Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Yeah, but what good is preparation if the execution sucks.   I've already realized some mistakes since sending Ted the turn.  It's supposed to be in my inbox.  I guess I'll find out how bad my mistakes were tonight.  

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
Oh yeah, the forehead smack and the "I shoulda's." I have those all the time, usually well after the turn has been sent and while I'm doing something completely different, like changing the oil in the car or chopping firewood. Suddenly it hits me: "Oh man, I should have sent those cruisers at Tarawa back to Kwajalein, what if he sends a carrier or two there?"

quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

PS: Playing AE mistake-free is impossible.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
MIKE: What are your plans for xAK to xAK-t conversions? I have converted almost 100, just tons of ships, finding that to sustain a high offensive tempo you need ALOT more than what you start with. I find that I don't use many xAKs to ship supplies, as there are usually plenty loaded with the troops. But you need LOTS of xAK-ts. I would get cracking on some conversions right off the bat.

I also converted quite a few xAKLs to PBs, because there ain't enough escorts either.

Thinking ahead, I really like converting the older DDs to APDs, would like your thoughts on that (by older, I mean pre-Mutsukis. I keep the Mutsukis because they carry the Long Lance. So far though I am converting Minekazes and Kamikazes to APDs). Momis are bad APD though, only 18kts due to loss of boiler.

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

I think you quickly need more AK-ts. You are right, in the beginning, most of the critical units are already loaded, or there are enough ships close at hand to move the 2nd and 4th Divisions. Even lifting the units from Taiwan and Pescadores is such a short trip you don't need many ships for it. Once late January rolls around, though, you will want TONS. This is because right when the Luzon and Singapore campaigns end, you need to lift about 8 divisions and take them somewhere, and better to do it quickly then wait a month to get the shipping together.

You can live without AK-t conversions, but if you don't convert, IMO, you will have ground units sitting around waiting for transport. This is very bad for Japan, as speed is your greatest ally initially, and every day wasted waiting for your logistical tail to catch us is a day the Allies get stronger.

The Phase 2 moves are also a lot longer, so multiple trips will burn a lot more time. Better to have the shipping handy.

I screwed some things up in my PBEM game as Japan, I am doing what I would call OK mainly because I think my INTENT is there, which is to move supplies, fuel, troops, everything you can get your hands on, and move it forward at all times without stopping. If you have transports sitting around in a port, there has to be a reason why; are they repairing, waiting for something, or is there a job to do right now? Find them work, there is always SOMETHING.

Sorry for the long note, but I cannot stress enough the need for SPEED if you are the Empire.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

quote:

I think you quickly need more AK-ts. You are right, in the beginning, most of the critical units are already loaded, or there are enough ships close at hand to move the 2nd and 4th Divisions. Even lifting the units from Taiwan and Pescadores is such a short trip you don't need many ships for it. Once late January rolls around, though, you will want TONS. This is because right when the Luzon and Singapore campaigns end, you need to lift about 8 divisions and take them somewhere, and better to do it quickly then wait a month to get the shipping together.

You can live without AK-t conversions, but if you don't convert, IMO, you will have ground units sitting around waiting for transport. This is very bad for Japan, as speed is your greatest ally initially, and every day wasted waiting for your logistical tail to catch us is a day the Allies get stronger.

The Phase 2 moves are also a lot longer, so multiple trips will burn a lot more time. Better to have the shipping handy.

I screwed some things up in my PBEM game as Japan, I am doing what I would call OK mainly because I think my INTENT is there, which is to move supplies, fuel, troops, everything you can get your hands on, and move it forward at all times without stopping. If you have transports sitting around in a port, there has to be a reason why; are they repairing, waiting for something, or is there a job to do right now? Find them work, there is always SOMETHING.

Sorry for the long note, but I cannot stress enough the need for SPEED if you are the Empire.

I second the motion.

Your conversions should be taking place during the first week as you move ships from some of the smaller bases to the larger bases (port size). I would say to err on the side of having too much troop capacity as you don't know if a TF or two will get sunk in masse by an Allied SCTF.

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Sub deployment:
Since I have played the Allies a lot more than Japan, I would suggest some hunter/killer groups of 1 Glen equipped sub with 3 fleet subs. I would have one group due east of Aukland over 15 hexes away and them having a patrol zone of only two waypoints(vs max of three) going east to west in three or four parallel lines (maybe about 10 hexes per leg). Next, I would have another few groups doing the same thing in a SW to NE line to the east of Christmas and up towards California. I would try having them away from PBY ranges. If he is like me, he will use the waypoints to get much of his transports from Australia, NZ, and even SRA over to USA.
He is likely to have them move due east from Aukland with maybe a slight variation to near the Society Islands or Cook Islands as waypoint #1, then off to the NE to waypoint #2, and then straight up towards the USA. His assumption being that it is far enough away from possible carrier raids.
He may try to build up Christmas Island as a possible waypoint to Pago Pago and beyond.

Just my $.02   

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Mike, sorry for all the comments:

1. What SNLF did you hit Guam with? The guys pointed at Legaspi turn one? While I hate that Legaspi landing, I would have landed them on Ambon. They can take it easily Dec 8th. Guam can't hurt you at all, it can be taken anytime in 1942.

2. Interesting that you accelerated tankers. There is a surplus at start of Merchant Points, but that quickly turns into a big deficit in 1943. I preferred to build up a surplus pool for payment later. If you drain it now, you will have to expand your Merchant shipyards later.

Nice hit on Enterprise BTW, I always try to find those CV with subs, but never manage it. I would actually split up KB to cover more area and make sure you find her (or make sure she is sunk). Check the A/C report; did alot of Wildcats and Dauntlesses suddenly show up as OPS losses?

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Ryujo saga

I figured I'd stay in the area one more day to try and hit a warship or two. Well, Ted helped me out there. The Houston found the Ryujo TF and crossed the T! The Houston took a few minor hits (5") and the Ryujo got hit by 2x 8", 1x 5" and 1x 3". She'll survive (assuming nothing else crosses her path) but she definitely has some extra vents now. The Ryujo is still capable of flying planes because later in the day her Kates planted 3x 250kg bombs on Houston, heavily damaging her (after missing with her 11 remaining torps). Now the badly damaged Houston is between Ryujo and Babelwatsit. Thank goodness for waypoints! The Houston is doomed, but will she get in an extra lick before becoming a fish condo? The world wants to know!