RE: Das darf nicht var sein!

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steamboateng -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/22/2011 8:45:08 PM)
Conoerbel, spent 3 full days to get thru your AAR. Quite a good read. Especially enjoyed the various 'Nemo Tomes' iterjected here and there. Your quite a good player, so his comments add another layer of thought to the game. I must admit that 'culminating point', used as a noun, defining a point of conflict was quite surprising, as the only recent usage of the term I've noticed is as a verb/adverb phrase in KY his 'n hers commercials! Sending a child off to College is, indeed, a heartfelt event, not to be trifled with. I sent two, while still shipping out, and was very much more concerned with Mom's empy nest. Hearty lass that she is, she weathered the seas.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/23/2011 9:20:56 PM)
6/22/42 and 6/23/42 DEI: No sign of the KB at the moment. A big TF carrying a stout Aussie CD force arrives at Oosthaven tomorrow or the day after. The port is protected by three BB TFs plus 500+ fighters, so I think the TF is in good shape. The advance IJ army on Java finally made it to Batavia and should take the base (garrisoned by 30 AV) tomorrow. So the noose continues to close, but too slowly and inneffectively it seems. A detachment of USA tanks that got cut off on Sumatra's south coast after retreating from Sabang months ago finally made it through the jungles and then along yellow roads to join the Allied garrison at besieged Sibolga. Burma: CL Hobart and some DDs really messed up a loaded IJ transport TF near Tavoy, sinking an E, SC, probably an AK and three our four xAP, and damaging a few other xAP. This TF seemed to be carrying an armored unit somewhere. The Japanese are moving in force up the parallel Burma roads to Toungoo and Magwe. I'm debating whether to stand or slowly retire. For now, I'll stand. China: Quiet, though a Chinese army will move out tonight to try to catch an solitary IJ division that shouldn't be left where it is, but probably will be judging from previous experience. NoPac: Still no move on the Allied bases in the Kuriles. If the status quo lasts another month, the Allies should be ready for the reinforcement/re-supply mission that would actually be a major operation if successful. CenPac: Much going on here. The Baker Island amphibious force is perhas three days out. Lots of small, unescorted transport TFs carrying Sea Bees, EAB, and other things are closing on Tarawa, Ocean, and Tabituea. The IJN CL force has retired to Majuero or vicinity to refuel. The Warspite TF is closing on Tarawa from the east (three days out), and the Wasp TF is trailing Warspite by a day. I'd like to hammer the IJ CL force when it sorties against the Allied transport shipping, then retire Wasp to NoPac to handle the aforementioned operation there...all the while keeping an eye out for Japanese carriers. SoPac: Quiet. No indication that Japan is going to try to bring in enough troops to take the island from the recently-reinforced Allied garrison.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/24/2011 2:06:09 PM)
6/24/42 Java: Using three divisions (4, 52, Imperial Guards), Japan takes nearly vacant Batavia. All three divisions are somewhat weakened through campaigning (part of 4th was lost while landing on Java), with AVs showing in the 300s. No IJ base force unit is present, so it should be a bit before the Allies contend with a major IJ airfield in proximity to Sumatra. Sumatra: 6th Aussie CD force will unload at Oosthaven tonight under the protection of three big combat TFs and 600+ fighters. A big enemy TF showing some CVs (but I'm not sure about that) is north of Batavai, but I've got to protect the port for a few more turns. Another enemy CV force (this one I'm more confident about) is east of Malaya, the same position in which IJN carriers have been seen before. Palembang forts are 6.90. Reinforcements and engineers are on the final run in to Cocos Island. China: That exposed IJA division has pulled into Chengchow, where there are 15 IJ units reported. So I'll scrub the mission to move in that direction. CenPac: A goodly part of 5th Marine CD came ashore at Tarawa (not including the big guns, yet), with one xAK taking a TT. Lots of small TFs are nearing the various Allied-held ports, with Warspite and Wasp TFs trailing in succession as noted in yesterday's post. I expect to take some losses here (I think Steve will be springing an ambush), but no matter what happens that Allies can take advantage of the situation or knowledge gained. D-Day at Baker Island is no more than three days away, and all the activity to the west should screen it from the enemy (and that's the biggest consideration at the moment). NoPac: CAs Ashigara and Nachi are still up here. Summary: With the fall of Batavia and the impending fall of Merak, the noose will have closed fairly tightly around Sumatra (the Allied hold on Cocos Island prevents the noose from being what I would consider tight). The Allies seem to be in pretty good position now to weather the seige months ahead.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 5:37:06 PM)
6/25/42 CenPac: Most of 5th Marine CD force is ashore on Tarawa. Patrols didn't catch sight of the enemy combat TF, but my ships have been in place for two days - long enough for Steve to send in a combat TF. Therefore, I'm going to pull my ships back for a few days, allowing the Warpsite TF to come into port while the Wasp/Long Island TFs remain posted to the east. Meanwhile, a Sea Bee-toting TF will begin unloading at Tabituea tomorrow. I'm also weighing whether to D-Day Baker Island tomorrow or the next day (the TF is four hexes away, but I want to be sure I have both morning and afternoon for maximum unloading). SoPac: Enemy TF of unknown type between Pago Pago and Suva. I'm intereted in seeing what it might be. At the moment, the Allies have three supply xAKL unloading in port, the only shippnig in the area. DEI: 6th Aussie CD unit unloads successfully at Oosthaven and will entrain for the trip to Benkolen (the Allies have tons of naval support at Oosthaven - mainly from the Java Dutch units that were moved here - that make unloading a snap). Many less experienced Allied units have had months to train at Oosthaven and Palembang. For instance, the Zuid unit's experienced has increased from 38 to 48 during the interval. This is yet another cost to Japan's delay in dealing with Sumatra expeditiously. Palembang forts to 6.93. Burma: 33rd Div. has arrived at Toungoo, while 6th Guards Div. is on the parallel road. Steve would undoubtedly like to flank, isolate and destroy. I'm still undecided between making a stand at Toungoo and withdrawing to the Mandalay/Schwebo regions where the MLR would be more continuguous and less susceptible to isolation. China: Quiet. The Japanese seem to be concentrating at Chengchow. The Chinese will monitor for opportunities or problems. With 9,000+ AV in the immediate area, the Chinese can handle whatever Japan might try. NoPac: Quiet. CL Trenton TF will try to intercept small enemy TF at Amchitka tonight.

