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RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

 
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RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/8/2016 8:51:58 PM   
Lowpe


Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline 		Congrats on getting Ailinglaplap on the cheap! I thought for sure John was going to come in guns a blazing.



< Message edited by Lowpe -- 4/8/2016 8:54:09 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5431
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/8/2016 9:17:21 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		He'll have his chances, I think. He's had nearly a week now to get his ducks in a row and plan a mighty counterattack. Circumstances may have thwarted him (if his carriers are upgrading, that would explain things). But you know the feeling you get when you've been loitering awhile - that the enemy is taking full stock, making plans, and has had enough time to orchestrate a masterly counterstroke? That's the feeling I'll be getting in a few days.

There is a chance (but I think it's pretty small) that John has Half KB South moving in to defend Tarawa. I think I'm willing to take that chance since Tarawa at level 3 airfield plus Half KB South probably isn't an overwhelming force against the current Death Star make up. But I hope I can take Makin next turn and have another PBY squadron patroling these waters.

(in reply to Lowpe)
Post #: 5432
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/8/2016 9:31:45 PM   
BillBrown


Posts: 2335
Joined: 6/15/2002
Status: offline 		If we are going to talk about vintages, I am 69.

< Message edited by BillBrown -- 4/8/2016 9:34:03 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5433
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/8/2016 9:47:56 PM   
desicat

 

Posts: 542
Joined: 5/25/2008
Status: offline 		The kind of counter attack you are expecting would be far and away more desirable than a well planned and prepped Operation designed to do deep damage. A counter attack would again show he has yielded the initiative and is reacting to you while an Operation into a pre-planned offensive (like Burma) could be dangerous and long lasting.

(in reply to BillBrown)
Post #: 5434
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/8/2016 9:48:30 PM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy


quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Sorry for the hijack -- but as for converting (some of) the cargo ships to AE, when can you do that? I assume the Allies have so many cargo ships that completing these conversions is a no-brainer?

At the beginning of the game the Allies need to move a lot of cargo forward so converting all of them is not really recommended. I convert around six of them right away and more later when offensive ops are starting and the BBs are coming back from repairs and upgrades.


On the first turn before any ship leaves port I comb through every ship to find conversion and IMMEDIATELY start the conversions.

There are somewhere around 20 (very rough number) available at game start and at least another 20 enter as reinforcements over the first few months.

I see them as so valuable in the AKE/AE role that I don't want to risk losing them to submarines from shipping cargo.

Yes I have an overabundance of them in the first few months, more than I can put to use, and it does put a crunch on overall shipping capacity, but I see it as an investment in the future.

As soon as I am ready to start offensive actions I have more than enough support ready to deploy.

< Message edited by HansBolter -- 4/8/2016 9:50:56 PM >

_____________________________

Hans


(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 5435
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/8/2016 11:18:51 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I'm pretty sure 7 w/o nav support is the minimum for 8" guns so much bigger ports w/o nav support are needed for BBs.

Basically I try not to rely on ports for rearming the big boys as so few on the board can fill that bill.

I always try to get AE/AKEs of appropriate size into the locales where I need to rearm the beasties.

I also try to have at least one tender per BB being rearmed if not more.

Level 7 will do most BBs without additional Nav Support. Here is the table from the manual:






Attachment (1)

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to HansBolter)
Post #: 5436
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 3:10:45 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		7/5/43

Operation Roller Coaster: Amphibious landing at undefended Makin takes the island, with Sea Bees also unloaded and base force enroute. A PBY will operate to provide southern sector search. To the southeast, it's D-Day at Baker Island. Some of the Allied units come ashore in good shape, but one battalion gets chewed up in the auto shock attack. The enemy is hit hard too, and forts drop for 3 to 1.

So the Allies now have Makin (dot hex), Jaluit, Ailinglaplap, Wotje, and Mili. They'll attack tomorrow at Majuro (preceded by a BB bombardment). At Maloelap the assault troops need a few more days of rest.

Tomorrow the Tarawa invasion force will slow down a bit and take station just east of Makin. This is to allow the amphibs to get in good position for the invasion and to see if John has anything up. Tarawa airfield shows only a couple of aircraft, but Tabituea has more than 200. I don't mind taking that on, but I am concerned about the risk of a Tabituea/KB duo. That would be tough. But if things lookay okay tomorrow, D-Day Tarawa will be the day after. The garrison looks modest - maybe only 4k troops? If so, the assaulting Australian Div. loaded aboard APA and AK should be enough to handle things relatively expeditiously.

