Forlorn Hopes: The Japanese Respond

[John 3rd]

Thanks guys.  I am still thinking about it and chilling out a bit.  What do other regular readers think?
 
I have given thought to us playing this until January 1, 1944.  By that time things should appear pretty certain as to regarding the reality of the assault.
 
Hmmm....
 

[FeurerKrieg]

I'd keep at it, but I like being in 'hopeless' situations.

Look - he has a long supply line, several of the bases he captured are cold weather bases. Hokkaido is by no means secure for him, and conducting an offensive out of Sakhalin may not be as easy as it seems. Let him flatten the stuff that is in range of P-38's, and if you have the supplies, expand your factories on the southern part of Japan that only unescorted bombers can hit. Then focus all your AA and fighters in those areas.

In the meantime, you still have some carriers, put them in small groups and never let his SLOC be secure. Make him send multiple carriers of his own with EVERY convoy - or he pays the price.

Japan always loses. The fun is how much damage can you cause before the end of the war?

All that being said - if you aren't having fun, then by all means don't keep playing. I have yet to get to the late war, but it really is what I look forward to, if only because the extremely rare minor victory will be all the more sweeter in the face of the overwhelming allied juggernaut.

[John 3rd]

Nice thoughts...
 

[bobogoboom]

I would keep playing as long as you had the time. but i agree the war is over now. unless you somehow can mount a counter invasion i just don't see there being any chance.

and thanks for a great aar between our game and your aar. those are the basis of my japanese stratagy(i would be in even worse shape as japan if not for them.)

[FeurerKrieg]

Another option, if Dan is open to it - if you don't want to continue, poll the forum to see if anyone wants to take over the game.

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

This was my response to Dan's Offer and Email.  It alludes to all sorts of things that my noble opponents have been fully clued into over the last 10 months of my life:

Master Dan:[/align] [/align]I just got done laughing from your email.  IT is well thought out and made me smile thoroughly!  Let me think about it some before making a commitment.  [/align] [/align]Have to admit--once I got to thinking about what you were feeling regarding time with the game and living life--that your thought has a certain appeal to me as well.  I am HYPED to play AE when it comes out; however, that won't be for at least a few months.  I could keep my slow games going with NY GIANTS and Mandrake while buying the Battleground Series and have some VERY relaxing Civil War fun that doesn't require strategic planning, sleepless nights, and 4 hour long turns!  [/align] [/align]Additionally, the whole reason why our game started (ie the Arrest and Trial Prep) is now winding down and in the home stretch.  I will need to find a job that can pay the bills as well as re-establish some form of life.  This will all take time to accomplish.[/align] [/align]Let me contemplate.  Would you mind if I posted your Armistice on the AAR?[/align] [/align]Warmly,[/align]John[/align] [/align]Good Readers,[/align] [/align]I have had time to play this campaign due to a former HS student's preposterous allegation against me in March of 2007 leading to my arrest in September of last year.  NY Giants, Paul Layne, Mandrake and Tabpub, Moses, Lee Hunt, Castor, and several others have kept up with the events as they have occurred.  We are approaching the time to either commit to a 4 day trial in early-September or go with a Plea Bargain (revealing how weak their case is) that has little-to-no impact upon my life or family.  [/align] [/align]Throughout this trying (pardon the pun) time, WITP has kept me on the saner side of life.  There have been some mighty dark days and my participation on this Forum and within this game has enabled me to keep going.  If you read portions of the AAR with this knowledge there are comments spread throughout it that will now make sense.[/align] [/align]Please keep in mind that I do not need to share this but I feel I need to pay tribute to all of you and the role this game has had in keeping me living while going through a dark journey...[/align] [/align]Thank You.[/align]John[/align] [/align]

All the best in your hearing mate

[John 3rd]

Cantona,
 
Thank you very much for the thoughts.  I really debated even mentioning the situation but felt compelled due to everything Dan and I have been experiencing.  He used to be/is an attorney ans he has given me wise advice over the last year.  There isn't much about my case he does not know!  His consel has been informed and quite useful to my wife and I.
 
I think I will propose to Dan that we play through the rest od December and make a command decision at that point in time.  Bobo is dead right as to the situation...
 

[bobogoboom]

wow i am right for once[&:] that never happens

[USSAmerica]

Everyone gets lucky, once in a while.  [:'(]

[John 3rd]

I am still debating on things. 
 
My wife and I are contemplating life and are looking at making a few command decisions.  With the legal situation heading into the Endgame, we are looking at me having to find a new job/career, figure out the impact of this on our lives, and work on our marriage some.  There is nothing terrible here but the strain on us has been horrific for the last 15 months.  I think a trip Las Vegas is FIRST priority so we can get out of town for a coule of days.  It would be a symbolic ending of one phase of life and starting a new one.
 
