The Fleet the Gods Forgot: ALLIED Perspective

[John 3rd]

Paullus--It is funny that you mention that possibility.  I ran the January 6th turn and was shocked that Zeros were covering the Rabaul Invasion Force.  There weren't many just a group of 9 over one set of TF and 16 over another.  My STF was sitting in Rabaul and only drew a Betty Raid from Truk.  There were 15 Bettys who hit a single DD with 1 Torp.

If there were REAL CVs then my TF would have been hit hard.  Since it wasn't, I am thinking it is prehaps some CVEs flying just Zeros.  I could be totally wrong but don't think so.  With this as the through, these were my orders:

1.  I flew in ALL of Lex's planes.  The Buffalos, both SBD Squadrons, and the TBDs.  Would have preferred to send the Wildcats but they coudn't make the range jump.  I set them to attack only at range 1 and for the Buffalos to fly 90% CAP over Rabaul (help protect the STF).

2.  I left the ANZAC Cruisers in the hex to fight.

Will watch the battle tomorrow and decide what to do at that point.  Lex and Ent will dock at Port Moresby tomorrow.  They have little fuel but I have 24,000 about to reach PM the day after next.  Will pull-up the game and get a screenshot.

[John 3rd]

Here is the screenshot as promised.

[John 3rd]

Malayan details are described below.

The question that just hit me is this. If I am forced out of Kuala Lumphur OR 23,47 will I still be able to retreat to Johore Bharu? I think so but it will have to be fast once I am forced from either location. Right?

14 B-17 hit the Japanese troops over Kuala Lumphur on this day showing how serious I take the attack. I hadn't moved any American bombers out of the Philippines until this point in time.

[Cap Mandrake]

You know, if he knows your RAN crusiers are at Rabaul and he doesnt call off the invasion, doesnt that imply he believes he has sufficent surface strength to defeat you? You may be up against a 10-12 ship Jap surface group in a night battle.

Of course, the USN planes may be a nasty surprise, but why wouldnt he break off the attack unless he has a strong surface force and/or a few carriers?

[John 3rd]

Good Thoughts Mandrake.  Always appreciate you hoping on with your commentary!

I am taking a risk here in fighting but I am going to follow my gut that he doesn't have real CVs present.  I base this on:
1.  His CarDiv1 and CarDiv5 are parked about 6 hexes North of Darwin. 
2.  I spotted CarDiv2 at Kendari two days ago.

This can only leave CVLs and/or CVEs.  The STF's job is to prevent a bombardment of the AF.  That is their primary job so the Carrier Planes can attack.  This will be a one day operation if Ken keeps coming.  Hit and then pull out all that I can.  I expect to lose a few ships but the gain could be very nice.

We'll have to see with the upcoming turn.

[paullus99]

Planes & pilots can fairly easily be replaced - carriers, on the other hand, cannot. I agree with your mustering of strength at Rabaul - just make sure you can fly out the planes should a serious invasion develop. If you can get a few good strikes in to either his SCTF or AP/AK force, you would have done well.

Good luck - looking forward to the results. Keep those carriers safe & give your opponent another reason to worry.

[John 3rd]

Thoroughly agree Paullus!  I'll hazard the air group but not the CV until I have a better understanding of my opposition.  If it isn't too strong, I will swing Enterprise around and add her to the mix.  Gotta get some gas first though.

[paullus99]

I just thought of something - given your reputation of aggressiveness, you can use your carrier airgroups as bait. Your opponent will think you've committed your carriers & probably charge in with either the whole KB or a close approximation. Then, you can throw your LBA into the mix (since he will think killing your carriers are most important), not realizing that you're walking him right into a trap against an all-air force.

Something to think about.

[bigbaba]

damnd, you are a smart&aggressive allied commander. it will be intresting to see the outcome of the rabaul battle. with all your prepreations and the intel informations about the japanese forces, it should be a nice allied victory.

[flaggelant]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

I just thought of something - given your reputation of aggressiveness, you can use your carrier airgroups as bait. Your opponent will think you've committed your carriers & probably charge in with either the whole KB or a close approximation. Then, you can throw your LBA into the mix (since he will think killing your carriers are most important), not realizing that you're walking him right into a trap against an all-air force.

Something to think about.

sounds like a nice plan

In a Japanese game I've been thinking of stationing a squadron of val's on Kwajalijn, with loads of sub activity they would be surely making lots of spottings and thus des-inform the opponent.

one thing i cant really follow is that IF there would be allied CV's the Japanese player would surely be expecting land cover/bombers, so it wouldnt come as a surprise that they're there. The only surprise being that you can strike freely in a different place, knowing that KB is headed the other way.

