herbiesan vs Cantona - the actual picture

[1275psi]

OK - for those following Cantona's tale against the evil Jap herbiesan, here is the view of things from his side -so buddy cantona -time to leave mate





The date is 17/3/42, and I am beginning the second phase of operations


The Status of the HQ's

Burma

Cantona seems detirmined to make a stand at Mandalaby - I have troops trying to go around him -some 2 divisions from the west, 1 from the south, and the move around from the east was a bust.

trying to go around was a mistake -but I intend to retrieve it.
3 divisions are coming from singapore.
There is no plan for an Indian invasion - i intend to take mandalaby, port balair and sabang with a 4th division.

the plan is to then pull the vast bulk of forces back to behind rangoon! -and hold the border lightly -so many allied players land south and trap japan in 43/44 -i think this time it might be worth a shot to entice Cantona into the same -except have 7 divisions waiting for him
Thats the plan anyway[8|]

The DEI
Are secure -just rebuilding the units that took them -they are very tired

Solomons

Cantona is pouring troops into Port Moresby - and Im happy with that
Once the phillipines fall -3 divsions there, plus 3 in singapore will take it - and i think gather a nice crop
The solomons will be very lightly held -I do not intend to fight at extended supply lines this game

The gilberts

cantona has CV's here! - and I have nearly every SS on the map here -a great SS swarm -i am trying a new ss tactic -the SS blob - lets see what happens

Phillipines
About a week and manilla should fall

China
is a mess -i suck at land combat - cantona I think can describe that better than I can -Im just making it up as I go[:D]


Finally the grand strategy
Playing for a realistic game -once PM is taken, thats it for expansion -I have not committed any reinforcements that have arived -thats a lot of troops, they will go to garrison inner ring defences
The great lan is builts around the 6 divs that will take PM -they will go into reserve into Palua -and at the right time -will all be used in one big attack.
I am not accelerating early CVs -but the late ones
not building the BBs quickly -they progress very slowly

Cantona is a great opponent -we have few house rules -except the air groups equals airfield size one -this is a great rule -and we are both playing for fun and realistic .

Ill update this about once a week -cantona is not getting a game like a lot played here - no mad expansion - i am seeking "a decisive battle"[8|][8|][:D][:'(]

[1275psi]

OK
This thread is for those following Cantona's AAR against the evil herbiesan -so you can follow his plans leading to disaster or victory

Its the 26th of the 3rd -and the war may have seemed to have paused a bit -which it has, but a lot is happening behind the scenes

The troops that took singapore needed to rest - as soon as the southern HQ arrived at Singapore this went very quickly -freeing 7 divisions for action

The last week has seen the carrying of three of these divisions to Rangoon -I am on tenterhooks as one trnsport was torpedoed -the one carrying the parent unit of the 18th div -I unloaded it at a beach -well some of it -some refused to unload -so I got the transport to Vic point today -at 77% system damage. I am very worried that if it sinks with this little fragment on board I am going to lose the 18th div to the Ghost bug -I lost many LCU's to this in Tabpub game -and it cost me big time -I do not need this !!! in this game!

KB covered the invasion -smacked port blair -and is waiting for the 16th Div to take it.
BB's are going to cover the invasion - they too are smacking it -although fuel could be an issue

I think 4 divs should be enough to secure Burma!


Once done , the PM invasion will take place -troops at singapore/soerabaya are readying -they need another couple of weeks -so a May1 invasion date is being set at the moment

Manilla fell -and bataan has too -these troops have been allocated for final mop up invasions -and the PM invasion.

only 4 Naval guard units have come out of Japan -so many units are now at 100% there -all have been allocated defence places.

The plan continues -capture Port blair, Sabang, PM, and stop!

4 divs, 1 brigade into reserve for counter attack.


The SS swarm is doing very well - I lost 2 AMC's though to ASW groups -BB Mutsu and Nagato have tried 3 times for convoy intercepts -and missed -dangerous stuff if his CV's turn up!

China -the airforce is beginning to re deploy to here - no rash moves -cantona gave me a real fright at the start -Im more confident now.

Cantona plans:
This is how I see his side so far

Fight for Burma -fight for Port blair -both hopefully doomed!
B17's are in India -they will be a worry!
Port Moresby has 5LCU's in it -I think he wants to hold it -I cannot let him! -I have concentrated my navy air to make it very miserable for the Aussie Kittyhawks here.

Wake island -he is turning it into a fortress. full of ships at the moment.
Not sure what to do there - atoll invasions would wreck my reserves if used here.
I spotted CV's near Suva -and one half way to brisbane -so he is trying to secure Noumea-suva -pago, pago line -usual allied stuff.

As to what his grand attack plan is -not clear yet.
The game is highly enjoyable. A/C squadrons = airfield size really, really enhances the game

One final point -I have a game against robert Lee where losing 50-60 planes as allied -or japan is a daily occurance - its a carnage -Cantona seems to be hyper sensative to any losses of planes -I took down 6 p38f this week in one engagement -and his E mails were full of woe!
I think I must exploit this -some how!!!

