RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (Full Version)

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Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 3:55:08 AM)

OK, so I assume John will seize the Marquesas and much of the rest of SOPAC soon. That means I will concede much of this area and focus on NOPAC (AO of opportunity as John hasn't done squat in this area) and Johnston Island. If I can retain Johnston it can serve to support future moves to retake the Line Islands and into the Gilberts and Marshalls. We will supply the Oz and Indian bastions via Cape Town and fully expect NW, NE and western Oz to fall.



Capt. Harlock -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 4:15:24 AM)

quote:

We will supply the Oz and Indian bastions via Cape Town and fully expect NW, NE and western Oz to fall.


That seems a bit pessimistic. And, if the entire west and north of the continent are in Japanese hands, couldn't Netties cut off the supply routes from Cape Town?



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 6:05:07 AM)

Perhaps you're right...

December 25, 1941
1100 Hours
Canton Island

“Fire for effect on preset Yankee 3! I repeat… fire for effect on preset Yankee 3!” First Lieutenant Anthony Smith’s voice screamed into his radio handset.

Canton Island was under attack again, as the second Japanese landing force in a week (or was it the third?) stormed ashore. Japanese marines moved inland with professionalism, heedless of casualties inflicted by the makeshift American defenses.

“Damnit, LT, there are just too many of ‘em,” called out Pvt 1st Class Sam Johnson, another member of the artillery battalion that represented the only real soldiers on Canton. Numerous engineers, cooks and other second echelon units made up the bulk of the atoll’s defense. “Where the hell is the Navy?”

“Who knows, Johnson. You have another idea about how to defend this rock?”

“Sorry, Sir. But we’ve stopped two attacks in as many days. We need some relief.”

A third voice, that of Staff Sergeant “Mule” Anderson, interrupted the most unorthodox exchange. “Get down! Aircraft approaching, Sir.”

“Oh, great!” yelled Johnson as he ate the deck.

A silver blue single engine bomber arced over the invasion beaches, seeking a target. Lt. Smith remained standing, much to the horror of his men.

“LT, all due respect, but get down!” screamed Sgt. Anderson.

The young Lieutenant rarely defied the more experienced NCO, but this time he only laughed. “Sergeant, do you see those markings? That’s a biplane of the Royal Australian Air Force! It’s one of ours!”

As if to punctuate the greenhorn officer’s point, the ancient stringbag released a torpedo straight into the midships of a Japanese transport. The resulting explosion lifted the enemy ship briefly before she began to settle, her back broken. Seconds later, more Imperial transports blossomed into flame as 1,000 lb bombs from Dauntlesss dive bombers found their marks.

Just like that, the impetus of the Japanese attack faltered.

Sergeant Anderson found his voice. “Pour it on ‘em, boys!”

The enemy troops suddenly broke and ran for the pitiful cover of the beaches. Canton Island would hold another day.

CAV Charlotte, Flagship, Southern Cross Force, 120 nm NW of Canton Island

“Strike planes are secure, Sir. What are your orders?”

Rear Admiral Wilson Brown watched as the last Dauntless caught a trip wire on the deck below. His brow furrowed as he spoke. “What news from Canton?”

“Canton Defense Command reports the enemy assault is broken, Sir. Japanese troops are hunkered down on the beach under withering fire.” Captain Steven Halstrom responded with a smile.

“Then our work here is done, Captain. Set course for Pearl Harbor. And Captain… inform the surface combat forces they are welcome to visit Canton before they rendezvous with us at Pearl.”

“Aye, Sir.” Captain Halstrom’s voice had the confident tone of the victor. It was a far cry from the shock of December 7th. The Allies had begun to fight back.



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 6:16:34 AM)

Merry Christmas!!

Another fun day… [;)][&o]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Namlea at 76,108, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-7, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Dairen Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAP Hoten Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires
xAP Tsingtao Maru
xAP Taizan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAP Keihuku Maru
xAP Ussuri Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Kasado Maru, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
CL Java, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
DD Van Ghent

Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Canton Island at 153,143

Japanese Ships
xAK Ehime Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Fukui Maru
xAK Yosida Maru #1
xAK Nitiryu Maru
xAK Nissho Maru
xAK Akasi Maru
xAK China Maru
xAK Nanman Maru
PB Kohuku Maru
PB Kaikei Maru
PB Ikunta Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 153,143

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
SBD-1 Dauntless x 12
F2A-3 Buffalo x 7
Swordfish II x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Nitiryu Maru
xAK Kyosei Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Atlantic Maru
xAK Shofuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Venice Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kogyoku Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 418 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 121

Defending force 1509 troops, 18 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Assault collapses, survivors seek cover

Japanese ground losses:
581 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Maizuru Assault Division
53rd Nav Gd /5
52nd Naval Guard Unit
24th JNAF AF Unit /1

Defending units:
260th Field Artillery Battalion
142nd USN Stn Base Force
45th Base Group
[&o]



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 5:21:24 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

We will supply the Oz and Indian bastions via Cape Town and fully expect NW, NE and western Oz to fall.


