RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (Full Version)

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desicat -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/3/2013 6:45:05 PM)

quote:

quote:

ORIGINAL: desicat

I'm thinking he is working along the lines of Tennessee Tuxedo and Chumly, Rough and Ready, Klondike Cat, Dudley Do Right, Mr Wizard, and the whole Fractured Fairy Tale line-up.



I am, after all, very, very old.

The real test will be if the Internets can provide art work.


Does that mean I'm old too? Gulp! To be fair I'm up here in Duluth - a lot closer to "Frostbite Falls" than you are!

The Enewetak gambit CR ran was also in early 42' so that is how I came up with it since you asked me to guess. You do have Wake so I thought you may leverage that asset.

A little entertainment for the younger or nostalgic crowd!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfEEsJ2JHQs

Edit - I just noticed an episode of "Go Go Gophers" on the side bar, wow - that brings back some memories.





BBfanboy -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/3/2013 7:45:20 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58


quote:

ORIGINAL: Encircled

I'm wary of suggesting some more British cartoons till I've checked which country has made them!

I'll stick to Disney to be on the safe side

The Indian Army marching to the Burmese border

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrQQZuLru9s


Not too far off the truth. [:)]

Given what you said about lacking the wherewithal to mount a big offensive, "The Bare Necessities" song from the Jungle Book comes to mind too!
Soon the Japanese on Johnston Island will be singing it ...[:D]




ny59giants -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/3/2013 8:46:26 PM)

If you really want to get serious, go here.

http://www.bcdb.com/




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/3/2013 9:13:20 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

No point in taking Johnson back as it is now just a POW camp


Just an example of some nuances .. the drop tank distance of a Hellcat is 25 hexes .. Pearl to Palmaya is 26 hexes . [;)] but Johnson to Palmaya is 22 hexes and then Canton Island is 22 hexes .. If island hopping of certain fighter groups is in the future Johnson Island becomes a little bit more than a POW camp ..[8D]

The big purpose I find for Johnson at this stage of the game is interlocking patrol arcs ithe Pearl/Midway ...


Island hopping planes is something else I've never done against the AI. It usually doesn't occur to me. Might change that in a PBEM.

Knowing what I know now I think Johnson's main purpose was to pull the sub base forward from Kwaj. In Decemebr and JAnuary there were usualy 5-6 subs around Hawaii. I don't know if my ASW response was abnormal for Mike's past experience, but I usually don't let subs alone off CONUS or Hawaii. Just rubs me the wrong way.

I'll be interested to someday find out if an invasion of Oahu was planned. The big air battle at Hilo seems ot have been a turning point. An Oahu invasion really requires at least one, and two better, LBA bases in range of PH.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/3/2013 9:16:17 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

If you really want to get serious, go here.

http://www.bcdb.com/


Added to my Favorites. Yikes! That's a big source.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/5/2013 2:17:57 PM)

February 28, 1942

A BB Sandwich

Last day of a mixed month. Pretty quiet day.

1) Ambon. My suspicions that Japan has Big Plans for this base are increased today when the stalled landing is aided by the arrival of a stiff bombardment force.

Night Naval bombardment of Ambon at 76,109 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Chokai
CA Atago
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9
Port hits 2

Based on time since the landing hung up--about three days--my best guess is these guys are homeported at Babel-de-bob. I'll file that away for SubPac. I doubt they'll hang around, but I'm once again wondering if it's worth the fuel to move Force Z over to the Timor area. Against this TF it would be a helluva fight, and right now Z is a one-shot due to ammo reloads, but OTOH sinking or crippling one modern BB might be worth it. I doubt Z can get into position fast enough, but this TF might show up again at another island in March. The cold wind of the amphib bonus ending is starting to blow.

The attack on Ambon after this drubbing is somewhat successful for Japan, but the base holds again. I'm regretting moving most of the garrison to Timor, leaving just this fragement. These guys can fight.

Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1442 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Defending force 1473 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Japanese adjusted assault: 19

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF

Defending units:
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Molukken Garrison Bn /1
Ambon Base Force

2) Singers supply at about 21,000, so I take a chance and turn on replacements for almost all the combat LCUs. I just finished a microscopic Tracker session on each one, and it did help. (That and Perceval's boot.) AV on most are up 2-3 in one day, despite the pools being empty. Disruption is at zero throughout the base, and some disabled squads get up on the line again. A fair bit of Support squads arrive (those pools are fat.) My Indian divisions are hollow, with next to no infantry after the battles down the penninsula, but the two Aussie formations, the rock of the defense, are in pretty good shape and have great leadership.

