Empires Ablaze - 1Eyedjacks(J) vs Goodboyladdie(A)

[1EyedJacks]

Hi all,

Goodboyladdie and I are at it again, running Nemo121’s Empires Ablaze with the intent of running a couple of turns per week as both of us are running full lifestyles with work, family, and obligations.

As I expect to discuss strategy and tactics this will be a closed AAR for Goodboyladdie.

I spent some time looking over the mod as Carl and I have had several abortive attempts with different versions of RHS that left us bleeding in several places from playing on the cutting edge. Looking over this mod I can see how crazy Japan could be on the opening turn. Japan is really prepared for war…

My initial strategy is to hit a few standard targets but with more strength than normal (in essence – try to keep the opening phase “real” and not abuse the opening turn). The Japanese Imperial Army is tasked to quickly take the PI, Malaya, the northern and southern bases of Borneo, establish a secure front in China, and begin the push up through Burma into Moulmein and Rangoon. The Japanese Imperial Navy is tasked to establish a defensive ring in the Pacific, destroy the naval forces of the allies, and fiercely raid their merchant supply lines.

I expect to accomplish those goals plus targets of opportunity as they arise by June of 1942.

[1EyedJacks]

December 7, 1941

Air Attack on Singapore, UK

Over 100 Imperial aircraft consisting of Zekes, Bettys, and Nells take off from Saigon just before dawn and form up at 10k to attack a sleeping Singapore. CDR Kozono, with his squadron of Zekes flying protective air cover above the formations of Bettys and Nells looks out his cockpit window with pride. He knows that soon Japan will answer back to the embargos and cowardly political maneuverings of the American government that is trying to stop Japan from assuming its rightful place at the table of world leaders. Several strikes have been planned for today and CDR Kozono and his squadron are but one small piece on the great chess board of war that Japan is now playing on. Today Japan will strike fear in the hearts of the countries that have seen fit to stand against Japan’s choice to expand its influence within its own back yard.

The flight from Saigon to Singapore seems to pass quickly for most of the aircrews participating in Operation Striking Heron, as this attack has been designated by Imperial Command. LCDR Asaba, in command of 27 Nells of the Mihoro Kktai, watches the sleek A6M2 fighters streak past the bomber formations to attack a handful of British fighters that have scrambled from Singapore to defend their base. Asaba listens over the radio as reports come in attesting to the success of the Japanese fighter pilots over the warriors of the UK. LCDR Asaba does not let the radio detract him from his duty though. He again checks his instruments as he prepares to unleash the payload of bombs upon the Singapore airbase. Hopefully this attack will take out the ability of the British to provide air support to the invasions planned in Malaya.

The flak is relatively light over the city of Singapore and the airbase below. LT Takayama, commanding 27 Nells of the Genzan Kktai is pleased at the lack of defense put up by the British defense command. This is a good opportunity to get valuable experience for the crews under his command. Takayama leads his bombers over the airfield below and soon the bombers of Genzan Kktai are contributing to the destruction of the enemy aircraft, buildings, and runways below. Today is a good day to be a warrior of Japan.

Day Air attack on Singapore [UK] , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 9
G3M2 Nell x 90
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Buffalo/F2A x 18
Wirraway CA-1 x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo/F2A: 13 destroyed
Wirraway CA-1: 3 destroyed
Hudson IV: 5 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
14 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
14 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
8 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
2 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
2 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 10000 feet

Mini KB South of Davao, PI

Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy drive upwards from Palau in preporation of enemy ships that are sure to flee from the planned attacks on the port of Manila, PI. 4 CVL – The Ryuho, Zuiho, Chitos, and Chiyoda are running with 4 CVE – the Hosho, Unyo, Taiyo, and Chuyo…Protected by 2 BB, 2CA, 4CL, and 6 DD… With 224 Carrier Aircraft abourd this TF Japan makes a commitment to strike hard and plunge the blade of war deeply into the enemies of Japan.

[Nemo121]

Hi, its nice to see someone trying this out. I'm going to make you and your opponent the same offer ( I'll post this in his thread also )... Basically if you have ANY questions about design decisions or possible bugs etc drop me a PM or ask it here and I'll pop in and explain the rationale/fix the problem.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the game.

[ny59giants]

Allied Ships SUNK!
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

I know this made your day. [:D]

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Hi, its nice to see someone trying this out. I'm going to make you and your opponent the same offer ( I'll post this in his thread also )... Basically if you have ANY questions about design decisions or possible bugs etc drop me a PM or ask it here and I'll pop in and explain the rationale/fix the problem.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the game.

