that Japanese bombers would blast the motorized supports in a tank unit but hardly every knock out a tank.



Chickenboy -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 1:36:03 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
1.  The Allies will land in overwhelming strength on Sumatra sometime in 1943 (the later the better).  The strategic objective is to neutralize Palembang, Singapore, and western Java.  Landings will take place from Padang to Oosthaven.


I think that Brad's troop dispositions in India make this choice of landings extremely risky and, if I may say so, one of the poorest choices for you. [:-]

In order to make your Sumatra objectives 'stick', you must guarantee Allied naval superiority in the Bay of Bengal. Otherwise, it would be a comparatively easy matter for Brad to reinforce his Sumatra garrison with troops evacuated from India. Strat movement still works quite well and he can, in short order, strat move garrisons from W. India to Diamond harbor, for example. It should not be too difficult to keep these garrison reinforcements under LBA LRCAP down the coast of Burma / Malaysia and then towards Sumatra.

Sure, it means him evacuating some IJAA troops from India to reinforce Sumatra. But will your erstwhile Sumatra plans be able to survive substantive IJAA reinforcement efforts? Would you still attack Sumatra if, within 30 days, Brad can dump 6 Division equivalents onto Sumatra?

In the meantime, he can interdict your shipping with naval LBA or KB at his leisure. N. and central Sumatra will be in range of at least 3 sized four bases on Malaysia, let alone any size 4 a/f that he's built or reinforced on Sumatra.

You're picking a fight in an area where he has to go 'all in' (in poker terms) and he will still have more than you do. He can't lose Palembang-full stop.[:(] So, this is going to be close in knife fighting under circumstances that overwhelmingly favor the defender in this case. Add to that some 10+ IJAA divisions ready to reinforce within short order and you have a recipe for disaster. Sorry, CR, but that's the way I sees it. [:(]



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 2:39:16 PM)

8/18/42

Chickenboy: Welcome home. How was Thailand? You're raising good points about Sumatra, some of which are the things I'm wrestling with. But the scheduled invasion is at least nine months away and perhap smore than a year away, so things will change greatly by then. The situation in India will be much different - I don't expect to be on the defensive by spring 1943, so if Brad withdraws divisions and repositions them in Sumatra then of course I'll reevaluate my options. The plan has always been to land on Sumatra with overwhelming force. If that doesn't seem possible, the Allies will look elsewhere.

India at Sea: The two IJN TFs sighted last turn in the Arabian Sea moved north (rather than west toward Socatra). I'm wondering whether this is a surface combat TF raid at the "wormhole" or Karachi. One of the IJN TFs is pretty close, so I'm scattering my ships. Some, including the first of the 27th Div. TFs, will return to the wormhole. Others will disband at Karachi. Then we'll see what things look like tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Allied carriers are two days from exciting the channel north or Mombasa. I hope I can recall them tomorrow.

India on the Ground: Brad has moved one of the five divisions at Bombay, leaving four to hold against the Allied force there. It looks like he may be feeling his way north, a bit. I'm just watching and trying to gauge his plans while I await 27th Division.

India in the Air: Big air battle over Bombay. The massed Allied figthters didn't perform well against the Tojo (just three of those were downed), but were present in sufficient numbers to get some cracks against Helens and Sallys. Overall, the Japanese scored a 70 to 40 victory - not enough to help Brad in the auto-victiory count, but enough to discourage me. The P-38s are barely holding their own against the Tojo and I don't have enough of them. Hurricanes, P-40E, P-39, and Mohawks are getting chewed up. I staggered my ceilings (P-38 at 39k; Hurricanes at 36k; P-40 and Mohawks at 20k; and P-39 at 10k) and it didn't work.

Philippines: Cebu fell to Japan.

SoPac: I am suprised at how lightly held Noumea is - one unit only 3k strong. Koumac is vacant. Efate is lightly held. Luganville is strongly held. Noumea is a big points base for the Allies, so I thought Brad would really protect it. I've started prepping two NZ brigades on the chance the Allies get a crack at this. An Oz unit is prepping for Norfolk Island. I don't yet know what's there, but I"ll have some long-range reconnaisance available in a few weeks.

Short Term: The battle in India is the focus while the Allies work on logistics for the Marcus and Wake invasions, and possible invasions of Noumea and Norfolk Island.