I even get 5 fort-build points in as his air efforts focused on Palembang. Probably a waste of supply, but you never know.

3) The AA at Bataan falls silent in three bombing attacks. He has to have noticed.

4) B-17s return to Miri with light numbers but meet no CAP either. No Oil hits, but a number of TFs are observed in port. AFAIK northern Borneo is the only petroleum flowing home. Balikpapan shows nothing in port.

5) Japanese are methodically taking all Celebes bases without opposition or observation.

6) UNDERDOG proceeds. All ships at sea now.

And so we arrive at March. USS Hornet in twelve days. Many aircraft models, especially precious Wildcats, step up the production. On the first day the Allies still hold Singers, Bataan, Clark, Palembang, Mandalay, Wake, Tarawa, Makin, Canton, Baker, all of the Aleutians, Rabaul, all of NG but one base, Batavia, Soerbaja, Darwin, and, thankfully, Pearl Harbor. Things could be worse.




ny59giants -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/5/2013 3:14:21 PM)

Force Z - I value Prince of Wales a lot due to her huge AA numbers. I like this force to survive and be my SC TF that leads the Allied CV (American and Brit) around the map as my early '42 "Death Star." A trained up American CV force with the 3 Brit CVs in mid-42 can be a force that can take on KB (away from LBA). Yes, that short window between May (some Avengers on board) and the re-sizing of carrier air groups in July. I also place a Marine fighter group of 18 planes each on the 5 American CV (except Wasp). Having 45 fighters per CV makes me sleep better. [;)]

Indian Replacements - Do you want the slow amount of Indian infantry (the number go up significantly in '43) to go to Singer or to fill out those in India?? I ask, because most of your troops in Singapore are below 50 in experience which means 1/2 their AV. Adding more troops will actually lower their experience levels. Just a quick cost vs benefit analysis.

Vindicators - They may be old and slow, but they have a great transfer range and with drop tanks can hit far from a level two base with those 1000 lbers. [8D] Can you use them for hit and run in the greater SRA area to cause havoc where he doesn't have fighters??




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/5/2013 6:47:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Force Z - I value Prince of Wales a lot due to her huge AA numbers. I like this force to survive and be my SC TF that leads the Allied CV (American and Brit) around the map as my early '42 "Death Star." A trained up American CV force with the 3 Brit CVs in mid-42 can be a force that can take on KB (away from LBA). Yes, that short window between May (some Avengers on board) and the re-sizing of carrier air groups in July. I also place a Marine fighter group of 18 planes each on the 5 American CV (except Wasp). Having 45 fighters per CV makes me sleep better. [;)]

Indian Replacements - Do you want the slow amount of Indian infantry (the number go up significantly in '43) to go to Singer or to fill out those in India?? I ask, because most of your troops in Singapore are below 50 in experience which means 1/2 their AV. Adding more troops will actually lower their experience levels. Just a quick cost vs benefit analysis.

Vindicators - They may be old and slow, but they have a great transfer range and with drop tanks can hit far from a level two base with those 1000 lbers. [8D] Can you use them for hit and run in the greater SRA area to cause havoc where he doesn't have fighters??


I've never had POW long enough in an AI game to practice. For sure she is the best Allied BB until North Carolina comes out. I have been saving Z for use in Sumatra/Java, and to be truthful I'll probably try to save it for that, but the appeal of getting a rare IJN modern BB is high. I sense Mike depends on the BBs as a security blanket more than I do from the Allied side. Z has been hanging around Cocos a long time now too. CR's experience this week has sobered me up as to how safe the IO is to hide in. I've been keeping them in port to hold down system damage--POW only has one after being at sea continuously since 12/7--but he only has to get lucky once. Cocos is still trying to get the AF to 1. It has patrol planes, but no real air defense.

The infantry pools are empty, so I think Singers pulling any in are moot. Still, if they weren't, I'd pull. Singers is the best force multiplier on the map right now. By recon there are 33 LCUs tied down there, including a huge portion of his infantry, and probaby 25% of his air force. Every day he loses bombers. Every day I get stronger in Burma. The Indian army in 1943 is nice, but I have lots of infantry and armor by then and in late spring Aden opens to the world. Tracker sez that what turning replacements on is doing mostly is pulling in support, which helps everything else in the hex, including combat. And I've never studied disablement closely, but I think the PPs I spent on high admin COs is paying off too.