Do I read this right that I'll get a static CD for Guam that is assigned to Kwantung HQ delivered to Tokyo?

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Allied Ships SUNK!
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

I know this made your day. [:D]

Hi Michael,

Yup - made my day! I was hoping to catch that damned ship coming south. I under-estimated the power of my mini-KB tho - I mean - when they found Marblehead and took her down also - that was too cool.

Carl didn't like it tho... In truth, I think he was a little more bummed about his BBs @ Singapore. I'm gunna give Carl an opportunity to try and slip those BBs down south as he really likes to play with them.

This is a very scary mod for a Japanese fanboy. RHS starts Japan out kind of like driving a Geo Metro 3cyl car. You can build up production to ramp things up but it's gunna take awhile.

Empires Ablaze is like starting out with a Shellby Mustang... CV Yamato in 7 days... Zeke production starts out @ (256)x164...

I did look enough at the allied side to see that Carl does get new toys too. And since Carl likes to forward-deploy and make me fight to expand he's gunna hurt me with his LB, mines, and subs and make sure I earn my objectives.

I am able to increase what would be normal assualt forces for the objectives I've set. It looks like I should take PI and Malaya quickly thru shear brute-force. China will take me about 30 days to get units deployed where I want them and start to clean up and establish a real front line. Right now I've got Chinese units in areas that I certaintly don't want to see them at.

I've been reading John's AAR where you are asssiting him in production recommendations. Keep up the good work (I'm taking notes [:D]).

[1EyedJacks]

Malaya/Siam/Indochina
Singora
Add pilots/planes as needed to my air units. The base is low on supplies but that should change as the transports unload. And unloading and going after Singapore airfield or shipping is all that’s going down from here

Kota Bharu
Troops are unloading and no supplies have been unloaded yet. Continue unloading while under Zeke CAP from Kompong Som.

Ban Don
Low on supplies. TF72 (1AK 2000tn) load @ Kompong Som to Ban Don with HP=Bangkok

Bangkok
Set Jakes for ASW, add pilots where needed
The IJA 55th Div and the JAAF 35th Engineer ABE are just south of Bangkok headed to Tavoy. Marching with them is the IJA Imperial Guards Div headed to Victoria Point. Afterwards the Imperial Guards will march south to support operations in Malaya.

Pisanuloke
RTA 4th Div mov to Rahaeng (60 miles)
I’ll move everything to Rahaeng as it will be a closer support base for operations against Moulmein and the base =2 while Pisanuloke=1.

Luangprabang (Laos)
Why is the IJA Burma Area Army Command HQ here? It must have started here in real life? Anyway – they are marching to Bangkok and then will move to support operations in Burma. Luangprabang currently has 21k of supplies… I hope some of that filters down to Bangkok when the HQ units moves out…

The RTA 2nd Div is just west of Ubon marching to Battambang

Saigon
Via e-mail Carl wants to try and get out his British Battleships from Singapore. I’m giving him a “window of opportunity” by diverting the port attack I had planned for Singapore to Manilla. There are several reasons why I’m fine with this request:
1. I want Carl to have an opportunity to play with some of his toys – it’s important to me that he have fun too.
2. Singapore airfield was hardly touched in the 1st turn – I ws hoping to really put a crimp on the Singapore airfield with the Sallys out of Singora but they did little effect to the runway/base on the last turn. I’ll need fighter support to hit the airbase and flying Gnells/Bettys into Singapore w/o fighter support would really hurt my feelings.
3. I hate allied subs. Killing any subs still @ Manila would make me happy-happy-happy.

Also @ Saigon, TF4 conisting of CA Chokai and DD Sagiri are off to Brunei to provide AAA support for the invasion force there.

In truth, with mini-KB off the east coast of Borneo, I’m hoping Carl will find other things to do with any air units he’d like to use over Brunei.

Camranh Bay
Sally LB are on Naval attack with Naval Search set @ 50 percent. TF56 is loading supplies plus the 35th Hvy AA Bat for transport to Brunei. Carl will be aggressive in this mod – he has more toys to play with as the allies – No Sir Robin for Carl – that’s for sure…

Hanoi/Haipong
A recon unit out of Haipong will check out two enemy LCU spotted about 120 miles east of Hanoi. I’ll run a unit of Nates from Hanoi over on a ground attack to smack the crap out of them.