That seems a bit pessimistic. And, if the entire west and north of the continent are in Japanese hands, couldn't Netties cut off the supply routes from Cape Town?


To make a more substantive response, even if John owns Perth, unless he controls bases on the eastern side of the Great Australian Bight I believe we could avoid Netties by diverting to the south map edge and come up just west of Tasmania.

That said, obviously not an ideal solution, but assuming the Japanese have the Marquesas (which John likes to do when he goes heavy SOPAC), I don't see any way to slip past toward NZ or Oz from the east. I also see no way of stopping him from holding the Marquesas for the forseeable future.

However, his big move into SOPAC actually plays well into my overall war strategy, and without taking China or strat bombing in Oz (prohibited by house rule through July '43) I can't see him getting to auto victory.



zuluhour -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 9:10:12 PM)

Nice invasion interruptus! [&o]



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 9:22:30 PM)

Thanks. Here is a look at the CVL Charlotte, one of the four small "CAVs" that make up the heart of Southern Cross Force. They have good speed, some armor, a nice suite of 6 and 5 inch guns, and two small squadrons of aircraft. All in all a useful asset, if fragile.

My fear is that the enemy CVs raiding between Pago Pago and Fiji, which have disappeared from the map, catch us tomorrow with a speed run. However, we have picket DDs posted S, SW and SE of Canton and they were not overflown by enemy aircraft on the 25th, so hopefully we get away cleanly.



[image]local://upfiles/29885/425923C643184D629E612D30CC56C884.jpg[/image]



zuluhour -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (11/26/2014 10:56:39 PM)

What are there upgrades for them? I have to find the scenario info again.



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/3/2014 9:53:51 PM)

December 22 – 30, 1941

This is slightly more than a week, but Thanksgiving got in the way of regular updates.

NOPAC

We have taken advantage of John’s lack of movement up here to re-supply and shore up the Canadian coastal bases and improve air patrols. Anchorage got a good fuel delivery and will soon get some supplies as well.

Of even more interest, the lack of attacks on Hawaii convinced Cribtop HQ to divert the Pearl regiment that starts at San Francisco to Umnak Island. Rationale is that Umnak plus Dutch Harbor provide a nice forward base pair and that winter rules mean that a regiment on Umnak secures it until April. We also have a bunch of Canadian xAPs heading to San Fran to pick up various support units (base force, AA, coastal arty).

There may be a race to Umnak, however, as John lands by FT TF on Amchitka late in the week. He forgot to attack and thus hadn’t taken the base as of the Dec 30 replay. Our NOPAC cruiser force is just a few hexes away and is waiting for a chance to pounce on an invasion of Adak or the islands nearby.

CENTPAC

The first run of supplies and reinforcements arrive at Pearl tomorrow. We had a small convoy of xAKLs out ahead of this TF to sniff out Japanese monsters on the route, but they found nothing.

Southern Cross Force has been the source of action and consternation. After the nice intercept at Canton, our BC force ran into 2 IJN DDs near Christmas Island and damaged one. The CA force intercepted a bombardment TF based on one of the older IJN BBs and several CLs. After a few rounds without much joy either way, both forces disengaged. All 3 elements of the SC Force then retired and will arrive at Pearl soon. They will refuel, refit, and head south toward Tahiti. Interestingly, the move of this force to Canton and Palmyra was interpreted by John as an abandonment of SOPAC by yours truly. In reality, it was an aggressive action and an effort to avoid his raiding carriers that popped up off Pago Pago a while back. John claims he will re-evaluate his plans for SOPAC as a result. The more he heads in that direction, the happier I’ll be.

We are reinforcing Johnston Island with a Marine Defense Battalion. No idea whether John wants this base too.

Repairs at Pearl are going well. We will soon have a second BB ready for action (Oklahoma came out of repairs a few days back and Idaho is next). All non-Battleship assets will be finished with repairs by around the end of January.