I used the Vindicators to hit an airfield on Celebes yesterday. They did OK, but there was nothing to hit yet. They've mostly recovered from getting shredded at Djambi. I keep waiting for an assault on Java, but it's still a ways away I think.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/5/2013 11:13:01 PM)

After running the turn Singers and JB now have 44 LCUs in residence. I think he intends to make the next one count. I'm assuming a Shock.

Movement dots seen at Manila and Lingayan aimed at Clark. I think he noticed.

I did tell Force Z to mosey SE a bit. Got a replenishment TF organized at PErth and heading to someplace it will be useful if a high speed advance to the rear is needed. The bombardment TF is gone; I vectored a Dutch sub into what I think would be the withdrawl course if Babel-d is the homeport.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 6:52:37 PM)

March 1, 1942

Big Brass Ones

1) Further evidence Ambon is important: Japan today shows a carrier TF of some kind SOUTH of the cloud of subs clogging the Makassar Strait. Vindicators, flying at extreme range in order to harrass ASW TFs, are jumped by fighters. Despite a combat report which shows three lost, in reality all eight in the flight are gone. The model is out of production.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 63,99

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-44 Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44 Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
Chitose Ku S-1 Det with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

I assume this TF is there to CAP the BBs at Ambon yesterday. If it stays I assume the BBs might be back. Staying is dangerous, but so were those subs it drove through. If it withdraws my best guess is not back north past the subs, but east past Kendari. I might be able to put assets in that path.

2) Ambon holds again.

Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1374 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Defending force 1412 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34

Japanese adjusted assault: 30

Allied adjusted defense: 31

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

3) Singers supply, with combat LCUs on Replacements=Yes, and building Forts, still has over 20,000 supply. AV improves a bit again. Bombing lessens markedly, possibly due to extreme damage every day from AA, and what does come in is directed at the port and supply ships. Only one already in the yard is hit. The let-up on the AF allows 8% Forts 4 to be built in two days. The shift says he may not have a good answer to the Singers rock-paper-scissors. Supply has to stop, and actions in the PI show a preference for waiting until supply is gone to attack. OTOH, time is a factor. LCUs at Singers show 38 and 12 more at JB. To stop the supply runs he has to put max effort into naval strikes and not just the AF, and/or send in surface enforcers and risk my TBs and DBs. The longer Japan waits the more air power can come in from CT. But if he shifts the Netties to naval he lets up on the AF and forts progress back toward 4.

4) This has gone on long enough that Palembang is being pressured on supply production. It has no LI and depends on the refineries to throw off supply. But since Djambi has been lost the oil stocks are very low. I considered sending the British 18th Div up the road to eject the Japanese from Djambi, but they would be meat out on the roads. Instead I have several 40k to 50k pure supply convoys headed in from CT. They will dock at Oosthaven. The railroad to Palembang is still open. Unloading will be slow and I will lose some to spoilage, but it's doable.

5) Escorted Chinese bombers hit the stack just west of Tuang Gyi. I have blocked the road to its south and am moving Chinese corps down both hexsides to the NW and NE. The AVG bombs and strafes (they have excellent strafe ratings) the LCUs headed cross-country for Akyab. There are several attacks; this is an example:

Morning Air attack on 15th Guards Regiment, at 58,48 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-40E Warhawk bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 6th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 15th Guards Regiment ...

6) Two raids on Samarinda oil yield 1 Oil damage point. It's not much, but these raids do add up over time, as well as demand engineer committment to repair.

7) SS Grayback attacks a convoy in the Sea of Japan. No hits, but they are regular as a train through here. The dice will work eventually. More subs headed to the HI.

8) At Cagayan the Allies do a probing attack with one LCU to test the make-up of the stack in the hex. Debating making an all-out attempt to force some retreats before the base is starved out. It has Forts 3, and that's a lot to give up, but time is not on its side either. This is the correlation of forces. The P.I. units have some organic supply each. The base is about zeroed.

Assaulting units:
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
2nd/101st PA Battalion
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
1st /101st PA Battalion
3rd/101st PA Battalion
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
III Philippine Corps

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
82nd Naval Guard Unit

9) After much thought and visualization of buyer's remorse, I let Lex and Saratoga go into upgrade cycle at San Diego. The UNDERDOG twin carriers should be enough by themselves, Hornet arrives in ten days, and the Lex/Sara duo really need that first upgrade to be competitive IMO. I hope it was a good decision.