Hainan
Taan/Kiungshan
I’ve got a TF of 19 AK loading the 3rd Tank Brigade for Singora. By the time it arrives there I should get a feel for which prong of the attack I wish them to support – the east coast of Malata or the west coast prong.
My two units of Mavis Patrol Planes @ Kiungshan are still moving the rest of the 1st Raiding Bde to Miri.

[ny59giants]

Hawaii- plans to just keep KB around for a "few" days like you usually do [;)]
or are there plans to invade soon??
 
 

[Nemo121]

The biggest caution I'd give you is that while you have more freedom of action etc this also means that you've just been given more rope to hang yourself with. It is VERY easy for Japan to over-expand in non-essential areas and crash its economy in this mod if you aren't disciplined. A lot of japanese players crash and burn economically in RHS and original WiTP and in my mod the logistics are even more razor-thin - even though you have more raw power to throw around. In my game vs jagdfluger he ended up running his airplane production into the ground and almost totally stopped producing planes at one point. This really is Logistics in the Pacific.
 
Also pay close attention to the upgrade paths. E.g. It looks great to have loads of A6M2s in production BUT once you hit January 1943 the Ki-44 III Tojo is the better CV-based fighter and all of those A6M2s ( 400 or so ) only upgrade to A6M5s and A6M7s... which are inferior to the Ki-44 III so, in effect, that's 400,000 tons of supply you've burnt just for 1942 aerial superiority ( since those 400 plane factories produce inferior planes in 43 and 44 --- although they do upgrade to Ki-115 in 45 IIRC ).

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Hawaii- plans to just keep KB around for a "few" days like you usually do [;)]
or are there plans to invade soon??

U think U know me so well... [:D]

KB near PH
They will loiter here for another turn (maybe 2) and continue to work the air field, the port, and go for naval shipping. Some of the TBs will be set to naval attack as well. I saw some fighters near Wake which makes me think Carl might have a CV near that isle…

Invade Hawaii... Hmmm - now there's a plan... What a wonderful, clever idea! Thank you Michael! Let me do a little research and I'll get back with you.


Mini-KB (currently east of Borneo)
Carl thinks I sent this TF here just for the Boise… <grin> While I won’t deny I hoped to nail her, this TF is too powerful to go after just one CL - even if it is the Boise. I really hope to slaughter any shipping running south through Makassar Strait from the PI with this very powerful mini-KB.
4 CVL – The Ryuho, Zuiho, Chitos, and Chiyoda are running with 4 CVE – the Hosho, Unyo, Taiyo, and Chuyo…Protected by 2 BB, 2CA, 4CL, and 6 DD… 224 Carrier Aircraft… Bang the war drum man, this TF is ready to kick some tail…

Mini-KB is headed north into the Sulu Sea and the Boise is but a small tithe of what they will offer to the gods of war.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

The biggest caution I'd give you is that while you have more freedom of action etc this also means that you've just been given more rope to hang yourself with. It is VERY easy for Japan to over-expand in non-essential areas and crash its economy in this mod if you aren't disciplined. A lot of japanese players crash and burn economically in RHS and original WiTP and in my mod the logistics are even more razor-thin - even though you have more raw power to throw around. In my game vs jagdfluger he ended up running his airplane production into the ground and almost totally stopped producing planes at one point. This really is Logistics in the Pacific.

Also pay close attention to the upgrade paths. E.g. It looks great to have loads of A6M2s in production BUT once you hit January 1943 the Ki-44 III Tojo is the better CV-based fighter and all of those A6M2s ( 400 or so ) only upgrade to A6M5s and A6M7s... which are inferior to the Ki-44 III so, in effect, that's 400,000 tons of supply you've burnt just for 1942 aerial superiority ( since those 400 plane factories produce inferior planes in 43 and 44 --- although they do upgrade to Ki-115 in 45 IIRC ).

Yeah - I can see that... Just curious - why did you start this mod out w/400 Zekes to be produced? For myself, I'm thinking that I'll let things build up but then put about 150 of those on Halt.

It looks like a lot of LCUs are coming on-line very quickly also... Do you have a rough estimate of what my armament/vehicle needs are? Just curious - how did you justify in your mind the added INF divisions Japan starts out with plus the heavy stream of new LCU units in the pipeline? Is Japan drafting men,women, and children?

Do you have a spreadsheet of the bases and their oil/resources/HI that you can share with Carl and I? It looks to me like I realy need to go after oil quickly. I can do that with Borneo and Palymbang but It would be nice to know where else I need to plan for if I need additional oil/reousrces...

