RE: Storm Over Ambon

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

RE: Storm Over Ambon

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

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

Page: << < prev 17 18 [19] 20 21 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/17/2010 1:12:42 AM

Miller

Posts: 2226
Joined: 9/14/2004
From: Ashington, England.
Status: offline

Even if the Japs garrison Timor, the allied player can simply bypass it by building up all the Islands north of Darwin in preparation for a move on Ambon and/or the Celebes, as my opponent is doing. Darwin is a must capture for the Japs in my opinion.

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 541

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/17/2010 2:35:16 AM

Venividivici10044

Posts: 137
Joined: 8/29/2009
Status: offline

I think the overall discussion of Timor and Darwin needs to be considered in the guise of Supreme Commander Syndrome. In real life many agendas and personalities vied for control of resources and personal glory. In real life if one supreme commander had existed, perhaps reason would have occurred and the DEI would have become the penultimate target to end the war early. I'm sure other ways exist to win (or lose) the game; hopefully enterprising players will uncover other possible strategies. In my humble opinion, if Japan wants to take Darwin, pour in the troops. Australia will eventually become a wonderful prison camp for the IJA.

EDIT - In real life - Japan was spread too thin. Midway certainly knocked time off the war; I think Guadalcanal extended things but helped in the long run from the experiences gained. Japan attempting to annex portions of Australia and NZ will only hasten the end through the loss of resources in other places. In my opinion, I don't care about VPs for determining victory. For me, victory comes in 2 ways - avoiding the destruction of the home islands as Japan, or destroying Japan as a combatant fully as the Allies. END EDIT

< Message edited by Venividivici10044 -- 2/17/2010 2:41:40 AM >

(in reply to Miller)

Post #: 542

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/17/2010 7:36:11 AM

LoBaron

Posts: 4776
Joined: 1/26/2003
From: Vienna, Austria
Status: offline

Good spirit Cuttlefish!

Crossing fingers for the next year.

- did you expand the HI industry?
- do you think you can keep it supplied with only the northern parts of the DEI and other areas?
- can you fall back from the most advanced positions in order to strenghen the areas where you are
most vulnerable except for the DEI�s?

_____________________________

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 543

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/17/2010 2:08:09 PM

princep01

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline

The next year? Doubtful in my view. However, as you say, it will be interesting to see how long cuttlefish can extend the death knell of the Empire:).

Good luck, cuttlefish. You are a worthy opponent and and an even better writter. As an aside, I do hope you are polishing your book version of the Hibiki's "trip". See a lawyer re copyright.

(in reply to LoBaron)

Post #: 544

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/18/2010 4:46:23 AM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miller

Even if the Japs garrison Timor, the allied player can simply bypass it by building up all the Islands north of Darwin in preparation for a move on Ambon and/or the Celebes, as my opponent is doing. Darwin is a must capture for the Japs in my opinion.

I agree with this. "Garrison Timor" was shorthand for a defense in depth along the lines I posted in the Darwin thread (see below). My question is - if the Japanese player attempts a defense in depth similar to this, can they stop the Allies in the DEI in 42/43? If not, not only must you take Darwin, we may have a game mechanics issue to think about.

Part of my thoughts from the Darwin thread:

My instinct is that a defense in depth with major bases at Kendari, Macassar and Ambon, with outposts at Koepang, Lautem and somewhere in the Flores area (maybe throw in one of the islands east of Lautem as well) with lots of IJAAF and IJNAF firepower could hold. If not, this could be an issue. My only concerns are 1)there are so many bases in the area to defend, and 2) the Japanese player probably needs two of his very scarce Air HQs for this to work. The need for two Air HQs to babysit the DEI may be too limiting on operations elsewhere. Reasonable, historical operations elsewhere, not "invade Vancouver and march down the West Coast" stuff.

PS - CF, I am a copyright lawyer if you have any questions. Small Ship, Big War was amazing.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 2/18/2010 4:48:41 AM >

(in reply to Miller)

Post #: 545

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/18/2010 6:07:46 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

My instinct is that a defense in depth with major bases at Kendari, Macassar and Ambon, with outposts at Koepang, Lautem and somewhere in the Flores area (maybe throw in one of the islands east of Lautem as well) with lots of IJAAF and IJNAF firepower could hold. If not, this could be an issue. My only concerns are 1)there are so many bases in the area to defend, and 2) the Japanese player probably needs two of his very scarce Air HQs for this to work. The need for two Air HQs to babysit the DEI may be too limiting on operations elsewhere.