Cribtop -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 5:53:37 PM)
I vote fall back in Burma. Drag his army out of position in the Burmese interior and land at Moulmein again when PPs allow the next wave of reinforcements to be used offensively. I am also factoring into the equation that risk of losing 27th Div is more than you want to pay for the Burma op. The objective was primarily to delay at Sumatra, and you can continue to achieve that objective so long as those 2 IJA Divisions are in Burma and not available for use elsewhere.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 6:52:54 PM)
Cribtop: That's good advice, methinks. I'll probably withdraw the troops in a campaign meant to slow Japan and force her to alloocate more aircraft and men. To Replace Percival or Not: Question for the peanut gallery - Should I replace A. Percival, the commanding officer of Malaya HQ at Palembang? He's terrible - with a command rating of 35 and an inspiration rating of 25. But it costs 150 political points to replace him, and those are precious points that could be used to good effect for a thousand other purposes. The Allies have more than enough support at Palembang to handle the troops, and there are a variety of other HQ units including ABDA. So, would replacing Percival really help the defense of Palembang? If so, would it make sense to simply keep 150 PP in reserve, only to be spent at the last moment if and when an IJ army arrives there? Japanese Aircraft in the Pacific: Recon reports more than 100 IJ aircraft at Suva. This may be a sign that Japan is going to try an all-out push to take Pago Pago. Also, Japan has a number of Netties stationed within striking range of Tarawa. These are good signs since it means less IJ aircraft allocated in the DEI. But I would really love to see Japan spend more time, assets, and resources in Pago Pago aka "Little Vietnam."

