RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (Full Version)

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njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/4/2015 6:55:14 PM)

Thanks Gents, some good feedback here.

I look back on my previous game which reveals just how hard it is to sink US Fleet CVs in a DBB scenario.

Last game approx. 40 CVEs were sunk and nearly all by air action. They were vulnerable to pilots with only experience in the low 50s and kamikazes also had a field day. I found only when they were covered by mass land based CAP were they hard to get at.

US Fleet CVs a completely different story. Whilst quite a few were damaged, I believe only 6 were sunk outright and none taken out by air alone. The vast majority were sunk in surface combat around the home islands and at least 2 destroyed by CD guns( a long story) !

The moral of the story here US Fleet CVs are largely invulnerable to air attack alone in a conventional sense. The only chance against them has to be a combined arms approach which involves air (land based and KB), surface forces and subs. Perhaps the easiest way of reducing their combat power if you can't hit their ships is destroying their air wings with massive sweeps and CAP.

Regardless as Lowpe correctly points out, it is all about mass and concentration of effort which is easier to achieve the closer you are to home.

Cheers





quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

You need mass. Volume. Thousands of planes and pilots. You have to overwhelm the defenders. Is it worth it?

Very hard to do.

I like NJP's approach.

Plus, it is easier to defend closer to home.




njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/13/2015 6:56:53 AM)

Update Dec 43

Still very quiet but clearly something is building. Heavy sig traffic around the Northern Pacific hints at a move against the Kuriles.

In additional heavy sig traffic around Bombay finally flags a move on Ceylon. I am reasonably comfortable with a move on either of these locations after months of prep.

A heavy war of attrition continues around Dutch NG but both sides are risking only minor naval units. Applying the lessons of Rabaul, to get at my surface units Mike has to traverse numerous mine fields, subs and dive bombers set at very short ranges. I'm sinking quite a few DDs, DEs but only damaging the CLs, CAs. The key reason Mike is stuck around this location is the lack of a really good allied offensive fighter to gain air supremacy. I don't fear the P47D2 and I find it quite vulnerable to even the Tojo IIC, Frank and George as long as the CAP settings are correct.


[image]local://upfiles/30175/8833755B21A241E3AADB70DAD9E43BAA.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/13/2015 7:00:47 AM)

The benefit of playing a good opponent like Mike is the lessons you learn. One real strength of his game is the excellent CAP settings he applies to his CV based air units and on static locations.

I have finally learnt to mimic this behaviour with my own air units and hence the P47D2 now has a rough time against a lot of my more seasoned sentais regardless of the airframe.



[image]local://upfiles/30175/23FD9DF8D7F94BCFB9AA2DF8382DE3B3.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/13/2015 7:05:42 AM)

The latest scores.

I'm still relatively comfortable at this stage but I know things will change dramatically as we get in 44.

I have plenty of fuel and supplies in the Home Islands so very prepared now for a tough fight.

Airframe wise the A6M5C has arrived, the next George Apr 44 and the Frank R Jun/Jul 44.

[image]local://upfiles/30175/CECA0B98E3374AEA9E57336B8C81BA0C.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/13/2015 7:10:11 AM)

And finally this is the airframe he needs or is waiting on until he really gets serious.

It arrives in numbers to really make a difference.

[image]local://upfiles/30175/4D5E10D8ED2A4451992CB587A6306F14.gif[/image]



JocMeister -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/13/2015 10:14:07 AM)

Only runs for 4 months though. They will run out very fast unless your opponent is careful.



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/13/2015 10:24:17 AM)

Thanks Joc and I hope so! :-)

I should also mention that when Mike employs the P47D2 defensively it absolutely obliterates anything I send against it, including my best Frank sendais.

We have a bit of a stand off at the moment with neither side able to sweep effectively.


quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Only runs for 4 months though. They will run out very fast unless your opponent is careful.




Lowpe -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/13/2015 12:09:42 PM)

Share those Tojo settings! Great work.[&o]

Your game is just flying along!



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/27/2015 11:22:45 PM)

Righto apologies for the lateness of my reply.

Nothing too spectacular with the settings. Range of 0 and at the highest alt as per our HRs. Having multiple radar sets at the base seems to help as well.

In saying all that the P47D2s performance has really improved since we hit 44. On defensive cap settings Mike's P47s shred anything I throw against it and offensively he gets 2:1 which is not enough at this stage for the Allies.
I would rate the George as the best P47 killer followed by the Tojo IIC and finally the Frank A which has been disappointing. I think the performance of the airframes is also directly related to the pilot quality of the sendais so perhaps I wouldn't read too much into it.