SOPAC

John lands more forces at Canton and Palmyra and overruns the brave defenders here. At least we made his life difficult, sank some ships and trashed several SNLF units. No move on the Marquesas after all (yet), so our convoys resume movement toward Tahiti. Contrary to John’s assumptions, we have committed 2nd Marine Regt to Tahiti. It should arrive on the QE soon, and ultimately will move to Pago Pago. Suva is starting to receive reinforcements out of the normal queue and is up to more than 200 AS without any real effort on my part.

SWPAC

John invades Buna and takes Milne Bay. He also bombs the crippled CL Perth hiding at Buin and forces her to run. She promptly sinks. On the upside, CL Adelaide was hiding at Vella LaVella and jumps an invasion TF landing troops at Buin. In two engagements, we believe she sank 3 PBs and 3 xAKs. Adelaide is now retiring to Oz. Score another hit for Operation Groundhog.

The Oz bastions are fully formed, with Sydney and Melbourne each sporting 1,000 ish AS. In addition, the refugee air forces from the PI and Singers have collected at Melbourne and are training up. Finally, the survivors of the Thundering Herd dropped about 90,000 tons of fuel as they pulled into Melbourne. Time to think about garrisoning Noumea soon. Force Z will arrive at Sydney in a few days. I will have to decide where to send them and whether to ship the former Singers air force to India or stay in Oz. Currently leaning toward the latter course.

ABDA

The Dutch surface fleet splits in the face of the Hiryu/Soryu task force and both get away! One element is disbanded at Normanton while the enemy scours the Gulf of Carpentaria for them. The other flees west toward Soerabaja.

The Japanese continue to steamroll over the Dutch, taking Samarinda and Balikpapan despite the efforts of a million Allied subs. He is consolidating his hold on southern Sumatra and has begun sweeping Java in small numbers. The line is breached here, no surprise.

Singers is buttoned up tight and made forts 3. We await the final assault.

Burma

John seized Moulmein, although we got even the Tavoy forces out first. This was the trigger to flee to Mandalay, so we did. Rangoon will fall as soon as the IJA can march there. We have a single harassment unit that snuck into Thailand from the rear and is threatening the bases near Rahaeng. Fun!

India

18th Division safely arrives at Karachi, as does the first big fuel TF from Kuwait. Everything here looks good. We may scrape up something to try to hold Akyab for a while, but this effort will not decrease the Karachi or Bombay garrisons.

China

Things are almost organized here as the truce continues through Jan 8th. The fight begins soon. It will be interesting to see whether John puts much effort into this front, he usually doesn’t.

Other

We tried to get clever, sending the 6 inch gun subs (Narwhal and Nautilus) into Japanese home waters. Intention was for the subs to catch unescorted merchies and hope the subs attacked on the surface using their guns instead of the crappy USN torps. Narwhal finds an unescorted ship near Sakhalin Island but unfortunately launches two rounds of dud torps instead of using guns. This tactic may yet bear fruit. Perhaps wildly aggressive sub skippers would help?



HansBolter -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/4/2014 10:48:31 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Thanks. Here is a look at the CVL Charlotte, one of the four small "CAVs" that make up the heart of Southern Cross Force. They have good speed, some armor, a nice suite of 6 and 5 inch guns, and two small squadrons of aircraft. All in all a useful asset, if fragile.

My fear is that the enemy CVs raiding between Pago Pago and Fiji, which have disappeared from the map, catch us tomorrow with a speed run. However, we have picket DDs posted S, SW and SE of Canton and they were not overflown by enemy aircraft on the 25th, so hopefully we get away cleanly.



[image]local://upfiles/29885/425923C643184D629E612D30CC56C884.jpg[/image]



Don't forget to examine their upgrade.

They lose the foredeck guns and acquire a full flight deck and increased aircraft capacity to become full CVLs.

I believe its a 4 month down time.

And a very big YES on wildly aggressive sub commanders.

I have seen players complain that the Dutch subs never use their guns.

I have never had that problem. Give them 70+ aggression commanders and they WILL use their guns.

And don't overlook the Surcouf with its pair of 8" guns. This is a truly marvelous unit as it also has a cargo capacity of 250. Couple it with the US SSTs and you have an ability to land some supply with your paratroop raiders along with the 8" gun support it provides.



BBfanboy -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/4/2014 6:12:48 PM)

Several of the BBs including the 3 Colorado class can do upgrades in January 42. IIRC, the AA upgrade isn't much but it gives their first radar so it is worthwhile.
Are you going to do the upgrades or do you have other plans for the BBs?



