RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (Full Version)

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ny59giants -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 12:21:45 PM)

John has played the Allies before, but never done an AAR. He is truly a JFB through and through. [&o]



ny59giants -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 12:33:50 PM)

More thoughts.....

CommonWealth (CW) troops - The British, Indian, Australian, and New Zealanders all share a common pool of devices once you get past their infantry squads. You will need to be careful when it comes to whom gets what when it comes to artillery (including the 4.2" mortars), AA, AT, and combat engineers. You will need to go in and click "Y" when it comes to stockpiling devices. You will need to divide your divisions and upgrade them one at time until all three are upgraded infantry squad wise. That is why the stockpile option needs to be to Y for many devices as 1 of 3 will upgrade a device and make it impossible to recombine. Been there done that too many times to count. [:-]

When it come to troops like the Indian divisions and brigades, many start at 20 experience and about the same when it comes to morale. Thus, their adjusted Assault Value is halved until they hit the 50 experience level. They are very fragile and brittle until they get the needed experience and the '42 squads come in. The '43 infantry squads have major increase in Anti-Armor value and they truly become beast against Japanese armor. The secret to getting moral and experience levels up is getting their prep up to 100% with a quality leader (see "Leader" document for details). If you are going to change the base to prep for a particular LCU, do it early and don't go chasing after different bases as Japan advances into Burma and parts of India.

Garrison device - Go in and click "Y" to stockpile this device. If not some static BF will be forced to retreat into some clear terrain and suck up one of these device. Thus, it will plants roots in a clear terrain never to be moved or be helpful ever again. [:-] Had this happen once when Australia was overrun down to the Emergency Reinforcement line. [:(]



ny59giants -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 2:43:58 PM)

Dutch BFs - I use PP on them and try to get a fragment to Australia via PBYs to rebuild. As Allies, you never have enough Aviation Support.

Ledo, India - If japan does not make a major effort into India, this base is important to lift in supply to western China via all those C-47s you will get. That big AA Bde that comes into Ceylon goes here. 72 heavy AA guns make this base costly for Japan to bomb on regular basis. [:D]

China - Try to defend in the hexes that have two things - low stacking limits and x3 terrain. Bases/hexes with high stacking limits favors Japan.

American air groups for first 6 months will have lots of withdrawl and/or disband request. Save the pilots and, if possible, upgrade to more obsolete airframes. I even do this by using the Airframe Purchase System.

Maybe not noticeable until '43, but the B-24s and some other 4e beasties will get more and more power gun turrets. This comes from Big B's mod, so you should be more effective in them going in without escorts.

Speaking of 4e beasties, I've found that you can send them on back-to-back missions, but once they go more than this, when you rest/stand down you pay a price. It can easily go 14 days or more to have the group repair and be fully available for missions again.



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 2:52:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Dutch BFs - I use PP on them and try to get a fragment to Australia via PBYs to rebuild. As Allies, you never have enough Aviation Support.

***** I will try to do this. Never have before.

Ledo, India - If japan does not make a major effort into India, this base is important to lift in supply to western China via all those C-47s you will get. That big AA Bde that comes into Ceylon goes here. 72 heavy AA guns make this base costly for Japan to bomb on regular basis. [:D]

***** I have sent what I can to Ledo and the two bases that chain to it, to increase airfield size so supply flows there. I will send every available cargo plane there, yes.

China - Try to defend in the hexes that have two things - low stacking limits and x3 terrain. Bases/hexes with high stacking limits favors Japan.

***** I have started the Alfred defense in China. We will see how it goes.

American air groups for first 6 months will have lots of withdrawl and/or disband request. Save the pilots and, if possible, upgrade to more obsolete airframes. I even do this by using the Airframe Purchase System.

***** I had not considered purchasing outdated airframes to downgrade withdrawals. You have a good point.

Maybe not noticeable until '43, but the B-24s and some other 4e beasties will get more and more power gun turrets. This comes from Big B's mod, so you should be more effective in them going in without escorts.

***** USAAF 4E bombers are beasts, yes. I intend to use them strategically and hurt Japanese economy as much as I can with them.

Speaking of 4e beasties, I've found that you can send them on back-to-back missions, but once they go more than this, when you rest/stand down you pay a price. It can easily go 14 days or more to have the group repair and be fully available for missions again.