Alfred -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 8:03:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

March 1, 1942

Big Brass Ones

... 6) Two raids on Samarinda oil yield 1 Oil damage point. It's not much, but these raids do add up over time, as well as demand engineer committment to repair...

... 8) At Cagayan the Allies do a probing attack with one LCU to test the make-up of the stack in the hex. Debating making an all-out attempt to force some retreats before the base is starved out. It has Forts 3, and that's a lot to give up, but time is not on its side either. This is the correlation of forces. The P.I. units have some organic supply each. The base is about zeroed.

Assaulting units:
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
2nd/101st PA Battalion
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
1st /101st PA Battalion
3rd/101st PA Battalion
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
III Philippine Corps

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
82nd Naval Guard Unit
...


(a) engineers are not required to effect repairs to industrial facilities

(b) before counter attacking at Cagayan, check to see if you can recombine those units. You might have enough present to reconstitute a division. Certainly the individual battalions may be enough to reconstitute a regiment. Always better to attack with a single big unit rather than its sub components.

Alfred




BBfanboy -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 9:03:46 PM)

Are you reasonably sure he will leave those convoys at Oosthaven alone? Does the DL for the base show any recon?

PS - meant to add that I am awed by your management of the Singers/Palembang situation. Certainly your opponent made a mistake in not bringing the big hammer yet, but you have confounded all his attempts to up the ante. Bravo Zulu, o partially brass one! [&o][&o]




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 9:04:55 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

March 1, 1942

Big Brass Ones

... 6) Two raids on Samarinda oil yield 1 Oil damage point. It's not much, but these raids do add up over time, as well as demand engineer committment to repair...

... 8) At Cagayan the Allies do a probing attack with one LCU to test the make-up of the stack in the hex. Debating making an all-out attempt to force some retreats before the base is starved out. It has Forts 3, and that's a lot to give up, but time is not on its side either. This is the correlation of forces. The P.I. units have some organic supply each. The base is about zeroed.

Assaulting units:
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
2nd/101st PA Battalion
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
1st /101st PA Battalion
3rd/101st PA Battalion
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
III Philippine Corps

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
82nd Naval Guard Unit
...


(a) engineers are not required to effect repairs to industrial facilities

(b) before counter attacking at Cagayan, check to see if you can recombine those units. You might have enough present to reconstitute a division. Certainly the individual battalions may be enough to reconstitute a regiment. Always better to attack with a single big unit rather than its sub components.

Alfred


a) Did not know that. Thanks.

b) Arrgh. Too late. Turn sent back with attack ordered. Did not notice the unit numbers. Whatever survives I'll combine.

Good to see you in these parts.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 9:12:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Are you reasonably sure he will leave those convoys at Oosthaven alone? Does the DL for the base show any recon?


He has put a sub on Oosthaven's doorstep on occasion. I do not think he is actively reconning it.

There is aviation support at Oosthaven and it has fighters about 50% of the time. It's a repair base for P. Also, there is a permanent USN sub in the single hex between Oost. and Merak. Also, Force Z is near Cocos. Also, the TBs are either at P. or Batavia.

I would like him to risk combatants to come get 10 xAKs. Japanese players who risk the IJN to kill Allied merchants need to play the Allies. Even now it's a rare day 1-3 merchants aren't delivered somewhere on the map. I have about 70 of them sitting in WC ports waiting for the situation around Hawaii to resolve. And the Liberty ship program hasn't kicked in yet.

Playing this first PBEM I've come to really love Oosthaven. It's optimally located, has a railroad, can be reached with very little risk off the IO, and is in range of several very powerful Allied bases. I've let it build fuel from Palembang and that's what's suplying the growing force at Cocos. Without that Force Z would have had to risk pulling in to Batavia several times already.




BBfanboy -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 9:20:14 PM)

There is also a refuelling base halfway down the IO side of Java. Starts with a D, I think, has a fortress. It draws fuel from Soerabaja, just like Batavia does, but of course the port is smaller.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 9:22:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Are you reasonably sure he will leave those convoys at Oosthaven alone? Does the DL for the base show any recon?

PS - meant to add that I am awed by your management of the Singers/Palembang situation. Certainly your opponent made a mistake in not bringing the big hammer yet, but you have confounded all his attempts to up the ante. Bravo Zulu, o partially brass one! [&o][&o]


Edit crossed in the mail.