witpqs -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 8:34:14 PM)
You paid for the HQ and/or tons of troops, you might as well pay to boot Percival. His impact on your forces performance will be quite devastating if you leave him in place. It is possible he is already affecting things like construction time and unit training.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 8:47:54 PM)
Wow, that's some good "prodding" there. Sounds reasonable. I only have 70 PP at the moment after using 600 two days ago to buy a US Marine regiment posted at Capetown (and now on the way to Cocos Island). So I might be able to boot Percival in about two days. The political point juggling is really tough on the Allies. There's not nearly enough to do what needs to be done. I get the feeling it affects the Allies much more than Japan.

ckammp -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 8:58:28 PM)
re: Percival A couple things to consider 1) 150 PPs looks high on paper, but it is only 3 days worth of PPs. 2) Where is ABDA HQ? Malaya Army HQ is subordinate to ADBA, so if ABDA HQ is in Palembang it's GOC should be in charge. Of course, Brooke-Popham is little better than Percival (skill-45, inspiration-35), but he only costs 50 PP. 3) If you do sack Percival, who would be his replacement? 4) Lastly, remember withdraw dates - Malaya Army HQ withdraws 421231, ABDA HQ withdraws 421010. I know those are still a few months away, but does it make sense to spend a lot of PPs, then see the unit withdraw anyway? My opinion - keep Percival for now, but make sure you have the PPs just in case.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 9:40:15 PM)
More intersting input.� Thanks, ckammp. I am aware of the withdrawal dates, but I think the Battle of Sumatra will be over by then.� IE, if Japan hasn't taken Palembang by December 31, it's lost the battle no matter what happens from there. So it may be worth swapping out Percival if he would have an affect on the battle or prep for the battle. So, if Percival can have�a negative affect on fighting at Palembang, or hurts Allied efforts to build forts on the performance of AA units, it's worth swapping him out. So, what do you guys think?� Can the commander of an HQ unit affect the performance of engineer units in the hex?

Alfred -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 9:59:53 PM)
Not directly. Once you have fit engineers, they perform based on having adequate supply and non-interference from enemy forces. Don't see how a HQ commander impacts upon lower echelon units with their own commanders, performing non- combat actions.. Alfred

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/25/2011 10:04:57 PM)
Thank you, Alfred. Okay, then I think the plan will be to reserve 150 PP at all times, to be used to replace him immediately in the event of an enemy ground attack against Palembang. Otherwise, I'll just let himl stay in command since he won't have a negative impact on the performance of units in the hex (engineers, AA, etc.).

princep01 -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 3:47:11 AM)
CR, remember that you can fire that howling dog with fleas anytime, but his replacement may not show up for a few days. I'd drop that worthless cipher as soon as I had 150 points. That way you'll have a new commander in place when the Japs finally attack (if ever). Even if they don't, you'll have a good leader with a useful HQ for the next 6 months. You may well be on the offensive in three, so you'll get a payback either way.

Cribtop -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 4:00:19 AM)
Tell us what you really think of Percival, Princep. [:D] I can imagine the memo: To: Gen Percival, Commander, Malayan Army From: Allied GHQ Dear Sir, You are requested and required to remain at your post, but only so long as nothing much important is happening. In the event of Japanese attack, a strong breeze and/or excessive yapping by the camp Pekingnese "Sharpy," you will immediately relinquish command to General A Player to be named later. That is all. Sincerely, Winston

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 4:14:12 AM)
That's a good point, princep. Lots of good input from you guys, which I read carefully and thoroughly (but humbly) considered. I am inclined to toss Percival pretty soon, just on principle. Cribtop: :)

Crackaces -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 4:19:02 AM)
It seems the IJ player is simply attacking weaker Allied positions rather than pursue an overall plan. What is Pango Pango going to do in terms of securing the resources in the DEI, which is the reason Japan started this mess. I foresee something like the destrcution of army group center once the Allies start ramping up war material and in the hands of a surgeon like canoerebel the IJ will be cut up and cut off .... It will be interesting to read as it unfolds ..