***** Aye, you can't strat bomb every day with impunity. But they are very good at what they do.





Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 2:53:32 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
CommonWealth (CW) troops - The British, Indian, Australian, and New Zealanders all share a common pool of devices once you get past their infantry squads. You will need to be careful when it comes to whom gets what when it comes to artillery (including the 4.2" mortars), AA, AT, and combat engineers. You will need to go in and click "Y" when it comes to stockpiling devices. You will need to divide your divisions and upgrade them one at time until all three are upgraded infantry squad wise. That is why the stockpile option needs to be to Y for many devices as 1 of 3 will upgrade a device and make it impossible to recombine. Been there done that too many times to count. [:-]

When it come to troops like the Indian divisions and brigades, many start at 20 experience and about the same when it comes to morale. Thus, their adjusted Assault Value is halved until they hit the 50 experience level. They are very fragile and brittle until they get the needed experience and the '42 squads come in. The '43 infantry squads have major increase in Anti-Armor value and they truly become beast against Japanese armor. The secret to getting moral and experience levels up is getting their prep up to 100% with a quality leader (see "Leader" document for details). If you are going to change the base to prep for a particular LCU, do it early and don't go chasing after different bases as Japan advances into Burma and parts of India.

***** Can you please explain this in a bit more detail, please? I am not grasping all of what you are saying.

Garrison device - Go in and click "Y" to stockpile this device. If not some static BF will be forced to retreat into some clear terrain and suck up one of these device. Thus, it will plants roots in a clear terrain never to be moved or be helpful ever again. [:-] Had this happen once when Australia was overrun down to the Emergency Reinforcement line. [:(]

***** Great point!





Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 3:29:53 PM)

Ok... report for 1941, Dec 8th:

John behaved as I hoped he would, just as he did in our trial game: After the surprise port attacks, he sent fighter sweeps to Manila and Pearl on the 8th. I was in no position to challenge them... low morale, damaged air rames, damaged airstrips... so I didn't. I left the fighters on the ground. He did not send bombers in, so I gained a 1-day respite which, worst-case, will give me a few more planes for the coming turn. I do consider it a minor victory, as the name of the game is delay, delay, delay and, when in doubt, attempt to delay.

Very few of my torpedo planes flew from Singapore. All had naval attack night orders. There was a big fat surface TF nearby, and it was not attacked. Still, an interesting exercise. Since there has been no attack on Kota Bharu, and since there is a small IJN cover force in Mersing, I guess the Mersing gambit is on in 1-2 days. Thus, the torpedo planes remain on night watch and so are the naval search patrols.

The USN cruiser force in the Philippines consisting of two CAs, a CL, and half a dozen destroyers engaged BC Chichibu, two good CLs and a few DDs. In a minor Japanese victory, I lost a CA and a DD, and Japan may have lost a DD, and a CL might have been disabled. I do not think he will pursue, but the possibility exists. I need to think long and hard about that one.

The rest is about as expected with the exception of air losses (as reported by Tracker):

- A6M2: 15
- F1M2: 11
- G3M2: 11
- B5N2: 8
- G4M1: 8
- Ki-48-Ib: 7
- D3A1: 6
- Ki-36: 5
- Ki-21: 2
- Ki-57-I:2
- E14A1: 1
- L3Y2: 1
- Ki-15-II: 1
- Ki-27b:1
Japanese airframe loss total: 79

- P40B: 10
- Hudson: 9
- Blenheim I: 5
- OS2U-3 5 (including 4 from the heavy cruiser lost)
- Buffalo: 4
- P40E: 8
- Wirraway: 4
- O-47A: 4
- Stearman 75M: 4
- Do-24K-1: 3
- B-17D: 3
- P-36A: 3
- PBY-5: 3
- Walrus II: 2
- Vildebeest III: 2
- PBY-4: 2
- DC-2: 1
- Blenheim IV: 1
- Swordfish I: 1
- B-18A: 1
- C-33:1
- SBD-1: 1
- SOC-1: 1
Allied airframe loss total: 78

Any and all comments are welcome!



RangerJoe -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 5:56:40 PM)

Once a unit gets to 100 prep points, their experience and morale improves. I don't know about their morals, however.