I read this, and more from above, and it really crystalizes so many obvious things. Some half remembered ...

Solli has laid out his intended defense of South DEI in his AAR using one Air HQ which I think after this is now almost a given. You cannot surrender Ambon in '42 as Japan.

To me, the key purpose of the expansion in mid 42 has to be to get the USN CV's committed. How to do that is NOT easy, but I believe that has to be your major goal. By late '42 allied LBA is coming on too strong and the allies now can match the KB with their CV's + LBA in many places and by '43, this has become most places. So, if you have not gotten any CV's by late '42, I'm thinking your expansion has stopped. Prior to this AAR, I thought you might get into early '43, I no longer think that.

This is a great AAR.

Cuttlefish: kudo's. and you have class. well played.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 546

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/18/2010 9:41:25 PM

Mike Solli

Posts: 15792
Joined: 10/18/2000
From: the flight deck of the Zuikaku
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Solli has laid out his intended defense of South DEI in his AAR using one Air HQ which I think after this is now almost a given. You cannot surrender Ambon in '42 as Japan.

Actually, it's 2, 1 IJA and 1 IJN. Sorry, no more details here due to potential prying eyes.

_____________________________

Created by the amazing Dixie

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 547

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/19/2010 3:17:51 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Solli has laid out his intended defense of South DEI in his AAR using one Air HQ which I think after this is now almost a given. You cannot surrender Ambon in '42 as Japan.

Actually, it's 2, 1 IJA and 1 IJN. Sorry, no more details here due to potential prying eyes.

Mike, SORRY!!

I forgot about that when I posted. I hope I didn't let the cat out of the bag ...

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to Mike Solli)

Post #: 548

RE: Storm Over Ambon - 2/19/2010 9:17:42 PM

Cuttlefish

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

One thought - do you think the large commitment of troops to Noumea, while ultimately successful in that op, left the door open for the Timor invasion?

I've thought about this and I don't think Noumea contributed to what happened at Timor. In fact, I can even argue that my presence that far south gave me the chance to detect the Timor invasion ahead of time. At any rate all of the troops and planes I used in the New Hebrides/New Caledonia attack would have been elsewhere in the Pacific if I had not attacked there, not sent to garrison the DEI.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

Good spirit Cuttlefish!
Crossing fingers for the next year.

- did you expand the HI industry?
- do you think you can keep it supplied with only the northern parts of the DEI and other areas?
- can you fall back from the most advanced positions in order to strenghen the areas where you are
most vulnerable except for the DEI�s?

- I have not expanded my HI. I have the Japanese economy running fairly well and frankly I'm afraid to tinker with it too much, kind of like a guy who doesn't really understand engines being afraid to try and tune his own car.

- I can keep the Home Islands supplied with resources no problem. The huge threat is being cut off from oil and fuel, especially fuel. I ship huge amounts out of the DEI every month and I still barely have enough fuel to cover operational needs and still maintain a decent reserve in the Home Islands.

- I am already doing this, leaving parts of my outer ring of defenses (now somewhat punctured) to look after themselves while I build up crucial areas in the inner ring, places like the Philippines and the Marianas.

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 549

Aftermath - 2/19/2010 9:19:53 PM

Cuttlefish

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline

Errors and defeats are more obviously illustrative of principles than successes are�Defeat cries aloud for explanation, whereas success, like charity, covers a multitude of sins.
- Mahan: Life of Nelson, 1897

---

1/15/1943 � 1/18/1943

To extend the Mahan quote above, it may be that the most valuable thing this AAR can provide are lessons on what not to do. If so, what lessons can I draw from my defeat? What could I have done differently to prevent my recent defeats? Or at least to delay them for some time, if we admit that holding the Allies off forever is not really possible.

I have read the thread on the necessity that Japan occupy Darwin to hinder and delay the Allied build-up there, and I agree with that. In this game, however, Darwin has played a very secondary role in the Allied counter-attack in the DEI. Q-Ball�s invasion, as far as I can tell, was launched from and supported by Port Hedland and Exmouth. The first and best thing I could have done to prevent the defeats at Timor and Ambon, I think, was to seize those bases. Both are very isolated and would be hard for the Allies to recapture, even if only held by token forces. But as with Darwin, the purpose would be to keep the Allies from developing and using them, not to hold on to them forever.

