RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports



Message

RangerJoe -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/7/2019 8:38:03 PM)

I did not know that you are going by the seat of your pants, so to speak. Usually you do not do so. I like it, it shows that you are most flexible and are apt to take advantage of unexpected opportunities even if you have not planned for them.

And you are most welcome. A CD unit like that would be a little bit of a problem . . .



Uncivil Engineer -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/7/2019 9:16:34 PM)

Keep in mind the conditions at Guadalcanal when the US went in historically - a usable airfield defended by some engineers - not 2 entrenched divisions. I would by-pass it and take something between Lunga and Rabaul that's lightly or undefended, load it up with engineers to build the airbase, then take Rabaul when the troops are 100% prepped.



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/7/2019 9:50:23 PM)

Yer missing the main point of the mission: To prod Dave into committing KB into the fray. It's immaterial whether I take Rabaul or Lunga next week or next year. Dave doesn't know that, however, and I think he'll rally to their defense. That's what's important.



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/7/2019 10:23:30 PM)

Perhaps a more detailed explanation of grand strategy will give readers an idea of what I'm shooting for here.

Over the first two years of war, I weighted all my punches in the IO and Bay of Bengal. There was the failed invasion of Pegu and Moulmein in early '42. There was the successful invasion of Christmas Island. With its patrols and subs and long-range recon touching bases as distant as Singapore and Soerabaja, it tickles Daves attention every turn. There was the feinting-invasion of Port Headland. There was the failed invasion of Port Blair that resulted in a noisy, hurtful carrier battle in the Bay of Bengal. There's the fact that there are no Allied troops in Burma, except at Akyab, so that Dave is aware that a huge invasion force could come at any time to flank Burma. And he was aware for more than a year that nearly all Allied carriers and heavy ships were at Colombo.

There has always been a looming Allied interest in this region, and Dave reacted strongly to counter the threats.

After that disastrous carrier battle, I spent nearly half a year organizing and preparing and positioning troops. The plan was to allow for attacks through SWPac and possibly CenPac, while Dave was focused on the DEI. Then, when and if he countered, the Allies would be able to move in strength on a distant region that I won't name at this early date.

When the Allies took Wake, Milne Bay and Ponape, it became clear that Dave is still "leaning towards" an Allied invasion of the DEI. I need to give him a reason - a big reason - to shift his thinking to New Guinea. And if he fails to take the bait, I need to take advantage of his weakness in the area to take important bases.

I don't want to meet KB in a 1:1 battle in waters distant from good Allied shipyards. I can't afford a major loss in the Arafura Sea. But if KB shows itself, I'm ready to move in other locales. And if it doesn't show itself, the Allies can do important work in New Guinea and the Admiralties since Dave is comparatively weak there and has holes.



CaptBeefheart -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 7:52:22 AM)

Rabaul seems underdefended (with AFV and gun numbers as low as they are, maybe one ID tops plus a lot of HQ and base forces?), so an invasion there might pull the KB over. That's also the kind of place where a prep of 55 isn't too much of a handicap. You can wait a few turns before attacking if necessary. What kind of forces do you have for that? It would of course help to have a couple of relatively built-up bases nearby (Shortlands, Green Island, etc.) to place AKEs and aircraft.

EDIT: Or just go for Rabaul at once like MacArthur wanted to do in the early days.

Cheers,
CB



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 9:54:04 AM)

1/24/44 to 1/26/44

New Guinea: PM fell on the 24th. By the 26th, DS was patrolling near Milne Bay while amphibious TFs come from Townsville (loaded) and another loads at Milne.. Dave has full detection on DS and other Allied TFs (some in the Solomon Sea). Tomorrow is button-pushing time with paratroop assaults at vacant (I think) Madang and Manus. Dave should react to all these things if he's going to react.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/939A4A8FB10F486785265D33BDA9A2AA.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 2:30:53 PM)

1/27/44

North of New Guinea: Here we go. The Allies have begun pushing buttons. Lets see if Dave reacts, even as DS & The Herd move into the Solomon Sea.

Should I Be Doing This? This plan is elaborate and is an offshoot of the original master plan. I had a lot of information and believe the deductions made are actionable. But I'm facing an experience foe who is determined to stop the Allies from succeeding. I think everything is in good order, but for all I know, KB might've used foul weather to slip right up to the Admiralties undetected. The thought of things that could be give me pause, but in the end, there are times you simply have to use the best information available and trust to planning and judgment.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/2C5A253F9FC0494D93FB13FA5D243E96.jpg[/image]



Gridley380 -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 2:42:53 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The thought of things that could be give me pause, but in the end, there are times you simply have to use the best information available and trust to planning and judgment.



Hey, if it were easy, anyone could play. :-)



RangerJoe -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 2:51:51 PM)

quote:

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The thought of things that could be give me pause, but in the end, there are times you simply have to use the best information available and trust to planning and judgment.

Gridley380

Hey, if it were easy, anyone could play. :-)


Anyone can play, they just might not play well.



BBfanboy -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 3:26:31 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

quote:

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The thought of things that could be give me pause, but in the end, there are times you simply have to use the best information available and trust to planning and judgment.

Gridley380

Hey, if it were easy, anyone could play. :-)


Anyone can play, they just might not play well.

You called?

[image]local://upfiles/35791/E9B29AA2F3CA491CA98258A74BCB2CD3.gif[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 5:23:17 PM)

1/28/44

New Guinea Region: Allied paratroops take Wewak even as Dave lands a rapid-reaction force at Manus. The landing is unprepped and his units show a 0 AV. My guys are weak too. So this hangs in the balance, but I'm moving to address that (and Dave may be too).