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 7:12:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe
Once a unit gets to 100 prep points, their experience and morale improves. I don't know about their morals, however.


"All is fair in love and war"?



RangerJoe -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 7:29:09 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Kitakami

quote:

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe
Once a unit gets to 100 prep points, their experience and morale improves. I don't know about their morals, however.


"All is fair in love and war"?


Yes, not to mention that they finally get to go on I & I breaks. That is, Intoxication & Intercourse breaks . . . [8D]



traskott -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/23/2020 10:29:13 PM)

If you are questioning about the upgrade routine, this the point ny59giants has made: When you have a unit which can be split in three, usually a division, the best and fast mode of upgrade it is spliting it on three and upgrading them one after one. Problem is, to recombine those subunits, ALL three must be upgraded, so, if one portion has 25'', but the others are still using old 18'', you won't be unable to recombine them.

nd thats when stockpiling comes handy: You want to upgrade one indian division:

1.-You click in the devices pool to stockpile all the devices that unit use.
2.-You split the division in three.
3.-When you got stockpiled enough devices of all types which can be upgraded at one subuint, des-stockpile and allow upgrade of that subunit.
4.- In a couple of days, this one will got new devices, and old ones are back to the pools.
5.- Mark that unit "not to upgrad".
6.-Go to 1.
7.- Repeat till you can recombine the division.

Usually, squad devices are the easiest to upgrade, because when you do it, the "old ones", became the new ones, doubling the number of those squad devices.


Edit: Whats the Alfred plan for China?

Thanks.






Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/24/2020 5:57:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: traskott
If you are questioning about the upgrade routine, this the point ny59giants has made: When you have a unit which can be split in three, usually a division, the best and fast mode of upgrade it is spliting it on three and upgrading them one after one. Problem is, to recombine those subunits, ALL three must be upgraded, so, if one portion has 25'', but the others are still using old 18'', you won't be unable to recombine them.

And thats when stockpiling comes handy: You want to upgrade one indian division:

1.-You click in the devices pool to stockpile all the devices that unit use.
2.-You split the division in three.
3.-When you got stockpiled enough devices of all types which can be upgraded at one subuint, de-stockpile and allow upgrade of that subunit.
4.- In a couple of days, this one will got new devices, and old ones are back to the pools.
5.- Mark that unit "not to upgrade".
6.-Go to 1.
7.- Repeat till you can recombine the division.

Usually, squad devices are the easiest to upgrade, because when you do it, the "old ones", became the new ones, doubling the number of those squad devices.


Edit: Whats the Alfred plan for China?

Thanks.


Thank you very much! Explained at such low level, even I can understand it.

A number of years ago, Alfred posted his thoughts on how to play China as the Allies. His premise is based on moving immediately to non-clear, low-capacity hexes, most of them astride main roads/railroads. I am sure you can still find it on the boards. I am trying to follow his strategy.



BBfanboy -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/24/2020 7:25:06 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: traskott

Edit: Whats the Alfred plan for China?

Thanks.


Alfred's China advice in post 1304 ...

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4378420&mpage=44�



traskott -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/24/2020 9:49:56 PM)

Thanks!!



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/25/2020 6:16:20 PM)

Ok... report for 1941, Dec 9th:

- The USN cruiser force from the Philippines evaded combat and is trying to escape the death trap. I do not know if I will be able to or not, but I will definitely try.

- Japanese paras were dropped as to stop strategic movement to Singapore. They fell on top a number of units, so they did not take the hex. I have put all available fighters on LR CAP, and there is a heavy AA unit there. Hopefully airborne reinforcements will be greatly damaged... and so will transports. I am still expecting a Mersing invasion.

- Airframe loss balance last turn was terrible:
--- Manila: 2 A6M2 for 11 P-40.
--- Pearl Harbor: 9 A6M2 for 7 P-36, 5 P-40B, 3 F2A-3
- Pearl was not terrible, but Manila definitely was. Total airframe losses for the day were 47 Japanese, 74 Allied according to tracker. Fighter losses were 28 A6M2 for 25 P-40B, 22 P-40E, 17 P-36A, 9 F2A-3. 28 fighters vs 73. At least some of my pilots will get back to the fray, whereas all of his are toast.
- I will have to find a way to reinforce Pearl with Fighters.