By itself Darwin can be built into a major air base but it is easily cut off by sea � by controlling the Torres Strait and the Australian coast to the south � and thus cannot easily be used as a springboard for the kind of invasion Q-Ball launched.

Second, I did not put enough time and effort into building up troops and defenses on Timor. I just did not anticipate such a heavy attack so early. I think it is safe to say that this is a mistake few Japanese players will be making in future games.

Finally, I made one crucial bad decision. Not to take anything away from my opponent, who planned and executed his attack very well. But as I wrote in this AAR, I detected enough clues to guess what he was planning more than a week before the actual attack. If I had stuck with my plan to move Kido Butai to Timor everything might have gone very differently. Q-Ball�s attack might have even turned into a major Allied defeat (though this would not have been guaranteed). I was suckered by his feint at Midway and so my carriers were far out of position when the attack came.

So I can point to errors both strategic and tactical. Lessons learned, all of them. I like to think that I learn from my mistakes. One thing about this game, though, is that it always provides opportunities to make new and different kinds of mistakes.

Meanwhile things have been quiet in the DEI for the last few turns. My infantry divisions are all now safely back ashore and my carriers are nearing the Home Islands. The only action the last few days, really, has been the Allied capture of Terapo, west of Port Moresby.

I have lost three freighters to Allied submarine attack in the last two turns, though. The improved hit rate of Allied torpedoes is already beginning to make itself felt.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)

Post #: 550

RE: Aftermath - 2/19/2010 9:29:59 PM

Grotius

Posts: 5798
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: The Imperial Palace.
Status: offline

Those are very insightful comments, Cuttlefish. Much to ponder for those of us who are playing Japan.

quote:

Second, I did not put enough time and effort into building up troops and defenses on Timor. I just did not anticipate such a heavy attack so early. I think it is safe to say that this is a mistake few Japanese players will be making in future games.

LoL, I think I'm quite capable of repeating that and other mistakes. One of many question is: how many ground troops would be enough? Where to put them? He who defends everything, and all that. Of course the fleet is mobile, and aircraft are more flexible than ground troops, but still -- you can't defend everything.

_____________________________

(in reply to Cuttlefish)

Post #: 551

RE: Aftermath - 2/19/2010 10:54:03 PM

Cathartes

Posts: 2155
Joined: 1/5/2001
Status: offline

quote:

Finally, I made one crucial bad decision. Not to take anything away from my opponent, who planned and executed his attack very well. But as I wrote in this AAR, I detected enough clues to guess what he was planning more than a week before the actual attack. If I had stuck with my plan to move Kido Butai to Timor everything might have gone very differently. Q-Ball�s attack might have even turned into a major Allied defeat (though this would not have been guaranteed). I was suckered by his feint at Midway and so my carriers were far out of position when the attack came.

Love the Mahan quote.

You had to "guess" that he was planning after your received the clues. There is so much that is real and so much that is FOW and subterfuge at this stage of the war that analyzing them properly still requires painful guesswork built around a good psychological understanding of your opponent. If your opponent is predictable maybe you deserve to be hard on yourself, but if he plays an unpredictable game and is good at smoke and mirrors, then what can you do but keep guessing until you guess right?

(in reply to Grotius)

Post #: 552

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 4:40:11 AM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
Status: offline

CF, your insights are very well taken. However, there is one more thing to be learned from this game, namely, how JFBs can marshall their defensive genius to hold open the SLOC to Palembang far longer than we ever thought possible in the grim days of January 1943!

The key will really be air superiority, and the key to that will be getting second generation interceptors online to pester Allied 4E bombers.

As far as LCUs, at this point I would garrison Kendari, Macassar, Java and Bandjarmisen (sp?). Bring in Air HQs if they aren't already in position. Make the eastern DEI the home to more than half of the IJN's sub fleet. Finally, consider a diversionary strike of some kind outside the DEI. I doubt you'll knock Q-Ball off of the DEI as his main effort, but psyops distractions can mess with a man's game if well executed.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 2/20/2010 4:41:17 AM >

(in reply to Cathartes)

Post #: 553

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 5:07:54 AM

vettim89

Posts: 3615
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Toledo, Ohio
Status: offline

Watching with great interest. I think the DEI problem may need to be addressed further back. As was pointed out, Darwin is an isolated base. It has to be supplied by sea. Therefore blocking any attempt to do is probably more imperative than actually taking and holding the base. Mere nuisance bombing from Timor should be able to prevent building the base itself. I think a broad shoulders approach to Oz may be the key. By that I mean the NW corner and NE corner must be controled by the Japanese to protect the DEI. The NE corner can be controled from PM which I guess may increase the need to capture taht base even more. Perhaps a move on the SW coast of NG may also serve that purpose. AS for the NW corner, you either have to capture Exmouth or other nearby base or try to interdcit from Java. I think the latter would be difficult to accomplish in face of a determined allied effort. So instead of striking NE Oz, perhaps the best move would be to secure enough of the west coast to at least threaten Perth. With the new unloading rules, the Allies have to have a big port somewhere to launch any offensive.