I have a HUGE desire to play AE but have to figure out where things are in life before I make a playing decision that requires so much time.  I love the game and Forum but have to look to my wife and family first.  I'm sure everyone understands...
  

[Nemo121]

Real life comes first, ALWAYS...
 
I haven't commented since I don't want to swing your decision one way or the other but I would say that IF you decide to give it a break to put your family first then you have the very best reason possible for such a break.

[VSWG]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Thanks guys.  I am still thinking about it and chilling out a bit.  What do other regular readers think?

I have given thought to us playing this until January 1, 1944.  By that time things should appear pretty certain as to regarding the reality of the assault.

Hmmm....

Sounds good to me. If you end this game now you will never stop wondering how this would have played out. Besides, how many PBEMs advance to such a late stage of the war? Such a PBEM is a something precious, and should IMO only be dropped after careful consideration.

Of course, if for one of you this PBEM has become a real-life problem them by all means stop playing, but to me it sounds that you two just need some time to relax before continuing this game at a slower pace.

Keep in mind I'm biased though, I don't want to see these beautiful AARs to end - especially so close before entering the AAR Hall of Fame! (hint, hint) [;)]

Edit: Should have read further before posting... Of course real-life comes first! Good luck with your hearing, and take all the time you need to make your decision.

[USSAmerica]

Play the game for as long as you and Dan are having fun!  It's a game!  It needs to be fun.  [8D]

[John 3rd]

Appreciate the thoughts also guys.  USS American thanks for the PM!
 
I've got my Mom and Sister in until Sunday.  I've told Dan that I will think about things and make a decision then. 
 

[John 3rd]

Readers:
 
I just sent this email to Dan.
 
Dan,[/align] [/align]Have you enjoyed your break from the game?  :>  Have to admit that it has been relaxing but I am suffering some withdrawal.[/align] [/align]I've thought about things a lot and I think we should finish out the month of December 1943.  It would be fairer to our readers if we got to the turn of the year and had a clearer picture as to the situation.  What do you think about that?  We could dial the turns back to a slower pace and be good.[/align] [/align]Reactions?[/align] [/align]John[/align] [/align]I think it would be good to reach January 1, 1944.  What do you guys think of that?[/align] [/align]

[bobogoboom]

yeah it's always good to see the witp calender turn over. it gives you that sense of accomplishment.[:D]

[eloso]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I have given thought to us playing this until January 1, 1944.  By that time things should appear pretty certain as to regarding the reality of the assault.

Hmmm....

After all the abuse you put your opponent through don't you think you owe it to him to continue until the end? [;)]

Even though he caught you off guard he is being sloppy and careless. Make him pay for it.

[John 3rd]

I AM doing that!  Dan and I have dialed it back to a turn every other day and average sinking 6-10 ships a day.  My Fleet has been wrecked but I am sowing carnage wherever I go.
 
My Court concerns are at fever pitch right now as we make the decision of whether or not to take Plea Bargain or go to Trial.  Decision must be made by next Friday.  Once that decision is made then I should be able to do some updating. 
 
Dan wrote and explained how he was going to retreat after I crushed his offensive airpower.  He actually gave the orders and then decided to sleep.  When he woke up, he changed his mind and here we are!  Funny about how decisions can be made at one point then a little while later they don't matter and you change?  What is in that thought that applies to life?
 

[heenanc]

ORIGINAL: OSO

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I have given thought to us playing this until January 1, 1944.  By that time things should appear pretty certain as to regarding the reality of the assault.

Hmmm....

After all the abuse you put your opponent through don't you think you owe it to him to continue until the end? [;)]

Even though he caught you off guard he is being sloppy and careless. Make him pay for it.

I agreed, there should be no running from this game. John has had the good time's for 2 to 3 years, now it's pay back time!!

[John 3rd]

Just completed the Dec 19th turn and another 13 Allied ships sank.  I cannot describe the number of ships I have sunk since the invasion started.  Currently I have 3 CV TF at sea ranging from south of Dutch Harbor to 10 hexes NW of Midway sinking Allied vessels. 

Where is the US Fleet?  Up in Northern Sakhalin Island is where! 

The Japanese now have 5 1/2 Inf Div at Hakodate and 2 more about to land.  The Japanese continue to hold Wakkanai and have made Sapporo untenable to Allied air.  It MIGHT be captured by air assault on the next turn.

Quite possibly, the Americans may lose 5 Inf Div and numerous support units if I can keep up the pressure.  IF Northern Hokkaido is recaptured and the Americans continue losing numerous ships, it is quite within the realm of possibility for a counterlanding on Sakhalin to the occur...

I will post a screenshot in a few minutes...