- The thundering herd is being destroyed. At least the TKs were full of fuel, and that fuel will not be used against me. Most xAPs from the DEI left safely, as well as many tankers.

- Palembang was invaded and I think it will be taken this coming turn. I expected this, as I was almost able to reinforce it on our trial run. Nothing I could do to stop it, I think.

Not much I can do right now but to try to get a few punches in where I can. There are a couple I am working on, we will see if they work. John will see the turn tonight, and reply in the morning probably. We will see how things went.



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/26/2020 3:58:15 PM)

Ok...

John sent me the 001 file this morning. He ways it took him 1.5 hours to run! The turn will get here either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Salient points:

- I did not notice that two Japanese AMCs were redeployed to a position SW of Australia, and they caught an unescorted convoy bound for Capetown. Will have to check starting raider positions before I run the next turn.

- The Thundering Herd is still being decimated. Not much of it left.

- The Philippine Cruiser Force (or what is left of it) is still at large. If it pulls 1-2 IJN TF away from where the main action is, it might help a bit.

- The Japanese paras are still there. I started sending reinforcements last turn, and I will need them to clear the hex. It was a fur-ball in the air, but I do not know just how much. AAA did their thing, damaging a number of Ki-57-Is.

- Palembang was taken. Nothing I could do.

- Singkawang was invaded. It will fall soon.

- Hong Kong was bombarded by the IJA.

- North Luzon was finally invaded by Japan.

- I did not fly CAP over either Pearl Harbor or Manila. Both were swept by large numbers of A6M2s.
--- I did fly all my 4E bombers from Pearl on naval attack. They targeted the Japanese carriers, but got no hits. Lost some planes, got a few zeroes. But I hope John now keeps some of his A6M2s on CAP.
--- The training fighters did fly against unescorted bombers in Manila. Got about half a dozen, I think. I need the turn to see how things really stand.

- I sent a reinforced Force Z to cover Batavia. It first encountered 5 IJN DDs and sunk 3. Later, it encountered an IJN cruiser force. One of my BCs was badly mauled, as were 2-3 DDs. I will know more when I get the turn.

Hopefully the use of 4E on naval attack plus the sortie of the RN fleet will slow the tempo a bit. I say hopefully because most of the time I have no idea what I am doing.

As usual, any and all comments and suggestions are welcome!



Bif1961 -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/26/2020 4:11:10 PM)

Do yo have any ideas why he is losing so many F1M2 float planes?



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/26/2020 5:42:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961
Do yo have any ideas why he is losing so many F1M2 float planes?


He used them as fighters. I think he learned his lesson. If not, I won't complain :)



Bif1961 -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/27/2020 4:50:06 PM)

That might work against Cats used in naval attacks at low altitude but they are meat for anything else.



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/28/2020 1:16:29 AM)

I caught a cold/flu. Seems not to be of the Corona kind, as I have no fever and my blood O2 levels are good. Still, I feel like I am ready to go into the great beyond. I sent yesterday's turn back this afternoon, but I will have to update things here tomorrow.



Bif1961 -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/28/2020 4:48:31 PM)

That happens to the Allied player in every early game. However, seriously I hope you get rest, fluids and meds.



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/29/2020 3:25:27 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961
That happens to the Allied player in every early game. However, seriously I hope you get rest, fluids and meds.

It seems to be some sort of virus affecting stomach, brain, and upper respiratory tract.

While I work on the report for the last 2 turns, I would like to ask a question:

***** Where do I send the British 18th Inf Div?

Fire at will!!! :)



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/29/2020 4:46:10 PM)

Ok...

The last two turns have not been as bad as they could have been. It is depressing to count the number of ships that are sunk by Japan every turn, but I think I have not made any terrible mistakes (although I am certain I am making a large number of non-terrible ones). This is what Tracker reports:

1. Air:

On Dec 11th, Japan lost 37 planes, the Allies lost 46. On the 12th, losses were 34 to 38. John has been far more careful with his bombers and float planes. My main problem is that I am loosing more far more fighters than he is, although my pilots are not dying as fast as his are. Last turn, for example, while I lost 38 air frames, 14 pilots were WIA, and only 5 pilots were KIA.

