Forlorn Hopes: The Japanese Respond

[modrow]

John,

first of all let me stress that I wish you the very best for your legal quarrels. The conditions you were put under are hard, hardly bearable and possibly cruel, and I understand that you feel the need to fight them only too well. From my point of view, if this spills over to these threads and it is good for you to vent some steam here, I think you should do that at any time.

Relating to the fun aspect of the move to India:I agree that it was a spectacular move that will make you known on these forums as the guy who invaded India in 44. It was an excellent op for spectators from the entertainment point of view - but the most entertaining shows are not necessarily those with the highest educational value. Your entire AAR is highly entertaining- that's why I read it. But I cannot but bow to the power of the arguments of those who say that it may not have been wise strategically.

Frankly speaking though, if you want to stay within the civil war, based on the limited knowledge I have on that subject matter your style of play reminds me not of Lee, but of another CSA general, also called John. It's John Bell Hood I'm thinking of - with all his qualities and faults (and before getting angry about this comparison, look at the considerable qualities Hood had). Lee was far less aggressive IMHO, I think he would not have moved a substantial part of his limited force to a probably irrelevant theater and he may have handled the economic part better as well. Of course, both Lee and Hood knew a bit about ground combat [;)].

If you want to get around Hood's aggressiveness, take Sherman's approach to that problem. Leave a force to tie him down and do with the bulk of your troops what you wanted to do anyway. As others stated, this is what Dan can afford to do in India

Let me end this post by a quote I found which is attributed to Teddy Roosevelt:

"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly...who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly."

Just my 2cts.

Hartwig

[paullus99]

Audacity - that was what the Indian Strike was. To keep up the historical analogies - it was like Early's Raid on Washington. It had the potential to become a huge distraction & perhaps even pull Dan back quite a bit into a defensive crouch.

At this point, I'm not writting anything off - John still has resources & a mostly intact fleet that can cause major problems to the Allied timetable. This AAR is a perfect example of a late war situation - and it has been handled superbly.

[modrow]

Paullus99,

ORIGINAL: paullus99
Audacity - that was what the Indian Strike was. To keep up the historical analogies - it was like Early's Raid on Washington. It had the potential to become a huge distraction & perhaps even pull Dan back quite a bit into a defensive crouch.

The potential for a huge distraction is what I do not see - which is why I asked flagellant why he assumed this operation might draw Dan's forces to India. Specifically, if you assume Dan's style is Russian-like.

You seem to see it, as others do, and I would like to repeat my question why you think so. Early's raid on Washington may have extended the duration of the civil war by a few months because it was aimed at the heart of the enemy. Why is the possession of India vital for Dan in this game ?

I would like to stress that I ask these questions as I try to learn, not to pick at the decision of a fellow player in his war, specifically if said player is likely to play much better than I do.

Thank you

Hartwig

[John 3rd]

John B. Hood?  Wow.  Does that mean I must lose an arm AND a leg?  Not too terribly far off how I feel in life right now!  Comparing India to Franklin is actually an excellent, but sad, comparison.  I would not have thought of it but it is much closer to the truth then my earlier thought.  Nice work!

Additionally thanks for the thoughts about venting on the Forum.  You guys have been a help and source of support.

That is a great quote by Teddy.  He is my favorite President and a true Renaissance Man.

As to India the attack will not get too far.  I cannot believe how Dan has left so much infantry in the country.  I've dropped Forts again at Bombay and am working to take Pangrim.  If I can get Pangrim and its supplies then that will help a bunch.  Got a turn to run so will do that and then post on any developments.

Dan is out for most of the day checking out the Chicamauga Battlefield for his magazine I think.  As editor and owner of it he has the nice excuse to go to pretty places that are historical and write it off as a business expense.  Cannot complain about that!

[modrow]

John,

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Dan is out for most of the day checking out the Chicamauga Battlefield for his magazine I think.  As editor and owner of it he has the nice excuse to go to pretty places that are historical and write it off as a business expense.  Cannot complain about that!

Dan is checking out Chicamauga the day I mention J.B.Hood ? LOL ! Wasn't he the one who led the first of Longstreets divisions leaving the railroad towards that field on September 18 ? In any case, I think he lost his leg there. Btw, I thought he "just" lost control of his arm, afaik it was not amputated.

Hartwig

[John 3rd]

THAT is a relief!  I thought I was going to have to lose two limbs for this whole thing!  Funny thought regarding Dan and that battlefield on a day we are talking about it.