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/4/2014 10:55:53 PM)

I'll probably do the upgrades. The only safe use for the slow BBs I can currently imagine is NOPAC (where they are probably overkill), or to bombard Johnston Island if John heads that way. I will probably keep back the two repaired BBs for a little while to see whether he invades Johnston.



HansBolter -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/5/2014 10:29:06 AM)

Made a couple of mistakes in that last post going on memory.

It isn't the upgrade that converts the CLVs to CVLs. Its the conversion that does it.

They gain a capacity of 30 and I was correct on the conversion time of 120 days.

I also made a mistake on the Surcouf.

A check last night showed it has a cargo capacity of 274. Although I have to wonder if that isn't because it is currently low on torpedoes and headed back to port for replenishment.

I also overlooked the fact that it can carry a single float plane.

It doesn't enter equipped with one and I haven't gotten around to finding one to place on it.




Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/5/2014 1:24:32 PM)

Surcouf is one crazy sub - I'll have to look into it!

Will definitely convert the CAVs to CVLs when the time comes.



paullus99 -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/5/2014 1:55:56 PM)

Hopefully after you've trimmed some of John's CVs out of the OOB.



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/5/2014 2:15:25 PM)

[:D]



Q-Ball -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/5/2014 4:35:55 PM)

Side note, and maybe this is more for John, but I feel like from a naval architecture standpoint, having 9 x 6 in guns and a hanger on a ship with decent belt and deck armor on 11,500 tons displacement is impossible.

I'm not an expert, but the armor and armament alone are close to full weight for an 11,500 ton cruisers capable of making 32kts. Add to that the weight from 18 planes, plus the av gas, bombs, torpedos, parts, flight deck, steam catapult, and all that stuff, that ship should be keeling over in a stiff breeze.

Not to mention planes have to land from the rear in order to take advantage of the headwind. What happens to an SBD on that ship that overshoots the short flight deck? I wouldn't want to be stationed in that first turret.....

I realize this is kind of a fantasy scenario, but I think these are not realistic.

I would like to play with the Constellation BCs, which were real, but those Charlotte-class CVLs look to me like pure fantasy



BBfanboy -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/5/2014 4:54:00 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Made a couple of mistakes in that last post going on memory.

It isn't the upgrade that converts the CLVs to CVLs. Its the conversion that does it.

They gain a capacity of 30 and I was correct on the conversion time of 120 days.

I also made a mistake on the Surcouf.

A check last night showed it has a cargo capacity of 274. Although I have to wonder if that isn't because it is currently low on torpedoes and headed back to port for replenishment.

I also overlooked the fact that it can carry a single float plane.

It doesn't enter equipped with one and I haven't gotten around to finding one to place on it.



I wonder if the cargo capacity on Surcouf occupies the aircraft hangar? Let us know if/when you get a seaplane for it. I don't think it would be inappropriate to PM John III about what kind of aircraft to look for.



Capt. Harlock -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/5/2014 7:29:28 PM)

quote:

Side note, and maybe this is more for John, but I feel like from a naval architecture standpoint, having 9 x 6 in guns and a hanger on a ship with decent belt and deck armor on 11,500 tons displacement is impossible.

I'm not an expert, but the armor and armament alone are close to full weight for an 11,500 ton cruisers capable of making 32kts. Add to that the weight from 18 planes, plus the av gas, bombs, torpedos, parts, flight deck, steam catapult, and all that stuff, that ship should be keeling over in a stiff breeze.


Well, in the Charlotte's favor, the main guns are grouped together to save weight, and deck armor of 50 is not much. I have to agree about the speed, however: an engine plant that can give 32 knots would be more than the rest of the ship's equipage would leave room for.



zuluhour -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/7/2014 4:27:50 PM)

looking forward to a little surface action in NorPac......



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/11/2014 4:41:11 AM)

Not quite time for a weekly update, but I will say this - based on the orders I just issued, CLs Helena, Anchorage and 4 DDs are bearing down on two large approaching enemy invasion TFs. One is reported by SigInt to contain Karafuto Mixed Brigade heading for Umnak. And there's a lone IJN CVL (presumably Nisshin) prowling around. Next turn could be wildly entertaining, hopefully for the Allies.

If I can turn back the Umnak invasion I have a regiment and support troops inbound. If not, we'll set up shop at another base just behind Dutch Harbor and build an airfield there.