Fighter losses so far:

- Buffalo I: 33
- P-40B: 45
- Hurricane IIb Trop: 5
- B-339D: 3
- P-40E: 33
- CW-21B: 1
- 75A-7: 1
- P-26A: 1
- I-16-III: 1
- P-36A: 20
- F2A-3: 10
Total: 153 air frames lost

- A6M2: 54
- Ki-43-Id: 3
- Ki-43-Ib: 8
- Ki-27b: 1
Total: 66 air frames lost

Level Bomber losses so far:

- Hudson I: 13
- Blenheim I: 5
- Blenheim IV: 1
- Wirraway: 8
- B-18A: 1
- B-17D: 5
- B-17E: 9
Total: 42 air frames lost

- Ki-21-IIa: 12
- Ki-48-IIa: 14
- G3M2: 19
- G4M1: 17
- Ki-30: 1
- Ki-36: 7
- Ki-51: 5
Total: 85 air frames lost

Carrier Bomber Losses so far:

- Swordfish I: 1
- Vildebeest III: 2
Total: 3 air frames lost

- D3A1: 6
- B5N2: 15
- B5M1: 2
Total: 23 air frames lost

Total air frame losses so far: Japan 197, Allies 230. Overall balance is not terrible, but the fighter loss ratio does worry me... a lot.

2. Sea:

Allied naval losses so far:

1x CA
7x DD
3x PG
1x PC
1x PT
3x SS
1x AMC
1x CM
1x CMc
4x AM
2x AS
2x AVD
2x AVP
2x AG
17x TK
2x YO
3x HDML
1x AMc
20x xAP
29x xAK
38x xAKL

I have not lost a BB in Pearl... yet. I have used every trick I know to delay John and keep him off balance. Runway damage from the initial attack has been repaired, and airfield service damage is not s bad as it was. Manila is not in as good a shape, though.

An RN BC is damaged, and will need to leave the map for repairs.

Japanese reported naval losses so far:

3x DD (confirmed)
1x SS (unconfirmed)
1x xAK (unconfirmed)

My naval losses are bound to grow in the next few days, but I have been trying to conserve my forces and get a punch in whenever I can. Thus, a number of IJN cruisers are damaged, with at least two heading for port, requiring non-trivial repairs.

3. Land:

John is a very aggressive player that knows his Mod, and knows how to play Japan well. To his credit, he also dislikes turn 1 invasions that would not have happened.

In China I have been literally running for the (forested) hills, establishing strong points. Any of them can be taken by John if he puts his mind to it, but none of them will be cheap. Thus, the tempo of his attacks will be slowed... or so I hope.

Burma is going to be impossible to keep, but I need to stage a good fighting retreat. That means I need enough forces there, both land and air. I will attempt to hold on to Port Blair. With the IJA Paras being in a bind in Malaya, I might have time to reinforce the place with one Bde. It would then take an amphibious assault to take the base.

In Malaya I have lost Kuantan, but nothing else. I have been bracing myself for an amphibious assault in Mersing, but it has not happened. Where are those IJA divisions? Is he going for Burma before going for Singapore?

Palembang was lost on the 10th. Impossible to reinforce. If I am to make a stand in the DEI, it will have to be in Java. One thing I find interesting. This is what I get when I hover over Palembag: FIRES 22, Resources 84(17), Oil 905(96), Refinery 675(76), Light Industry 64(12). Could part of that reported damage be real? Could it have been produced by his bombarding the place?

In Borneo, Singkawang was lost last turn, and Miri 1-2 turns before that. Manado in Celebes was also lost last turn, and Ternate 1-2 turns before that. Namlea will be lost this turn.

Davao has not been attacked yet. In Luzon, John took Aparri, Vigan and Luzon last turn, and is gathering strength in Atimonan.

Manus was lost last turn, while Lae and Madang were lost one turn ago. Nauru, Ocean Island, Tarawa, and Tabiteuea are in Japanese hands now.

There is an IJN TF 9 hexes away from Wake Island.

4. Final thoughts:

Kido Butai is 5 hexes NE of Pearl Harbor. 132 Kates attacked last turn. The port attack scored 7 bomb hits in 5 different ships, and port damage was very minor. I have done far better in pearl Harbor than I could have expected (and far worse in Mania), but I fear my luck might be running out. I need to get fighter reinforcements to the place ASAP.