The P-S axis has been the most interesting part of the game so far. I think Japan erred by splitting attention between the PI and Malaysia, and then sub-splitting P. and Singers. I still do not how much, if any, LCU force he set up to take Hawaii, but with no HRs on moving across borders I thought I'd have faced an avalanche of ground force by now, and I haven't. The island landings have been very economical. There's no rampaging hammer coming across China. There are some big stacks, but nothing I woudln't have expected if there had been an HR and PP required investment. Letting Singers get to Forts 4 made all the difference. With Forts 2 that first assault might still have failed, but it would have likely knocked them to zero, and the next would have taken Singers. And 40ish LCUs would be headed for Burma most likely.

If P. and S. fell tomorrow I'd feel they had done their jobs. I think Singers will go on the next attack(s) given the number of LCUs massing. But I should get at least 5000 more Japanese casualties. And he still won't have a handle on P. and the fuel. It's not a fortress, but there's enough there to take some big landings. A campaign from the north will take weeks. And Oosthaven will be expensive, although with Singers' air field in operation he can really pound on my navy. At some point I'll need to decide what P. is worth. And hope the taking wrecks it. [:)]




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 9:26:29 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

There is also a refuelling base halfway down the IO side of Java. Starts with a D, I think, has a fortress. It draws fuel from Soerabaja, just like Batavia does, but of course the port is smaller.


The old spellng of Jakarta? Djakarta? Tillijap (sp?) is also a decent little base. Haven't looked at fuel, but it has a good AF and several Dutch air units are delivered straight there.

Thanks for the tip on Djakarta. Z is moseying and will need a drink soon. The replenishment TF from Perth is low volume.




ny59giants -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/6/2013 9:43:24 PM)

Looking back on my current game as Japan (PBEM now in 2/44), I did quite well in capturing Singapore on 31 Dec '41. I use the Mersing Gambit and committed 6 or 7 division to the conquest. My inexperience was in exploiting this quicker. Taking Singapore quickly is priority #1 in my book. Going into March '42 with it still in Allied hands is a strategic victory for you as any major conquest will not happen now, IMO.

Singapore - Enough supply, but not enough AV to hold
Luzon - Enough AV, but not enough supply to hold out

The newer beta patch which turns back on Light Industry even with enemy troops will help the defense of Singapore and Manila. I now play exclusively with stacking limits, so Manila is a better choice. Especially, with the LI back on.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 1:44:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Looking back on my current game as Japan (PBEM now in 2/44), I did quite well in capturing Singapore on 31 Dec '41. I use the Mersing Gambit and committed 6 or 7 division to the conquest. My inexperience was in exploiting this quicker. Taking Singapore quickly is priority #1 in my book. Going into March '42 with it still in Allied hands is a strategic victory for you as any major conquest will not happen now, IMO.

Singapore - Enough supply, but not enough AV to hold
Luzon - Enough AV, but not enough supply to hold out

The newer beta patch which turns back on Light Industry even with enemy troops will help the defense of Singapore and Manila. I now play exclusively with stacking limits, so Manila is a better choice. Especially, with the LI back on.


The AI usually uses 7-8 infantry divisions on Singers. Never the Mersing Gambit of course, but enough force in the shock attack to deal with Singers. I've gotten Forts 3 several times though. The AI does not do the sustained forts denial bombing humans do.

The new beta patch turning on LI does help, but I don't think it's decisive. I believe Singers gets 180 supply per day and Manila is only 100. I kept Manila until last week, and Clark and Bataan are still both zeroed out. There's simply too many mouths to feed on Luzon and far too little LI.




MateDow -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 2:10:33 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

9) After much thought and visualization of buyer's remorse, I let Lex and Saratoga go into upgrade cycle at San Diego. The UNDERDOG twin carriers should be enough by themselves, Hornet arrives in ten days, and the Lex/Sara duo really need that first upgrade to be competitive IMO. I hope it was a good decision.


I tend to skip the first upgrade that removes the 8" guns without any compensation than 1.1" AA guns because of the annoying habit of my carriers to get into surface fights. Those 8" guns at least mean that the two carriers have a chance at self-defence.

If surface battles happened as often in real life as they do in games, the US would have probably built the alternative to the Midway that was armed with dual-purpose 6" turrets and single purpose 6" guns just to give them more punch.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 2:34:33 PM)

March 2, 1942

Recon By Fire

Interesting day.

