Aztez (Allies) vs Erstad (Japan)

[aztez]

Quick update to the people following this AAR.
 
We are still waiting for the verdict on the lost pilot issue. If the developing team is unable to find resolution to it than we will continue where we left off.
 
 

[aztez]

I just recieved a word from Dave. The issue is sorted and the action will commence.

(I have totally forgotten what I had planned or what I had ongoing in this PBEM! [:(] ...Need to sort this out)

[aztez]

Ok. This game is officially on the road again just send a turn back to Dave.

Oh, boy I had forgotten all the plans I had, etc.

I had a long look at the game and made few notes.

A) Marshall's is well defended.
B) Dave has substantial garrison levels at North Pacific.
C) Marianas are decently defended.
D) He is going to fight out Burma theatre.
E) There is still the blockade to OZ in place.
F) He still controls Solomons and South Pacific with sizeable garrisons.

...and the conclusion is that I'am getting my butt kicked throughly so I'am going to play all or nothing.

The plan is to invaded Iwo Jima!!! This means bypassing the Marcus Island and grabbing Iwo Jima quickly with force. This seems the only decent thing to do.

I will also move ahead in the North Pacific as well as in Burma.

The idea is also to slowly start moving ahead through Solomons. (The supply levels is preventing this operation in grand scale.)

Here is the picture of the planned target...




Taking all these

[aztez]

Game date is 9th of May 1944
 
 
 
I will not go into detailed combat reports since most of the action has been LBA bombings all around the map.
 
Instead I will give a view what is ongoing and what operations are about to start.
 
Operation Flag
Objective: Capture of the Iwo Jima base near Japanese home islands.
Status: The operation is underway. The transports ships and CV's are enroute to Iwo Jima.
 
Operation Whirlwind
Objective: The liberation of Burma, Malaya and Thailand.
Status: The first steps of this operation is underway. Some allied units will reach Myithkina soon. RAF has also started heavily supporting this operation.
 
Operation Liberty:
Objective: The removal of enemy troops from Northern Oz.
Status: The first phase of this operation has begun. Aussie troops are marching towards Derby.
 
Operation Flame:
Objective: To gain an airfields in North Pacific from which I can start to bomb Japanese industry.
Status: The operation has not begun yet.
 
Operation Torch:
Objective: The removal of enemy at New Caledonia.
Status: This operation will commence shortly.
 
 
Here is what is brewing at the moment. I have mountain to climb though since Dave have played an excellent game.
 
 
 

[Rob Brennan UK]

welcome back !

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

welcome back !

Good to be back. Allthough this PBEM will be struggle all the way.

Well, as said I will go gung ho with this one from now on. Nothing to loose since I guess I have already actually lost the war! [8|]

So, lets see whether I can take Iwo Jima... (I'am not too certain I can hold onto it though)

What I will do IF I manage to capture the base is to place large amount of fighters there and have 2 BB TF there in order to deal with anykind of enemy amphibitious operation or naval bombardments.

It will be one hell of an mess that is for sure. I know I should propably capture Marcus Island first but it will take too long to do so... that is why I decieded to go all or nothing style.

I will start operations in pretty much every theatre of operations soon. If I'am going to loose than I want to do it in style! [:-]

[Rob Brennan UK]

ROFL , thats the spirit ! .. so long as its fun .. thats my motto [:D]

[aztez]

[:D] ...Yeah! That how I see this one too...!
 
The best way I see achieving this is to make him react and commit his forces. I have plenty of aircraft in which to duel him... decent amount of CV's... what I lack is ground units and transport shipping.
 
Anyway, time to give him a ride for his his money from now on.
 
In best case scenario these assaults will make Marshalls + Truk one hell of an POW camp! [:-]
 
I need to assess the situation at China... it looks bad but maybe ... just maybe I can make a good push there too!

[aztez]

Here is the situation near Iwo Jima.

Also I have given green light on the operations at North Pacific. Amphibitous fleet will link up at Dutch Harbour. (I will land at the enemy base just South of Parashimo Jima) That will give me an level 4 airfield near enemy home islands.

Aussie troops are nearing Derby. Another Aussie army have been given orders to start moving towards Darwin.

Myithkina will be reached next turn so the battle begins there. I will start planning a massive british invasion soon once I got the transportation sorted out.

Noumea invasion fleet is about to start loading troops at Sydney.

[Sardaukar]

Hmmm..I think if you land so close to Home Islands in 1944 you trigger Kamikazes. But in any case they are not too far away anyhow...

[aztez]

True. But I think I'am about trigger much more than just Kamikazes with my plans! [8|][:D]

BB West Virginia was hit by 2 torpedoes. She is not too badly damaged but has have to turn around and head to Pearl Harbour.

Here is the current situation near Iwo Jima.

[aztez]

Also an picture from North Pacific.

[aztez]

Game date is 18th of May 1944
 
 
The operations near Iwo Jima continue.
 
The lossess so far have been costly. Japanese have managed to hit several allied Battleships:
 
BB Idaho, BB South Dakota, BB Missisippi, BB West Virginia and BB California + some escorting ships.
 
None of these ships are in danger to sink but will be out of the action for sometime.
 
Otherwise it seems that Iwo Jima base should fall.
 