QUESTION: Can USAAF fighters take off from a USN CV?

QUESTION: What bases should I fight for? Pago Pago? Suva? Port Moresby? Darwin? Colombo?

Any and all input is more than welcome!



ny59giants -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/29/2020 6:48:22 PM)

Air Power: You are reaching the point where you must pick and choose what bases deserve CAP. The Allied mindset is to conserve airframes. You will be overflowing with American pilots for most of the game, but not have enough airframes to go around. Thus, the mindset is to train up and train some more your pilots.

Malaya airgroups. Most of these will be needed to defend India. Unlike the Japanese air groups, many of yours have very short legs. You will need to evac from Singapore to northern tip of Sumatra - Port Blair - Rangoon - and beyond to India. If John uses his para aggressively, he may try to take Port Blair. If not, then you will have to ship them up to India which takes time they need to rest and then train. You don't get too many Hurricanes, but they will be your main defenders in India.



Bearcat2 -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/29/2020 10:43:45 PM)

7.0.1.1.1
"If an aircraft squadron is a fighter, fighter bomber, dive bomber, or torpedo bomber and is not Carrier Trained and Carrier Capable, and is located on a Carrier, it may only be transferred to a Carrier in the same hex (loaded with cranes, as they could not land on a Carrier) or may only fly from the Carrier when ordered to transfer to a base. Also, carriers may never carry more than 5 air units at one time"



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (5/30/2020 4:22:59 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bearcat2
7.0.1.1.1
"If an aircraft squadron is a fighter, fighter bomber, dive bomber, or torpedo bomber and is not Carrier Trained and Carrier Capable, and is located on a Carrier, it may only be transferred to a Carrier in the same hex (loaded with cranes, as they could not land on a Carrier) or may only fly from the Carrier when ordered to transfer to a base. Also, carriers may never carry more than 5 air units at one time"

Thank you! I thought as much, but needed to be sure.



Bif1961 -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (6/1/2020 12:14:18 AM)

You lost no BBs and only 3 subs? If true you are doing very well. As I am not up on the increased pools in this mod I don't know if your fighter loses are too high, but they do seem high. You might want to pick a choose to establish hit and run CAP traps and bombing missions, make him escort everything and defend bases in his rear with CAP that will help thin out his fighters.



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (6/2/2020 2:36:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961
You lost no BBs and only 3 subs? If true you are doing very well. As I am not up on the increased pools in this mod I don't know if your fighter loses are too high, but they do seem high. You might want to pick a choose to establish hit and run CAP traps and bombing missions, make him escort everything and defend bases in his rear with CAP that will help thin out his fighters.

Things have gone down hill since then. I will make an update after a cup of coffee or two.



Kitakami -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (6/2/2020 3:40:04 PM)

Ok... game date is now Dec 17th, 1941, aad the last few turns have taken a turn for the worst.

Philippines:

I have had to concede air superiority over Manila. I could not hold the tide against the number of A6M2 fighters sweeping, and the naval bombers that came after them. Whatever fighters are left are on their way to Java. The few heavy bombers I could fly out are in Calcutta, training.

What ships I could save, I did. The rest are now artificial coral reefs. John is very good at locking the thundering herd down. Luzon has been invaded, and Mania is being approached from both the north and south. Clark Field and Batangas are still in Allied hands. Cebu, Butuan, and Jolo have fallen.

The cruiser force, although diminished and damaged, may have escaped. Current location is northern coast of New Guinea, sailing towards Australia.

China:

China has been rather quiet with two exceptions. First, a Chinese corps commander decided to attack in Ichang... by himself. It cost me 301 destroyed infantry squads, a whole month worth of reinforcements. He should be shot! The second exception is hex (85,86). I got there first, but a couple of IJA Bdes want to dislodge me from there. I have reinforcements one hex away. I have withdrawn most troops from Yunan, and sent them where they are most needed. The first two divisions from the Chinese 5th Corps will cross into Burma in a few days. The rest of the Corps will follow as able.

It seems John has decided to train his 4E bombers here. I will try to counter the move with one third of the Flying Tigers. We will see how that goes.

