Focus Pacific Scen 78 Allies

[BillBrown]

WingCmdr has taken up the challange of being Japan in this Focus Pacific scenario 78 game.
The scenario 78 files can be found here: tm.asp?m=4628498
And the general discussion of the Focus Pacific is found here: tm.asp?m=4094291

We have only a few house rules:
1. No 4 engine Naval Attack by either side( Japan has 4 engine bombers )
2. No ground attack using the large payload 4 engine bombers into a hex that has friendly forces.

So that is it, WingCmdr is working on turn 1 adn our rules for that are pretty straight forward and normal.
1. Allies can move existing TFs, and chinese Units. No other orders to be given.
2. The Japanese will not do any deep penatrations, no Palambang or such on turn 1.

As a backgound, I have played 2 games of Focus Pacific. The first was using the original scenario 71 release.
My opponet called it quits in mid 1943 after I took Harbin, the active soviets were too much.
My second game was against paradigmblue using a scenario that he toned down some. It ended in the middle
of 1942 when he had some personal RL problems. Both of these had active Soviets which added a lot to the
Allied strength. This new sceario 78 does not have the Soviets Active.

This is the change log:
Focus Pacific-Scenario 78-GP’s Mod Change Log
As Of 4/24/2019
1. The following plus many other changes (That I have forgotten over the last 3 years) are designed to help balance out the original scenario 70.
2. Removed upwards of 40+ allied air units.
3. Lowered production levels of most allied airframes.
4. Lowered the experience of some allied squadrons.
5. Lowered the maneuver rating of some French fighters
6. Set the Soviets to non-active.
7. Reduced supply production around the map to a point in between stock and Focus Pacific
8. Removed some Dutch and French LCU’s
9. Pushed back the arrival dates for some Dutch LCU reinforcements.
10. Reduced the number of Dutch CD guns within the CD LCU’s.
11. Added 12 more single plane float patrol units for the ships that are missing them. They are in groups of 4 at Babeldaob, Truk and Tokyo.
12. Removed the allied sub early effective torpedoes.
13. Reduced daily Political Point generation for both sides.
14. Increased Japanese starting PP’s.
15. Decreased allied starting PP’s.
16. Special change by Admiral Dadman. You now have a choice for your Iowa class build out.
17. Added the following IJN escort ships; 8 Kagero Class DD’s, 6 Hatsuharu Class DD’s, 4 Akitsuki Class DD’s and 8 Shimushu Class “E” boats. They are spread around several Home Island bases.
18. Note, for the allies, the Dutch CLAA’s need to be refueled manual with the refuel ships button.

As you can see, the Allies have been cut back in a number of areas, but there are some added items also. I will go into those is later posts.

[BillBrown]

Brian has asked me to post these in his mod thread, probably it is better.

[Canoerebel]

Hey, Bill, isn't this your first AAR? You've been hanging around helpfully for years now, so it will be a pleasure to follow your AAR.

[BillBrown]

It is not really my first, but I have not been capable of sustaining one. However, I have now retired( Monday was my last work day ) and I should have more time to do one.

[Canoerebel]

Congratulations on navigating life to the point of making retirement! What line of work were you in?

[BillBrown]

I did a lot of things, from Cook to Computer Programmer. It has been a sometimes meandering 72 years.

[Canoerebel]

I apologize for hijacking your AAR at the very start, but these kinds of conversations are fun, I think.

Louis L'Amour, the prolific writer of westerns, wrote often about his huge array of jobs, from cook to mine watchman to skinner of dead cattle to sailor to tank destroyer officer, as his "yondering days." I like that term. Nearly al of us forumites had careers that might fight that description.

I'm glad you're starting this AAR. I'll be following. Good luck with the game.

[BillBrown]

Something in this mod that is different is that there are 5 Iowa build hulls that can either be completed as BBs or CVBs.
There are also 6 Alaska build hulls that can be completed as CBs or CVs. Decisions, decisions.