 
Ground combat at Iwo Jima
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 6374 troops, 155 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 264
 
Defending force 41831 troops, 397 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 1107
 
 
 
Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
 
...oh well the show continues... [:D]
 

[Rob Brennan UK]

Invading iwo without marcus ? thats some seriously long trips home for the damaged ships . Can japan base Torp bombers at marcus ? else your escort convoys will need CV cover thats needed at Iwo.

rather brave move [;)]

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

Invading iwo without marcus ? thats some seriously long trips home for the damaged ships . Can japan base Torp bombers at marcus ? else your escort convoys will need CV cover thats needed at Iwo.

rather brave move [;)]

Yeah. Unfortunately I did not have time to Marcus. He has 21 units there. The airfield there is closed down though. (LBA strikes from Wake)

..but he can hit me from Bonins and Marianas. (So the supply dilemma is there)

I have/will offload +100 000 men into Iwo Jima. There will be support for +500 aircraft too. I will also move some surface vessels in there in order to deal with any naval threat.

Definately CV's will be needed. Once I establsh the base I will move my CV's into Wake where they will refuel and link up with some additional CVE's. Once done they will head out immediately.

Brave or stupid... propably both unless I'am lucky... [:D][8|]

[aztez]

The Iwo Jima operation is not going too well....! [:(]
 
A lot of allied transports are hit near Iwo Jima. It is extremely hard to provide decent CAP with 3 day turns. (Unfortunately)... and he has been having a field day here.

To add to this my deliberate assault failed on the first day.... [8|]
 
Ground combat at Iwo Jima
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 39708 troops, 370 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 1737
 
Defending force 12430 troops, 193 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 334
 
Allied max assault: 957 - adjusted assault: 477
 
Japanese max defense: 243 - adjusted defense: 580
 
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)
 
 
Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 1
 
Allied ground losses:
425 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Vehicles lost 1
 
 
This basically means that I could provide LBA CAP for next turn either since 0:1 odds meant that I was not able assault on the next two days... [:-]
 
Oohh.. I have moved my CV back towards Iwo Jima but these ships are low on fuel and I really need to have LBA cover. (Actually already should have)
 
These developments will mean that more transports will be hit next turn... and if the ground assault fails yet again than sayonara... [8|]
 
This PBEM has not gone my way at all. Sometimes bad luck sometimes poor judgement.
 
Anyway, hopefully I can capture Iwo or else it will be pretty much game over for allied side.
 
Yeah, he lost +100 planes last turn too but those kind of lossess don't hurt him a dam bit due to huge production numbers Japanese can put together.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Japanese max defense: 243 - adjusted defense: 580

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
425 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Vehicles lost 1

almost 1-1 on AV , and low losses too, so thats a more positive approach[:D]

As your probably aware BUT just in case ..

LRCAP can be sent to fly at out of range ships, the planes will rest untill the TF gets to within
range then start to fly (weather permitting) but 3 day LRCAP will cause horrible morale
and disruption.You'll need to plan well ahead though.

Seems like 3 day turns are a lot tougher than 2 day ones (1 day turns are too slow imo).

[aztez]

Cheers Rob! The AV values are in his favour from last turn. He seems to be flying more troops into Iwo Jima. (Nothing I can do to stop this)
 
Yeah.. LRCAP is good but with these turn cycles of 3 it will be pretty much useless since I really cannot control my ships adequately... and yes there is huge diffrence between 2 or 3 day turns... and I can recommend 2 day cycles which in my mind are the best pace! [:)]
 
As for the game... well if Iwo Jima operation stalls than the game is pretty much over. There is noway in h*** to comeback in this one without this base. I don't have troops nor the ships on which to transport them. [:(]
 
 

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: aztez

Cheers Rob! The AV values are in his favour from last turn. He seems to be flying more troops into Iwo Jima. (Nothing I can do to stop this)

Yeah.. LRCAP is good but with these turn cycles of 3 it will be pretty much useless since I really cannot control my ships adequately... and yes there is huge diffrence between 2 or 3 day turns... and I can recommend 2 day cycles which in my mind are the best pace! [:)]

As for the game... well if Iwo Jima operation stalls than the game is pretty much over. There is noway in h*** to comeback in this one without this base. I don't have troops nor the ships on which to transport them. [:(]

z)
Post #: 454

whoops ! .. allied player dying in 44 ? should be stickied imo

i'm familiar with 2 day turns but why are 3 day so much tougher ? I wont play a game not on 2 day turns from now on , surely 3 day isn't so bad ( statisically should be 1/3more dangerous than 2 day turns ) ..

the things i feel 3 day turns really hurt are

1) main fleet elements getting into trouble and no withdrawl ~( maybe use retire command ?_

2) LR CAP will be heavily fatigued , but so will escort and bombers . esp high morale jap nell/betty
units will fly to the last man vs. heavy cap . so that imo should be even. am i missing something ?

as for ships ? you should have 1000's in total but i do understand the need to prioritise
the theatres they are assigned to . did you send a shed load of british AK's to the USA early on?
can really help imo .

AP's keep in india .. for future fun and games .. BUT its too easy to send 100+ AK's and starve the
SEAC with transports ( i'd do my game differently )

and as ever good luck

[aztez]

Maybe not dying but loosing "intrest".
 
Last turn yet a same. He lost +450 planes... I lost ships... the first assault was 0:1... etc.
 
You asked what is the diffrence in 3 day turns.
 
a) Ground combat. Once you stumble 0:1 odds on the first day than that means your opponent will get 2 extra days to rest. That plays a huge diffrence. Also he will 2 extra days to bring in reinforcements. So in many cases you are screwed. As in this one. (This does not play that huge role in early years since most of the bases are garrisoned midly.)
 
b) With 3 day turns your TF "wander" way too much. Thus in is very hard to co-ordinate a succesfull operations.
 
Yeah. I did send some but I have transports in WC, India and Australia. (Not enough in CenPac and North Pacific)