The Japanese player in AE is faced with the same problems the RL commanders had: a huge area that is impossible to defend in strength everywhere. You are at the mercy of your Allied opponent as he gets to pick where to hit you. That is why I think isolating Darwin is a better option than invading as it only increases you defense line even further for little gain.

_____________________________

"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry

(in reply to Cribtop)

Post #: 554

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 12:32:01 PM

Miller

Posts: 2226
Joined: 9/14/2004
From: Ashington, England.
Status: offline

Very difficult, if not impossible to keep Darwin suppressed using IJA bombers.....and you would be entering into a war of attrition with only one winner.

Japan would be best off taking Darwin, then build only forts and cling onto it for as long as possible in my humble opinion.

(in reply to vettim89)

Post #: 555

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 2:42:57 PM

princep01

Posts: 943
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline

I agree with Miller. Take the accursed place (Darwin) and hold it as long as possible. In fact, why not go for Perth if the Allies fail to really make it an early defensive bastion? Exmouth, Hedland? The Allies are going to be very hard pressed to prevent Japanese occupation if the Japanese want the places (and they should).

There is little reason for the Japanese to ignore these locales and many very good reasons for them to be high priority targets for occupation. Taking them denies the Allies an axis of advance that is most crippling to the Japanese. All other Allied routes of advance do not quickly threaten the Japanese oil/fuel pipeline. The DEI route does, as so aptly demonstrated in this game/AAR. It is quickly FATAL to allow the Allies this axis of advance.

If memory serves me well, didn't the KB (or a big part of it) pay Darwin a visit early in the war. I think Darwin as a town/base of operations was neutered by this strike to the point that the Allies did not even seriously consider going into Timor until very late in the war.

(in reply to Miller)

Post #: 556

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 7:54:38 PM

TheElf

Posts: 3870
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Pax River, MD
Status: offline

Cuttlefish, this is an outstanding AAR. One of, if not the best I have ever seen. You and Q-ball are masterful strategists, and your exemplary attitudes, and concepts of fair play contribute more to this community than you could possibly imagine. I applaud your resolve to continue as I think this particular experiment in alternative history has a lot of life left in it, particularly given your personal zeal and intimate knowledge of the subject. Congrats and good fortune...

_____________________________

IN PERPETUUM SINGULARIS SEDES

(in reply to princep01)

Post #: 557

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 8:00:21 PM

kfmiller41

Posts: 1063
Joined: 3/25/2003
From: Saint Marys, Ga
Status: offline

I have a vested interest in seeing what happens here, as in our game this will be a topic as well I am sure:-)

_____________________________

You have the ability to arouse various emotions in me: please select carefully.

(in reply to TheElf)

Post #: 558

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 9:12:28 PM

BletchleyGeek

Posts: 4713
Joined: 11/26/2009
From: Living in the fair city of Melbourne, Australia
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01
If memory serves me well, didn't the KB (or a big part of it) pay Darwin a visit early in the war. I think Darwin as a town/base of operations was neutered by this strike to the point that the Allies did not even seriously consider going into Timor until very late in the war.

This summer I was very unfortunate as I went to the movies and my mates picked a film called "Australia"

... where Darwin's bombing in March (?) 1942 plays a very important role.

Perhaps the base was hit so hard and was so remote that the Allied command preferred "easier" avenues of approach such as Western New Guinea.

(in reply to princep01)

Post #: 559

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 9:50:47 PM

crsutton

Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

I agree with Miller. Take the accursed place (Darwin) and hold it as long as possible. In fact, why not go for Perth if the Allies fail to really make it an early defensive bastion? Exmouth, Hedland? The Allies are going to be very hard pressed to prevent Japanese occupation if the Japanese want the places (and they should).

