The Fleet the Gods Forgot: ALLIED Perspective

[John 3rd]

My name associated with an ALLIED AAR! Good Lord what is life coming to?

This game is a Big B (of course) 1.5 Grand Campaign against me and Miller.

The game is slated to run from today until May 13th when I have a Court Hearing to decide the fate of my life and my family. It is our intention to play 2-3 turns a day and thoroughly enjoy ourselves. On the off-chance that my family and I win our court case then it will continue until AE comes out(in about 2021).

We have few House Rules because I will play the Allies as I have always felt they should be played and that--for example--means that my 4EB will be assigned AF/Port Attack or Ground Attack 80% or so of the time. There are other things but that one stands out most.

I detest Sir Robin defense so this will be a bloody AAR. I consider the Fleet that starts in the DEI to be expendable just as the author of the book I entitled the AAR for did. There will be a strong effort to fight the Japanese juggernaut every step of the way.

This is said because I know just how delicate the Japanese Assault truly is. EVERY loss inflicted on the Japanese in Dec 41--April 42 is crippling to the Empire and cannot be replaced while I will get ZILLIONS of everything for what I lose. Does this mean I will foolishly sacrifice my ships and aircraft in futile, suicidal attacks? NO! Just means that this will be an interesting ride...

Initial turn has already been done and I am awaiting the results of Dec 7th.

In a new word for me: HUZZAH!

[John 3rd]

These were our discussion points for the Start of the War:

Dec 7th Turn:  If the plane flies off a CV--CVL--CVE it can strike at a Port.  Japan can hit 2 of the following:  Singapore, Manila, or PH. 

No Betty/Nell Port Attack but any AF is wide open. 
 
First Turn Invasions/Movement:  Any Malay or Philippines Landing is acceptable as well as Guam.  All other landings must be at least 3-4 days away from their target on Dec 8th.  May move units, supply, and fuel anywhere with the bonus movement:  Truk, Palau, Kwajalein, Saigon, etc...

[ny59giants]

Now you can say it, "I'm a Boise Fan Boy."  [:D]

[John 3rd]

I can ONLY go so far in this conversion.  I feel like Anakin after lopping off Mace Windu's hand....

[John 3rd]

Ken is interested in a JOINT AAR.  How does that work?  Anyone ever do one before?

[SierraJuliet]

This should be interesting John.  If I'm reading you correctly this looks like a straight transfer of JohnIII style playing only let loose on the allied side.  Have your commanders been warned????? [:D][:D][:D]  I support fully what you have said about the frailty of the Japanese campaign.  Ambassador has already demonstrated a couple of areas that I need to pay more attention too.

Good luck.  I'm keen to see what you do with Force Z.

[2ndACR]

Joint AAR's are okay, you just have to be careful what you let slip operationally........but very hard to ask for any advice or to recieve those ideas that slowly work their way thru your head until you say "yes, that is the ticket."

[ny59giants]

Ken is playing as one of my two opponents. I just took Singapore on 3 Feb 42. Now, after some R&R, I'll be ready for more conquest. The question will be which one of you two I give my support to?? Decisions, Decisions. [:D]

[thegreatwent]

Stldiver and Scott1964 had a fun one although as a fellow Colorado WitP player I must admit Scott had some bad luck with the KB. Some I have read have been very entertaining[:)]

[marky]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I can ONLY go so far in this conversion.  I feel like Anakin after lopping off Mace Windu's hand....

youre a good person dont do this!!!!! [:D]

[kfmiller41]

This will be my only post here, as i like John and want to him beat me to a pulp fairly[:D] I will try and maintain an ARR but due to time restraints, I.E taking care of a sick wife and working full time +++ it will be fairly simple. 

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: marky

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I can ONLY go so far in this conversion.  I feel like Anakin after lopping off Mace Windu's hand....

youre a good person dont do this!!!!! [:D]

I'll say it again Marky---I LOVE your shot of Khan!

Oh, goodness I have allowed Master Windu to die. Perhaps I should take the name Darth Cochranus...

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

This should be interesting John.  If I'm reading you correctly this looks like a straight transfer of JohnIII style playing only let loose on the allied side.  Have your commanders been warned????? [:D][:D][:D]  I support fully what you have said about the frailty of the Japanese campaign.  Ambassador has already demonstrated a couple of areas that I need to pay more attention too.

Good luck.  I'm keen to see what you do with Force Z.

