We are playing CHS scenario 155, historical start with myself as the CEO of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and NCSU as the Yankees...er, um, the Allies.
Our house rules are few - mainly concerning ASW TF size, 4E bomber altitudes and the like, and a general rule of non-gameyness whereby we can negotiate as the game goes on.
The reason for the title is we are both new to an extent in this game. NCSU is playing his first PBEM, and I am playing my first game EVER as the red fellers, although I have some limited experience playing PBEM as the Allies. I fear I will never be a JFB because I use spread sheets nearly everyday in RL, and the very idea of using them in a game is as repugnant as is the image of Nathan Bedford wearing blue. Also, I am still trying to learn what all those airplanes are, and where everything is. Here it is, Dec 12, '41, and I just found the Zuiho and Hosho still happily enjoying shore leave in Japan!
Anyway, I learned a bit of what I should be doing playing against Divebomber, and have tried to replicate some of his better moves, although I am playing less conservatively than he does, at least so far, but I cannot go into that just yet.
On the opening turn, I landed paratroopers in Victoria Point, Tavoy, Tuguegarao, and Naga, and have shipborne forces heading to #######, ########, ########, #########, and an early attempt at #########. The paratrooper thing worked pretty well everywhere but Tavoy where the 0 AV base force is still holding out. I don't get that one. I had to abandon Naga, and fall back to Legaspi because of superior inferior forces pressing down. I will have it back soon though.
Although I have shown incompetence above and beyond the call of duty in shutting down the exodus from the PI, I have had some decent success in sinking ships primarily because NCSU is still in the "AI" mindset. I fear he will shake that off soon though. KB doubled back to PH after a brief foray looking for CV's (I found the Enterprise, but weather precluded launches, and I guessed wrong in the direction that frog would jump.) Anyway, I found a TF loaded with one ML, 3 DM's, and a raft of AK's loaded with the 3rd Marine Def Bn. Two big strikes later they were no more, and the Jarheads were headed for that Big Beach in the Sky. I have managed to put fish into a couple of CA's, and have sunk the CL Mauritania. I have lost a sub by hitting a VH2 in Palembang - I have never seen that happen before. Go figure it happens now.
My strategy in this game will be to follow the examples of Forrest and Jackson. Take from that what you will.
Anyway, here is a screenie of the point situation, if I figure out how to upload it.
(edit) I should add that 13 of those 48 ships lost are only PT's. Ten were sunk attacking one of my landing points in the PI (part of the AI mindset I mentioned before - in PBEM you protect those), and three were sunk with the TF carrying the 3rd Marine Def Bn.
I never realized that! 