Malaya:
John's Mersing Gambit worked. Mersing and Kluong have fallen, the Japanese Paras blocked the road in Malacca, and Singapore will fall in less than a week. It only occurred to me later that I should have garrisoned Malacca, not only Mersing. Live and learn, I guess. I have begin evacuation of fighter assets and, although I will certainly lose some damaged planes, at least the squadrons will live to fight in Burma & India another day.

Burma:

The IJA has not moved in force yet, but a scouting unit is in (55,58) and one unit is marching towards Tavoy. I am trying to get some semblance of a defense here, as Burma will be attacked early (see Malaya, above). The only good thing about the IJA Paras being used and abused in Malaya is that Port Blair will not fall to an airdrop. It will need to be invaded.

The DEI:

With Palembang in Japanese hands, and with both fighters and bombers stationed there, things have gotten more complicated. Last turn I ordered a night attack on the oilfields with all of the Dutch medium bombers... and not one attacked :/ I will try again, but I need those groups to pass their checks. I think the strategic benefit of the the attack outweighs the tactical benefit of doing anything else.

Java is quiet for the time being, and being reinforced with air units from the Philippines. That Tarakan has not been taken yet has given me a very convenient, and somewhat safe, air bridge.

Manado, Ternate, Namlea, and Boela have fallen. Singkawang and Sambas are in Japanese hands. So is Miri.

New Guinea and surrounding area:

Manus, Wewak, Lae, Buin & Tulagi have fallen. The evacuation of Rabaul by air is on its way. That the IJN carriers made an appearance here and sank a few xAK will give me a few extra days, but Rabaul will fall, and soon.

South Pacific:

Nauru, Ocean Island, Tarawa, Tabiteuea, and Baker Islands are in Japanese hands. Canton Island is next. The question is... will John go for Pago Pago, I think he will.

Central Pacific:

Wake and Midway have fallen. Nothing I could do about it. The question is... what will John do with those SNLF units now?

America:

Adak has fallen.

The first major disaster of the war has happened. I sortied Sister Sara to a point about 11 or so hexes from San Diego, with DD & APD escorts, to ferry dive bombers to Pearl. The Yellow Wolf Pack found her and, in 3 days, hit her with 5 torpedoes. Not only do I have one less carrier, but also I lost two full squadrons of DBs that I desperately needed elsewhere.

Summary:

I am no match for John. Not only the initial correlation of forces strongly favors Japan, but he also is an excellent player and knows this Mod better than almost any one else. As things stand, I do not know what to do, or how to do it. I can see a bit of what the Allied leaders must have felt in the early stages of the campaign. I am also seriously considering discontinuing this AAR. It must get boring reading my whining every time I post.



Cheesesteak -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (6/2/2020 8:19:14 PM)

Keeping up on an AAR is tough (mine needs updating now that the game has resumed!)

That said, yours is a good read and I hope you keep it up. Something to hopefully cheer you up: anti-air is still just as murderous as in any other DBB game. Weather the initial storm and John's deep forays will eventually bleed his veteran pilot pool. The extra IJA Scen 2 divisions do not make an appearance.

On the morale front - celebrate every small victory; enough of them lead to a big win. Don't forget: everybody likes an underdog!



ny59giants -> RE: Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd) (6/2/2020 8:33:28 PM)

Except for the sinking of CV Saratoga, you have not experienced anything outside of the standard opening moved by John (and other aggressive Japanese players). If he wants to go further in the Central and South Pacific, there is not much you can do. You start with significant naval forces in SoPac, but you want to use them where KB is NOT. He will probably look for an opportunity to engage those forces, if you allow him a chance to find them.

Pearl - get more supply there even if it cost you some xAKs. Steadily rest the fighters to 100, then train those pilots up. Fill up the air groups. so he will be in for surprise if he comes back later.

Line Islands - I like Christmas Island as hub, but he can take that easily until you can reinforce with a rgt or more.

USA to Australia - You are working your SLOC on the outside of the circle while Japan can go across the circle quickly. It takes all those 12 knot xAK you have and will be getting a month to get across the big Pacific. So, an xAK will only make 6 trip per year running this route. Patience my young Jedi. [:D]

Australia - Focus on getting some fighter groups here. Only what you get out of SRA and Philippines can be here until you can ship them from USA.



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