jwilkerson(Jpn) Moses (Allies)

[jwilkerson]

Next is our enclave in Northern Oz. We have the 2ID and 4ID deployed there. One RCT of the 2ID is exploring down the rail towards Perth. At least we will convert the "foot print" to be "J" which will give us early warning when the Allies are returning. This area is producing a small amount of resources, which we are extracting.

We are building forts in Oz .. but airbases in Timor.

[jwilkerson]

And next is NW New Guinea. Another backwater. Sarong is important because of the oil we can pull out. Also Kai Island is important to the defense of Darwin as well as Timor and Ceram. The Northern NG coast has a number of good air bases which we are developing. This area will be supporting the operation on Port Morseby.

[jwilkerson]

Well there always has to be some "bad news" and in our case it is the Philippines. It is early May and the PI are still not occupied completely, in fact faar from it. But we have finally broken the American strong point at Clark field. The Americans are now split between Manilla and Bataan. Given the forces we have available, we expect to clear Luzon within a week or so at most. In the mean time the 21IMB and 35 IMB will work on the central PI. We expect to control the entire area by the end of May. This will free up 4 Divisions and other forces.

[jwilkerson]

Next up are the Home Islands. Fortunately not a lot of "hot action" but we plan to cover all areas were we have forces operating. There are now 4 carriers in this area that have arrived "recently". Three of them participated in the Aleutians operation and are now returning to base from the East. The fourth and newest arrival delivered its planes to China for training and is returning with some carrier units which have completely training. New carrier air units are comming in as EXP 50s and we are training them up to the goal of EXP 80. Some of the new carriers will shortly be dispatched to the Southern Fleets, either to the SE or to the SW, decision still pending. Also we see the 20ID passing through the Inland Sea on its way South, it is prepping for PM.

[jwilkerson]

Next are the Aleutians. We recently occupied the Western Aleutians. We will be strickly on the defensive in this area going forward, bringing in supply and doing some minelaying. We will fortify as much as we can but will not build up the bases for the Americans.

[jwilkerson]

And next the Marianas. Not much going on here.

[jwilkerson]

Next, the Marshalls. WIth the arrival of our first MLE and also the KB and its fleet train, this backwater as suddenly sprung to life. There are also several SNLF and small BF with planning for some other outlying Islands, these will go in a soon as KB returns from its convoy raiding to the East.

[jwilkerson]

And the Gilberts. Makin is currently the forward base of the KB ... there is some gas stored there also this is where the invasion units are waiting. The Alternate forward base at Lunga/Tulagi is building up farther to the West. We expect to operate KB in this area next to cover some landings we have planned.

[jwilkerson]

And the KB itself is turning for home, the AO group has used up about half of its gas and the Eastern two carrier groups are also getting very low.

[jwilkerson]

And last but not least the Rabaul area. We continue to bomb Port Moresby intermittantly, the Allies have been quiet lately.

Our next group of monthly reports will cover production and other stats. But I'll need to work those up for a while.

[Mike Solli]

This is all very interesting.  It does bring to mind a couple of questions though.  You mention using floatplanes along convoy routes.  Do you have them on ASW or Naval search?  What floatplane do you prefer?  Also, you mention training up some of your new carrier daitai in China.  Do you run into problems with them increasing their size?
 
You've given me some very nasty ideas in my games against those nasty AFBs.  Thanks!

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

This is all very interesting.  It does bring to mind a couple of questions though.  You mention using floatplanes along convoy routes.  Do you have them on ASW or Naval search?  What floatplane do you prefer?  Also, you mention training up some of your new carrier daitai in China.  Do you run into problems with them increasing their size?

You've given me some very nasty ideas in my games against those nasty AFBs.  Thanks!

(1) Float Planes: I use them on Naval Search unless I actually spot a sub, then if the sub is near the base, I switch to ASW. In testing I have seen floatplanes attack and even - very rarely - hit a sub - but the primary value is in spotting the sub - this will reduce the ability of the sub to attack and allow the convoy to avoid the sub. I prefer Jakes due to the 4x100 KG bomb load, but I cannot afford to produce enough Jakes to convert all float units over to Jakes, though almost all of the Petes have been converted to Jakes. But we have Daves, Jakes and Alfs in the landbased float units at this point.

(2) Carrier Planes: No size problems, though I wouldn't worry about size changes, I wish they would not happen but that is the way the engine works. But I use a fairly flexible approach to varying the mix of air units aboard the carriers. Prior to each sortie, the entire force is considered in terms of the mission. We do freely supplement the carrier "trained" force with the carrier "capable" force. For better or worse, in the game, the carrier "capable" force provides a very useful ability to vary the mix at sea. So I consider the carrier "capable" air units, especially the bombers to be a part of the total carrier force.

[jwilkerson]

Ok, continuing with the month end reports. Here is the Victory Point summary screen.

Air-to-air losses: We are still hovering just below the 3-1 ratio

Our political points are low because we just spend 3300 points to release the 20ID. We will now start saving for the next division, goal is to release another couple of big divisions this year.

For the first time we have the lead in base control VPs and while this is not a VP game - per house rules - we still look at them as an indicator of performance.

Total air losses are remaining at about 400 more for the Allies than the Japanese, though as the totals increase, this means the ratio is decreasing.

There were no significant warship losses during the month.

[jwilkerson]

Air Replacement Pools ===

For the critical types, like Betty/Nell and Sally/Lily we are trying to maintain a pool of 200+ this provides planes for newly arriving units as well as an emergency reserve in the event we suffer an air disaster, but we do not want to grow the reserve pools much larger as this would be wasteful and would take away from the ability to build ships quickly.