[Nemo121]

I've added 4 new divisions ( as the first half of the mobilisation which was planned to be finished in late-42, when Japan planned to start the war ). That's all. All of the other units are historical. In return the Allies also get new divisions ( mostly US tank and parachute divisions in late 42/43 ). So all of those units ( except for the 200th to 204th are historical and are part of RHS etc.
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As to the 400 Zeroes per month. Well 160 or so are being produced with the other 250 being possible if you repair the plants. Basically what I did was cancel the R&D for a number of planes in 1944/45 and switch those R&D plants to Zeroes. There are two reasons for this:
a) It better models a Japan which is trying to ramp up for war in late 42 and
b) It offers a subtle trap for a Japanese player to fall into and screw his economy up [:D]&nbsp;through not fully realising that he needs to plan his production changeovers more completely in this mod than any other mod. A Player could do brilliantly in 1942 but if he doesn't plan things properly his production could pretty much collapse in 43/44.
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I don't have a spreadsheet but I will say that if you really want CHEAP OIL, HI and RESOURCES then apart from going for the DEI you should aim to take Northern China ( lots of OIL there ) and the Soviet Union ( lots of OIL and HI there ). If you take the Soviet Union and Northern China you will boost your HI by about 15%. If you take India then you get another 20 to 25%. Oz is not, IMO, worth taking from an economic point of view but from a "Oh crap, what do I do now" point of view its well worth taking.
&nbsp;
Really, if you take the DEI, Northern China, Burma, Malaysia and the Soviet Union you will be in GREAT economic change. Taking India will push you into brilliant&nbsp; economic territory. The question then is how much of Oz, India and the Pacific you need to take to protect this economic sphere.
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Really I cannot overstress that particularly in this mod it is ALL about the economics. Figure out what economy you want in 1943 and 44 and then figure out what you need to take to create that economy. Then figure out what extra you need to take to act as a buffer zone between the Allies and your economic zones.
&nbsp;

[1EyedJacks]

I just sent the turn off to Carl but wanted to post general info on what's going on in the different theatres. Any thoughts on initial strategies are welcome. I think I first want to take my economic objectives (oil/resources) and then defend in depth.

Nemo - if U R still reading this - R there any allied bases I should NOT take because of game mechanics?

Philippine Islands
Batan Isle
TF90 & 92(Transport)
Move IJN BakoSNGF from Batan to Caterman

Legaspi
IJN Kure 1st SNLF – Deliberate ATK (No defenders)

Aparri
TF14(!CL 6DD) Surface Combat
TF19(2AV, 2CA, 1CL, 2DD) Surface Combat. Set air units to ASW, N. Search, and CAP.
TF48 is unloading Troops
TF49 is unloading 10k of supplies
TF87 is unloading troops
Since only part of the 53rd is unloaded and no supplies are on the beach, no assault 2day – just defend

Laoag
4 TF are unloading troops – Deliberate ATK (No defenders)

San Fernando
1 TF unloading Troops – just defend
1TF Surface Combat

Dadjangas
TF unloading troops – Deliberate ATK (No defenders)

China
Canton
3 INF marching to Hong Kong to kick some ass
Air units hitting Hong Kong

Hong Kong
38th Div – Defend
IJA 12th Army HQ – Defend
IJA 19th Ind Rgt – Bombard
IJA 21st Curved Gun – Bombard

Nanking
Inf unit moving to Shanghai to get my Garrison into the green

Sinyang
There are 3 enemy units there so I’m bombarding to see who they are and how strong.

Not much else this turn – most air units are hitting ground targets or doing recon. Troops are moving to locations to defend or aggress the enemy. What I want to do is establish a front line and then start bombing the piss out of the Chinese.

Manchukuo
I’ve sent many of the high-support ENG units, some Engr units, a few art units, and all of the armor to Jehol. I’ll be spending points to move them to the China Theatre. I’ll stock up on the front lines and replenish the support units later. Truth is, I don’t know what to do with Russia right now but I have plenty of time to figure it out.

Production
Right now I’m just studying everything. No sense making changes until I know what’s what. And no sense holding onto the turn while I’m just looking at things.

Japan
There are still several divisions of INF and plenty of support units to move where I want but right now I just want to burn through 5-10 turns, work on my already stated objectives, and see how my economy is functioning and if there is anything I need to tweak.