CaptBeefheart -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 5:57:35 AM)
Cribtop: Now that is funny. Regarding replacing ground commanders, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall ever seeing a lag. I did a search and found this from wwengr: **************** HQ Leaders Command Headquarters Combat Commands - Those in which significant and important battles occur within their command radius. Select leaders on the basis of these priorities: High Administration Skill - This influences the HQ units use of support to reduce fatigue and disruption High Land Skill - Influences the Assault Value of LCU's within their radius High Inspiration - Influences the Assault Value of LCU's within their radius All other skills have no influence or bearing on the HQ function. *************** On this basis, it looks like unless you need to recover disruption or fatigue, there's no need to replace Percival. Cheers, CC

JeffroK -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 7:41:32 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: princep01 CR, remember that you can fire that howling dog with fleas anytime, but his replacement may not show up for a few days. I'd drop that worthless cipher as soon as I had 150 points. That way you'll have a new commander in place when the Japs finally attack (if ever). Even if they don't, you'll have a good leader with a useful HQ for the next 6 months. You may well be on the offensive in three, so you'll get a payback either way. I wonder how aware princep is of the Service career of Percival or does he base everything on the ratings allocated in a game. Percival was the wrong person for the command, but how much of the debacle was due to others or just the fact that Britain was being threatened across 30 miles of Channel and in dire battle in the Mid East. I would drop him as well, as the British Commanders seemed to get low ratings when compared against American Commanders in a similar position in the Phillipines. (I take this back, I'm seeing some good random leaders, both sideds have commanders whose ratings represent the euqipment, training rather than their performance) My guess, unless you have used him already, is that Cassels rates as the best British commander of this era.

jmalter -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 9:46:00 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Commander Cody correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall ever seeing a lag. IMO leader changes take effect immediately, or at worst during an identifiable phase at the end of the game-day resolution of the orders-phase in which they where assigned. They're not at all like those lazy flyboys who mosey their way across the Pacific in their own time, leaving excessive bar-tabs, unwanted pregnancies & random airfield destruction in their wake. If Percival has a 5-hex radius, you've got to boot him instantly you come under attack by massed enemy LCU in his command-radius, replace him w/ a commander whose abilities will increase your siege-resistance. But don't go overboard w/ the repl. commander if the HQ is due for withdrawal, & keep those 150PP available but unused until absolutely needed.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 1:38:40 PM)
6/26/42 The Allies got a small thing wrong, a small thing right, and a "medium-sized" thing right...and it looks like Japan may be getting a medium-sized thing all wrong. DEI: The Allies set all bombers at Palembang to six-hex range. Low and behold, BBs Mutsu and Nagato and CA Kumano lead a TF to within six hexes. Unfortunately, the only strike squadron to sortie was a carrier SBD unit that was there to replace lost aircraft. Now I have to wait to make good their losses (something like 12 aircraft were lost for no gain except some expensive intel). Elsewhere in the DEI things remain stable. SoPac: In the "medium-sized thing right" category, D-Day at Baker Island goes smoothly. Two USA RCT come ashore and easily brush aside the Naval Guard unit defending (it must have been very low on supply). That removes one advance listening post that could have been useful to Japan. One RCT shall remain to garrison the island. The other shall immediately board ship and report to Makin for garrison duty. Meanwhile, in the "one medium-sized thing wrong" category, Japan seems to be in the midst of a major operation involving Pago Pago. Patrols report Japanese carriers (I'm nearly positive this is the detached Mini-KB we monitored as it departed teh Singapore area a month ago) to the SW and two other TFs to the west. No matter what happens at Pago Pago short term and long term, the Japanese are losing this campaign and just ratcheted up the size of the loss with a major misallocation of forces. Pago Pago is indeed Little Vietnam for Steve. CenPac: In the "minor thing right" category, my hunch that the CL Jintsu TF might show up at Tarawa proved accurate. Fortunately, I had moved everything out except one xAK. Now that I'm pretty sure the area is free of enemy carriers, I can move more expeditiously in the various reinforcement and resupply missions that are going on all over the place. I can also deploy Warspite and Wasp more aggressively to deal with Jintsu. That's more important than it sounds. If the Allies crush the Jintsu TF leaving Steve without a decent naval force in this region, he'll have to "call me and raise" if he's going to counter Warspite. Also, I want to use Wasp effectively and then transfer her to NoPac, where she'll be needed in about a month. Finally, once the Allies get all the reinforcements and supply ashore to the various bases, I have enough aircraft in the region to handle local defense against anything except an all-out commitment by the Japanese. NoPac: Quiet up here still. Two P-38 squadrons arrive at San Fran in coming weeks. I plan to transfer them to the Aleutians. Eventually, the plan is to bring to Paramushiro supplies and reinforcements under cover of those land-based fighters while Wasp stands off to provide some LRCAP. I'm not sure Steve is going to give me another month to pull this together, but that's the working plan. Burma: The Allied army at Toungoo is retiring in combat mode and should clear the hex in three more days.