Combat Report
December 4, 1944

China
Wenchow
It would appear that Dan is going to land at Wenchow.  On the 3rd his BBs got caught in a minefield.  They have pulled out and surprisingly he left several STF present in the hex.  They are hit by a Kami--Torp Attack from Shanghai.  A CAP of 40 F6F try to fend off a strike of 59 F, 66 Torpedo Bombers, 38 Kami FB, and 48 Jill Kami.  At the normal high cost the Strike fights through the CAP and attacks a Cruiser--DD TF.  Several ships are hit but CA Wichita gets clocked by 2 Kamikaze Jills early on and, with the lessoning AA fire, my Frances and Peggy bore in and plant 4 Torps into her tender side!  Scratch 1 CA!  Course I lose over 100 planes to get that ship...

Shanghai
Dan hits this base with 24 F, 70 B-29, and 44 Liberators.  A total of 60 Jap Figthers intercept and a spirited fight occurs.  The Allies lose 14 planes and have twice that damaged while shooting down most of the CAP.  The AF is hit moderately.  I move another 150 Fighters and 100 bombers into the base and add 100 planes to Wenchow for another crack at the TF present.  There is a lone DD at Shanghai and it gets a Kamikaze mission of its own going to Wenchow...

Formosa
Takao
The Allies attack and barely get a 1-1 lowering the Forts to 7.  Following Nemo's advice (and having nothing to lose) I order a Shock Attack in conjunction with an air strike of 50 F covering 100 bombers hitting the Allied Troops for tomorrow.

Tokyo
The city is hit by a double Fighter Sweep and then 250 B-29 whallop 147 HI inside the city.

Convoy
I just ran a small Resource Convoy of 35,000 through the gap and it will be unloading in a couple of days.

Have a large Oil Convoy about to leave Tarakan with 175,000 Oil.  REALLY would love to get this through the lines.  Anyone got any ideas???
 

[ny59giants]

Have a large Oil Convoy about to leave Tarakan with 175,000 Oil. REALLY would love to get this through the lines. Anyone got any ideas???

Make sure the cloaking device is working when you get over warp 5.

[John 3rd]

Thanks Michael.  Let me CLARIFY----Any USEFUL suggestions??!!  [8|]  

[ny59giants]

Let me CLARIFY----Any USEFUL suggestions??!! [8|]

Be specific!! [;)]

[tocaff]

A escort won't work so how about trying a high (well the best speed possible) dash through the net where the LBA has the longest trip to reach and so maybe recon will miss the convoy.  Good luck in this run of the gauntlet.

[John 3rd]

Good thoughts.  I could divide the convoy into 2-3 elements and go high speed for the Home Islands.  Need roughly 2 days to transit the most dangerous portion.  There is enough oil there to carry the Empire almost a month...

[John 3rd]

Here is the first of two screenshots regarding the amount of aerial firepower Dan has right now:

[John 3rd]

The next attack went against the TFs in the hex closer to Shanghai.

Another note to self regarding House Rules----No more then 450 planes allowed in any ONE hex!

[ny59giants]

[Q-Ball]

Would that qualify as Uber Cap? MAN! Nothing gets through 400 fighters, unless it's escorted by 600 fighters.

Not sure what I would do on that Tarakan convoy; your only choice is probably to sail it through the southern Phillipines, then cut back toward Okinawa, and CAP it along the way. I would split is up into smaller convoys. You could also run some empties a hex or two close by, and NOT cap those ships; they will be attacked first.

Welcome to late war Japan, my Oil is now cut, and it's 11/44.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Not quite sure what to make of this...

Is it some sort of Psychological Test of yours to ask what we see happening with this icons??? I am NOT answering!


On the bright side of things we have a REAL snow storm coming into Colorado right now. Current prediction is for 10-14" in Greeley! I cannot wait. I LOVE SNOW!!!!

[tocaff]

You wouldn't love snow in a big city where it's beautiful on the 1st day and then starts to turn black from the pollution.

Snow is something I remember and see in movies or on TV.  Brazil isn't big on skiing.  [:D]

Smaller convoys isn't something I included in my suggestion of how to run the gauntlet as I don't know your House Rules.  If it's allowed divide the ships and run like hell and hope to hell that subs aren't hunting in large #s.  Can you supply some LRCAP for the run?  How about ASW coverage?

[John 3rd]

Never a good sign...

[EWGuttag]

John 3rd,
 
You aren't kidding about "runaway."  What a "nightmare" to face:  a fleet of troop barges (or whatever AG stands for) v. 3 BBs, 1 CA, 1 CL, 4 DDs, and 1 DMS.  Definitely a potential "slaughter in the making."

[John 3rd]

I may be about ready to through in the towel...