There is little reason for the Japanese to ignore these locales and many very good reasons for them to be high priority targets for occupation. Taking them denies the Allies an axis of advance that is most crippling to the Japanese. All other Allied routes of advance do not quickly threaten the Japanese oil/fuel pipeline. The DEI route does, as so aptly demonstrated in this game/AAR. It is quickly FATAL to allow the Allies this axis of advance.

If memory serves me well, didn't the KB (or a big part of it) pay Darwin a visit early in the war. I think Darwin as a town/base of operations was neutered by this strike to the point that the Allies did not even seriously consider going into Timor until very late in the war.

Well, the real problem with going for Perth is that if you don't take it right away and if the Allies fight for it-any heavily damaged Japanese ship is most likely going to sink as there is no place to send them. And Once you take it, it is so remote that the Allied player is bound to counter invade fast to take it back. You just can't afford to keep your carriers there to protect it.

_____________________________

I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to princep01)

Post #: 560

RE: Aftermath - 2/20/2010 11:41:59 PM

Mynok

Posts: 12108
Joined: 11/30/2002
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheElf

Cuttlefish, this is an outstanding AAR. One of, if not the best I have ever seen. You and Q-ball are masterful strategists, and your exemplary attitudes, and concepts of fair play contribute more to this community than you could possibly imagine. I applaud your resolve to continue as I think this particular experiment in alternative history has a lot of life left in it, particularly given your personal zeal and intimate knowledge of the subject. Congrats and good fortune...

Who's this stranger??!

_____________________________

"Measure civilization by the ability of citizens to mock government with impunity" -- Unknown

(in reply to TheElf)

Post #: 561

RE: Aftermath - 2/21/2010 1:07:10 AM

Cuttlefish

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheElf

Cuttlefish, this is an outstanding AAR. One of, if not the best I have ever seen. You and Q-ball are masterful strategists, and your exemplary attitudes, and concepts of fair play contribute more to this community than you could possibly imagine. I applaud your resolve to continue as I think this particular experiment in alternative history has a lot of life left in it, particularly given your personal zeal and intimate knowledge of the subject. Congrats and good fortune...

Thank you very much for these kind words, Elf.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mynok

Who's this stranger??!

Hush, you. Don't interrupt him when he's saying nice things about me.

(in reply to TheElf)

Post #: 562

RE: Aftermath - 2/21/2010 1:12:32 AM

Cuttlefish

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline

[The Yamato] is of no use. Like the figurine that is a centerpiece in an alcove, it can perhaps serve to raise morale.
- Isoroku Yamamoto

---

1/19/1943 � 1/23/1943

In the midst of a dark month for Japan battleship Musashi and her fellow raiders have provided a small bright spot. After sitting about 550 miles southwest of Pearl for over a week a small task force finally sailed into detection range of her seaplanes. A successful interception followed and the small convoy was wrecked. Small, but valuable; sunk were three large, fuel-laden tankers and oilers (TKs Larry Doheny and Aristophanes, AO Guadalupe).

DE Kane, in the finest traditions of the U.S. Navy, charged Musashi with guns blazing until disabled by several shell hits. The plucky little ship actually bounced a 3� shell off Musashi. This is kind of like attacking a T-Rex with a BB rifle but the attempt was gallant. Kane was not observed to sink and I find myself hoping the ship was able to make it back to Hawaii.

Musashi and the other ships have fallen back westward to meet some oilers and refuel. I think after they do I will send them southward in search of fresh prey. Another strong raiding group is moving south between New Caledonia and Australia to do the same thing.

Invasion Kendari: they can do this with little fear because I know where the Allied carriers are: right off Kendari, supporting Q-Ball�s invasion there. Kendari is held fairly strongly (a brigade and a naval guard unit behind good forts) but Q-Ball has brought in two divisions plus armor so I have little hope of holding out for long. With luck aircraft, mines, and submarines will cost him a few ships, though. There is little else I can do right now to oppose the attack, though I do have four battleships lurking nearby in case an opportunity presents itself.

Burma: Oscars staged one of their occasional ambushes, this time against RAF bombers thrashing an IJA regiment southeast of Akyab. At the cost of only one Oscar they downed a couple of Hurricanes and around 15 bombers. Nice. These ambushes do not stop the RAF, of course, but they at least help keep his bomber crews from becoming too elite and contribute to Allied ops losses by forcing Q-Ball to keep a lot of fighters in the air on long-range missions.

Under the Sea: Allied submarines sank an xAKL and hit two tankers during this period. Both tankers will probably survive (they were empty when hit) but the trend is worrisome.