paullus99 -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/26/2011 2:02:29 PM)
Wow - he does have a strange fixation on peripheral operations (or cock-ups, at the case may be). It'll be interesting to see what carrier assets he commits there, which should give you very valuable intel on what is left back in the DEI.

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 8:09:54 AM)
06/27/42 A sharp surface battle took place at Oosthaven as Mutsu, Nagato, four CAs, and 10 DDs clashed with three Allied combat TFs that included four BB, one BC, and a large number of CA, CL, and DD. The successive battles were bloody for both sides. More Allied ships suffered damage, but more big Japanese ships suffered major damage: Allied Ships in Sinking Condition: CA Astoria, DDs Parrot and Evertson, DMS Southard. Allied Ships Requiring Yard Work: BB New Mexico, BB Royal Sovereign, BC Repulse, CAs San Francisco, Devonshire, and Indianapolis, CLs Achilles, Java and Leander; and DDs Perkins and Preston. Japanese Ships Sunk: BB Mutsu, CA Chokai, DDs Tatsuzuke and Hatsukaze. Japanese Ships in Sinking Condition: CA Kumano, DD Unyuko. Japanese Ships Requiring Yard Work: BB Nagato, CA Takao, CA Atago. What this Means for the Allies: The Allies originally had eight BB/BC available in the DEI. That number is down to four (BB Ramilles has been at Capetown for months with two months of repairs to go). Most of the ships engaged will have to retire to Colombo to replenish or for repairs. While they are absent, the Allies have three other combat TFs, though smaller, that will have to handle the defense of Sumatra. What this Means for Japan: The Japanese will actually have a window of opportunity while Allied combatants replenish at Colombo, but I don't think Steve will realize this, nor is he prepared to exploit it. He was not expecting such a battle (he's lamenting his poor patrols in an email). He will not trust his patrols to tell him what's in the vicinity. More importantly, this is a serious attrition of IJN sea power. To this point, Japan has lost three BB and four CA, with a BB and two more CA possibly needing yard work. With four CAs committed in NoPac, and another plus a BB in SoPac, plus whatever is escorting the KB, Japan's sea power in the DEI has eroded considerably. What this Means for the Game: To be candid, this was a major blunder by Japan. Steve has been proceeding very carefully in the DEI since the very bad (for him) Battle of Andaman Sea in April. I was worried that his next move would be coordinated, overwhelming, and decisive. Instead, it turned out to be probing, risky, and underwhelming. Two months after Andaman Sea, it seems that he isn't sure how he is going to handle Sumatra. That uncertainty cost him. More about the turn tomorrow morning.

