Day of Infamy AAR - Feinder vs. Ngineer (no Ngineers allowed)

[Feinder]

04-06-1942

South Pacific

Ngineer is certainly aggressive, I'll give him that. He pushed up a Heavy Cruiser into The Slot, and a submarine into the The Coral Sea. I considered for a bit, keeping my 2 (un-upgraded, but full strength) CLs in port and leaving the Heavy Cruiser unmolested. Just not sure how that exchange would go. But I also considered that aggression is usually best met with aggression, so I thumped him with the two CLs. Exchange was about even. You can see that my CLs took -2 SP, and -3 SP. His CA taking -4 SP. I also did not drive him out of The Slot, thus shutting down the port, and shutting down the convoy route. The DD I had originally planned directly to Japan for repairs, I pulled back depth-charged his sub. I pulled a DD from the Dutch Indies, and so I'll have a second DD in SoPac next turn. You can also see Med-Bmbrs en route. And pulled the upgraded Heavy Cruiser into Rabaul. If I get another crack his cruiser, I would expect to win that exchange.

I feel like he poking around, to see if he can find a weak spot. Truk is a really good "central" port, so I'm pushing ships towards Truk.

[Feinder]

04-06-1942

Philippines and Burma.

The dreadnaught Yamato bombarded Corregidor (taking 1 damage from return fire, which was really annoying), and my SNLF-Div attacked reducing it's garrison. We've moved up an Inf-Army as well, I don't expect that it will last another turn.

In Burma, I could "hear" the sound effect tanks approaching my lines, but hadn't spotted them (only that the line-of-control had moved). So I pushed up my own Arm-Div to protect the Oil Fields there, and my Inf-Army can sufficiently block the Chinese Inf-Army to the north, until I get more/larger forces in theater.

[Feinder]

04-06-1942

China and Strategic Map.

China - Our forces engulf the town of Secondary Supply, and this thorn is finally in Japanese hands. Along the southern front of China, Nationalist Chinese forces attack our garrison unit which was holding the line until Yamishita's stronger forces arrive. The garrison unit is destroyed, but inflicts casualties on both Chinese Inf-Armies. Yamishita orders a counter-attack with his 2 Inf-Armies and SNLF-Div, smashing a Chinese Inf-Army. I can live with that exchange. He'll have 1x Inf-Army vs. my 2x Inf-Army and 1x SNLF-Div.

Strategic Map - I plotted the dispositions of most of my fleet units, and what limited intel I have on Allies.

[Feinder]

04-06-1942

Losses, Builds, Research, Economy

Losses - USN Heavy Cruiser off Japan. 2x Chinese Inf-Armies. 1x IJA Garrison.

Builds - I forgot to get a screen-cap of Production. From bonus/plunder MPPs from DEI surrender, I built 2x CVs to arrive 06-3-43.

Research - Nav-Con will almost complete. I'm interested to see what it does.

Economy - Bringing the DEI on-line will be a most excellent. The -20 modifier is for building the Indian Army.

[Feinder]

04-26-1942

Philippines (no map), Dutch East Indies, and Burma

Philippines - Corregidor falls. No surprise there.

DEI - RDN Submarine is finally cornered and sunk off Borneo.

Burma - Allied tanks attack our own IJA Arm-Div at the Oil Fields. The exchange is fairly even, and the Allied tanks retreat. I pulled back my own tanks for repairs, and moved up my Inf-Army which will hold better.

Next objective, will be to capture Andaman Islands.

[Feinder]

04-26-1942

China and Strategic Map

China - Near Chengsha, I pushed up an Inf-Corps, because I wanted to see what was on the other side of the river. I expect he's got an HQ unit in Chengsha.

I also advanced Inf-Army to skirmish at the Hengyang Mines. The attack inflicted moderate casualties (-2 SP), for none of our own, so that was worth it.

In South China, he attacked with 3x Inf-Armies, my SNLF-Div taking heavy casualties and forced to retreat. I did counter-attack with my own IJA Inf-Armies and destroyed and entire Chinese Inf-Army, so we'll call that one a win.

Strat Map - Dispositions of major assets shown.

[Feinder]

04-26-1942

Losses, Builds, Research, Economy

Losses - USA Garrison at Corregidor, Chinese Inf-Army, and RDN Sub.