1) My old friend Johnson Island. With the dust from NEUMAN settled, the Allies decide to take the next step. Detection of 7/9 yesterday showed about 25 Zeroes present, no bombers, and importantly, no search planes. Also seen was a DD/DD/TB TF which I hoped was really the DD/mine craft TF seen to the west two days ago, now arrived at Johnson to evac the garrison. Two days ago I sent a surface TF of cruisers and destroyers on Bombardment with an aggressive CO, to catch the surface TF at best, and hit the air field at worst.

The surface TF arrives and finds no evac TF, but does find two I-boats, -18 and -22. ASW attacks damage the latter. My best guess is they are returning from CONUS patrols and are there to suck out available fuel as they fall back to the sub base at Kwajalein. No sub tender is seen any longer, and the port is far too small to supply torpedoes natively.

The bombardment does find Zeroes alone. The base damage adds to the deterioration of Johnson. As well, I am 50/50 that IJN subs saw the UNDERDOG TFs leaving San Diego. If this raid makes Japan think Johnson is the target so much the better.

Night Naval bombardment of Johnston Island at 164,112

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 22 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Chester
CL Concord
CL Raleigh
DD Helm
DD Blue

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 23
Port hits 10
Port supply hits 2

2) Strong bombing attacks resume at Singers, with a lot of AF damage and a lot of lost and damaged IJA planes. The engineers there can handle about 20 runway hits a day and still get in some fort building; I don't think forts are on the menu today. Mary and Ann raids on the port also occur. Two very small xAPs unloading supply are hit and sunk. At least one I believe was retiring at sea when hit, so some supply got in. The Fast Transport guys are also delivering almost 1000/day. One APD has 18 system damage from hard use though, and the others are also limping.

From the past bombing patterns I think a ground assault on Singers will come within two days.

3) In Burma there are four separate Allied attacks on the large stack west of Tuang Gyi and south of Magwe. Escorted Chinese bombers, and AVG P-40 and H81-A3 strafing runs, do some damage and cost a few Allied planes. This stack now has a SW movement dot. It reads on different days as 9-11 LCUs. The sole Chinese corps on the road south of it in a block is ordered to move NW into the jungle, up against the river. Japan will reacquire supply access as it passes, but if he wants to leave the Magwe vicinity I won't try to stop him. I expect once Singers is dealt with far bigger stacks will come again. Magwe has petroleum Rangoon needs.

The Chinese army continues to flow into Burma unabated. Now they are strat moving directly from Lashio to Myitkyina, where they shift to Move and jump across the jungle gap to Kohima, then by road to Dimapur, back to Strat mode, and a railroad journey into India to relieve Indian Army heavy garrison forces to themsleves move down to Burma, especially the coast between Akyab and Chittagong. By the beginning of 1943 the Allies expect Chinese troops to have assumed at least half of the India garrison load, releasing mechanized forces for offense.

4) Banshees due to withdraw on 3/15 strike the AF at Johore Bharu, but do no damage. The Allies are trying to rotate some AF strikes in the general region around Singers in order to pull CAP away from escort duty at Palembang. B-17 strikes on Singkawang ordered for this purpose do not launch due to weather. Between these efforts and the escorted ground attacks in Burma I hope to stretch the IJA fighter force as much as I can right now. Salted in will be Oil attacks to keep him honest.

5) Very heavy Betty attacks occur again on the air field at Bataan. I'm not sure why he has not shifted to troop bombing to soften up for the assault. There is no supply there to destroy and the AF has 100% runway damage already, and no planes.

6) Filipino shock atack at Cagayan goes very well. Yesterday Alfred reccoed combining the defenders' fragments before attacking, but I had sent the turn back already. Something about this stirred a memory though. Tracker tells me I had noticed this situation about ten days ago. A single frag of the 101st was in Zamboanga. I ordered it to march to Cagayan, but it is far away yet. Regardless, the Shock attack did a lot of damage and forced the Japanese to retreat in disarray to central Mindanao. The gamble of giving away the Forts paid off here. Japan repeats the mistake seen a couple of times in China of underestimating how hard poorly-supplied but numerous troops can fight--once. Also, Japan does not seem to be using a lot of HQ support in its offensive. HQs can make a great deal of difference when assaulting urban or semi-urban bases.