paullus99 -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 2:14:44 PM)
Any chance you'll be able to utilize some of your airpower to finish off the cripples (or at least inflict some more suffering)?

princep01 -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 2:23:01 PM)
The time at which both CR and Chez will enter the "Allies are on the strategic offensive" stage of the game just dropped from three game months to two months. I don't know what you are planning nor do I wish for you to reveal it here, but I hope you are prepping for major offensive moves starting around September. The time for Dugout Doug mentality is nearing an end. The Halsey Hellraisers stage is at hand. What is it Nemo is so fond of saying.....a change in the "ooguulloo" loop for both players has arrived? Kudos on the sinking of Mutsu and Chokai. Can Astoria be saved by a quick pump out at Palembang? Again, nicely done.

Cribtop -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 4:53:36 PM)
Oogulloo loop is hilarious! Sounds like a "GreyJoyism." [:D]

Ketza -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 5:16:05 PM)
Due to a lull in WITE due to an upcoming patch I wandered back over to AE and read your AAR and was quite impressed by the results of your campaign. I am however perplexed at your opponents play. It would be interesting to know what his thought process has been. Most Axis players are aware what happens when you let Java/Sumatra "cook" for to long and surely he has read most of the AARS that give hints to the strategic impact of not being aggressive enough early as Japan. Reading these AARs is bringing back the AE itch!

paullus99 -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 5:57:44 PM)
He was probably looking forward to slaughtering a bunch of shipping, covered by perhaps a smattering of destroyers. At this point, he may try to bring down the KB to try to catch your surface forces, but given the number of fighters you can provide for air cover, that would also be a mistake at this point as well.

vettim89 -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 7:13:12 PM)
Or perhaps he was going for a full out Nuke bombardment of Oosthaven in hopes of eliminating a large prtion of the Allied Airpower before it could come to bear. It is interesting that even though WWII was the point where the CV eclipsed the BB as the premier fighting ship, both sides still needed ther BB's to do one thing: oppose the other side's BB's. The Japanese only get twelve BB's in the entire OOB. I think they only have 22 CA's (IIRC). The USN alone gets 12 fast BB's not counting the old BB's. COnsidering the Cleveland and Brookly class CL's are just as good as the IJN CA's and it is a bad thing for the IJN to have its surface forces whittled away so early

Canoerebel -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 7:28:32 PM)
Yes, the IJN capital ships are Japan's Achilles Heel.� No way Steve can afford to fritter them away, but that's what's happened over the past two months. Confirmed that Astoria and one DD went under.� Only a few other Allied ships are in trouble, including DMS Southard.� BB New Mexico has moderately heavy damage, but will be safe unless she encounters a sub on the way to Colombo.� Many of the Allied ships are in good shape and will need just a few days in the yards.� Confirmed that Mutsu, Chokai and two DD went under.� I'm pretty sure that Kumano will also ("heavy fires/heavy damage").� Nagato took enough damage to require some yard time. Japan gets 18 CAs (plus some CS)., so losing any of them is big news. Elsewhere, quite.� No sign of the Mini IB near Pago Pago, but IJN shipping is drawing closer.� I think this is probably a major reinforcement effort.

paullus99 -> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! (8/27/2011 9:50:46 PM)
Of course, reinforcing exactly where you want him to & not where he needs to. Even if he does succeed in taking Pago-Pago, it doesn't get him anything (other than a long vulnerable supply line, which is now compromised by your CentPac invasions). It does seem that he is husbanding his AF, which could prove problematic when he does officially start the Sumatran campaign, but if his surface forces have been chipped away at - and if you can surprise his surface forces in the Gilberts (or at PP again), he's going to be headed back to empty cabboards.

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