Just Got This Game for My Birthday

[derhexer]

"This was a requested "birthday present." After looking through the 200+ page manual, all I can say is "WOW!" This is definitely going to be more of a challenge than Guns of August, but I'm looking forward to it. If there are any suggestions on a good opening scenario for a newcomer, I'm all ears. (I don't have the predecessor Uncommon Valor.) And I can also be very patient. "

I started with playing the Americans in the Invasion of the Marianas and fiollowing the play-by-play in the manuals. The 200+ page manual was daunting.

[ChickenOfTheSea]

You will also find that a lot of things in the game are not in the manual. Reading the forum is a good way to learn about some of these.

You also might want to take a look at this:

http://witp.kodapa.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

[madgamer2]

don't plan on learning it by your NEXT birthday and good luck and remember the forum never closes. LOL

Madgamer

[EWGuttag]

Well, I'm in to my 23rd or so turn as the Allies in the Guadacanal scenario.  I just took both sides of Guadalcanal (Lunga and recently Tassafronga).  I moving supplies/fuel like mad to Lunga and Tulagi so my TFs don't run completely dry.  So far, I've taken quite a few hits in the "naval" department, including losing a CA and a CL which are high point value (40 each), plus 3 destroyers.  I'm looking at my next base to capture, either Munda or possibly Vella Lavella or possibly both.  I've also put together a strong surface combat TF around the BBs Washington and North Carolina (back from repairs in Espirito Santos) to fend off the periodic "night attacks" by  JPN suface combat TFs (including 2 BBs) down the Slot.  I've now got 4 Air Combat TFs around the Wasp, Enterprise, Hornet and Saratoga, with Hornet TF off of Tassfronga, the other 3 off of Lunga; I need to move one of the Air Combat TFs west to join the Hornet TF.  I've also got U.S. sub forces out harrassing JPN transports (and sinking some), along with SBDs and Avengers from the Air Combat TFs, plus a sprinkling of PT TFs.
 
I continue to try to run supplies/fuel into Port Moresby, along with additional combat units (including the 32nd U.S. Division).  I think one of the mistakes I made was not getting the transports in Port Moresby out of there early to avoid JPN air attacks that have sunk several transports.  I continue to periodically use the B-17 groups out of Port Moresby (and occasionally a B-24 group out of I believe Cairns) to harass Buna, Rabaul and Shortlands.  I've apparently stopped the JPN unit that went after Port Moresby (including hitting it periodically with attacks from B-17/B-24 groups).  I've also got part of the 32nd U.S. Division heading for Buna to give the JPN something to think about.
 
The logistics issues in this game are something to behold and contend with.  All in all, making mistakes, learning from them and having fun.  Stay tuned for further reports.

[madgamer2]

It sounds like your doing things right. I am of the mind that the scenario's are for getting you into the various parts of the game. The long game will be a bit easier if you play a couple of scenario's.
I find it a better idea (for me at least) is to pick a period of about 6 months like the first 6 months from Dec 7 to say the end of Jun 42. Save on a daly rotational basis using three or 4 save games. The object for me is to replay turns to learn the different parts of the game. Try to establish a order of doing things that works for you. I also would recommend sticking with the Allies because of the production system for Japan can be a bit to much to handle at first try.

Do find time for the uninportant things like the rest of your life

Madgamer

[EWGuttag]

Madgamer,
 
Thanks for the suggestions.  I do find time for other things (including Grisby's World at War and Guns of August0, but WitP is a pleasant diversion.

[madgamer2]

Heck I am retired and only work at the animal rescue center here 4 hours a day 6 days a week and can hardly find time to play just one game. I just finished a game of Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI (I love it) and am thinking I need some light brain food so I am going to play one of the talonsoft civil war games (bad AI and all) to relax a bit.
i have given up playing WitP for awhile (maybe till AE) because I have been at it sense its release and people here keep telling me "keep at it you will get it" well I HAVE kept at it and I am barely ahead of the AI with me as the Allies. Knowing me I will go back to it at some point in the future.
I also want to get the Napoleon talonsoft series as I love War in Russia. Keep plugging away and maybe when your looking for a PBEM dummy we could give it a shot with a bunch of house rules if you don't mind playing someone who is sort of a human version of the AI and can deal with no more than 1 turn/day or 2 on week ends.

