RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (Full Version)

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rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:16:15 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. The Eastern Front. South.

The Soviet push wasn't just in the North. They pushed hard in the south too. However, Soviet forces were eventually stalled due to unit disorganization. On the first impulse the Soviets saw massive numbers of units disorganized both in the south and in the north. All available Soviet HQ's were used to reorganize most of these forces. However, without an o-chit to re-organized the HQ's, this meant that further unit disorganization ended that units potential combat contribution for the turn. The Soviets did the best they could to spread those out in order to maintain their offensive momentum over the entire turn. In was in the south when things stalled first.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/E65387DADF4244A1A4ACBE0D3FE5DB76.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:18:31 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. The Eastern Front. Arctic.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/8FD804672725415D8F82C1B70DC28CBC.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:42:06 PM)

The Coral Sea and New Guinea.

Japan continued to expand their "defensive" perimeter by a successful amphibious invasion of Lae, New Guinea and a push across the Stanley Range that cut New Guinea in half. In support of this the IJN moved a strong naval carrier force into the Coral Sea which saw the USN respond with a strong carrier force of their own. The final outcome was that the USN was able to force the IJN to retire their forces from the Coral Sea. However, this outcome was in doubt until the very last impulse. In fact, for most of the turn the IJN seemed to have the upper hand as their carrier based fighters wreaked havoc on USN bomber air crews. The naval battle of the Coral Sea was one of attrition and one in which there wasn't a decisive winner. While the majority of this naval battle was fought between carriers, there was one round of surface combat between in which IJN battleships devastated their USN and RN counterparts.

In summary, while the USN took heavier losses than the IJN, it's the USN that controls the Coral Sea area at the end of the day.

By the way, this and the following screen caps (for this turn) were taken before the return to base (RTB) phase.

P.S. Note to Bo. Notice that I'm used the Ctrl-H form.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/3A2F25FF44CA42ED81EACDB3BD16A0FD.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:48:35 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. IJN. The Pacific Shield.

Storms in the North Monsoon for the entire turns limited action in the other Pacific Sea areas to the Solomons and the Central Pacific (next post). USN land based air power was able to drive away IJN surface patrols leaving that area to the control of t he USA.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/A03F3500146F4812A56AD42D12EC42C2.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:52:28 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. The Central Pacific.

The IJN sent a small carrier force into the Central Pacific to try to siphon off USN forces which could be sent to the Coral Sea. The USN didn't take the bait and sent all available forces there (i.e., to the Coral Sea). However, this ceded control of the Central Pacific to the Japanese, for this turn anyway. Again, this screen cap was taken before the RTB phase in which the lone USN ship there returned to Midway.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/67BA2DEA915B43AEBCD3BD0D7C7BA9CF.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:55:33 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. Japan.

The Akagi along with a number of CVLs who lost their air squadrons in combat this turn returned to Tokyo to get replacement air squadrons.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/D1835E7050974C4DA3C403DAF69D0223.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:57:58 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. Reserve Pool.

If not all, most Japanese aircrews survive the loss of their air squadrons this turn. Japan has 10 pilots in reserve and way fewer air units. Japan has way more pilots than air units.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/33945448E1E2421E900C8D252307A945.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:59:14 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. China. North Temperate.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/D2E157D0C75E4C5A97E74A46E317B4B3.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 6:59:43 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. China. North Monsoon.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/40F6B422D45042498C22CCE211BF59DF.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 7:01:23 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. Italy.

While Italy is still in the game (i.e., incomplete conquest), they just barely exist. They have 5 land units and absolutely no economy.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/85D8B1BB5A524E619A78ADB870348246.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 7:04:02 PM)

Jul/Aug 1943. Country Economic Reports.

There big thing here is that the Soviet Union, though keeping their production at 100%, has exhausted all of its saved oil stockpile. Without any additional resources this will likely mean that the Soviets will need to cut into their production by diverting oil from production to fueling their war machine.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/2CDBA1344971488AB0001D4675944D27.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/25/2015 7:06:44 PM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Trade.