Builds - I built another CV to arrive 07-20-43.

Research - Waiting for stuff to advance/complete...

Economy - MPPs continue to go up (good!). The -20 modifier is for building the Indian Army.

[Feinder]

05-16-1942

Burma and China

Burma - I can see that he's moving more ground assets into Burma Theater. My fighters in Rangoon are in a daily fur-ball with the AVG Flying Tigers. Those guys are annoying. But every step I kill (and he replaces), depletes Chinese MPPs, so that's good.

China - He attacked my Inf-Corps near Changsha, inflicting minor casualties (but sustaining none of his own). I'll move them away, I really just wanted to see what he had aroung Changsha.

In Center, my Inf-Army attacked again near his Mines. Again, damaging his Inf-Corps, no loss to my own.

In South, near Nanning, he attacked with both Inf-Armys, inflicting modest casualties on my own. Counter-attack by IJA provide the same results (-3 SP). That's just irritating.

[Feinder]

05-16-1942

South Pacific and Strat Map

Japanese Naval Intelligence Services, which is normally an oxymoron, actually came thru for us. They identified an Amphibious Unit departing Nauru. Too good to pass up, the Heavy Cruiser tone was dispatched from Guadalcanal to intercept. Tone encountered screening destroyers, and mauled the squadron. Additional fleet units were brought in from Truk, engaging a second USN Destroyer Squadron. The Battleship Fuso managed to break thru the Allied Destroyer screen and savaged the Amphibious Force (but not wiping it out). Now also spotted, an USN BB. This engagement is rather escalating. Additional IJN Battleships joined the fray, heavily damaging the USN BB. The carrier Junyo had just transferred to Truk, with planned upgrades this turn, but she was instead committed to the battle. Her first air-strike, reveals CAP from a US Carrier. The strike cripples the USN Battleship, but she is not quite sunk. Faced with the choice to strike the enemy Carrier, or to finish-off the cripple Battleship, I chose to launch my second strike against the Battleship, and completed it's destruction.

His one "victory" however - the fully-repaired BB Nagato was steaming full-speed from the Home Islands, and is torpedoed by a prowling USN submarine off Truk (-3 SP). Crud. And he'll get a second shot next turn as well.

He's got an intact-CV, a heavily damaged DD, and heavily damaged Amphib Force off Nauru. That amphib force could still land as far north as Eniwetok (undefended), so I pushed a CL up to defend the approach.

Also transferred my Med-Bmbrs to the interdiction hex on Guadalcanal. I have no idea how effective it is (how many MPPs are stopped going into Australia), but they don't have the range to do anything else, so it seemed like a useful thing to do.

Also noted bit of intel - That DD shows that he's got tech for ASW-1 and NavWeap-1.

Strat Map - Unfortunately, not that useful. I forgot to mark down the dispositions before ending the turn.

[Feinder]

05-16-1942

Losses, Builds, Research, Economy

Losses - USN Battleship and Destroyer in South Pacific.

Builds - I built another CV to arrive 08-09-43. Why am I building so many CVs? Because they take 15 months to complete. That's 460 days = 12 turns (or 24 depending on how you call it). If I don't start building them now, either
a. I don't expect to have MPPs to even start building them in 43/44.
b. Starting to build in 43, means a 1945 arrival, and by 1945 the game will have already been decided anyway.
At least that's my thinking. One more available CV to build.

Research - On the up-side, Nav Construction should complete next turn.

Economy - MPPs finally took a small dip. Interdiction at Burma and Solomons. The -20 modifier is for building the Indian Army.

[Feinder]