Also the Cleveland CL has a conversion to a CLAA that is very interesting, with 20 5in/54 DP guns and 4 5in/38 DP guns along with
28 40mm and 28 20 mm, they would be fierce AA platforms.

Also the Brooklyn, Northampton, Omaha, and Baltimore can all convert to CLAA ships. Just what the UNS needs later in the war.

[Canoerebel]

Bill, wait, that's on topic!

[Korvar]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

Also the Cleveland CL has a conversion to a CLAA that is very interesting, with 20 5in/54 DP guns and 4 5in/38 DP guns along with
28 40mm and 28 20 mm, they would be fierce AA platforms.

Also the Brooklyn, Northampton, Omaha, and Baltimore can all convert to CLAA ships. Just what the UNS needs later in the war.

Too bad these babies weren't ready in time for the war - would be interesting to see an AA platform loaded up with them though!

3in/50 Mk 33

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

Something in this mod that is different is that there are 5 Iowa build hulls that can either be completed as BBs or CVBs.
There are also 6 Alaska build hulls that can be completed as CBs or CVs. Decisions, decisions.

Also the Cleveland CL has a conversion to a CLAA that is very interesting, with 20 5in/54 DP guns and 4 5in/38 DP guns along with
28 40mm and 28 20 mm, they would be fierce AA platforms.

Also the Brooklyn, Northampton, Omaha, and Baltimore can all convert to CLAA ships. Just what the UNS needs later in the war.

The link you provided to the scenario says the Iowas can be completed as CS ships with seaplane fighters and DBs. Heresy! At least a CVB is as impressive as the BB version, but I shudder to think of a 45,000 ton ship cluttered up with cranes and rail tracks!

Will be interesting to see this one play out, especially with those late-war AA platforms. Can Japan advance their aircraft as much as players have done recently?

One other question - Does the HR on no Naval Attack by 4-engined aircraft include the Emily (which can carry torps)? If so, that is a significant concession by your opponent.

[BillBrown]

Actually BBfanboy, there is a speciality ship, CS Jupiter, that carries 34 float planes, 22 F4F-3S Wildcatfish and 12 TBD-1A Seadevasstor.
The Iowa conversions are separate.

I am not sure about whether or not he was going to include the Emily or not. I probably will not worry about it.

I am sure that Japan can advance aircraft with no problems.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

Actually BBfanboy, there is a speciality ship, CS Jupiter, that carries 34 float planes, 22 F4F-3S Wildcatfish and 12 TBD-1A Seadevasstor.
The Iowa conversions are separate.

I am not sure about whether or not he was going to include the Emily or not. I probably will not worry about it.

I am sure that Japan can advance aircraft with no problems.

Ah, I misread two successive sentences which talked about the special CS construction and then said the option was for construction of the Iowa class. I took the two to be talking about the same thing. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa!

[durnedwolf]

This starts with Russia off. but there's a LOT of oil in Russia... Any concerns on your part? From what I saw of the initial setup, the air war should go Japan's way initially. the experience level of a lot of those Japanese air groups is really-really high.

[BillBrown]

I don't really think he needs to do that. There are more than enough oil centers in the DEI for him to supply all his refineries. this scenario is chock full of supply and fuel producers. I will have to bludgeon him to death, not strangle him.

[Bif1961]

Congrats on your retirement and glad you now have the time to conduct this AAR for our info and enjoyment.

[CaptBeefheart]

I look forward to following this. The only time I have tried PBEM was with a version of this vs. Lowpe for about a month of game time. My ships at Pearl got bombed into the Stone Age.

Could you give us screen shots of those Iowa and Alaska CV upgrades?

Cheers,
CB

[AleRonin]

Good luck for your game, subscribed!

[btd64]

Bill, Finally retired. Good job man. You won the race....GP

[BillBrown]

Turn one is away, I expect that it will take a day or two for my opponent to return the turn.