John has three or four subs in the area now - these were the group patrolling in and around Suva. They pick off a president xAP (Buchanan) that was carrying a fragment of 3rd Marines (the unit that took Ailinglaplap).

If KB arrives in the next two days, things are going to get nasty. If not, I think the Allies will take Tarawa. The operation then will have achieved the main desired targets and I'll take a hard look at whether additional ops are desirable or whether it's better to retire to Pearl. John's had a long time to get a close look at everything, so I don't want to overstay my welcome.

Operation Circus: Lots of Georges sweep Adak Island, which isn't offering CAP right now. Half KB North remains posted at Attu. Allied troop movement continues apace, from Dutch Harbor to Kodiak to Prince Rupert, as I try to position troops for Operation Carnival.

Battle of Sumatra: Once again, the overwhelming Japanese force on the west road shock attacks, this time achieving 3:1 odds but failing to dislodge the defenders. The defenders now have no supply, but they held as long as they could have. Whether they stand or fall now really will have no bearing on Sabang. No enemy bombardments today. Bombings focus on Sabang and the west road hex. Artillery bombardment at Sabang again costs Japan a bunch of arty pieces and vehicles. Supply at 3.7k. Nav Search shows a big BB force inbound. Sabang probably falls tomorrow.

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 5437
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 3:34:09 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I don't see any signs of combat vessels or carriers that could contest the Tarawa landings, but ships can move a long, long way in 24 hours. I'm going to send in a small DD/DMS TF to see if John has combat ships waiting to pounce and to see if there are mines at Tarawa. If there are no signs of trouble tomorrow, then D-Day will take place the day after.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5438
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 4:11:59 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		7/6/43

Operation Roller Coaster: Massed Japanese LBA strike from Roi Namur and perhaps Eniwetok, overwhelming the CAP at Wotje, sinking 2 xAP, 3 xAK and CA Portland. I saw this possibility, but this time can be accused of being sloppy or of having blinders. I stripped away too many fighters to bolster the CAP at Mili to aid in the protection for the Tarawa force. Ten minutes after I sent the turn to John, I was reviewing a pre-send save and saw what I had done. I hoped Wotje might slide under the radar or benefit from bad weather. Losing a CA is bad news given all the losses previously taken at Sabang and vicinity.

The rest of the day's events here go well. The Tarawa invasion force moves to near Makin without incident. The DA/DMS force reconnoiters Tarawa hex without incident - no mines, no shore guns, no ambushing combat ships. So D-Day will come off tomorrow. Washington and Massachusetts will lead a bombardment TF, Maryland is embedded in the amphibious TF, and the amphibs (nearly all APA and AK are set at full speed for the three-hex journey. Tarawa may have a non-organic CD unit, but defenses look pretty light. John pulled out the aircraft, presumably on the fear that the base is too weakly held to stand against a shock attack. I hope that's the case.

A bunch of enemy subs are posted just east of Mili, but they're probably moving to hunting grounds inside the group of islands or closer to Tarawa.

Baker Island falls on a shock attack. Majuro holds against a deliberate attack. Maloelap's Ausie RCT needs another day or two of rest before attacking again.

CVL Brandywine flies off her Hellcats to Mili and moves NE, making for Pearl Harbor. She has an escort of only two DDs, so I don't want to send her to waters growing congested now with subs.

No sign of enemy BBs or big combat TFs. Lots of enemy shipping around Kusaie and Ponape.

Operation Circus: Enemy Bettys sortie and pick off a few barges and I think one LST. A sub picks off an ASW AM near Prince Rupert. Half KB North remains posted here. I think as long as she remains here, the Allies will move in CenPac. What may happen is that, post-Tarawa, the Allies may retire to Pearl to rearm and re-allocate assault troops. If Half KB remains at Attu (that's a long way off, so who knows), then I'd move back to CenPac along with the new Essex class arrivals. But the Allied troops for Operation Carnival - the move on Amchitka - will reach Prince Rupert tomorrow. So the Allies can move either way, though it will take weeks to reposition the carriers up this way if that's the direction I'm going.

