The Fleet the Gods Forgot - Japanese Prospective

[kfmiller41]

I appreciate the advice and comments, believe me there have been times I have seen things done to me in this game that made me want to call 911[:D] but it is after all a game and I do the best I can given the situation. I am sure when AE comes out (Yes i do believe it exists[8D]) then some of the things that cause the most grief will end. I am sure some new ones will pop up though[&o] Will have time this weekend to post some pics and situation reports, I did manage to catch that Surface TF that was sitting in Rabaul waiting for me with an airstrike, alot of them will be sitting in either shipyards or graveyards now[:D]

[kfmiller41]

1-10-42

Well I did get some air attacks off from Hiryu and Soryu today.
Day Air attack on TF at 56,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 26
B5N Kate x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Shaw, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Le Triomphant, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stuart, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Day Air attack on TF at 62,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Sunk

My Land Based Bombers really sucked though.[:@]

Day Air attack on TF at 62,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Leander
CA Canberra, on fire
CA Indianapolis

Here is the situation down there so far.


The situation in Malaya is complicated[:)] I have 8 Divs either there or coming there. I have between 12000-20000 troops cut off in the mountains. They can retreat if i don't take the east coast port, which i won't because i only have 1 tank brig heading that way.


Otherwise things are going about as planned.

[ny59giants]

My Land Based Bombers really sucked though.

I know you are facing the same problem I have - too many needs for your daily allotment of Politcal Points. You may need to change some leaders for your more critical daitai vs getting more LCUs into the field.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Hornblower

nothing wrong with Pursuit, thats why the button is there. 

Agreed. It's no more gamey than retreating forces being able to teleport 60 miles while in disarray--every time.

[Capt. Harlock]

Any comments about the situation at Port Moresby?

[kfmiller41]

I am soryy for my lack of posting recently. My wife has a form of MS which really makes my time at home difficult. Just getting the turns in can sometimes be a problem but i will try and post some pics tommorrow morning.
 
As to my thought's (and this is from work so I am going from memeory here) I have one full Div and a base force in PM, and it looks like i don't have the force to take the place right at the moment. I am using shore bombardment and keeping KB on station until the second invasion force, which is close by now lands. It doesn't contain a whole lot of infantry (i was thinking i would own the place[:D]) but it does have some. I also have a supply TF en route to bring in further supplies. I willl make a concerted effort to take the place, am committed now. Between this and Malaya most of my ground forces are committed.  

[Nemo121]

A few pointers for you on how to make a success of this.
 
1. Ensure you have at least twice the supplies listed as necessary for each unit ashore ( aim for triple the amount of supplies to give yourself a margin of error ). This is to allow you to conduct a shock attack (which requires double supplies ).
 
2. Don't attack until your troops are relatively well rested ( about 20 to 30% fatigue and under 10% disruption).
 
3. On the turn before your attack use KB and EVERY BETTY YOU HAVE to GROUND ATTACK Port Moresby. Hitting the ground units there on the day before and day of the attack can drop their adjusted AV by 75% and that often makes the difference between taking a place easily and sitting there for weeks in a brutal slugfest.
 
4. A bombardment run on the day of the attack is also helpful.
 
5. If you have KB in the base hex then only 25% of your CAP will fly. Station it 1 hex out to sea and you will have your full CAP. 60 miles may make the difference between keeping and losing your CVs.
 
6. Come your rear areas and mobilise every unit you can and bring it to PM. You need PM and right now you aren't taking it. Don't be satisfied with saying "there aren't many infantry available".... Aggressively comb your security detachments and reserves for troops you can rush forward and then do so.
 
Once PM has fallen you can always send them back to the rear but right now you need to take PM and that justifies taking risks.

[ny59giants]

Transport planes - You can set up a network of planes from the Marshalls over to Rabaul - Kwajalein, Ponape, Truk, Rabaul to move troops. Use a Fast TF to move them to PM, if possible to shorten turn around time.

Supplies - look from Palua up through the Marianas to Iwo Jima and you will find most bases with 8000 supply. I used 3 x 2.5k AKs to pick it up and move it to Truk and beyond. There is also supply in the island chains above and below the Home Islands.

If you feel safe, detach the BCs and other ships from KB to form a BB TF to hit Port Moresby. Just make sure you have it set not to retire. [;)]

These are the only things I can add to what Nemo mentioned.

[kfmiller41]

You guys are such a gold mine.[&o] My biggest problem it seems is i like the damn game so much I get into to many games at once[:-] and can't concentrate enough on each to do it right. This is the first time i have had an opponent or three who replies every DAY[X(] and it means I go thru turns to quick because it takes so much time to do it right. So really the fault is mine but I will take this advice for the game against John because it would feel good to beat him as he does love his victories and lets me know about them often[:D]

[ny59giants]

Take your time in replying to our game, but not too much. [:D] I've played enough of the first 6 months as the Allies that i have that down pretty well. I'm in uncharted territory now that we are into early March 42 as Japan. I have learned a few things which I will use in my next game (whenever AE comes out).

[kfmiller41]

Ok, latest update to our little war[:D]
In Port Moresby I have landed 1 full division plus 6 additional engineer and support units, and not nearly enough supply (DOH) so I am bringing in additional supply in another convoy that is forming up in Rabaul. Will make one all out attack now to see if I can force him out. Really am unsure how much I am facing but will bombard and bomb him prior to attack[&o].


In Malaya I have about 1/2 his forces cut off on the east side of the penninsula and the other half fighting to keep me away from singapore. Hopefully I can roll over him.


Overall I am not impressed with my progress as I am all but out of Oscars and Bettie's and pilots. Am doing what I can to train but it is going to take time to get enough pilots to fill the ranks.

[kfmiller41]

Got behind in posting to this thread, work and stuff[:(] but it seems as it will not matter as John3 has had to call a halt due to his loss in court. Our game has ended but I did learn alot and that's what counts. Only hope John isn't gone to long.

[Capt. Harlock]

but it seems as it will not matter as John3 has had to call a halt due to his loss in court. Our game has ended but I did learn alot and that's what counts.

The game is over?? Rats and other comments. John put up the best early-war fight I've seen in an AAR.

[kfmiller41]

I agree, was tempted to Nuc the PI with all the trouble he was giving me. My only positive was in Malaya where I had allied troops cut off and was wiping them out slowly. Strange game and it seemed like he had ALOT of troops in Malaya so maybe he was bringing them in from elsewhere.[8D] 

[Hornblower]

Hopefully AE will be out shortly, but if not perhaps John and yourself can start from where you left off..