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 8546 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 381

Defending force 5532 troops, 44 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 221

Allied adjusted assault: 714

Japanese adjusted defense: 131

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2111 casualties reported
Squads: 60 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Allied ground losses:
621 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (6 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd/101st PA Battalion
1st /101st PA Battalion
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
III Philippine Corps
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
2nd/101st PA Battalion

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
82nd Naval Guard Unit




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 2:42:12 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MateDow


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

9) After much thought and visualization of buyer's remorse, I let Lex and Saratoga go into upgrade cycle at San Diego. The UNDERDOG twin carriers should be enough by themselves, Hornet arrives in ten days, and the Lex/Sara duo really need that first upgrade to be competitive IMO. I hope it was a good decision.


I tend to skip the first upgrade that removes the 8" guns without any compensation than 1.1" AA guns because of the annoying habit of my carriers to get into surface fights. Those 8" guns at least mean that the two carriers have a chance at self-defence.

If surface battles happened as often in real life as they do in games, the US would have probably built the alternative to the Midway that was armed with dual-purpose 6" turrets and single purpose 6" guns just to give them more punch.


I'd have to look at the upgrade, but I think the first one gives the carriers radar, which I value highly. AA capability is second to me. I try to keep my carriers out of gunfights, and if they have one they better have some big gun help. The devs have in the past (and I cannot find the thread to save my life) said that Air TFs encountering Surface TFs have an increased random roll of avoiding combat versus a Surface meeting a Surface. I've seen this in AI games. It's not full armor, but it does push the stats a bit.




BBfanboy -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 3:09:06 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58


quote:

ORIGINAL: MateDow


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

9) After much thought and visualization of buyer's remorse, I let Lex and Saratoga go into upgrade cycle at San Diego. The UNDERDOG twin carriers should be enough by themselves, Hornet arrives in ten days, and the Lex/Sara duo really need that first upgrade to be competitive IMO. I hope it was a good decision.


I tend to skip the first upgrade that removes the 8" guns without any compensation than 1.1" AA guns because of the annoying habit of my carriers to get into surface fights. Those 8" guns at least mean that the two carriers have a chance at self-defence.

If surface battles happened as often in real life as they do in games, the US would have probably built the alternative to the Midway that was armed with dual-purpose 6" turrets and single purpose 6" guns just to give them more punch.


I'd have to look at the upgrade, but I think the first one gives the carriers radar, which I value highly. AA capability is second to me. I try to keep my carriers out of gunfights, and if they have one they better have some big gun help. The devs have in the past (and I cannot find the thread to save my life) said that Air TFs encountering Surface TFs have an increased random roll of avoiding combat versus a Surface meeting a Surface. I've seen this in AI games. It's not full armor, but it does push the stats a bit.

From my sandbox games where I set up carrier VS surface engagements, I can confirm that the surface TF gets few shots at the CVs. Firstly the CV TF does immediately try to break off the engagement so it does not last long. Secondly, the CV escorts sacrifice themselves defending the CVs, so most of the shooting is between them and the SCTF.
Still, it doesn't take many 8" or larger hits to cause a carrier a lot of hurt, particularly if there is a FSE or ASE achieved. Torpedo hits are even better, but extremely rare on the CVs.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 3:17:52 PM)

In my AI games I'd say that about half the time the TF encounter animation screen appears, and the first text line is the Air TF disengaging with no shots fired. As you say, the rest it's normally a surface vs surface fight with the carriers watching, then disengagement. I've never tried it with some slow escorts mixed into the Air TF. That might lenghten the encounter.




obvert -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 3:29:14 PM)

It is possible to engage CV groups (unfortunately) but probably harder with the fast Allied CVs and their quick escorts. Still, if you flood an area, use up their ops points n the night/day phases and manage to get something big to engage late, something like this might happen ...

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3101451&mpage=1&key=

Escorts might not do as much as you'd hope to fight off a surface attack once the running is over.




MateDow -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 3:29:47 PM)

I have definitely had my carriers engaged and manage to escape, but I have also successfully attacked the Japanese carriers with cruisers. Of course, this is against the AI, so it tends to put the carriers where I can get at them with surface task forces, but it does still happen.




Alfred -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 3:36:31 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58


quote:

ORIGINAL: MateDow


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

9) After much thought and visualization of buyer's remorse, I let Lex and Saratoga go into upgrade cycle at San Diego. The UNDERDOG twin carriers should be enough by themselves, Hornet arrives in ten days, and the Lex/Sara duo really need that first upgrade to be competitive IMO. I hope it was a good decision.