06-05-1942

Burma, Malaya, and China

Burma - Escalation is quid pro quo Clarice. Allied armies attack our flank at Yenangyaung. Chinese Tac-Bmbrs, escorted by AVG Fighters, and further air support by a Royal Navy aircraft carrier. Interceptions by our own Fighters, which are indeed being attritted. I've brought up our 2nd Fighter Group from China to assist. Lots of bombs, followed up by attacks from the Chinese Inf-Army from NE, British tanks from SW, and an Inf-Corps from NW. I was actually (pleasantly) surprised that our Inf-Army held their ground. Having repulsed the Allied attacks, I concentrated our attacks on the Chinese Inf-Army to the NE, which I deemed to be the greatest threat. Our own attacks by Thai Inf-Corps, IJA Inf-Army supported by Med-Bmbrs, forced the Chinese Inf-Army to retreat (oddly, to the SE, which seemed odd, but works well for me). I pushed by Tank-Div north to capture the ground to try to further split off the Chinese Army. I'd love to be able to kill that thing out of supply. We also spotted the Indian HQ at Mandalay. What did come as some alarm however, was the advance of an unknown infantry formation advancing into South East Asia. To block it's advance, I used trains to move the heavily depleted SNLF-Div that had been pulled back in China, and was recuperating in Hanoi. At 3-SP, it can't hold long. But it only needs to hold for 1-turn, until I can reinforce it.

The reality is, I actually want Burma to be my primary front (Andy Island to be my next objective). I figure if there's a greater chance of success against any of the four Allies (India, Australia, China, USA), I think India is going to be it. But I've got get troops into theater, and that's on me.

Malaya - Noting that the Royal Navy (with CV and BB) are now active in the Burma theater, I'm shifting some fleet assets their way. A Royal Navy sub put a fish into my Heavy Cruiser moving to Rangoon. The CA still had an opportunity to pull back (will need to return to Japan for repairs). I pulled up a DD to hopefully screen off the sub if it tries to pursue.

China - In the south near Nanning, I reinforced the two Inf-Armies, and recall that I had to shift the SNLF-Div into SE Asia. This could leave an "in" for him to move into the clear hex, and attack my HQ directly. I don't think he can actually capture Nanning, but the loss of SPs to the HQ can be expensive to repair. But, my counter-attack from my two Inf-Armies would hopefully off-set that if I can cripple or crush an Inf-Army. Also attacked at his mines in the Center again, noted that my Inf-Army gained an XP-pip; so I have pulled it back to take the additional elite SP. And finally, I've pushed an Inf-Army north to capture the rail to the town north of Wuhan. And if he's soft-n-squishy in the middle, I'll take advantage of that.

[Feinder]

06-05-1942

Central Pacific and Strategic Map.

Central Pacific - I'll start with, "Well, shit." You'll recall our success from the previous turn around Nauru. The turn started well enough. The crippled USN destroyer squadron, attempted to flee northward, but ran into our own pickets, and sunk. Score one for Japan. He did however, push on with the remnants of 1st USMC-Div, landing at Ponape (undefended) and secured the island. Score one for Allies. In truth, losing Ponape really more annoying than anything else, but it goes into the broader narrative of the turn. The US then followed up with additional landings in the Marshall Islands, the 2ns USMC-Div securing the Airfield at Roi-Namur (Allies-2). Other assets of the US Navy, are also brought to bear on the base at Kwajalein, bombarding and strafing (and destroying) the squadron of Flying Boats there (Allies-3). Off/around Kwaj, he's got 2x CVs, 2x BBs, and at least 1x DD (known from the replay). He's blockaded the port at Kwaj and should secure it with 2nd USMC-Div next turn (Allies-4).

I actually thought about (what I considered to be) a "high-risk" counter-attack, by sending ships to clear off his DD(s) on the north side of his Task Force, and bringing in my SNLF-Div from Tarawa before he closes the port. But I discarded that, because I don't really know what's east of the TF. Maybe a CA, maybe a DD, maybe nothing. But it would only take one more ship to catch my transports and I'd lose my SNLF-Div, and whatever I sent would also be subjected to air-attacks by 2x CVs. I'm going to concede Kwaj, which is a super-annoying -2000 NM points (Allies-5).

I decided to congregate the local fleet units that I could at Eniwetok, as it also has defenders on the ground. The CV-Junyo only has 6x Air-SP, which really isn't sufficient against two USN CVs, but it's what I have. I also pushed fleet units from the Home Islands down to Truk. Unfortunately, I didn't scout the lane, and had a sub parked off the lagoon, and he got a free attack (-2 SP) against my CV (Allies-6). Subsequent attacks by additional DDs brought in from DEI, were unable to drive off the sub, so he's going to get another attack against my CV at the beginning of the turn. Crap. I wanted to push units against his TF to actively engage him, but ZoCs meant that I couldn't actually engage him. Accounting for that ZoC, is a big part of the tactics.

a. I should brought in the DDs first to clear the lanes to Truk.
b. I should have actually brought the additional CVs to Eniwetok, as 3x CVs would be very sufficient against his two.
c. Where are reinforcements from DE-822? When are they supposed to arrive?! Ugh. NEXT turn. Oh well, it is what it is.