[bbbf]

Well, it ain't 50-60 planes everyday since 7 Dec!
 
I agree about Port Moresby - I regret not getting it early against you myself. 
 

[1275psi]

True Buddy -but the last few weeks since I invaded Shortlands sure has hotted it up!
I'll just keep on shovelling in the ships and planes and stuff until my little clicky mouse finger goes numb -and Ill still keep on pushing em in! -CARNAGE can be GOOD![:'(][:'(][:@][:D][8|]

Fun game huh? - everyone needs to play at least one game where it all goes crazy[&o][&o]

Cannot wait for tonights issue[:D]

[1275psi]

For those following Cantona's AAR -here is where Japan sees it
Mandalaby has been taken -and I will pursue to Myritiyka, and try to destroy some additional units

Trying to get some AV support to the Burma theatre -hurting badly here.
Once Burma secured -going to withdraw south most of the army - and watch developments

The main effort is the PM invasion -its near Tobalai -where the ship carrying the parent unit for 4th div just got torpedoed -so more delays while I try to save it[8|] -to prevent the division going ghost!

Busy building up the solomons and PNG -about 2 weeks and quite a few size 4 fields will commision -and the army bombers are waiting.

So, its PM -about May 5th at this rate.
other bases to be tidied up, and then we hunker down..................

[1275psi]

15/4/42

Well since last posting Burma is about finished off
I have ordered the last mopping up operations in the DEI

Main news for those following Cantona's AAR

Invasion fleet for PM reaches Kendari area.
Its like Mogami once said -herding Cats is easier.
Full KB covering - 7 BBs, about 8 CA's involved.
Most army bombers are in action now pounding PM.
navy Bombers on navy attack
Every SS I can muster soon to enter the coral sea.
he's got a lot of SS at rabual, GG, ect.
I will sieze Thursday island first!
2 weeks until action at this slow convoy rate!

[1275psi]

21/4/42

battle of PM -round one
The leakers really hurt - don't let cantona know -but he may well have sunk Akagi with just 2 500lb bombs[8|][:(][:(][:(][X(]

Go read his exciting stuff - but I will just say -Im still coming -and I've spotted his CVs!

[1275psi]

day two of battle

9 lousy bombers and 10 fighters penetrate 100 zero CAP

And now kaga is out of the fight!

I wanted to save ammo -so no naval bombardment Thursday island -BIG mistake!
CHS -sure does let the leakers through (good news for Japan later on I hope)

Cantona CVs well pegged near townsville
We invade Thursday island today!

Cantona sure is excited I think!

[1275psi]

The PM invasion fleet is still some way away - I need Thursday island taken first -we attack!
kaga, Akagi - out of war for 12/6 months[:(]
I know where some of his Cvs are -at townsville
I wont need mine if thursday can be taken - I have enough betties in the area to take out his ships.

I hope[8|]

[1275psi]

Its the 25th

The main invasion fleet is quite a way away -and the CV's have retired a bit.

Thursday island falls -and receives fighters .

Cantona wants to pack his CVs with fighters -he has some still at Townsville I think!

The invasion will continue -I have A LOT of betties covering this invasion -and this is CHS -some -a lot -will get through to his CVs

I'm even thinking of NOT having Cvs go through the straight at Thursday island.
Fireworks coming -Im sure!

[1275psi]

For those following cantona's updates

The invasion fleet has passed through torres straight -losing one AP on the way to a ss -lots of them about

I will play fair and land at the PM hex -not the dot hex to the north -tempting!
I expect tomorrow a few losses from mines, cannot be helped
Overwhelming force in this invasion - 4 divisions, and a brigade, lots of engineers ect.

I have actually retired the Cvs, they are heading back to Ambonia -just in case ships sally from darwin .
heaps of fighters over PM -intercepting dakatos too -so is he re inforcing -or bugging out?

Finally, Akagi is struggling towards palua -at 70!!!! system damage -from just 2 times 500lb bombs -so I was unlucky .
Kaga aint much better iether

These losses definately decide future strategy -I have taken what I need - no overstretching this game -and I count 14 almost full strength naval guard units in japan as reserve -thats 3 divisions AV
I hope cantona gets impatient -and attacks in the next month or two (signs of an early offensive in Burma already!)

[1275psi]

Here is another update for those following cantona's AAR -which seems to be getting a bit of feedback.

japan takes Port moresby 1 day behind schedule
japan takes all but 2 bases of Southern resources area right on schedule
japan is pleased with this
japan is a bit annoyed that he let mines hurt at PM so much -but can bear the losses

japan now getting the divisions out of PM -and will now (and if everyone keeps mouth shut) have a lot of fun trying to convince cantona that another great big invasion is aimed down south -when in fact nothing is planned at all
Im down 2 CVs -Akagi at 71 system, kaga 41 (or vice versa -doesn't matter, Im down 2[8|]), so further adventures are out

I have taken the resource zones and used only 2 of the naval guard reinforcement units recieved since game start -so I have a very, very, healthy reserve in Japan.