One point for sure, the USN aircraft are all struggling in the air against the 3 previously mentioned airframes. I will post a big game update today. :-)




quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Share those Tojo settings! Great work.[&o]

Your game is just flying along!




njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/27/2015 11:37:34 PM)

State of war- Feb 44

Well as expected the pressure is starting to mount. I still have a 20K points buffer but that is starting to be eroded.

My commander's intent at this stage is the following:

* No decisive engagements.
* Small local offensive actions only
* All positions are mutually supporting and developed in depth
* Combined arms approach on land

I am avoiding where I can any engagements with his warships and trying to target his amphibs. I attempt to target USN aircraft rather than the CV platforms as I know how expensive that is.

I am also using SAGs aggressively with strong CAP on his flanks to attempt to disrupt his convoys.

As a very wise person stated (Obvert or Alfred) Japan in 44/45 is not about winning it is about not losing :-)

- CVs all intact and undergoing refits.

[image]local://upfiles/30175/75DE7D3DDAD54A35B652DB78BBC744BB.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/27/2015 11:42:25 PM)

The most dangerous thrust is this one.

Mike has been bogged down on a few positions and given a few whacks and then true to form he started embrace his usual strategy of manoeuvre warfare- very clever and hard to stop.

He seizes dot positions and then rapidly builds them up to project his land based air power. This is the theatre that has me most worried.



[image]local://upfiles/30175/14F24A432D7C491F942F0A58588A8553.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/27/2015 11:49:07 PM)

Central Pacific

To keep me of balanced, Mike likes to start several offensives at once. Again a very clever tactic as I don't have the combat power to stop all of them.

I'm not to worried about the Central Pacific. I have had a very long time to fortify all of these positions and they are all hard nuts with strong forts.

On top of that about the only weakness Mike has is when it comes to atoll assaults. Occasionally he is a little impatient which has just cost him another marine regt :-)

I haven't contested the other small islands around the Marshalls as I didn't want to risk key assets over a side show.


[image]local://upfiles/30175/2C247E0D4B384EF4950A19453A3DFDC7.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/27/2015 11:56:18 PM)

Northern Oz

He is starting to move down here but I'm not sure if his heart is in it. He could easily have Darwin but thus far has left it alone.

My defensive positions start around Timor and are strong. Keeping these positions constantly supplied is a big problem!

Nothing is going on around the other parts of the map. Burma is very quiet.

[image]local://upfiles/30175/050549627BC74A998F5ED66C42E1FB81.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (11/28/2015 12:01:28 AM)

Finally the economy.

Nearly all the fuel, oil and supplies noted here are in the Home Islands. I have way too much armament points but they have always been my comfort blanket. :-)

By my calculations I can run the Japanese economy flat out for at least the 12 months without too many problems with the current stockpile of fuel, oil and resources.

I am just about to start my final ramp up on airframes and engines as I prepare for the new George, Frank R and the A6M8.



[image]local://upfiles/30175/2D3B8247EB78421792035195DF12A884.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 12:43:31 AM)

March 44- As usual my slackness knows no bounds but the game rages on at a furious pace.

Both sides are now dishing it out with the Empire clearly getting the worst of the exchanges. Nevertheless the key positions are very strong, the economy is humming and Allied air losses are climbing quite dramatically.

Happy with my point buffer but it is being quickly eroded every month.

[image]local://upfiles/30175/3A165846D8724361AF858CE172A74A02.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 12:47:25 AM)

The main theatre of battle is Davao where both sides have the majority of their fleets deployed.

CV clashes are being avoided by both sides (but especially me) as CAP combined with land based air makes navy strikes against high value targets suicide.

It is a battle of skirmishes where I constantly go after his amphib taskforces from the flanks whilst Mike attempts to hunt me down with Fletchers and CLs.

Subs on both sides pick off the wounded and the occasional tanker.

Great fun- hopefully I can hold him here for at least another 3 months, possibly more.

[image]local://upfiles/30175/1A7596E0B68D439DBEADCAFDACA7A7F5.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 12:49:02 AM)

Burma

Mike is finally moving here but I have effectively left.

I'm strong around Rangoon but have no interest elsewhere.

[image]local://upfiles/30175/2F7AF5923E854AC386B88EC78A9D5D21.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 12:55:12 AM)

Resources

Feeling pretty good about this. By my estimates I can run the Japanese economy flat out for the next 12 months.

I have a stack of armament/ vehicle points and supply is well stockpiled in the HI.