Whither Kido Butai?: my remaining carriers have reached Honshu and are beginning refits and repairs. This will not take long, so I am pondering the future role of my carriers. As I see it, there are two major roles they can fill.

The first is as a fleet in being, forcing Q-Ball to back up major amphibious operations with his own carriers just in case my carriers show up. I have four CVs and four CVLs right now, not enough to challenge Allied carrier power but enough to trash an unprotected invasion.

The second is to use them as raiders, joining Musashi and fellows in hitting Q-Ball�s shipping lanes. Q-Ball�s supply lines are long and all his ops have to be gobbling up tons of fuel. I might slow him down more by causing spot shortages of fuel and supplies and forcing him to protect his flanks. This is a riskier strategy but it has several advantages, not the least of which is that it would just plain be more fun. But I am undecided.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)

Post #: 563

RE: Aftermath - 2/21/2010 1:37:46 AM

Capt. Harlock

Posts: 5358
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
Status: offline

quote:

The first is as a fleet in being, forcing Q-Ball to back up major amphibious operations with his own carriers just in case my carriers show up. I have four CVs and four CVLs right now, not enough to challenge Allied carrier power but enough to trash an unprotected invasion.
The second is to use them as raiders, joining Musashi and fellows in hitting Q-Ball’s shipping lanes. Q-Ball’s supply lines are long and all his ops have to be gobbling up tons of fuel. I might slow him down more by causing spot shortages of fuel and supplies and forcing him to protect his flanks. This is a riskier strategy but it has several advantages, not the least of which is that it would just plain be more fun.

I have to vote for choice 2. Unprotected invasions can be trashed by LBA and surface forces. (Torpedo-firing IJN destroyers can do damage to transports that Allied DD's can only envy.) And the "more fun" part is no small factor, given the situation and the fact that 1942 is history.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to Cuttlefish)

Post #: 564

RE: Aftermath - 2/21/2010 3:46:17 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

I like the idea of using them as raiders as well. My impression of Q-Ball is that he moves after he's massed sufficient force to deal with whatever you may throw at him. I fear that using your Carriers as a deterrent wouldn't really be one at this stage, I think he'd mass enough firepower to destroy your carrier fleet if he catches it. At least you can choose where to hit him by raiding and possibly slow his advance by disrupting his supply/reinforcement schedule.

(in reply to Cuttlefish)

Post #: 565

RE: Aftermath - 2/21/2010 4:07:18 AM

Fishbed

Posts: 1822
Joined: 11/21/2005
From: Beijing, China - Paris, France
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

[The Yamato] is of no use. Like the figurine that is a centerpiece in an alcove, it can perhaps serve to raise morale.
- Isoroku Yamamoto

---

1/19/1943 � 1/23/1943

In the midst of a dark month for Japan battleship Musashi and her fellow raiders have provided a small bright spot. After sitting about 550 miles southwest of Pearl for over a week a small task force finally sailed into detection range of her seaplanes. A successful interception followed and the small convoy was wrecked. Small, but valuable; sunk were three large, fuel-laden tankers and oilers (TKs Larry Doheny and Aristophanes, AO Guadalupe).

DE Kane, in the finest traditions of the U.S. Navy, charged Musashi with guns blazing until disabled by several shell hits. The plucky little ship actually bounced a 3� shell off Musashi. This is kind of like attacking a T-Rex with a BB rifle but the attempt was gallant. Kane was not observed to sink and I find myself hoping the ship was able to make it back to Hawaii.

Musashi and the other ships have fallen back westward to meet some oilers and refuel. I think after they do I will send them southward in search of fresh prey. Another strong raiding group is moving south between New Caledonia and Australia to do the same thing.

AAAAAAAAAAAH! Kudos!
"I love it when a plan comes together"

_____________________________

(in reply to Cuttlefish)

Post #: 566

RE: Aftermath - 2/21/2010 4:15:10 AM

kfmiller41

Posts: 1063
Joined: 3/25/2003
From: Saint Marys, Ga
Status: offline

Remind me to watch out for this kind of thing

_____________________________

You have the ability to arouse various emotions in me: please select carefully.

(in reply to Fishbed)

Post #: 567

RE: Aftermath - 2/21/2010 2:07:37 PM

Fishbed

Posts: 1822
Joined: 11/21/2005
From: Beijing, China - Paris, France
Status: offline

I don't fear no raiding. The intellectual rights belong to PzB, and the guy is on our side. If they ever raid your butt, they'll go down for copyright infrigement!