[jwilkerson]

Industry ===

For the first time our engine pools are now looking good. Heavy Industry is also increasing. The major area of concern is Naval Shipyard points, we will need to back off some more acceration on some of the larger ships to get this under control.

[jwilkerson]

Carriers ===

The IJN now has 14 carriers and all are at Sea operating. The sys dmg levels are all excellent as most ships have just completed refits or have newly arrived. Total deck space for the 14 carriers is 699. There are two additional small carriers (one CVE and one CVL) which are scheduled to arrive by the end of this year.

[jwilkerson]

Moses and I have switched to 2-day turns. I actually find this more tactically challenging. The advantage for him is that he will get his "toys" in half the "earth" time.
During this turn, the main event from IJ perspective is the fall of Bataan, which saw the surrender of the bulk of the American Army aboard Luzon. Next we are on to Manilla. Then big time withdrawals.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/03/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 6


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 6


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1096 encounters mine field at Pago Pago (98,110)

Allied Ships
MSW Jan van Amstel
MSW Bungaree
DD Ward
DD Kane
DD Sands

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 76
Ki-21 Sally x 117
Ki-48 Lily x 53
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 7 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 135 Trying to keep the big 37 unit stack at Changsha hurtin' for supply ...

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
36 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
At least for the moment, Burma is the Allied "training ground" ...

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 8


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
CW-21B Demon x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 15


No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
14 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pamakasan , at 24,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 10
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Port Moresby is still out favorite target overall...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 14 damaged


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
17 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G4M1 Betty x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Munda , at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16
Blenheim I x 10
A-20B Boston x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7
P-40B Tomahawk x 44
B-18A Bolo x 40
B-26B Marauder x 44


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
25 x B-18A Bolo bombing at 6000 feet
39 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
15 x B-18A Bolo bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 65th Chinese Corps, at 43,40

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 76
D3A Val x 34
B5N Kate x 38
Ki-27 Nate x 136
Ki-30 Ann x 24
Ki-51 Sonia x 54
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
32 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
32 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
36 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
32 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
27 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
27 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
17 x B5N Kate bombing at 15000 feet
17 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
17 x B5N Kate bombing at 15000 feet
5 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Corregidor CI Fortress, at 42,51

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 20
Ki-27 Nate x 8
Ki-21 Sally x 63
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
193 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
17 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
20 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th DAF Base Force, at 18,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 128,96
KB takes out a few more AK ... that was the purpose of this raid ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N Kate x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Waimea, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Steel Scientist, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Manukai, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 46317 troops, 551 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 968

Defending force 19176 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 313



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bataan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 90889 troops, 805 guns, 289 vehicles, Assault Value = 1283

Defending force 30555 troops, 64 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 335

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 1226 - adjusted assault: 537

Allied max defense: 260 - adjusted defense: 77

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bataan base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
1000 casualties reported
Guns lost 26
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
41581 casualties reported
Guns lost 80
Vehicles lost 18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/04/42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 6


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 82
Ki-21 Sally x 112
Ki-48 Lily x 50
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 231 Wow, that was a heck of a hit !!!

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
23 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
22 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pamakasan , at 24,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

No Japanese losses

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged


Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged


Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Munda , at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

No Japanese losses

Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16
Blenheim I x 6
A-20B Boston x 6


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th DAF Base Force, at 18,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 46348 troops, 552 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 967

Defending force 19242 troops, 195 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 313



Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported

[jwilkerson]

As KB withdraws to the West from the Convoy Raiding operation, Moses B-17s from Palmyra launch a strike.

According to the animations, we lost 19 Zeros (started with 88 up ended with 69 up). But the victory screen summary says we lost less, I guess some losses were duplicates, but certainly we are reminded that the best Allied Fighter is the B-17 !!!

[jwilkerson]

More B17 action ... this time over Burma. We are testing the waters, to see if/when we might base some combat planes in central Burma. The Allies meet us with a 100+ 4EB attack. The "real" losses were

15 B17
7 LB30

vs

10 Zero
4 Oscar

But for us this was a herculean effort involving six air groups, which can only be repeated about once a week at best. Whereas for the Allies, it is just another day at the office. It looks like other than nuissance actions, we will not be able to really contest the airspace over Burma until the Tony's arrive in 2-3 months. But we will try to keep them off balance a bit.

===

Oh, and given the results of the previous turn, this actually gives us a total of 34 of the 4EB shot down in the air to a cost of 21 of our fighters. Not a good ratio, but an unusual number against the statistical background to date, that might at least get the attention of the Allied high command.

[jwilkerson]

I've been asked to give more details on the "supply trick" for training up pilots. First, I'll try a narrative description, if this isn't sufficiently clear, ask and I'll post screen shots.

This "trick" works for 2-engine level bombers and transports and most patrol planes, bascially any aircraft that can transport supply.

Set an air group at a base, preferrably not too near the enemy, with sufficient supply and av spt to keep them going. I usually use L-4+ AF but that isn't required.

Set the unit to fly at 6000 feet and at range = 0.

Set the unit to transport supplies and set the "target" of the "airstrike" to be the current base.

Then the aircraft of that airgroup will fly continuous "training" missions, by, as I like to say "carrying supply from one end of the runway to the other". This will cause the air unit to increase EXP fairly rapidly and units can be trained up to EXP 80 without nearly the losses they would take performing actual bombing missions.

Is this trick "dumb and stupid"?? Sure!! But given that there are a number of other issues in the game and even with the air model and even with air training, some people allow this. I also play (and am playing) in games where this "trick" is not allowed. But in the Moses game, it is allowed. So I use it in that game. And Moses is aware that I use and I assume he uses it as well. If you have any doubts about whether your opponent would approve, you might check with him first. I don't wanna cause any shoutin' matches !! [:D]