Battle of Sumatra: No ship bombardments today, but a might one will hit tonight. I expect an all-out attack tomorrow. Supply is down to 2.5k. Enemy bombardment at Sabang destroys 12 enemy arty pieces and 28 vehicles. There's a small chance the Allies can hold this one more attack, but if the BBs do their job, probably not. On the west road, the tattered defenders with zero supply hold against a shock attack by an IJA infantry division and a tank division and three HQ units. The Titans of Sumatra battling to the end.


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5439
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 4:21:59 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		As a follow up to yesterday's conversation, the support ships at Jaluit included two AKE and one 5.4k AE. The inability to rearm BBs may be been due to the high number of ships rearming smaller ammo first. I've reposition the support ships to Mili temporarily because it has good CAP. But I may try again later.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5440
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 5:42:11 PM   
witpqs


Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline 		Tech note: to retreat a unit must be able to trace a retreat path to a friendly base. I'm not sure of the maximum length of a retreat path, but you cannot retreat into, nor trace a path through a hex containing enemy LCU. That includes the friendly base that is the ultimate (theoretical) destination of the retreat path.

So, with Sabang being the only friendly base on the island and there being enemy troops there, the Allied units to the west are stuck in place until they surrender or are destroyed.

_____________________________

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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5441
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 6:10:23 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		The Allies have one hex to themselves - a jungle hex in between Sabang and the other contested hex on the west road. As far as I know, the Sabang troops can retred into that uncontested hex and so can the troops in the contested hex on the west road.

I certainly think I've seen that kind of thing happen a zillion times, especially in China and Burma.

Or have I missed something?

Bottom line, though is that the tattered units holding the west road stopped two IJA divisions from joining the assault at Sabang for weeks, contributing longevity to the campaing. And since longevity kept the IJN BBs on station for those extra weeks, their efforts did mean something.

(in reply to witpqs)
Post #: 5442
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 6:28:43 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		7/7/43

Operation Roller Coaster: Very tough fighting at Tarawa. D-Day begins with an SSX putting a torp into CA Indianapolis, which takes 41 FLT damage (she'll retire with two DDs as escorts, and that TF will follow a small ASW TF in hopes it might clear a path to the east so that the ship can make it to Pearl).

The BB TF (including Indianapolis) hits Tarawa and finds no shore guns and does only slight mischief to the defenses. The assault troops come ashore in good shape - the entire Aussie Div. supported by 18th Combat Engineers land in one day. The Assies are prepped over 60% but suffer very high disablements (that's not ideal prep, but it's much higher than many of the other landings in this Op that took contested hexes on D-Day). And yet, it's very odd. The Aussie unit shows 0 disprution and moderate fatigue (and those high disablements). The unit has 157 AV (after the following attack) and shock attacks at a very low adjusted value, the attack coming off at 1:4 and not touching the four forts. There are two IJN naval guard units reinforced by some parachute assault squads airlifted in from Tabituea (I know this, because SigInt just reported the para unit at that base). The Japanese defenders suffer higher losses in the attack (except the Allies did lose a good number of combat engineer squads). All told it's a very odd combination of results.

With 157 AV and no disruption and medium fatigue, the Aussie's might be able to take the base tomorrow. But I don't want to take any chances, so I'm inclined to land 40th USA Div., which is prepping for Ponape and loaded aboard APA and AK. This will badly disrupt this unit, but I think the extra oomph would still add considerable firepower. This is something I'll chew over for a few hours.

Ponape is a highly unlikely target in the short term since John's had time now to reinforce there and at Kusaie and possibly at Roi Namur. I might still take on Roi Namur if John doesn't reinforce in the meantime since the American RCT has unloaded at Mili, is resting, and is ready to load aboard assault ships. Or following Tarawa I may retire to Pearl. That remains to be seen.

No enemy air attacks from Tabituea. In fact, John seems to have pulled out some of his aircraft.

Operation Circus: Netties from the western Aleuts target the unCapped port at Adak Island, sinking three or four barges at a cost of a dozen or more Netties. 5th Indian Div. arrives at Prince Rupert and is 35% prepped for Amchitka. By the time any loading would take place, prep would be at least in the 70s. Two American divisions are prepping for Attu - one at Prince Rupert and one at the dot hex inland (to not overstack PR). So the Allies should be in good position to proceed with Operation Carnival once Roller Coaster winds down, if that's the course of action that seems best under the circumstances that I'll measure in making the decision in a couple of weeks.

Battle of Sumatra: Seven IJN BBs bombard Sabang, divided between two TFs. A deliberate attack follows, coming off at 2:1 and dropping forts to 1. Two Allied units are destroyed. Both sides have a modest number of squads destroyed, but 400+ Japanese combat squads are disabled. Supply is down to 500 (THE END IS NIGH!), but the units are still fully supplied (including AA units), so John may not notice for a day or two that AA is no longer firing. In any event, the next attack will do it. He might need to wait two or three days (or he may be emboldened enough to try a shock attack tomorrow). It's three days to D Plus 8 Months. John's had uncontested control of the air and sea since February 18 - nearly five months to bombard and bomb without opposition. That's a long, long time for a besieged garrison to hold. I couldn't have asked more.

They could have asked more from me, of course. But I'm satisfied that the decision to not try to reinforce Sabang was the right one. I would've had to try several months ago or more (I certainly couldn't have planned on Sabang holding into summer against such overwhelming odds). Using Death Star as it was in April or May would have been a death sentence against Steroid KB and a half dozen big airfields surrounding Sabang. So losing Sabang is very hard. But benefiting from directly through Circus and Roller Coaster has helped salve the wounds. And if any readers doubt that I've benefitted directly, I can explain.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5443
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 7:14:11 PM   
witpqs


Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The Allies have one hex to themselves - a jungle hex in between Sabang and the other contested hex on the west road. As far as I know, the Sabang troops can retred into that uncontested hex and so can the troops in the contested hex on the west road.

I certainly think I've seen that kind of thing happen a zillion times, especially in China and Burma.

Or have I missed something?

Bottom line, though is that the tattered units holding the west road stopped two IJA divisions from joining the assault at Sabang for weeks, contributing longevity to the campaing. And since longevity kept the IJN BBs on station for those extra weeks, their efforts did mean something.

Yes: the terminus of the retreat path which is traced must be a friendly base that does not have enemy LCU present.

_____________________________

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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5444
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/9/2016 7:17:35 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Are you saying that my troops in Sabang won't retreat to the adjacent Allied-only jungle hex?

On re-reading, I don't think that's what you're saying. I think you are saying that the American units in the third hex (jungle hex occupied by both sides) won't retreat now since there is no candidate Allied base to retreat towards. So they'll fight until they die in that hex.

But the Sabang men will retreat to the open hex to the west.

Right?

(If I'm still wrong, I need to have my head examined, 'cause my mind will be tortured trying to wrap around this thing.)

(in reply to witpqs)
Post #: 5445
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 3:22:23 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Working through whether or not to commit 40th Division to Tarawa was an interesting exercise.

40th is prepping for Ponape, but I know that locale isn't on the table for weeks. So the division is available and, working in tandem with 6th Australian Div. already ashore, could overwhelm the defenses at Tarawa and bring the battle to a quick end.

I did just this successfully at Ailinglaplap a few days back, when 3rd Marines had bogged down. A RCT prepping for Kusaei came ashore and sealed the deal immediately.

But I've had the exact opposite result at Maleolap, where the reinforcing RCT (also prepping for Kusaie, had essentially no effect).

But in the interest of going at this hard and striving for a decisive outcome as soon as possible - before John can bring enough forces to bear to alter the dominance the Allies have had to date - I've ordered 40th Division to land. This unit is 100% aboard APA and AKA, so it might come ashore in decent shape.

Also, BBs Washington and North Carolina will bombard for the first time, bringing main gun ammo to bear at Tarawa for the first time. Tarawa is tough - an atoll of rough terrain with four forts.

But if this fails, it might mean some hair pulling trying to figure out another approach.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5446
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 3:56:09 AM   
witpqs


Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Are you saying that my troops in Sabang won't retreat to the adjacent Allied-only jungle hex?

On re-reading, I don't think that's what you're saying. I think you are saying that the American units in the third hex (jungle hex occupied by both sides) won't retreat now since there is no candidate Allied base to retreat towards. So they'll fight until they die in that hex.

But the Sabang men will retreat to the open hex to the west.

Right?

(If I'm still wrong, I need to have my head examined, 'cause my mind will be tortured trying to wrap around this thing.)



Retreat is the same no matter if you are in a base or the countryside. The unit must be able to trace a retreat path to a friendly base. A retreat path can not be traced through hexes with enemy LCU present, including the destination base.

AFAIK Sabang is the only Allied base on Sumatra, right? There are enemy LCU present in Sabang, right? Then ain't no Allied unit on the whole island of Sumatra retreating nowhere no how on no account of nothin'.

Got it?

_____________________________

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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5447
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 5:55:31 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		witpqs, yer blowin' my mind.

And then I log into the Forums to see what's up...and see this screen. A JohnIII "Banzai!" is not what I had hoped to see.




Attachment (1)

(in reply to witpqs)
Post #: 5448
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 6:02:06 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Email from John: "NOW we can play my ADO!" ["ADO" is shorthand for Allied Dastardly Opponent; I first called John a Dastardly Japanese Opponent a few weeks back].

I need to dig out a post I made a few weeks back that upon the fall of Sabang, the first thing John would say was, "Now I an get started" or words to that effect.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5449
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 6:05:43 AM   
crsutton


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

ORIGINAL: Termite2

You start with 2 AE 5400; Mauna Loa & Lassen, get the Shasta in 5/42.
Size 7 can rearm any allied ship, at least it says so in my manual
To rearm a 16"/50 at port 6; you need 188 Naval support Sq
port 5 - 204 naval support Sq
port 4 - 212 Naval support Sq




With the changes in the OOB the US gets a few base units that have just over 100 naval support. Important units. Especially later in the campaign when the Allies might not have a major port near the action.

_____________________________

I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to Bearcat2)
Post #: 5450
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 7:19:14 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		7/8/43

Battle of Sumatra: Sabang falls today on a 3:1 shock attack. 32 Allied units - American, British, Indian, Australian - surrender. Roughly 9,000 squads are destroyed along with 2,000 guns and 2,200 vehicles (the guns are mainly AA as I only had one or two arty units present). The Japanese losses are relatively heavy for a big victory - 180 squads destroyed and 500 disabled.

This brings to an end a campaign that began with a D-Day assault on November 10, 1942 (and that actually took place around July 2013). I began before that, with the Allies intending to invade the Aluetians in the summer of '42, diverting to Oz and Tasmania to invade New Guinea, and then diverting again to Sumatra in a move that caught John by surprise.

I've already conducted Sabang's funeral many times, most recently a week or two back. So I won't go into length details about what happened, what it means for the Allies, and what I think it means for John.

I'll say this: When John and I terminated the game in September 2013, I was convinced that the Allies couldn't prevail in Sumatra due to the imbalance in the fighter pools and production. When we resumed in December 2015 (January 3, 1943 in game time), John told me that fighter production and pools had been increased (he believed it, not realizing the changes couldn't be made retroactive to this game, which I didn't discover for awhile). So, when we resumed, I had hopes that I might figure out a way to make Sumatra last. By late January '43, however, I understood the reality and had to make the decision between fighting for Sumatra at all costs (and probably extreme cost) or shifting focus elsewhere. All of you know the decision I made. I'm satisfied it was the right one, but it's painful to suffer a landmark defeat of epic proportions. Watching unit after unit disappear was akin to the surrender of Bataan, only much more agonizing since it's '43 and the Allies are no longer at the mercy of Japan.

The total value of the units lost was somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000, I think. I don't know the value of what Japan lost, but at least two divisions were reporting 0 AV at the time of the attack (of course, that's just due to disablements, but I think there's enough of that to require some recovery time).

Where does John go from here? That's one of the fun parts. He's reconning India, Oz and China. Those are possibilities. How strong a tug does he feel to head to CenPac? I'll find out as soon as those seven BBs report for duty to new fronts.

I told you I wouldn't begrudge John his "Banzai!" for this effort. He put a lot of energy and thought in to "unraveling the onion" (as he called it back in February). He made me pay dearly for my unnaturally early invasion of Sumatra. And he paid a stiff price too - in terms of time and assets dedicated tot he campaign. A tip of the cap to him, though I won't tell him that as he doesn't need encouragement. He's on fire. That probably means he's feeling very bold and ambitious.

Operation Roller Coaster: It was a bloody and eventful day here. I think committing 40th Div. to Tarawa was the right call. The unit came ashore with minimal disablements after North Carolina and Washington bombarded the island to good effect. IJN subs are very active in the area. One put a torp into BB South Dakota (30 SYS damage) and another sank an already-damaged xAK. The Allies sank one sub, I think. The Allied attack at Tarawa came off at high odds and took the base. Two big TFs will immediately reload 40th Div. That might take one day or two. Then the Allies weight anchor and move out. The question is whether they remain in force in the Marshalls to move on Roi Namur or instead retire to Pearl in prep for the next op. Roi Namur has been reinforced and is overstacked. I only have one RCT prepped for this base, so it's probably better to retire to Pearl, evaluate what's where and where the opportunities are, and go from there.

It may be unseemly to take pleasure in the successes of Roller Coaster on the day that Sabang falls, but this op really has been remarkable to date. The Allies have taken undefended Makin and defended Baker Island, Tarawa, Mili, Jaluit, Ailinglaplap, Wotje. Malaoelap and Majuro are still under siege but will probably fall in a week or less. This op was made possible only because seven IJN BBs were known to be in Sumatra and Half KB North was stationary in the Aleutians. I couldn't have chanced it otherwise.

Operation Circus: IJN CB/CA bombardment of Adak Island today does a lot of damage to the airfield and port. I'm giving free reign to John up here right now due to the focus on the Marshalls. But behind Adak a lot is going on. Dutch Harbor is down to 48k troops. Transports continue to shift units around as desired to maximize placement for future operations and to prevent overstacking.

(in reply to crsutton)
Post #: 5451
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 11:37:14 AM   
traskott


Posts: 1546
Joined: 6/23/2008
From: Valladolid, Spain
Status: offline 		Remember: Show must go on

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5452
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 12:16:23 PM   
JohnDillworth


Posts: 3100
Joined: 3/19/2009
Status: offline 		I must say Dan you are bleeding capital ships and your opponents never seem to leave port. If your strategy is to start bleeding John of his capital ships the results are disappointing so far. Not a critique, just an observation. I've enjoyed watching you play for years and you seem off your footing in this game.

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Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly

(in reply to traskott)
Post #: 5453
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 12:41:06 PM   
ny59giants


Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline 		While Dan has a health respect for KB, it's those damn subs nipping at his heels that are truly frustrating. In my last game as Japan, I was convinced to stop building subs. I think that was a mistake just because they cause some much disruption to the Allies.

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(in reply to JohnDillworth)
Post #: 5454
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 1:19:00 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		John Dillworth's post is kind of puzzling. John III's ships have been at sea nearly the entire game. He's ridden them so hard that I think he had to put Half KB into port for upgrades, allowing Roller Coaster to proceed largely unmolested.

In the past six weeks of game time, the Allies have completed (or nearly so) two large invasions. They've taken (or are on the brink of) eleven defended enemy islands and about that many more undefended ones. These two operations have been on the main line of John's defenses (witness how hard he's reacted in the Aleuts; and we're seeing the same kind of reaction in CenPac now. The Allies have establishes massive bases in both areas, have created multiple vectors of attack, have outflanked John SoPac and SWPac defenses, and are in position to move on more vital sectors.

All this at a cost (thus far) of one CA, one APA, one TK and some other ships (not counting damaged ships).

I think anybody that's played PBEM knows how hard it is to engage in the big opening offensives of the war - the '43 invasions when the Allies are finally strong enough to move forward - and to do so successfully and at low cost. I couldn't be more pleased with how Circus and Roller Coaster have gone.

Taking Adak, Umnak, Dutch Harbor, Tarawa, Mili, Ailinglaplap, Jaluit and Wotje for basically pennies? It doesn't get much better than that. So how can I seem off my game? Heavens, the Allies have performed well all game; Johns been on his heels, the whole game, and most importantly of all, the Japanese navy has been well attritioned. I'm very pleased with where things stand in July 1943.

John's going to counter and go on the offensive. Things will be bloody for awhile. But at the moment I type this (and subject to change with the luck of war), the Death Star is entire (I've lost one CVE in the game). And I'm not looking at a long slog to recapture Oz or to claw my way through the New Hebrides or back from the edge of the map. I'm ready to move on the western Aleuts or Marcus or Kusaie and Ponape or Rabaul. What's there not to like?

(in reply to ny59giants)
Post #: 5455
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 1:46:31 PM   
Lowpe


Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

While Dan has a health respect for KB, it's those damn subs nipping at his heels that are truly frustrating. In my last game as Japan, I was convinced to stop building subs. I think that was a mistake just because they cause some much disruption to the Allies.


+1.

(in reply to ny59giants)
Post #: 5456
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 3:13:35 PM   
crsutton


Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		Two requests, would you post as best as you know your major ship losses to date vs John's? Warships down to DDs. (as I think Japanese DD losses are the key to sinking big ships later)

And of all the units lost in Sumatra, do you have a plan installed for rebuilding the lost units. Which units take priority and which will probably not get rebuilt soon or at all?

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I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to Lowpe)
Post #: 5457
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 3:47:16 PM   
Bearcat2

 

Posts: 577
Joined: 2/14/2004
Status: offline 		Good Grief, am impressed with your effort in this game, especially since this scenario gives the Japanese so much more. India, Australia, Pearl; none have been taken by the Japanese, based on who you are playing, am surprised.


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"After eight years as President I have only two regrets: that I have not shot Henry Clay or hanged John C. Calhoun."--1837

(in reply to crsutton)
Post #: 5458
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 5:25:14 PM   
catwhoorg


Posts: 686
Joined: 9/27/2012
From: Uk expat lving near Atlanta
Status: offline 		You have done better in the Marshall's in one fell swoop than I normally manage versus the AI.

I creep rather than blitz, and that maybe the difference.

(in reply to Bearcat2)
Post #: 5459
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/10/2016 8:51:25 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		7/9/43

I'll do the research in reply to crsutton's question sometime today. I've given much of the information about the Japanese navy remaining OOB in recent weeks, but I'll do the info for both sides.

Operation Roller Coaster: Japanese subs are doing nasty work in the Marshalls. Today one put a fish it BB Resolution (20 FLT damage). Others sank a couple of empty xAKs.

The Allied transport TFs did a great job of loading all of 41st Div. in a single day. The ships weighed anchor and ended up one hex from the carriers, which were SE of Tarawa a hex or two. Despite the proximity, bleed-over CAP wasn't sufficient to ward off an incoming enemy strike from Tabituea. Judys sank an LSI(L) and damaged a few others ships (including two APA). John lost 30 Zeroes and Judys. 41st Div. transports will move NE and probably head for Pearl Harbor.

Allied carrier will move NNE to a point near Makin Island. I'm weighing between remaining in or near theater or retiring. The Allies have the two remaining amphibious ops to close the deal on (Majuro and Maloelap). I'll keep sufficient combat ships in theater to provide protection. John has loaded up Kwaj and Roi Namur with aircraft. I think Allied CAP at Mili is sufficient to protect the shipping there. The only other ships in the region are a few xAK and xAP unloading a base force at Ailinglaplap. There are two fighter squadrons there - not enough to ward off massed enemy attacks, but I want to get as much ashore as quickly as possible.

I have some ideas about what's coming next and how to handle John's air presence in his remaining Marshalls holdings.

Most of the bases taken now have engineers and base forces. Some bases need some building or expansion of fields before taking on LBA (bombers), but that's coming. John had Jaluit airfield - a 0(0) base - at 84% to level one. It's now at 97%. That's pretty quick work on a field that isn't supposed to be a field.

Many Allied amphibs are back at Pearl or nearing that port. But I still have a lot at Mili to handle the remaining ops and to then pull out what isn't staying.

Operation Roller Coaster: Lots of enemy activity as John reinforces his remaining bases. Dutch Harbor garrison down to 47k (from a high of 81k).

John is actively reconning bases in China (including Sian, Toyun, and the base closes to Burma). He's also reconning the Perth/Geraldton region. And he's taking hard looks at the Marshalls and the Aleutians. I don't know if he has offensive ideas in these areas (or others), but it wouldn't be a bad thing to see him use lots of resources in a counterattack if the region isn't vital or if he suffers disproportionate losses.

As mentioned before, the Allies do not plan any deep moves in the near future. With the arrival of the two new Essex class (in 5 and 7 days) and another CVL imminent, I prefer now to organize a massive invasion fleet intended for bases close to home airfields. Amchitka, Roi Namur and Kwajalein are each good possibilities.

(in reply to catwhoorg)
Post #: 5460
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