[ny59giants]

I had downloaded Nemo's older version of Empire's Ablaze and deleted it. Just did a fresh install on it and sent a PM to John 3rd for a slow paced game (like yours) against him. I hope he says yes as you two could talk economics. [:D]  I cannot help you out with this mod. [;)]

I just emailed John to see if he is game to be the Allies vs Japan. He needs to learn patience. [:D]

[Nemo121]

1 Eyed Jacks... Don't take Aden and try not to conquer all of CONUSA as it would really ruin the chance for a fightback . Panama is fair game as is all of India, all of China, all of Oz etc.
&nbsp;
In the Soviet Union I would suggest that you be allowed to take Ullan Ude but don't take Irkutsk. This is to allow the Soviets a chance of a fightback in 1945 as would have happened historically.
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Basically though you must NOT take Aden and I really would suggest stopping at Ullan Ude in the USSR. Apart from that everything is really fair game... Oh, except for the bases in the protected shipping lane running from CONUSA to India ( but that's pretty obviously a no-go zone for the Japanese ).

[ny59giants]

Nemo,
I understand that you are looking at making further modifications to this mod soon. Great! I've just downloaded it and "may" be getting a PBEM game going against John 3rd. Sides to be determined. However, I was looking at Japan's Oil stockpiles vs current HI levels. There are many bases outside of Japan with 90,000 Oil. [X(]
&nbsp;
The Industry Report says&nbsp;there is 6,206,190 in Oil reserves divided by the 12,601 in Heavy Industry (HI) gives you 514 day supply. Add in the 1306 Oil centers now (no conquest added) x 514 days and that adds in another 55 days. That will give you about 570 days worth of Oil or 1 1/2 years worth. [X(][X(]&nbsp;I know Japan will expand HI, but having this much Oil to start with makes me want to get hold of their stock broker and see what kind of deals I can get. [:D]&nbsp;

[Nemo121]

ny59giants,
&nbsp;
Believe it or not THOSE bases with large oil supplies outside of the Home Islands&nbsp;are a leftover from RHS:EOS. I upped the OIL in the Home Islands by about 50% though but didn't touch the OIL at any base outside of the Home Islands.
&nbsp;
What I will say is that YES Japan can be VERY strong in 1942 without much economic planning BUT to remain strong in 1943, 44 and 45 requires a LOT of detailed economic planning FAR beyond what is required in other mods. Giving a kid a lot of goodies ensures they have a good time for the first hour or so but can result in vomitting for the net 3 or 4 hours. WiTP: EA is like that, the Japs can run riot in 42 but without properly planned and scheduled retooling pauses their economy will collapse in 43 and 44 ( as will their front-line assets). Obviously this is only so if the Allies keep the pressure on in 43 and 44.
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As to further mods:
Today I've added further Soviet static units to make the Soviets a tougher defensive nut, have combed through Japanese units arriving in-game to ensure almost all are assigned to the Home Area Army ( thus requiring PP to move outside of the Home Islands ) and have fixed a bug ( stupid error I made ) regarding an upgrade path for US AKs. I'm discussing further changes with Alfred behind the scenes and plan to release V 1.3 next weekend. It will be almost the same as the current version except with some changes designed to limit Jap options ( the PP changes ), make the Soviets tougher defensively and some bug fixes. So far I'm hitting close to 100% in tracking down and fixing the bugs.
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P.s. Your opponent wants you to know that a small fragment of the RTAF 5th Air Wing ( Ban Don) has shown up in San Francisco... This isn't a mod error but I think a game code hiccup. He wanted you to know since this might limit your ability to reach maximum Air Wing size and you mightn't be able to figure out why.

[1EyedJacks]

Thanx 4 letting me know about the RTAF 5th Air Wing - I hadn't noticed unitl you said something...

Here's a pic of the PI on 12-8-41

[1EyedJacks]

Starting Air units for Japan

Air Units
Total Army aircraft on 12-8-41 = 4083
F = 1364
FB = 0
NF = 0
DB = 255
LB = 1230
RC = 212
TR = 448
P = 104
FP = 199
FF = 83
TB = 188

Total Navy aircraft on 12-8-41 = 789
F = 225
FB = 0
NF = 0
DB = 116
LB = 0
RC = 33
TR = 0
PA = 0
FP = 87
FF = 111
TB = 217

Next air unit reinforcement for Army is in 53 days
All additional naval air units will come with ships…

List of fighters by date they arrive:

[1EyedJacks]

Hi Nemo-san,

Just an FYI that the Ki-93 Steve does not seem to have plane art.