Medium Term: Invasions of Wake and Marcus to take place in October (unless the KB is believed to be in the area). Noumea to be used as a deception.

Long Term: Possible invasion of Noumea by the end of the year. Preparation for the first big Allied invasion sometime in mid- or late 1943.



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 6:55:09 PM)

8/19/42

India at Sea: Japanese TF (probably combat) ends up along the northern edge of the map in the Arabia Sea, about six or seven hexes west of the Abadan to Karachi exit hex. Not sure what Brad is doing, but all shipping has been temporarily cleared from the area. With no obvious threat to Socatra, I recalled the Allied carriers to Mombasa. It appears that it will take my carriers three or four turns to make the journey from Mobasa to the Socatra area (helpful to know if I ever need to make that move to intercept and incoming invasion).

India in the Air: Another battle, though much smaller, over Bombay, with roughly the same results - Japan comes out on top something like 1.5 to 1.

India on the Ground: Still trying to discern Brad's intentions in and around Bombay.



JeffroK -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 8:19:17 PM)

India on the Ground: Brad has moved one of the five divisions at Bombay, leaving four to hold against the Allied force there. It looks like he may be feeling his way north, a bit. I'm just watching and trying to gauge his plans while I await 27th Division.

Has Brad changed his mind about crossing the LoD due the the recent revelation that most of the reinforcements arrive in Aden???



crsutton -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 9:08:05 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

8/18/42

India in the Air: Big air battle over Bombay. The massed Allied figthters didn't perform well against the Tojo (just three of those were downed), but were present in sufficient numbers to get some cracks against Helens and Sallys. Overall, the Japanese scored a 70 to 40 victory - not enough to help Brad in the auto-victiory count, but enough to discourage me. The P-38s are barely holding their own against the Tojo and I don't have enough of them. Hurricanes, P-40E, P-39, and Mohawks are getting chewed up. I staggered my ceilings (P-38 at 39k; Hurricanes at 36k; P-40 and Mohawks at 20k; and P-39 at 10k) and it didn't work.



If you have not set a HR with a max altitude for fighters and he is flying his tojos above your aircraft then they are going to eat you alive. Nothing you can do about it. Dive, dive and dive again. The combination of better pilots, with faster planes that have a better climb rate makes for a deadly cocktail. See if you can get him to agree to an altitiude cap. 28,000 feet is best. We did it in our game and it levels the playing field due to the high altitude issues that some say does not exsist. You will end up with a lot of air battles at 28,000 feet but you won't get creamed. Point out to Qball that he holds a major advantage now but will lose it in spades later in the game if the high sweep is allowed. In the long run, a HR benefits Japan but it sure saves the Allies in 42.



JohnDillworth -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 9:22:20 PM)

quote:

Has Brad changed his mind about crossing the LoD due the the recent revelation that most of the reinforcements arrive in Aden???


I think Brad is aware of where scheduled reinforcements arrive. It is reasonable to assume that any additional "elective" reinforcements would have to come through there also. If and how much is the question. Personally, I am surprised he has not tried more of a blockade or surprise ambush up until now. I think shuttling DD's or even the mini-KB up at the wormhole would have been a low cost way to keep the Allies honest. IT also would have freed up the KB for some serious work elsewhere. Come to think of it has the KB been sighted lately?



Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (11/13/2010 9:58:19 PM)

8/20/42

Jeff & John: I'm sure Brad has long known that the reinforcements arrive at Aden. Me certainly might change his mind, though, thinking that he has 2,650 AV bottled up in Bombay. He wouldn't know exactly how much the Allies have to the north and west, and I'm sure he doesn't know that most of a Marine division is in Karachi. John, I too can't believe Brad hasn't contested Karachi.

crsutton: I'd much prefer that Brad bring up any house rules. The air war is nuts because of the things you mention plus the incredible shortage of Allied aircraft.

India at Sea: I think the Japanese combat TFs are pulling back from the northern Arabian Sea, so I'll try to sneak 27th Division into Karachi.

India in the Air: The Allies got the better of air combat over Bombay this turn.

India on the Ground: It does appear Brad is going to probe north from Bombay and Poona. I'm staging the Marines forward to Ahmadebad. They will be my reserve.



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