[John 3rd]

Things get downright interesting around Rabaul. My CV Airgroup chooses not to fly (due to Zero CAP)so I add my better fighters to the AF.

[John 3rd]

Things stay active in the DEI:

[Cap Mandrake]

Re. the Mexican standoff...here is hoping nobody gets swine flu.

I suspect he is waiting for his CV's or more surface firepower, which means he probably won't use naval bombardment this turn. He might also send Bettys from Truk to rough up the airfield so you will need some of the fighters on CAP.

I like the old Iroquois double-back trick. [:)]

[John 3rd]

DRAT! The weather closes in at Rabaul and NONE of my planes fly for the day! The Japanese move in a start a landing. Since there is only a Base Force present, I withdraw the carrier planes back to their parent CVs. VERY frustrating...

The ANZAC STF turns about as planned and heads back for an attack on the Rabaul shipping. The second STF will hit the day after that. Maybe these warships can cause some decent damage.

Ken is beginning to get a little bit more devious. I like that. His CVs were apparently sweeping along Northern New Guinea giving me a couple more days before present, however, they (or it could be CarDiv2)change course and are coming along the south side. This is dangerous and I cannot risk my CVs getting caught. I order them back to Townsville to clear the area and move to safety.

The great anticipated battle of Rabaul doesn't happen. Very SAD!!! [:o] [X(][:o]

[John 3rd]

The situation in Malaya takes a dramatically different (GAMEY) turn. In our first issue over game workings, January 6th sees the Japanese (3 Inf Div)drive the Commonwealth troops out of Kaula Lumphur. This isn't an issue so I order the mountain troops out of 23,47's hex. No big deal to this point until the Japanese immediately move into the hex between KL and 23,47.

His Shock Attack--Pursue attack wouldn't bother me if it was done with armor. This is how I handle Shock Attacks. This was done strictly with Infantry. I explained to Ken my thoughts on this and did not ask for a replay or anything just sought clarification as to his views because that will radically change how the ground war is played.

Now the troops at 23,47 cannot retreat in an organized manner so I have to divert them to Kuantan and move down the east side which will be far slower. Not a good thing whatsoever but will do it.

On a different front, the bottom left of the screenshot shows Prince of Wales exceedingly slow movement away from the battlezone towards safety...

[John 3rd]

After the Japanese armor is driven from Moulmein an Infantry Division appraoches the town. In an Allied miscalculation, they order and attack in hopes of driving the lone Inf Div out. It doesn't work as the 33rd ID joins up with the 55th to stop the assault. Casualties are fairly light but it does dictate no more attacks and that the Japanese are in Moulmein to stay.

Forts at Moulmein are now at 4.

Forts at Meiktila are 3 and climbing quickly.

The Royal Navy is ordered to bombard the Japanese units at Moulmein so 1 BB, 2 CA, 4 CL/CLAA, and a few DDs begin to move to hit the coast. The Japanese don't have any serious aircraft nearby and the British TF will be covered by Fighters from Rangoon.

[ny59giants]

His Shock Attack--Pursue attack wouldn't bother me if it was done with armor. This is how I handle Shock Attacks. This was done strictly with Infantry. I explained to Ken my thoughts on this and did not ask for a replay or anything just sought clarification as to his views because that will radically change how the ground war is played.

You probably "assumed" that he would do the same as you. Unless you spelled it out in your House Rules (HR), then you have to go with it. I would PM him back about this and adjust your HR accordingly. Look over your HRs for this PBEM and make corrections now before something else pops up.

PS - I have both of my games restarted with my new computer. I'm adjusting to Vista and the speed of this computer (my old one was 8 years old and came out just before XP). I'm ready if that "mirage" called AE is real. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Ken and I just had an exchange and he offered to back up a couple of turns.  That was very gracious of him.  I said no.  It doesn't affect whether or not I will lose Singapore so who cares.  Better to hit this now instead of later.

Glad you have entered a more modern age Mr. Benoit!  Can you handle more speed?!!

[paullus99]

Sorry to hear about Rabaul - but every intervening day means you get a little bit stronger, so you may be in even a better situation soon to pick off some of his valuable shipping & warships.

[String]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd


His Shock Attack--Pursue attack wouldn't bother me if it was done with armor. This is how I handle Shock Attacks. This was done strictly with Infantry. I explained to Ken my thoughts on this and did not ask for a replay or anything just sought clarification as to his views because that will radically change how the ground war is played.

Um, since when can't infantry pursue their opponents? You fought in the mountains for weeks and now feel that it is gamey when the enemy forces flank you along the coast and surround you?

Why?