The USA and CW respond to the Soviet need by sending them a total of 3 non-oil resources in order to allow the Soviets to back off using three oil points for production and "save" those points for reorganization.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/C0235A51D5F24E39B271434D40D085E9.jpg[/image]



brian brian -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 2:29:25 AM)

some of those "French" units in the Reserve Pool are City-Based Volunteer units ... are they slowly starting to make their way into MWiF?



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 4:02:14 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

some of those "French" units in the Reserve Pool are City-Based Volunteer units ... are they slowly starting to make their way into MWiF?
Uhm ... I need to look into that. Just how would I make that happen?



Centuur -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 9:38:21 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: rkr1958


quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

some of those "French" units in the Reserve Pool are City-Based Volunteer units ... are they slowly starting to make their way into MWiF?
Uhm ... I need to look into that. Just how would I make that happen?



The rule is already partially coded, that might explain the fact that they appear in the reserve pool. However, that's a bug, since if you don't play with that rule, those units should not appear in any pool. Very minor, however, if you can't put them on the map.



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 10:42:48 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Centuur


quote:

ORIGINAL: rkr1958


quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

some of those "French" units in the Reserve Pool are City-Based Volunteer units ... are they slowly starting to make their way into MWiF?
Uhm ... I need to look into that. Just how would I make that happen?



The rule is already partially coded, that might explain the fact that they appear in the reserve pool. However, that's a bug, since if you don't play with that rule, those units should not appear in any pool. Very minor, however, if you can't put them on the map.
Phew ... I thought I'd overlook something else.



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 11:38:21 PM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Victory Totals.

No change again this turn to any of the victory totals.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/DC51BCB6644A4F08A2A04AA470685CB3.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 11:53:07 PM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Destroyed Pool.

USN carrier airpower took a beating this turn. More on that later. The Weather slowed things on the Eastern Front but the Germans still continue to take a beating there. Though the Soviets lost more units than the Germans did this turn, which includes losses to the Western Allies in Italy, the quality of the German units loss compared to the Soviets was significantly higher. And besides, an equal or near equal exchange of units with the Soviets is still a victory for the Soviets at this stage in the war where the Soviets are pushing hard in the East.

I don't know if my land combat numbers breakdown is interesting but I'll keep providing them as long as folks find them informative.

By the way, these stats are pre incremental odds roll so some of these attacks are adjusted by 1 column.

The Eastern Front. USSR Land Combat Breakdown:

Total: 8 (7 Blitz's and 1 Assault).

1:1 A 1

1:1 B 2
3:2 B 1
2:1 B 1
3:1 B 1
4:1 B 1
7:1 B 1


The Eastern Front. German Land Combat Breakdown:

Total: 8 (2 Blitz).

2:1 B 1
7:1 B 1

The Western Allies Land Combat Breakdown:

Total: 8 (2 Blitz and 2 Assault, 4 total).

2:1 A 1 (Bangkok, Siam)
5:1 A 1 (Italy)
7:1 B 2 (1 in Italy and 1 in Egypt)


Land Combat, China. Communist:
4:1 A 1

Land Combat, China. Nationalist:
1:1 B 1

Land Combat, Japan:

3:2 A 1 (Guadalcanal)
3:1 A 1 (China)

[image]local://upfiles/31901/779191F5529748968DBA27C43CAB1049.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 11:55:04 PM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Repair Pool.

Not much here except for factory hexes and German naval units. Only the German u-boat unit has any priority for getting repaired except for factory hexes by engineering units.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/655F64BF51254D77951D683092A32F96.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/26/2015 11:57:44 PM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Reserve Pool.

As the US player what stands out to me is the "lack" of any carrier air reserve units. More on that in the next post.

As the Japanese player it's the 7 pilots I have in the reserve pool.

As the Soviet player it's the 5 aircraft units that I have and wanting them (needing them) as soon as I can get pilots for them.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/D5CA973DDEBF4029A5C89D86FB114FA8.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:08:34 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. USA Aircraft Production.