You want the "John III playing style" demonstrated on Day One of World War Two. Take a look at the next posting!

[John 3rd]

I have issues with players who immediately pull Force Z out of the battle to 'save' for later. NOT HERE! The Japanese land at Kuching with CA Escort and I order Force Z to sail into Harms Way!

The Results:





HUZZAH!

[John 3rd]

Here is the Opening Scene of the drama:

[John 3rd]

Once my initial jabs are done, I will form my Surface TF to defend Java.  I like to create 3 STF:

1.  The west will have Prince of Wales and a British TF based out of Batavia initially.
2.  The center will have the Dutch working out of Balikpapan with their woefully short-legged ships.
3.  The east will see BC Repulse stiffening the American Squadron working from Kendari.

I like the Timor Defense so I will build that island up as well as possible and then hang on as long as possible.

Life in this area will be immeasurably improved when 2 American Carrier TF arrive in about 2 weeks.  That is correct.  Lexington and Enterprise will deploy here if time allows.  THAT could be fun too...

[John 3rd]

last screenshot before beddy-bye!

The PH attack cost too many planes and did too little damage. If I was Japanese I would consider it a marginal to failed raid. Within days I will have 3 BB ready for service. Only a single cruiser was hit and so I have all my CA and CL available to fill out my CTF escorts.

[SierraJuliet]

Oh my.

John you have shown just how precarious the Japanese invasion of Malaya can be. Thanks for this demonstration... you have made me feel good about my Force Z action with Ambassador. I think my cruiser force was virtually identical to the one you went up against and funny thing... Mogami was lost in both actions (yes Ambassador if you are reading and your intel didn't pick up on it Mogami fell victim of POW in our game) Choice of landing zones may have made some difference though as I went for the Khota Bharu landing site in our game.

In the final wash up of it all I considered the protection of the transports to be the whole reason for having the cruiser force there... it was their job to protect those transports.... if Force Z can't smash through to them they can't say they have achieved the goal of their mission. Losing those cruisers still hurts for the Japanese player though.

Well done on the swashbuckling use of Force Z.

[Canoerebel]

John,

Good start and good luck with this game.  But I think your premise is flawed.  As I understand it, you intend to play for a month real time (maybe several months game time) in such an aggressive fashion to demonstrate the inferiority of "Sir Robin."  The problem is that you're able to disregard the long-term consequences of short-term aggressiveness.  IE, you can use Force Z aggressively to blunt Japanese aggression now because you don't have to consider the long-term costs and risks associated with that strategy, merely because there isn't any long term.  If you were in the game for the long-haul it might be totally different.  If I'm only playing for a few months, of course I'm going to use my assets much more aggressivley, both because I want to have fun during those two months and because I don't have to consider what my situation would be in six months or a year.  So I'd risk the American carriers, Force Z, positioning Allied troops forward, and other aggressive activities.

Aggressive Allied play early in the game is a viable strategy and could well enhance Allied chances of victory, especially in the hands of an experienced Allied player or against an inexperienced Japanese player.  But Sir Robin is a guaranteed route to victory for the Allies.  Folks may prefer one style over another, but strategically speaking there's no question that Sir Robin is a powerful Allied tactic.

Dan

P.S.  In "real life" the Americans couldn't commit their carriers to the IO in late '41 due to concerns about the West Coast, and due to political pressures to protect American territory.  As I've said over and over again, though, this game is about exploring the what-ifs, so have a great time!

Edited to clarify: I realize that in the weird world of reading the written word without the benefit of tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures, that you might wonder if this was some kind of veiled criticism. It isn't - I'd do the carrier gambit in a heartbeat because it's just the kind of what-ifs I'd love to explore; and the comments regarding the premise of your game are simply thoughts as to why your approach may not yield results that would translate accurately to a full campaign game.

[flaggelant]

John.. the dark side? .. how could you ..

[:D][:D][:D]


sounds like its gonna be a fun game to which you'r fanclub will surely be hanging on to closely [8D]




on the carriers;
wouldn't you know just what to do with 2 allied CV somewhere around DEI/ OZ?
i mean; as a jap player that is ?

the fact that there are only 4 carriers at pearl tells that there are 2 + mini KB in the area to keep your CV's at bay.
I dont really think the US CV make that big a difference in the theatre (a small timebonus perhaps, but at what cost)



all in all its gonna be a fun time to watch thats for sure

good luck!