Madgamer

[EWGuttag]

After taking massive shipping loses (400+ points worth), I decided to restart the Guadacanal scenario from the first turn having, as they say, "learned from my mistakes" (and some were pretty "dumb").  I'm now up through about turn 7 again.  The logistics issues even in this scenario are something else.  As Canoerebel said, it's important to figure out where your next steps will "flow."  One thing I did was to get my support units "flowing" towards Guadacanal even before Lunga and Tulagi were secured, and even moved the Americal Div. right away to Tassafronga (now captured).
 
Regarding Port Moresby, I'm trying to flow supplies (and units) there in a more organized fashion, using Cairns as my staging area (I discovered that Cooktown isn't as good because you can't go directly from there to Port Moresby).  Port Moresby became a shipping "graveyard" for me, and I'm trying to avoid it this time arround.  I'm also using my B-17/B-24 forces more judiciously to suppress the bases at Buna, Lae and Rabaul.
 
One question I've got relates some of the ship types like SC, PG, AV, AD, etc., that appear to be for transport, and especially what they're used for.  I know what AKs, APs, AOs, TKs, APDs, etc., are used for, but what about these others.  For example, I know SC stands for "sub chaser" but what exactly is it's role in this game?

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: EWGuttag

One question I've got relates some of the ship types like SC, PG, AV, AD, etc., that appear to be for transport, and especially what they're used for.  I know what AKs, APs, AOs, TKs, APDs, etc., are used for, but what about these others.  For example, I know SC stands for "sub chaser" but what exactly is it's role in this game?

SC (and PC) are good convoy escorts. Generally they're too slow to be good surface warships and they can't keep up with 'real' warships.
PG ships vary. Some are basically slow destroyers whilst others have large guns for their size. The best use (IMO) depends on whether they have AS weapons. Use them either as convoy escorts or to go in with invasion fleets.
AV (and AVD) are seaplane tenders. AV types are larger and slower but can support the same numbers of seaplanes as the smaller AVD. I use them to ease the strain on my baseforces where PBYs are operating or to provide some search capacity at bases without runways and aviation support.
The most important role of the AD ships is replenishing torpedoes on destroyers and cruisers in smaller ports.

[bradfordkay]

Actually, AVs support 18 seaplanes while AVDs support only 12 seaplanes. 

[EWGuttag]

In my "re-do" of Guadalcanal, the question I've got relates to reinforcing Port Moresby.  I'm moving elements of the 7th Aussie Div. (and other units) in, but then I'm potentially vulnerable to attacks from Lae and Rabaul.  I've used B-17/B-24/B-26 groups out of Port Moresby to try to suppress the airfields in Lae and Rabaul.  I'm also using massed P-39 groups (I realize the Aircobra isn't a great fighter plane, but it's all of got) to try to keep the JPN air units at bay.  Is this the correct approach?  Or are there some other ideas to try (when something doesn't work, I try to think of another approach)?

[Barb]

Try to find No. 75, 76 and 77 RAAF Squadrons with Kittyhawks too if they are on map. You could also use your CVs if they are not needed elsewhere to provide CAP/LRCAP (NEVER LET THEM INTO PORT MORESBY HEX!!!!).

[EWGuttag]

Barb,
 
Thanks for the thoughts.  Yeah, the Kittyhawks are down at Gili Gili: I'll make sure they get into the mix.  I also thought about using the CV/Air Combat TF, but right now, they're needed to fend of the JPN air units going after Lunga/Tassafronga (I'm still builidng up these bases which have quite a few transports which need air cover).  If I get to the point I can spare a CV/Air Combat TF, I'll use it for Port Moresby (I'm waiting for the Hornet anytime now).

[EWGuttag]

Barb,
 
Thanks again for the tips.  I'm up to either Turn 11 or 12 now, and have been able to fend of pretty much the JPN air attacks against Port Moresby, enough to offload needed troops/supplies/fuel.  One of the B-26 groups took quite a few losses trying to suppress Lae.  Overall, the Allies are winning the air attrition battle.  The JPN forces have lost close to 70 Bettys, may be 30 or so Zeroes, and several Vals.  I just got some additional Wildcats based out of Lunga (the airfield finally became serviceable), and that helped suppress attacks on Lunga and Tassafronga.
 
There looks to be a JPN surface combat TF (mainly CAs/DDs) coming towards Lunga that the CV TFs have already beat up some.  Now, I need to increase the supply flow to Lunga/Tassafronga (plus air cover/bombers) before I can jump off to capture another JPN base (Munda and possibly Vella Lavella).  I'm watching Shortlands carefully for potential large JPN TFs coming out of there (I've got several subs patrolling in the area).  Stay tuned for further developments.

[EWGuttag]

Well, the Guadalcanal campaign continues on (Allied Turn 21 or so) and the JPN are starting to take it on the chin.  Lunga is now a growing base with air and support units.  Port Moresby is now a growing airbase too with B-17/B-26/A-20 groups to pound Lae (airfield and port) and Rabaul (airfield and port); the Yamato and Hiei at Rabaul have been hit repeatedly.  Continue to move supplies into Lunga/Port Moresby.  The JPN air response is getting more and more feeble (the point loss ratio Allied:JPN is now about 1:2) with Port Moresby basically receiving no air attacks.
 
JPN AI moved a BB/CA/DD surface combat TF towards Lunga, with the BBs getting pounded on the way.  Lost 6-12 PTs in the process, but the JPN surface combat TF is now high tailing it back to Shortlands (where I've got some subs waiting get them, having already torpedoed the Kongo twice).  I lost one CA (ouch) and some transports, but other than that primarily PT loses.  The Enterprise, Wasp and North Carolina took some damage in earlier land-based bomber/torpedoe attacks, but are recovering and have been left alone for quite sometime.
 
I'm moving a portion of the 7th Aussie towards Salmaua to give the JPN something to think about.  The next amphib assault planned is against Vella Lavella with the Americal out of Tassafronga.  Stay tuned for further reports.

[EWGuttag]

I'm now past Turn 40 in the Guadacanal scenario, and the Allies continue to roll forward.  The Allies now have about a 150 point lead.
 
Vella Lavella is now an Allied base, and building.  Lunga is now a major base.  Next stop:  Buin to get a toe hold on Bouganville.  The main issue is pushing fuel/supplies/support units forward fast enough.  Noumea and Luganville getting pretty far back, so moving supplies/fuel/support units forward is a slow process.
 
Right now, the JPN air is fairly well decimated.  Still have a few fighters (maybe 50 total) at Rabaul and Lae, but most of the bombers (Bettys) are toast.  The airfields at Rabaul and Lae have been hammered repeatedly by B-17/B-24 groups, and occasionally B-26 groups.  I've caught several surface TFs out in the open, but unfortunately, the B-26/B-25/A-20 units aren't the best to sink ships.  Still, I've inflicted damage on the JPN naval forces, including the BB Yamato.  Shortlands has also taken a pounding from B-17s stationed at Lunga.
 
In New Guineau, I continue to build up Port Moresby, forwarding supplies/fuel/support units/combat units/air units as quickly as possible.  A sizable portion of the 7th Aust. Div. is marching off towards Lae; if I can capture this base, Buna will be isolated and ready to reduce.  I may even move some Air Combat TFs against Buna later, and possibly conduct an amphib assault to take it after it's reduced sufficiently.
 
In terms of naval loses, I've had a few CAs/DDs take hits (plus some transports), but have only lost a DD and an MSW recently.  Right now, the JPN have more in naval loses, not counting damaged units.
 
That's it for now.  Stay tuned for further reports.

[EWGuttag]

Now at Turn 58 and the Allies continue to roll forward.  Buin has been taken, so now the Allies have a toehold on Bougainville.  Next on the agenda will be Tokorina, thus isolating Shortlands for further reduction, and potential conquest.
 
Allies now have air superiority and are close to air supremacy.  The JPN AI launches very few bomber attacks now.  A JPN DD force (about 8 in all) is getting hammered off Salamaua (1 DD already sunk).  The BBs Nagato adn Mutsui got pounded some and skeddaled NE towards Truk to get out of harms way.
 
On New Guineau, Allies continue to pour forces into Port Moresby (also the major B-24/B-17/B-26/B-25 base, with a squadron of SBDs as well).  7th Australian Division force from Port Moresby is now less than 60 clicks from Salamaua to isolate Buna and set up Lae.  Stay tuned for further developments.