These caps are prior to production builds this turn. But even so, it's apparent that the US won't come anywhere close to replacing the five CVP units loss this turn. Not to mention equipping new CVs that are rolling out of production. So first things first, the US gearing limits for air units is five. Three turns ago it was 2. It was at that time when I realized I had make a very serious production mistake by letting US gearing limits for air units get so low. As the US player I felt I had adequate numbers of air units until I could get those limits up assuming average to below average losses. But, unfortunately for the US player, CV plane losses weren't average (or below average). They were excessive (again) this turn.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/1F023CCEF3F549E99A42C366729F2A33.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:23:21 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Coral Sea. Solomon Islands. New Guinea.

So were did the USN lose so many CV planes? It was in the Coral Sea where two massive USN and IJN carrier forces collided (again) in naval carrier combat. The IJN moved strong naval forces into the Coral Sea in order to break supply to the allied units holding Port Morsby and provide bombardment and air support to the IJN marines and IJA units preparing (hoping) to assault the port. Also, this force was put in place to support a high risk (high gain) invasion of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

First the USN sent in a strong carrier task force to engage the IJN carriers and to reestablish supply to Port Morsby. Also, the USMC sent in the 1st marine division supported by two old WW-1 battleships directly to Guadalcanal to defend against the possible Japanese invasion. The Japanese had put the 16th IJA army unit at sea on an amph, ready to to either take Guadalcanal or die trying. Prior to the port to port (i.e., Hawaii to Guadalcanal) transport of the 1st marines, the Japanese had approximately 70% chance of a successful invasion and capture of Guadalcanal. After the move by the US, Japan's chances were reduced to 30%. Still, acceptable odds for the risk of losing only a single infantry unit. The 1st marines held destroying the invaders but in turn seeing their unit destroyed too. By the way, the roll was such that the 1st marines would have destroyed two invading unit. Later in the turn, the III marine corps was moved to Guadalcanal to "forever" secure that island and stop the Japanese expansion into the western Pacific.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/CAD5585CDC8B40738D6E6799BD8F8978.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:29:15 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Japan's Naval Shield.

Japan's goal is to hold onto their conquests in Manchuria, China, Korea and the Dutch East Indies. As such the IJN supported by marines and a few army units are task with establish a "shield" in the Pacific against the USA and CW.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/C8E5E3CE068D48198A4F924C76EE9EA6.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:30:55 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. The Marianas. The Solomons. Bismark Sea.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/DEADC933248A471C9FC2A3223948C80B.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:32:22 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Timor and Bismark Seas.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/C1D477FF635E46468F0B8E38C6F7C8BC.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:33:24 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. South China Sea. Bay of Bengal.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/0836FEF757754E7A963700F619F1B96B.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:34:34 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. China Sea. Japanese Home Islands.

Note that in Tokyo, the Japanese have 3 spare CVP units (6, 2 and 1). Unlike the USN, the IJN has spare CVPs to keep all their carriers in action.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/E407B719F81B4E9F97F6B305023DE617.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:50:06 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. USN and CW Active Sea Areas.

In contrast to the small group and centralized sea areas that the IJN intends to control, the responsibilities for the USN and RN cover the entire globe.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/3CE5EDE92BF043F595BC5E54E374BB03.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:54:24 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. Hawaiian Islands. The Marshalls. Central Pacific.

Here are the "front lines" of the USN in the Pacific. This turn, the USN took control of the Central Pacific back from the IJN, sinking one of the CVLs in the process.

Note the CV Lexington docked at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. It is without any air units. That's 1 USN CV needing air units.

[image]local://upfiles/31901/35C8FC7EDA264415ADF5577A95DD2DBC.jpg[/image]



rkr1958 -> RE: Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized? (6/27/2015 12:59:34 AM)

Sep/Oct 1943. West Coast. San Diego.

In this cap there's four more USN CVs (for a total of five) devoid of air units and needing replacements. Unfortunately, it'll take four, five or six turns(?) to get them their air replacements and get them back into action. This fits perfectly with Japan's strategic plans (i.e., China, Korea, Manchuria, Dutch East Indies and New Guinea).

[image]local://upfiles/31901/FBECB7252EAA44C7B03FCF886561F733.jpg[/image]



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