_____________________________

(in reply to kfmiller41)

Post #: 568

RE: Aftermath - 2/23/2010 10:47:26 PM

Cuttlefish

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline

New weapons operating in an element hitherto unavailable to mankind will not necessarily change the ultimate character of war. The next war may well start in the air but in all probability it will wind up, as did the last war, in the mud.
- Report of the President�s Board to Study Development of Aircraft for National Defense, 1925

---

1/24/1943 � 1/31/1943

January ends on a mostly quiet note. Kendari held out through two attacks but fell to the third one on 27 January and there have been no fresh attacks. I have little doubt that I will not have to wait long for the next one, though. Makassar and/or Milne Bay are my guesses, but New Caledonia is also a possibility.

Most of the action the last few turns has been in the air. Minor air scuffles in Burma have claimed a few planes on either side. The regiment he was bombing there has reached Prome, where he continues to attack it but to much less effect. More serious aerial combat is taking place over Luganville, where Q-Ball is trying to close the Japanese airfield. He has the runway there to about 35 damage but the effort is taking a toll, usually about 5 or 6 fighters and a bomber or two every raid. Japanese losses have been minimal. The question is which will come first; whether his bombers will become too shot up to continue the effort or he will succeed in pushing airfield damage to the point where my CAP becomes ineffective.

Defending the DEI: it is time to take a look at my defenses in the DEI. Defending all of the dozens of bases there is impossible, of course. You could wear out a military far larger than Japan�s in trying. So I am concentrating my defenses at certain bases. Of these Manado is currently the most important. Strongly held, level 5 forts, with an air HQ and lots of aviation support. Q-Ball will have to take or neutralize this base to continue on towards the Philippines.

Manado�s biggest weakness as a defensive bastion is the dot hex right next to it, which is connected to Manado by a good road. I have a garrison battalion in this base with a construction unit. Forts are right now at level 3 here and building but it remains a possible vulnerability.

Behind Manado is Davao, held even more strongly (700 AV) and with level 5 forts. It also has an air HQ and lots of aviation support. Defending all of Mindanao is very hard, though. There are just too many places that can be hit. I have garrisons and some forts at most of them (Cagayan, Cotabato, Dadjangas, etc.) but I have to rely on air power from Davao to really defend this southernmost bastion of the Philippines.

Nearby Jolo is a pretty good base with three naval guard units and decent aviation support, but a strong assault could still take it with little trouble.

Moving west both Balikpapan and Palembang are held by at least a regiment and have pretty good forts, but neither can resist a determined attack without help. I am trying to scrape up more troop, engineers, and aviation support for Palembang; a convoy is en route from Tokyo right now which should help shore up the defense there.

Java will require a major effort for Q-Ball to take. There are two divisions and several regiments there, though they are spread out a bit. But the forts there are good and I have been building forts on mountain bases in the interior; even a modest defensive garrison should be able to hold him up there for some time. Along the coast Soerabaja, Batavia, and Tjilitjap have the majority of the AV and forts though I have modest garrison and level 3 forts at the base (whose name I forget at the moment) at the eastern tip of Java.

Digging In: a note about forts. Experience so far has shown me that I need to have at least level 5 forts at a given location to really slow down Q-Ball�s hordes. This level of fortification requires some time and work for Japan and there aren�t many bases like that on my perimeter. Further in Q-Ball will encounter more and more of them. Building beyond level 5 is a major effort in time, effort, and supplies. Right now Babeldoab is the only place in the Empire with level 7 forts. There are a few level 6 bases out there: Truk, Manila, Tabiteuea, a few others. With luck other bases will reach that level by the time Q-Ball reaches them. I don�t see Japan building more than a handful of level 9 forts during the whole game, quite a change from WITP.

Harassment: at the moment I have two powerful surface forces probing Q-Ball�s Pacific sea lanes. One group was detected around Lord Howe Island. I turned them around and broke contact. With luck it will make Q-Ball just a bit nervous, though, since he doesn�t know right now where they went. The Musashi force has refueled and moved south. Right now they are lurking down around wonderfully named Pukapuka after calling at Canton Island to see if there was any shipping to be found. These groups will be joined by carriers after Kaga, Akagi, and Ryujo finish their refits in a week or so.

Here is the Victory Point screen for the end of January 1943: