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RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

 
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RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 3:13:03 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Yes. Two recent examples: the sinking of an IJN AO north of Truk was the first clue that KB was moving north in response to the invasions in the Aleutians, and a sub missing Ryujo 8 or 10 turns back was the first indication that KB was moving towards the Marshalls or Hawaii. Both events were significant.

(in reply to Lowpe)
Post #: 5821
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 3:29:02 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		8/17/43

A quiet day. A quiet day with lots of information. And a quiet day in the way it can be still before the storm.

Roller Coaster/Thin Man: No sign of KB, though recon shows a bunch of CAs (probably exaggerations) disbanded at Truk. Also, SigInt reports heavy radio traffic at Marcus Island. That would be a good central point if John was trying to weigh between CenPac and NoPac. But Ops Report shows Marcus port going to level 2, so the signal may be merchant traffic involved in beafing up the island's defenses. I am playing on the assumption that KB is in a position to move quickly to the Marshalls, but I am also considering the possibility it's at Marcus or en route to NoPac.

Four Fletchers visit Roi Namur without incident (they're going to return tonight, because NavSearch now shows enemy merchants there). This is a crucial bit of information. The DDs have visited both invaison targets without incident. This suggests that John isn't uber-prepared with the bases mined to the teeth. He might be planning last minute mine runs by subs or CMs, but that's a different level of prep.

The main Allied invasion TFs are 23 hexes east of Kwaj. No encounters with the enemy and none showing detection. Surely there will be sniffings tomorrow or the day after. In fact, I have the one xAK supply TF purposefully taking an advance, southern course (in range of Taby's search planes and Bettys) just to draw John's attention. If there is early detection, the plan is to steam into the Marshalls boldy, then suddenly stop and attend to supply matters first. If John doesn't get early detection, or if I get reliable info that KB is far away, then amphibious operations will come first.

I have about 270 good LBA fighters in the Marshalls and Gilberts, along with five torpedo squadrons (2 TBF, 3 Beufort) and four or five SBD squadrons.

Circus: No altercation at Adak, but combat ships are in close proximity. John has a big combat TF at Amchitka under stout CAP. I have 5 Fletchers (to be augumented tonight by a sixth) at Adak. I bet John send his ships to Adak. I'm leaving my Fletchers in place because Adak has mines and because any damage suffered by enemy ships (to mines or in surface combat) might allow the concentrateion of strike aircraft at Ulak and Adak to get in a whack or two.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5822
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 4:39:02 PM   
poodlebrain

 

Posts: 392
Joined: 10/4/2012
From: Comfy Chair in Baton Rouge
Status: offline
quote:

Also, SigInt reports heavy radio traffic at Marcus Island. That would be a good central point if John was trying to weigh between CenPac and NoPac. But Ops Report shows Marcus port going to level 2, so the signal may be merchant traffic involved in beafing up the island's defenses. I am playing on the assumption that KB is in a position to move quickly to the Marshalls, but I am also considering the possibility it's at Marcus or en route to NoPac.
This is consistent with your sinking of the AO north of Truk, and your recent spotting of the KB operating NE of the Marshalls. John could have the KB sitting at Marcus with AO waiting to determine where to commit it based on your actions. I think this may give you some low risk sailing time for your TFs to approach the Marshalls. Additionally, it gives you time to arrange your LBA to try and get a favorable environment for the carrier battle you seek.

I view this as a positive development with respect to Thin Man.

_____________________________

Never trust a man who's ass is wider than his shoulders.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5823
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 5:07:52 PM   
Lecivius


Posts: 4845
Joined: 8/5/2007
From: Denver
Status: offline 		I tend to agree. But he's got a lot of horsepower floating around here. KB is here in one group, and so are all of those CVE's of his in another Be careful your not the ham in a sandwich. Do you have air search working OT?

I have that feeling of an impending storm. The air changed. It won't happen today, or tomorrow, but soon. You can taste the change in the air.

(in reply to poodlebrain)
Post #: 5824
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 5:20:47 PM   
crsutton


Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		A follow up on mixing BBs. Actually were it me I would avoid surface combat with my BBs especially the old ones. By now they should have pretty good AA and they are perfect escort for your CVEs. The AI loves to attack BBs and one in your CVE TF might absorb 25% of the bomb hits that would normally be directed to the very fragile CVEs. The fast BBs go as well with your fleet carriers. Even Japanese 500 kg bombs bounce off and the AA is deadly. Surface fights should be avoided until you have fully functioning torpedoes and upgraded gunnery accuracy which will come in a couple of months. At this point Japanese surface assets just have too much advantage. No sense losing valuable ships now when the tide turns favorably for you in a short time.

_____________________________

I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to Lecivius)
Post #: 5825
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 5:24:52 PM   
crsutton


Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		This one is for Dan. We blundered upon this historic Rosenwald School while driving the back roads of NC on the way to our Hatteras home. This is the Coinjock Colored School and it is on its way to a full restoration. Pretty nice.




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_____________________________

I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.

Sigismund of Luxemburg

(in reply to crsutton)
Post #: 5826
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 7:52:56 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Ross, thanks for the photo. That's a particularly handsome example of one of the old Rosenwald Schools. Many readers may know that these were black schools financed privately through philanthropy, I think in the '20s or '30s. There are several surviving examples in my section of Georgia. We've touched on this history in some of our articles, but it merits an article of its own.

(in reply to crsutton)
Post #: 5827
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 8:06:32 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		8/18/43

Operation Thin Man: It's time to make the transition from Roller Coaster to Thin Man. This operation focuses on supply to the Marshalls, retrieving (and some redistribution) of troops, action against enemy carriers and/or combat ships, and the invasions of Kwajalein and Roi-Namur.

John's patrols caught wind of many TFs, but not the carriers. Yet some of his search aircraft were downed by CAP. So he'll make accurate deductions. The main armada is 16 hexes east of Kwaj. Some TFs are further forward, including that "bait" TF of three xAKs. It drew a strike from Taby's Bettys. One of the xAKs was hit and sunk.

The four Fletchers at Wotje sortied to Roi-Naur, encountering a small merchant TF without meaningful escort (again, no mines, which is good info). The Fletchers sank three xAK and an SC. NavSearch reports an enemy combat TF (two CLs showing) inbound about six hexes west of Roi. My Fletchers are low on ammo, so they will retire to Jaluit, where I think they can replenish gun ammo but not torps (that should change in about three days, when support ships arrive).

No sign of KB. John's email indicates that he's looking for a fight. So I expect Steroid KB to come fast, probably combined with Mini KB. Somebody asked if the Allies have good NavSearch. There are six PBY squadrons stationed in the Marshalls, with others at Midway and Tarawa. Ther are also long-range recon and bomber units supplementing the search.

I've moved all torp and divebombers forward, mostly to Ailinglaplap, Maloelap and Wotje. The latter is five hexes from Jaluit's air HQ, but that's just within range of torp capability. The Beauforts here are set to range 8, which is enough to hit a naked AV operating at a dot hex to the north (I hope). Fighters are going to sweep Kwaj, with 4EB from Tarawa assigned to hit the airfield.

Two PT boat squadrons were created at Wotje and drew fuel from the Fletchrs. One TF will go over to Kwaj tonight (checking on mines and tasked with interdicting any minelayers). The second TF will patrol at Wotje, where that CL TF may be coming.

Tarawa goes to level four forts.

Circus: No action at Adak - that big enemy TF was carrying troops or supplies to Amchitka and then retired. Ulak goes to level four forts.

Reinforcements: Alabama arrived and will immediately depart, accompanied by a Fletcher, bound for Pearl. CV Belleau Wood will arrive in a few weeks. Where it goes from there depends on what's going on - but if things go well, she'll be heading for NoPac to take part in the upcoming invasion of Amchitka. Three relatively new CVEs are already present in NoPac. I think another CVL arrives at San Fran within the month.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5828
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/28/2016 11:27:30 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Operation Thin Man underway.




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Post #: 5829
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 12:26:12 AM   
SierraJuliet


Posts: 2319
Joined: 2/23/2009
From: Brisbane, Australia
Status: offline 		CR I look at your map and see so much green on the way. A truly awesome and terrible looking sight for those of us who like to wear red.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5830
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 2:05:27 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		8/19/43

I hope it lives up to its appearance, Sierra. :)

Thin Man: The Allied TFs move closer to the Marshalls without incident. No sign of enemy carriers. (Every AE player can probably imagine how nerve-wracking this is.) No big enemy air raids. No signs of massed subs or mines.

Some of the TFs are beginning to reach their objectives. Minelayers are at Mili. A fast transport TF may deliver it's load to the dot hex north of Wotje tonight. Three combat TFs will take station at Wotje, Maloelap and Mili tonight (the latter begin the four Fletchers already here; they replenished everything but torps at Jaluit today).

The carriers (with most of the amphib and support TFs) will move to a point SW of Maloelap tonight, seeking the most favorable position - a series of friendly airfields between it and the enemy airfields and the likely direction from which KB will arrive.

This is a relatively slow unfolding plan. Supply should begin unloading in a couple of days. That's the first priority. The second is to get some empty amphibs to Jaluit to load part of the Roi/Kwaj invasion forces. If all that goes well, then (eventually) the Allies move on the enemy islands. But the overarching issue is the location of the KB - does it come or not. If it does, it should arrive before any amphibious operations can take place. So preparation to meet the enemy is really the highest priority.

PT boats don't encounter anything at Kwaj. An enemy CL/DD force is at Roi. It drew some escorted and unescorted torpedo plane strikes. Oddly, though, the 4EB from way down at Tarawa opened the show early in the a.m., before the sweeps from the bases close to Kwaj came in. The result of all this was the Allies lost about 27 aircraft. Ten (10!) of these were 4EB. That's not a good ratio, so the 4EB are all converted to NavSearch.

To this point, John hasn't loaded up the airfields at Kusaie, Kwaj or Roi. Hmmm, that's gotta change big time if KB is coming.

Wow: Pucker. Factor. Big. Time. I will sweat when I send this turn back.

SigInt that an infantry regiment is aboard a maru bound for Tabituea. This suits me, as Taby and islands to the south and west will be bypassed and cut off if the Allied advance to the west is timely. That's sort of an island-hopping campaign, but more like "region-ignoring."

Wotje port goes to level 2.

Circus: All quiet in the north. Allied high-quality amphibs are gathering at Prince Rupert, along with the CVEs.




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(in reply to SierraJuliet)
Post #: 5831
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 2:11:18 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I should also report that the four Fletchers in the Marshalls sank another IJN sub today. Allied ASW has been markedly improved the past two months.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5832
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 2:31:44 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Decisions made. Orders entered. Disaster may ensue, but I'm at ease. I think the decisions are the right ones.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5833
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 3:16:52 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Speaking of subs, you can also expect a host of mini-subs at Kwaj and Roi-Namur. They usually don't hit much but it only takes one success to make you grind your teeth ...

_____________________________

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 Canoerebel)
Post #: 5834
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 3:29:31 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Yeah, an SSX at Tarawa put a torp into Indianapolis during that invasion.

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 5835
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 5:46:47 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		8/20/43

Thin Man: A fabulously complicated situation has developed during the final quiet day before what promises to be a storm.

Allied NavSearch picks up Steroid KB south of Wake Island (map to follow in next post). So it was posted at or near Marcus. Meanwhile, Mini KB is SW of Tabituea. Thirty-three hexes separate the two carrier groups, so they cannot unit tomorrow (unless John orders flank speed, which is possible but unlikely). The question is whether John is convinced enough that Kwaj/Roi are about to be invaded that he throws caution to the wind and orders all his ships to converge there, or whether he is more cautious and orders Mini KB to steer NW to skirt the danger zone. I think it will be something like the latter.

The Allied carriers are between Mili and Majuro (that's the best possible location given Steroid KB's position) 19 hexes from Steroid KB and 15 from Mini KB. It's tempting to go after Mini KB, but I don't think John will chance steaming straight north. And if I go off on that chase it leaves my merchant TFs pretty exposed, especially to enemy combat TFs. I think I'm going to steam SW a bit, to a point WNW of Makin Island. If, then, Mini KB steams hard for the Marshalls, a clash will occur. There is no danger, in that position, that Steroid KB could join in the fray.

Looks like lots of enemy subs at Kwaj/Roi. An IJN 5-DD TF visited Kwaj and sank a handful of PT boats.

Allied fast transports landed troops and base force cadre at Taongi, the dot hex eight hexes north of Wotje. From this position, PBYs can better monitor the northern flank.

Most Allied merchants and some CL/DD TFs will make for Mili. That's going to be The Alamo in the coming storm. There's a tremendous amount of shipping in proximity to enemy firepower, but that may be helpful in confusing John's target selection.

I don't know how fired up John is. I don't think a prudent player would steam into a circular arrangement of multiple Allied airfields with a large concentration of fighters and bombers plus a carrier force as large as his or larger. But there's a chance that he's in the mood to gamble, knowing the odds may never be better.

The Allies will accept battle, though I won't give it right on the front porch of John's big airfields. He'll have to seek me closer to my front porch.

Circus: No detected enemy activity.


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5836
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 5:57:16 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Operation Thin Man and Mini KB




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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5837
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 6:03:45 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Thin Man and Steroid KB.




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(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5838
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 6:36:30 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		One small change. The FT TF will change from Namorik to Ebon. Ebon is a Japanese dot hex. Namorik is Allied. Every little bit of pressure can mean something, so taking an enemy base - even a dot hex - will register far more with John than placing a cadre of troops at a base I already own.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5839
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 1:31:28 PM   
BBfanboy


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

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

One small change. The FT TF will change from Namorik to Ebon. Ebon is a Japanese dot hex. Namorik is Allied. Every little bit of pressure can mean something, so taking an enemy base - even a dot hex - will register far more with John than placing a cadre of troops at a base I already own.

Ebon is one more hex than Namorik from Kusaie Island (9 vs. 8) which will make it a little harder for him to LRCAP or escort strikes there. Looks like Kusaie is a staging point for his SCTFs - might be an AKE there.

Many thanks for the excellent map shots - really puts us in the picture with your descriptions. Your skills as a magazine layout planner and editor are evident!

_____________________________

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 Canoerebel)
Post #: 5840
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 3:43:32 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks, BBFanboy. I think my mapmaking skills are better than my playing skills - at least when it comes to the little things, as you'll see shortly.

I am the publisher of a magazine. As such, I do have creative input into what goes into the magazine. But Cliff Johnson, a freelance designer in Atlanta (in case any of you need design work for your books, brochures, pamphlets, guides to the universe, exposes of Miller's illicit love tryst with Lady Gaga, etc.) does the actual design work.

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 5841
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 4:09:42 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		8/21/43

Thin Man: Boy, talk about failures in the details! I was the poster boy this turn. Fortunately, though, none of my little oversights and gaffes resulted in any problems. Thin Man is underway, the Allied TFs are in good proximity, and John is showing some respect for the Allied basses. So everything's good, unless I neglected details for the next turn too.

The day opens with five IJN DDs visiting Wotje and sinking four or five PT Boats.

Next I expect to see and hear the invasion of the enemy dot hex west of Jaluit...only there's no sign of anything. Suddenly I know exactly what happened. When I switched the TF destination to that hex, I forgot to click "Stop Unloading." So my APDs unloading at the dot hex to the north, which I own and which was the original target. Then the APDs vist the IJ dot hex for no beneficial reason, and then retire to Mili, which is good.

Then the movie begins to reveal the location of enemy and friendly TFs as NavSearch gets underway....Wait! What's this? Why aren't my carriers down below Makin? Why are enemy air patrols getting shot down by naval air CAP up there next to Mili? Did I somehow mess up the orders for those TFs too? Apparently so. At the last minute last night, just before sending John the turn, I decided to tweak the course of the carriers a bit closer to Makin. But I must've messed up something. Heck, I must've cancelled the movement orders and failed to give new ones (though I distinctly remember doing so). Anyhow, the carriers stayed right where they were (fortunately, that's a good location, especially given the locations of John's carriers, as I'll describe momentarily).

The final "Ugg" of the day came when Beauforts at Tarawa sortied against Mini KB. P-38Hs tasked with serving as escorts failed to escort, leaving the Beauforts naked, which resulted in 19 getting shot down. (The enemy CAP wasn't particuarly impressive at around 40 fighters, so more's the shame.) But this is one of those "it happens in war" moments, so just a part of the flavor of the game. :)

Mini KB took position two hexes south of Tabituea. Steroid KB, meanwhile, took a southerly course and ended up two hexes south of Eniwetok. So the two enemy carrier groupings are rougly 23 hexes apart (or it may be 28). The Allied carriers are a hex east of Mili, so that puts John in a little bit of a quandary. I don't think he'll send Mini KB north since he'll conclude my carriers may be moving south. To an extent, then, I think think Mini KB will freeze while Steroid KB steams south or southeast.

So the dance will begin. My carriers will move to a hex between Majoro and Mili. This serves two purposes - to allow the primary mission (unloading of supply and getting the merchants and support vessels where they need to be) while remaining in a good position for a possible carrier clash. I don't expect a clash tomorrow, but it's possible. John will probably take a day or two to figure out that I'm not bound hard anywhere in particular. Then what does he do? Press the issue? Dance on the west side while I dance on the east? And what is the ultimate outcome of such a dance? If I can get supply unloaded, then the dance does benefit Thin Man's first objective.

Some supply unloaded at Maloelap, but that TF will move to Majuro since it's now too far forward. A bunch of supply came ashore at Mili (now up to 36k). Many support vessels arrived at Mili with more to arrive tonight. Three Allied combat TFs (DD and CL/DD) are fully armed at Mili and replenished fuel from merchants. Mili also has roughly 160 LB fighters.

As I mentioned yesterday, Mili is The Alamo for this battle. Lots of Allied ships will disband in port there. Ultimately I can see John electing to send his his heavies (BBs) when he has all his ducks in a row. So I'll have to weigh options and decide whether to leave ships in port or to pull them into the carrier/combat TF hex for protection. I bet that's where this dance is headed.

It looks like Kwaj and Taby are John's two main LBA bases. Right now it doesn't seem that he's using Ocean Nauru, Kusaie or Roi-Namaur to major effect. But he may flood them soon.

Recon now shows that Kwaj and Roi have been heavily reinforced - both well over their limits. SigInt reports a big CD-gun unit at Ponape.

Circus: It remains quiet up here. Recon shows that Attu and Buldir are particularly heavily garrisoned. Amchitka has a stout garrison too. I think Shemya does too. I like this if, and only if, the Allies emerge from any looming carrier battle with carrier parity or superiority. IF (IF) that happens, I'd like nothing more than to have the ability to concentrate on a nest of heavily garrisoned enemy islands, using LBA, combat ships, carriers, mines and subs to (eventually) close off their LOCs and to then reduce the garrisons.

Reinforcements: Alabama is heading to Pearl, where Washington, South Dakota and Indianapolis are finishing repairs. Oklahoma is nearby, waiting to see if there's an opportunity to join Thin Man. Maryland is up in NoPac with three CVEs. As mentioned yesteday, CV Belleau Wood (or am I getting that name wrong?) will arrive soon, along with another CVL and another CVE. So if the Allies can hold their own in the Marshalls, the navy will be augmented nicely when the time comes to move back north.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5842
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 4:33:24 PM   
Bullwinkle58


Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline 		In my game with Lokasenna I have several times faced the dilemma of using carriers to protect the main objective, usually unloading, or using them offensively. I have defaulted to gritting my teeth and honoring the main objective. A couple of times that backfired. It's hard. OTOH, time is your enemy and putting 2-3 CVs in the yards for 5-6 months is not a great bargain right now either.

The MKB, hanging out there alone, might be worth a shot once the unloading is over. It's his left jab unit and if you take it away he becomes much more one-dimensional in 1944. Taking on the main KB right now, when your carrier strength is going to surge in the next months, isn't a priority IMO.

_____________________________

The Moose

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5843
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 4:45:30 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I'd go after Mini KB hard if I thought there was a decent chance of catching it. But John's expecting that and would dance out of the way. Meanwhile, I'd be leaving all those merchants (a vast, vast fleet) a the mercy of KB. So, just as you've said, I'm gritting my teeth and remaining on task.

I've said that supply is job one. The reason is that supply was going to become a problem soon. I want to be able to leave the Marshalls to stand alone for weeks or months. But to do that, I have to tend to critical housekeeping first. If I can unload supply and then load a few units (thus relieving the overstacking issues at Jaluit and one other island), then I am not compelled to remain in the Marshalls. I can return to take Roi and Kwaj another time. I won't take big risks for them right now.

But while all this is going on, the overarching issue is the prospect of a carrier battle. I will accept it (mostly on my terms) if it takes place before I complete the key missions. I think John will accept it (mostly on his terms). If that's the bottom line, I don't think a carrier battle happens. But if John is willing to cross the Marshalls, then it will happen. And if he combines his carriers, he could be willing to do that.

(in reply to Bullwinkle58)
Post #: 5844
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 4:54:11 PM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline 		You're facing a similar dilemma as Spruance faced at Siapan and Halsey faced at the Philippine Sea.

I love the way this game does that.

I agree that you should stick to covering the main objective forces and look for an opportunity to destroy the mini-KB.

Far less chance for the carnage you might face taking on Steriod KB.

Knock out the Mini-KB with minor loss and with a few months worth of reinforcements you can go brashly looking for the carrier fight with the Steriod KB with assured dominance

< Message edited by HansBolter -- 4/29/2016 4:57:00 PM >

_____________________________

Hans


(in reply to Bullwinkle58)
Post #: 5845
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 5:22:30 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I agree, Hans. The way this game works is remarkable. The political-point system, prep, the need to plan and position ships and supply, logistics, stacking restrictions for ground troops and aircraft, the need to upgraded ships and distances traveled to find ports to handle repairs, are remarkable in slowing the pace of the game to something that approximates reality. It also negates the tendency game players have of sending everything to the middle of the map for a decisive battle/game over flow.

Above all, I love accumulating information to make deductions and then to make plans based upon those deductions.



(in reply to HansBolter)
Post #: 5846
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 6:45:23 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		8/22/43

Thin Man: Today the carriers, following a big combat TF, went were they were supposed to go, encountered RO-60, and damaged it. But the big merchant/support/ASW TF that was to rendezvous with it didn't get the memo, for it sailed NE three or four hexes (I KNOW I had that TF set to "Remain," but apparently what I KNOW and what I DID are two different things.)

Steroid KB steamed south from Eniwetok just four hexes, encountered SS Bluefish enroute. She missed a shot at CV Taikaku, but then scored a hit on sister CV Raikaku. No "ammo storage" or other announcements of major damage, so this might be one of those 15 SYS 10 FLT type hits. But John has to either detach it and send it to the yards or it slows down KB. Either is a benefit.

Mini KB moves east, two hexes southeast of Taby. There are 20 hexes between Steroid KB and Mini KB, on a NW/SE axis. The Allied carriers aren't far from that axis, so it's going to be difficult for John to merge the two groups anytime soon. That's very good.

The most important thing is that John is being unusually tentative with his carriers. That's understandable, but it also tells me alot about his mindset.

The merchants did a poor job of unloading overnight. But ACMs are now present at Mili and Maloelap, both of which have mines.

And IJN cruiser/destroyer TF appears to be approaching the dot hex north of Wotje taken by the Allies two days ago. Possibily a FT counterinvasion.

No air strikes to speak of this turn. Well, SBDs from Ailinglaplap did sortie against a CL/DD TF to the west, scoring one hit vs. CL Nagara (bad aiming by the good guys). I think John has some combat TFs inbound, possibly to probe the waters around Jaluit or Mili. So I've disbanded 72 merchants and support ships at Mili. Three CL/DD or DD combat TFs are posted there. And the carriers and the wayward amphib TFs will (hopefully) rendezvous a hex east of Mili tonight.

The dance continues, as you can see. Tomorrow will reveal alot - will John be aggressive with his combat TFs? Will he take steps to unite Steroid and Mini KBs? Will I get any further word on Raikaku? Will Joh get some yips over all the subs in these waters (there are alot, with more on the way; I'm also deploying one north of the Carolines and another near Tokyo in hopes that any damaged ships ultimately retiring to that port might get targeted). I'll know alot more tomorrow and may be able to deduce whether John is committed to being wary and tentative. If so, I can get a bit more proactive with supply and related logistics missions.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 5847
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 7:10:49 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		I wonder if that big TF you wanted to rendezvous with reacted away because of all the enemy aircraft and ships in the area? Did you set direct/absolute in the routing? It is easy to overlook doing that.

I would not worry about a counterinvasion of that dot hex because John no longer has the invasion bonus and would not have any troops ready to go there. He would suffer losses if he did, for very little actual gain. He does love trying to catch ships unloading troops so I think that is their mission. It also makes me wonder if he wants to use up your sorties by sending scads of small, hard-to-hit ships your way before the big battle?

_____________________________

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 Canoerebel)
Post #: 5848
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 7:40:40 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		The dot hex is held by only seven AV, so John can take it even with unprepared troops. The base has good utility, but moreso for me than for him. So he benefits a bit by denying me the use of it. If the sum total of all the elements of Operation Thin Man equals 100, then what becomes of that dot hex is about 0.001 in terms of importance.

Thus far the Allied carrier planes haven't flown a single sortie - except the few SBDs assigned to 10% search (and I'm not sure those missions count as sorties). John usually shows a marked reluctance to trade combat ships for sorties, but let's see what he does.

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 5849
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 4/29/2016 7:47:52 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		As I understand it both CAP and search use sorties at a much reduced rate - something like one sortie for every 30 missions. If your search aircraft carry out an attack on a contact, they may use a sortie to cover the bomb dropped.

_____________________________

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 Canoerebel)
Post #: 5850
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