Now to concentrate them, the navy and the airforce for a counter -I reckon I have 6 months at least
This is one game where japan aint over extended
Due to the game breaker pilot bug -ie games finish early 44, max Jap effort must occur about mid 43 -so I am planning this.

Now to start convincing cantona that next invasion will be somewhere south.
(and have KB turn up somewhere nasty instead -so sssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh)[:-]

[1275psi]

have begun reconning noumea -while the troops from PM make the journey back to truk
Lots of SS -and some naughty cruisers trying to interrupt things -but mostly the evac goes well.

cantona awaits the next invasion.
lets see how long i can keep him waiting..........

[1275psi]

OK -for those following cantona's AAR

17/5/42

Troop re deployment at truk about 2 days to finishing
KB headed back to Japan for R and R


And now I spot big nasties headed to tarwana!!!
For those interested in my response so you can iether

encourage Cantona
laugh at his worries
Or generally giggle at both players blunders

Lots -and I mean lots of SS depart Kwal
betties prepare to attack
4 battle cruisers, and Mutsu,nagato, raise steam at truk

I have a regiment at sea bound for marcus island -it may be diverted.
If this is not a raid -and he takes the island -I will take my time -and take it back with 4 divisions -that should be enough

Looks like cantona aint going to wait until 43!

[1275psi]

Crud

Tarwana falls - no forts -because all the engineers slated for the place are still at sea enroute!
The CVs are just docking at home -so an immediate counter attack is out.
So herbiesans plan is to wait until CVs are a bit refitted -and the troops at Truk have removed the disablements -and then I will take the place back -I hope!

If this proves non do able -well - I can live with out tarwana - it was a great , gutsy move by Cantona.
I do have one thought -tarwana taken by the 25th US division - that , plus one put on Wake(I guess), means Pearl Hbr might be pretty empty...................

[1275psi]

As cantona has probably related -the battle for tarawa has begun.
Im in no hurry............

Things I, as Japan note

1/ His CVs are still using devastators -and will be due refit cycle soon.
(means they will not be able to hang about forever)

2/ No Engineers landed yet .

3/House rule of air groups equals airfield size will favour me for a while yet!

So -Im in no hurry[;)]

The following forces are now preping for the re invasion
4 full divisions
4 para units
8 full strength naval guard units

Shipping is available -but its going to take a month to get ready -but this is really the CV repair time needed (Shok and Zuik system damage very high)

For those following Cantonas AAR though -the Japanese navy has sailed 2 BB, 4BC, and about 6CA towards Kwal -and unfortunately for cantona -nearly every available SS to Japan was at Kwal -and the sea around him is getting very full of red ss symbols -the torp into the tennesssee will be just the start I am sure (already had 3 SS attack the CV task forces with out success)

This should be a very interesting battle.

[1275psi]

22/5/42

herbiesans side
being very careful not to break house rules on stacking airgroups at airfields means a lot of management
The zeros at maleop are knackered -so withdrew them , and risked a small 9 plane unit as escort to some fresh betties and nells

nells are lethal compared to betties I think -these are the crack pilots I have too.

result today -Lexington took a torp - not sure it hurt too much.

Near nedindi I am going to cause a diversion................
And the battle fleet is ay Kwal - awaiting a chance

Lots of posting for cantona's AAR -I hope its entertaining, will be nice to read another view of a war for a change!

[1275psi]

Latest news

Still a lot of sparing around Tarawa - am about to send in some heavies - with Betties lining up!

He has a task force hanging around North of Sabang - not sure what its doing though.......

Most action is around SS south of tarawa - seas are crawling with them
MY CV remain firmly in Port -refitting -system damage too high to come racing south yet.
No intention to move firmly against this invasion until troops prepped properly.

What, me worry!

Lots of fireworks tomorrow I think.

[1275psi]

28/29 of the 5th of 42

Cantona can fill in the details, but I am now applying the following plan.

harass the convoys coming into the area -and hit the areas around them -tomorrow i smash into baker -this will mean fireworks.
last night -lots of misses from both sides i think

I sunk 2 AKs with troops today - tarawa is turning into a huge fortress -probably overstacked to take back realistically now -but I don't mind -as long as I threaten it -his CVs must remain near it -thus the hitting of the convoys.

many ships now headed that way!

Fun game

[1275psi]

OK - Task force commander knew that at least 1 BB awaited at baker
He knew that CVs may come across...

Still -a crappy naval battle from my point of view -especially Nagato not firing a shot[:@]

Going to lose her -and maybe 2 of the CA's involved.
Naval bombers did not fly iether -so that was a dis apointment too.

That battle was one I thought I could win -guess I was very wrong!