So end-of-this turn the situation is thus
1. He'll get another shot on my CV by his sub.
2. Ponape captured by USA.
3. Roi-Namur and Kwaj (will be) captured by USA.
4. My Mari-Bmbr squadron destroyed.
5. Fleet units at Eniwetok are exposed, but I feel that I need to defend there.
6. His sub have really taken a toll. In the last two turns 5 attacks.
CA in Malaya -4 SP.
BB in South Pacific -6 SP.
CV in South Pacific -2 SP (plus probably -2 more at start of next turn).

All of that is REALLY expensive to repair! While I am researching ASW Warfare, I'll probably double-chit it, because his subs are doing just fine (including the USN subs at 0-tech).

While I'd love/hope for him to pull back his fleet units, and leave 2nd USMC-Div to mop up Kwaj, I really have no idea what he's going to do. I'm actually more concerned that - he's got me, reacting to him, rather than the other way around.

Strategic Map - Disposition of forces noted on the Strategic Map.

[Feinder]

06-05-1942

Losses, Builds, Research, Economy

Losses - Technically, the only score-board losses are a USN DD, and my Flying Boat squadron. But Kwaj is certainly a hit.

Builds - I decided to go forward with building the last CV. Without those reinforcements from DE-822, I don't really have anything to shift around anyway. And I think having (up to) 10x CVs available in 1943 has got to be worth something good.

Research - Nav Construction completed. I was playing around with it. Basically, your remote ports can provide 8 supply. You can upgrade the Individual ports for +5 MPP each (like adding flak). Each increase ups the supply level by +1. So your ports can go from 8 to 9, and to 10 with another upgrade etc. I thought it was interesting tho, that a few ports cannot be upgraded. I don't know why, but neither am I going to spend any brain-cells on it. Next turn, I'll plan to put another chit into ASW.

Economy - The -50 modifier is -20 for building the Indian Army, and -30 for funding the Home Guard.
This game is really "all about MPPs".
a. Is that purchase worth it?
b. Is the research worth it?
c. Do I have enough for repairs? (which get more expensive by the way, as unit takes upgrades).
d. If I research a technology, how expensive is it to apply to units?
e. Does that unit really need Elite Reinforcements?
f1. It costs 51 MPP to load an SNLF-Div for an amphib invasion.
f2. That SNLF-Div is going to take casualties on the beach or in combat, it costs MPPs to repair it.
f3. Is it an island? Are you going to leave the SNLF there? or Use it somewhere else? It costs MPPs to move it off, and MPPs to put somebody else there if you're going to defend it.
g. The list goes on and on. Every MPP is precious, think before you spend it!

[Tanaka]

06-05-1942

Losses, Builds, Research, Economy

Losses - Technically, the only score-board losses are a USN DD, and my Flying Boat squadron. But Kwaj is certainly a hit.

Builds - I decided to go forward with building the last CV. Without those reinforcements from DE-822, I don't really have anything to shift around anyway. And I think having (up to) 10x CVs available in 1943 has got to be worth something good.

Research - Nav Construction completed. I was playing around with it. Basically, your remote ports can provide 8 supply. You can upgrade the Individual ports for +5 MPP each (like adding flak). Each increase ups the supply level by +1. So your ports can go from 8 to 9, and to 10 with another upgrade etc. I thought it was interesting tho, that a few ports cannot be upgraded. I don't know why, but neither am I going to spend any brain-cells on it. Next turn, I'll plan to put another chit into ASW.

Economy - The -50 modifier is -20 for building the Indian Army, and -30 for funding the Home Guard.
This game is really "all about MPPs".
a. Is that purchase worth it?
b. Is the research worth it?
c. Do I have enough for repairs? (which get more expensive by the way, as unit takes upgrades).
d. If I research a technology, how expensive is it to apply to units?
e. Does that unit really need Elite Reinforcements?
f1. It costs 51 MPP to load an SNLF-Div for an amphib invasion.
f2. That SNLF-Div is going to take casualties on the beach or in combat, it costs MPPs to repair it.
f3. Is it an island? Are you going to leave the SNLF there? or Use it somewhere else? It costs MPPs to move it off, and MPPs to put somebody else there if you're going to defend it.
g. The list goes on and on. Every MPP is precious, think before you spend it!