No sign of KB, with the possible exception of a TF coming down from Truk. But a nearby YMS TF doesn't report detection, so probably no enemy carriers nearby. To be on the safe side, and to not risk an all-out engagement right in the shadow of his big airfield at Rabaul, DS & The Herd will change direction, moving west towards Buna. From there, I'll consider moving in strength to strongly garrison Manus, Wewak, Aitape, etc. Unless KB shows up, of course.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/76E1CFFECEE842F08DB790DD6850B295.jpg[/image]



RangerJoe -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 5:47:05 PM)

DDs going to Manus byway of Rabaul to see if there are mines remind me of a Polish mine detection system . . .



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 5:48:20 PM)

It's a solo DD - Nestor - and I want to know if there are mines in place. I think Dave has been busy defending further forward and may be unprepped at Rabaul. Maybe.



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 6:04:07 PM)

1/29/43

New Britain: The turn opens with small Allied DD TFs in action. More importantly, Nestor steams right past Rabaul without encountering mines, CD guns, or enemy war vessels.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/F0E144F4DB4B4FFD9D112F750268A302.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 6:05:44 PM)

1/29/44

DD Nestor: She continues to harass the enemy.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/C67B9CC081744FDBB7E9C0417FE4769C.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 6:12:53 PM)

1/29/44

Manus: Two Fletchers take on the amphibious TF that dropped troops here yesterday. The DDs went by the western tip of New Britain, without incident, giving me more good info.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/6EF16A137C9A4E82B87EE213BC99C73B.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 6:18:16 PM)

1/29/44

Near Rabaul: Enemy aircraft repeatedly target the little Allied combat TFs on patrol at and near Rabaul. Badger takes these two hits and Cogswell later takes four.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/A83A09B484DB4FCCBCB2B851C9D36E39.jpg[/image]



RangerJoe -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 6:40:08 PM)

Edited upon request.



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 7:00:22 PM)

Don't post things like that in here, right at the pause before the big plunge! (I think that's a quote from The Lord of the Rings.)

Dave has a host of subs seeking DS. That thought is never absent. :)

P.S. Both those Fletchers sank. It was worth it, though, to create so much activity right in the heart of things.



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 7:12:49 PM)

1/30/44

Solomon Sea Region: Things are off to a promising start (tempered always by knowledge that awful things can suddenly beset me). It appears that Dave is evacuating Lunga. That's helpful. Meanwhile, the greenlight is given for the invasion of Rabaul.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/5384A9EC708049EEA75DC26214C79152.jpg[/image]



BBfanboy -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/8/2019 11:32:29 PM)

Exciting situation! Luck!


[image]local://upfiles/35791/EF6C5BFACC1149E98868BE51DBDF8395.gif[/image]



CaptBeefheart -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 8:40:19 AM)

Very interesting. Manus undefended? Wow. That was historically a huge base for the Allies. You are proving that fortune favors the bold.

Best of luck!

Cheers,
CB



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 10:39:02 AM)

1/30/44 and 1/31/44

Rabaul: On the 30th, DS & The Herd approach to within a hex of Rabaul without incident. No sign of KB anywhere. Nevertheless, there's the usual flutter of nerves as the order is given to proceed with the invasion. On the 31st, the landings go well....and KB is sighted moving down New Guinea's "east" coast. This was the plan. Although a big carrier battle is very risky, given the 1:1 OOB and proximity of LBA, it opens up opportunities elsewhere. This should be a decisive moment.

If it turns into a stare-down, with KB in the Bismarck Sea to protect Rabaul and Manus, and DS in the Solomon Sea protecting itself, then the Allies should have opportunities to move in three areas - one for certain, the other two depending on where KB ends up over the next week or so.

If the Allies win a decisive battle or materially reduce KB through sub strikes (unlikely), Allied troops and ships are positioned to proceed with major invasions in two other key areas.

If the Japanese win a decisive battle or materially reduce DS through sub strikes (gulp), then things'll become dicey and the Solomon Sea region very interesting.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/EB5065199C614DF696D34CDB355E4C67.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 1:29:35 PM)

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, I somehow managed to load a B-25 squadron aboard an LST. That ship was sitting at Rabaul, hoping to unload, when I noticed the snafu. The game gives players plenty of opportunities to misclick in a variety of humorous ways, just like typos in an AAR.



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 1:59:58 PM)

The next turn is just in from Dave. It looks violent and complicated. I'll post as I run the turn.



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 2:11:48 PM)

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: An enemy combat TF engages BB South Dakota TF before she can bombard. The action is sharp but not decisive. I realize I made a mistake - I gave recall orders for all the combat TFs at Rabaul on D-Day. I should have sent a few forward a hex or two, then allowed them to retire, so that they might handle incoming enemy combat vessels.



[image]local://upfiles/8143/C6DF0DA46ED9431E99C4C2A78F8C23FD.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 2:17:26 PM)

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: A fresh and powerful enemy TF closes. Damaged Allied CAs have already detached. Ammo will be an issue. Enemy subs and LBA will pose grave threats to damaged ships retiring at reduced speed. Yuck.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/F809218312F94EB3A4DF977ADD886CC6.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 2:20:48 PM)

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: Mutsu TF finds the damaged CA TF and engages. Neither side scores a hit. Ammo must be low.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/1A0C4A74E8C74851B93106B991B40497.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 2:23:59 PM)

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: Re-engagement. The CAs are out of ammo.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/7DFBF59FD26E4F838B271292EBE56A7E.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice) (8/9/2019 2:30:05 PM)

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: South Dakota TF still has some ammo and does good work here...in the daylight. The TF is lingering and enemy LBA will come. Arg.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/5CA6F644C07E4E7BB79FA039BD68905D.jpg[/image]



Page: <<   < prev  28 29 [30] 31 32   next >   >>

Valid CSS!




Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI
0.7167969