DOCUP -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/12/2014 1:07:42 AM)

More Updates. [:D]



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/12/2014 3:27:34 AM)

Well,

John is raiding near Tahiti and caught a French convoy, sinking some worthless stuff and a few nice xAPs, which is a bummer.

In NOPAC, we danced. He sent cruisers into Umnak Island and left the CVL sitting just to the SW. His invasion fleet pulled back into the icy waters N of Adak. As a result, my ships missed him, ending up SW of Adak as they swept the approach vectors his TFs were on last turn and then moved in a way I hoped would avoid aerial retribution. Basically, we both swing and miss and can try for Round 2. I'm in a tough spot to try to get to Umnak without getting crushed by his CVL, so I'll have to think things through. Hmmm...



jmalter -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/12/2014 6:35:21 AM)

hey Cribtop, I'm gonna follow this AAR, as it sounds like bulk fun.

my .02 is, watch your fuel stock at Cape Town. Look at all your diasporators headed there, set them to 'Do not refuel'. Don't let arriving refugees empty CT's fuel, rather, only give fuel to loaded convoys exiting CT for an on-map base.

Dunno what your scenario gives you for 'CD-convoy' re-supply at CT, but if DBB is any guide, you won't get nearly enough fuel. You'll want to ship lots of fuel to CT from EC, don't hesitate to use half-load AKs for this purpose. Get yourself a million fuel at CT, it'll take 18 months or more, but *don't* let CT run dry. Hang on to Perth if you can - but even if you can't, CT means nothing if there's no fuel there to bring its supply to India or Oz.



zuluhour -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/16/2014 12:21:45 AM)

I am not going to read John's. At all. That said, he is ambitious, wait for it, wait for it...



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/17/2014 2:06:20 AM)

Owe you guys a weekly update and a question: Is there a justification to sortie my CVs for the limited purpose of ensuring reinforcement of Tahiti and/or the Marquesas. Stay tuned!



BBfanboy -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/17/2014 3:45:23 AM)

Depends on how critical those two bases are to your strategic plans (i.e. don't risk a strategic asset for something that is not strategically vital) and the degree of threat that you could encounter - i.e. can KB reach that far and strike at your CVs and convoy. (I assume you are not strong enough to go head-to-head with KB yet.)



zuluhour -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/17/2014 10:54:01 AM)

+1 The degree of threat would have my full attention. Any chance of getting some seaplane bases up first for some early warning? I think John would not hesitate to use flank speed for a shot on the CVs early.



Cribtop -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/18/2014 3:12:40 AM)

The basic dilemma is this: When John raided with CVs near Suva, I thought I should run Southern Cross Force to the NE. I figured good way to both evade the IJN carriers and hit his invasions of Canton Island and the Line Islands, which worked out ok. BUT, John interpreted that as abandonment of SOPAC and is now hanging two CVLs and what looks like an SCTF in the neighborhood of the Marquesas and Tahiti, clearly sniffing for resistance and finding little. This is because the resistance - in the form of a Marine Regiment and logistics troops, phase 1 of the reinforcements for SOPAC - are being forced to loiter near the East map edge by his CVLs.

There is no evidence John has his CVs lurking to pounce or is using the CVLs as bait. If I went, I would use multiple DDs (and I'm already using multiple subs) as pickets. Not much chance of getting Cats down there. My CVs chase off his CVLs, we reinforce and prove we haven't abandoned SOPAC, we run like hell.

On the other hand, while I planned to build up Tahiti and Pago Pago, they aren't essential to my plans. My only fear is auto vic if I really do abandon SOPAC to its fate, but that seems unlikely in a game where John can't strat bomb Oz and probably won't try to conquer China.

So, what do y'all think? Go or no go? Keep in mind that by necessity some of the CV air groups are still Buffaloes. These guys are NOT ready to fight anything like a real KB, and they aren't intended do.

I have a lean but don't want to prejudice your responses by revealing it.



Mike McCreery -> RE: The Arsenal of Idiocracy - Cribtop (A) vs John 3rd (J) - BTS Mod (12/18/2014 3:35:20 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Owe you guys a weekly update and a question: Is there a justification to sortie my CVs for the limited purpose of ensuring reinforcement of Tahiti and/or the Marquesas. Stay tuned!


No

You can support John's assumptions that you will be reinforcing or attacking in that area without putting the CV's directly at risk.

What he cannot see he will worry about. Use surface fleets and whatever other assets you have to draw him in.

John is too aggressive and if he manages to catch your CV's he might be able to push to AV. As it stands you are not going to let that happen as you have already explained via China and no strat bombing.



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