Things getting tense! Really enjoying this AAR thanks for posting! You are so right about the MPP game. I used to buy as many CVs as possible as Japan but I no longer think it is a viable strategy. You spend so much money that is desperately needed elsewhere you end up with a bunch of empty shells sitting around needing upgrading when you are spending your money everywhere else trying to stem the inevitable allied tide. You also fall behind in research. It really is a delicate balance of how you spend which despite this game not being perfect in every way (one unit per hex) makes it a very fun game of strategic and operational choice.

I think this post describes the beauty of the Strategic Command series very well overall despite the imperfections:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 8&t=385538

[Feinder]

Thanks Tanaka!

Glad you (and others) enjoy it! Frankly, I do enjoy the writing, and it gives something to do beside bite my fingernails between turns.

"I used to buy as many CVs as possible as Japan but I no longer think it is a viable strategy. "

Crud. We'll, having bought all the Japanese CVs, I'm committed at this point! I suppose if I end up with a with a bunch of empty CVs in 1944, I guess that would end up a check-box towards historical accuracy.

Ngineer is a very talented opponent. Frankly, he's better at this game than I am. I'm too plodding, planning, deliberate. He's very aggressive and unpredictable to say the the least. Which in this game, "aggressive and unpredictable" generally serves well. Unless of course, you're "me"; in which case it usually ends up with sound drubbing.

But usual plan is to play thru, and then play again switching sides. I've played thru Day of Infamy once each way against the "no bonus" AI in Beta, and it was challenging enough for me. So frankly against Ngineer, this game way well be over in 1943.

But I am glad that y'all enjoy the AAR(s). Obviously, I put in a bit work into them. I rather hope I can give a decent start to the many lurkers day, by grabbing their morning coffee, and reading the last turns events to start their day. A few shades better than just the usual triaging of work-emails from over-night.

[Platoonist]

I certainly feel the game (and this AAR) are driving home the primary reason why the Imperial Japanese Army was so opposed to an invasion of Australia. Where are you gonna get the units and MPPs to pull it off when there are so many other fronts that need shoring up?

[Umeu]

This game is really "all about MPPs".

It is, would also like to add initiative, aka dictating where and how your enemy spends their MPPs. Force them to defend strategically important points while they are at a tactical disadvantage. Often you don't need to destroy units to achieve this, but damaging many units works just as well.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

This game is really "all about MPPs".

It is, would also like to add initiative, aka dictating where and how your enemy spends their MPPs. Force them to defend strategically important points while they are at a tactical disadvantage. Often you don't need to destroy units to achieve this, but damaging many units works just as well.

I have to agree with the 'damaging' part. That forces the enemy to take them to safety if possible, especially expensive ships.
Later, they have to make the hard decision to repair them or let them lanquish in port..

[Tanaka]

This game is really "all about MPPs".

It is, would also like to add initiative, aka dictating where and how your enemy spends their MPPs. Force them to defend strategically important points while they are at a tactical disadvantage. Often you don't need to destroy units to achieve this, but damaging many units works just as well.

I have to agree with the 'damaging' part. That forces the enemy to take them to safety if possible, especially expensive ships.
Later, they have to make the hard decision to repair them or let them lanquish in port..

Very true. Sometimes I've often wondered is it better to destroy the unit or reduce it so low that it becomes very expensive to buy replacements...

[Feinder]

06-25-1942

Burma

The Royal Navy sorties. Two Royal Navy battleships ambush and sink an IJN destroyer squadron that was hunting a RN sub leaching the Rangoon convoy line.

On the mainland, combined allied forces (Australian, British, India, Chinese) are supported by carrier HMS Victorious on air-strikes our Army defending the Burmese Oil Fields. The attacks are thrown back, and our forces hold.

A second Fighter Group is moved into Theater, and Nells flying bases near Rangoon go after the Royal Navy battleships, but they are unable to locate them and turn back without having spotted them. Additional IJN assets begin shifting towards the Burmese theater to engage the RN assets there.