I tend to skip the first upgrade that removes the 8" guns without any compensation than 1.1" AA guns because of the annoying habit of my carriers to get into surface fights. Those 8" guns at least mean that the two carriers have a chance at self-defence.

If surface battles happened as often in real life as they do in games, the US would have probably built the alternative to the Midway that was armed with dual-purpose 6" turrets and single purpose 6" guns just to give them more punch.


I'd have to look at the upgrade, but I think the first one gives the carriers radar, which I value highly. AA capability is second to me. I try to keep my carriers out of gunfights, and if they have one they better have some big gun help. The devs have in the past (and I cannot find the thread to save my life) said that Air TFs encountering Surface TFs have an increased random roll of avoiding combat versus a Surface meeting a Surface. I've seen this in AI games. It's not full armor, but it does push the stats a bit.


I could dig up other threads but this one will suffice for your needs.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2017354&mpage=1&key=intercept�

Alfred




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 4:00:21 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

It is possible to engage CV groups (unfortunately) but probably harder with the fast Allied CVs and their quick escorts. Still, if you flood an area, use up their ops points n the night/day phases and manage to get something big to engage late, something like this might happen ...

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3101451&mpage=1&key=

Escorts might not do as much as you'd hope to fight off a surface attack once the running is over.


It can happen of course. The rolls are random and even if the odds are bettered they are still odds. I think a lot of this debate goes against the individual player's attitude toward carriers. Some AE players worship them, won't go to the store without them in their pocket. Others see them as tools with purposes, but also big liabilities attached. Depending on where a player lies on this spectrum they will risk more or less to "get" one. I read your AAR battle, and I would not have done what your opponent did in risking CAs and the Nevada to get some shots in. In one AI game with surprise off I did heavy sorties on the KB as he did and the KB fell back, launched, and devastated my surface forces on the seocnd day of the war.

AE is a great game because it lets each player choose his odds to a great extent.




Bullwinkle58 -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 4:07:34 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58


quote:

ORIGINAL: MateDow


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

9) After much thought and visualization of buyer's remorse, I let Lex and Saratoga go into upgrade cycle at San Diego. The UNDERDOG twin carriers should be enough by themselves, Hornet arrives in ten days, and the Lex/Sara duo really need that first upgrade to be competitive IMO. I hope it was a good decision.


I tend to skip the first upgrade that removes the 8" guns without any compensation than 1.1" AA guns because of the annoying habit of my carriers to get into surface fights. Those 8" guns at least mean that the two carriers have a chance at self-defence.

If surface battles happened as often in real life as they do in games, the US would have probably built the alternative to the Midway that was armed with dual-purpose 6" turrets and single purpose 6" guns just to give them more punch.


I'd have to look at the upgrade, but I think the first one gives the carriers radar, which I value highly. AA capability is second to me. I try to keep my carriers out of gunfights, and if they have one they better have some big gun help. The devs have in the past (and I cannot find the thread to save my life) said that Air TFs encountering Surface TFs have an increased random roll of avoiding combat versus a Surface meeting a Surface. I've seen this in AI games. It's not full armor, but it does push the stats a bit.


I could dig up other threads but this one will suffice for your needs.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2017354&mpage=1&key=intercept?

Alfred


That's a great thread. It may be the one I'm trying to find where Don (the dev) somewhat discussed interception odds. Although I'm also remembering Michael saying something on it at least a year later.




obvert -> RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks (2/7/2013 4:12:01 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

It is possible to engage CV groups (unfortunately) but probably harder with the fast Allied CVs and their quick escorts. Still, if you flood an area, use up their ops points n the night/day phases and manage to get something big to engage late, something like this might happen ...

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3101451&mpage=1&key=

Escorts might not do as much as you'd hope to fight off a surface attack once the running is over.


It can happen of course. The rolls are random and even if the odds are bettered they are still odds. I think a lot of this debate goes against the individual player's attitude toward carriers. Some AE players worship them, won't go to the store without them in their pocket. Others see them as tools with purposes, but also big liabilities attached. Depending on where a player lies on this spectrum they will risk more or less to "get" one. I read your AAR battle, and I would not have done what your opponent did in risking CAs and the Nevada to get some shots in. In one AI game with surprise off I did heavy sorties on the KB as he did and the KB fell back, launched, and devastated my surface forces on the seocnd day of the war.

AE is a great game because it lets each player choose his odds to a great extent.


Exactly.




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