I have commenced my final mass production ramp up on airframes and engines in anticipation of the final battles and kamikazes. The Frank R arrives in 2 months and the A6m8 in about 3. No R&D is being done on jets/ jet engines or the late war piston engine aircraft. I'm a big believer that quantity has a quality of its own. :-)



[image]local://upfiles/30175/0C89059A213545258930699C19453FF1.gif[/image]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 12:57:21 AM)

And finally why are all these IJA units massing on the border of the Soviet Union???? :-)

[image]local://upfiles/30175/2C26D1CF8E474B8591C680F6493130CC.gif[/image]



JocMeister -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 5:33:25 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: njp72
And finally why are all these IJA units massing on the border of the Soviet Union???? :-)


Really?! [X(][:D]



Sangeli -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 6:49:47 AM)

It's so crazy it just might work!


....but probably not



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 10:07:51 AM)

Really :-)


quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: njp72
And finally why are all these IJA units massing on the border of the Soviet Union???? :-)


Really?! [X(][:D]




JocMeister -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 10:12:50 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: njp72
Really :-)


That is absolutely insane you know that donīt you? [:D]



njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 10:14:36 AM)

I agree Sangeli, ultimately it won't work :-)

But who out there who plays Japan gets incredibly annoyed when the Soviet juggernaut rocks up in Aug 45 and obliterates everything- not a fair fight!

I intend to hurt the Russians in a limited way and secure better defensive terrain. I also want to eliminate his navy and air force. I will reveal my ground offensive plans once I cross the LD.

The Empire is in great shape and can fight flat out for the next 12 months. Perhaps I can gain enough VPs to starve off defeat for another couple of months.

The major issue I have is Mike's a damn good player- too good.




quote:

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

It's so crazy it just might work!


....but probably not




njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 10:21:00 AM)

Thanks Joc, I know :-)

Being March 44, I am living on borrowed time anyway. I have requested to Mike that he doesn't base any allied units on Russian soil to give me a fighting chance.

I think I can do a bit of damage in the first couple of months due to his initial set up. I will use my fleet for the first week and then release it back to the Pacific.

Hopefully I get to fight his biplanes and obsolete aircraft with my Georges and Franks :-)

Either way it will be fun!




quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

quote:

ORIGINAL: njp72
Really :-)


That is absolutely insane you know that donīt you? [:D]




Crackaces -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 10:49:39 AM)

Here is one OOB that tried this trick .. in "Taming the Bear" Vladivostok became a "Stalingrad" ..


http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2421884&mpage=4&key=�



JocMeister -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 11:06:35 AM)

What really worries me are the supply being burned by all that fighting. How are your stockpiles? How much can you afford to spend in Manchuria?




njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 8:18:46 PM)

Thanks Dave

I will have a good read. I don't really want to get into a fixed piece slugfest if I can help it. I will hit his flanks and try to inflict maximum damage at minimum cost. Russian artillery and armour from my previous experience is the issue.

There is no chance of me being able to take Vladivostok so I don't intend to try. Hopefully Mike will think that will be my main effort but I doubt it.


quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

Here is one OOB that tried this trick .. in "Taming the Bear" Vladivostok became a "Stalingrad" ..


http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2421884&mpage=4&key=�




njp72 -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 8:23:09 PM)

Your right Joc this could be a problem. I have over 4.5 mil in supply with the majority in the HI.

I think it will become an issue in late 44/ early 45 but by then what isn't? :-)

With no China and as long I avoid mass set piece battles out in the open against his arty and armour I think I can put up a reasonable show. He will have a stack of replacements for infantry squads but I think the stockpiles on arty and armour are far more limited.





quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

What really worries me are the supply being burned by all that fighting. How are your stockpiles? How much can you afford to spend in Manchuria?






Lowpe -> RE: Empire strikes back- NJP vs Wargmr (no wargmr) (12/19/2015 8:58:27 PM)

Initially, I think you will do very well in Russia. You have a surprise attack, his air force isn't great yet, and I believe his replacement pools are thin.

I don't think Russia really goes on steroids until 45. Really, just remembering what I read in Taming the Bear. Just don't lose your own personal morale check when the tide of battle turns! You shouldn't as you have been there before.[;)]

I like you comment about planes and quantity...just keep up the pilot training to the best of your ability.

Watch out for Russian bombers hitting Honshu or other industry... I have no clue how many he has currently has, but you have to expect they are 70 bombing skill and could put a hurt on you initially.

Your fighters should clear the skies, if he fights.

How many Japanese Divisions are you throwing at him?




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