Empire of the Rising Lemon? SqzMyLemon (Japan) v Smeulders (Allies)

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: hmota
with the nates you have two factories 10 and 35 pcs...so you may change one or another...personally I think it will be beter to change the smaller one and left the second to produce nates until their engine pool will be empty, then swith it too...

With PDU off, I agree. With PDU on however, don't waste your HI on Nates. Lemon, you're playing with PDU off, right?

[SqzMyLemon]

Mike: Yes, PDU is off in this PBEM. I haven't looked at all my Nate squadrons yet, but one I did click on, my only upgrade option was the Nick, which isn't in production yet of course. With my pool of Nate's at zero, looks like in the short term I'll still need to produce the darned things, it's just a question of how many.

hmota: Good point. My initial thinking is change the factory producing 35 to something else, take the downgrade in numbers there, and start building that factory up again. The other can produce 10 until I no longer need the Nate, then change it to a better aircraft.

All I know is that it's only the first month of the war completed and aircraft stocks in some areas are critically low already. I still think you have to invest early and get some decent sized factories up and running. So far my Resource/Oil/Fuel usage is not going down in huge numbers so I think early HI/Supply hits to get these factories going is worth it, with my limited knowledge so far of course. [&:]

[SqzMyLemon]

A general question for everyone out there. Does anyone move Combined Fleet HQ's out of Kure, and if so where? I'm thinking of moving it to Truk, any benefit really, or can 4th Fleet HQ handle all my fleet needs there, torpedoes and naval support in particular?

Ok, maybe 2 questions [:D] Is it worth upgrading repair facilities at Truk? Or does future Allied bombing make it a better idea to expand facilities in Japan? Actually, I'm not even sure it does have repair facilities? I think it doesn't so a moot point.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Mike: Yes, PDU is off in this PBEM. I haven't looked at all my Nate squadrons yet, but one I did click on, my only upgrade option was the Nick, which isn't in production yet of course. With my pool of Nate's at zero, looks like in the short term I'll still need to produce the darned things, it's just a question of how many.

I am playing with PDU off as well. I will continue to build Nates too. Not sure how many either. There are 254 engines available. I don't expect to use them all. Here's the starting Nate units and what they upgrade to:

[hmota]

still forgeting that this AAR is PDU OFF

another idea... what about canceling some RandD that comes in the last month of war? if I compare Ki 202 Shusei and J8M1 Shusei the are almost the same..only diference is one month in time and in armanent (J8M1 have 30mm Type 5 cannon wich have better acc.) so I propose to switch ki 202 Shusei factory to something else...

[Mike Solli]

Hell, you can probably cancel everything from mid-45 on.

[hmota]

)) yeah this is another point of view

[SqzMyLemon]

Jan. 01/42 Update:

Allied submarine attacks sank an APD Southwest of Saigon and a xAKL South of Wenchow today.

Malaya: A small Deliberate Attack mounted by armoured units of the 25th Army just North of Temuloh caused 463 casualties to the Allies with a loss of 2 AFV's. Japanese troops continue to pursue retreating Allied units, more combat action is expected tomorrow as Imperial Japanese forces have reached the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

Philippines:

Luzon: Air Sweeps over Manila by Zero's resulted in the shooting down of 1 P35A, 1 P26A, and 6 P40E's to the loss of 1 Zero. Japanese ground forces are driving towards Clark Field. The Allies seem to have been caught flat footed here, 49,000+ Allied troops are withdrawing from Manila enroute to Clark, they should arrive just in time to get smacked by Imperial forces advancing flush from victory at Lingayen. Allied troops are not concentrated and providing little resistance so far.

Mindanao: Allied troops moving into the beachhead at Cagayan were treated to a Deliberate Attack by defending forces causing 176 casualties to the loss of only 19 defenders. The islands main resistance should be neutralized within the week and mopping up operations will commence. Davao is still in Allied hands, but will fall once ground troops reach it. Supplies and fuel are already enroute for Mindanao. Once Davao falls it will be the muster point for troops and ships forming TF's designated to take the Celebes Islands.

China: Ground operations resulted in a battle with Chinese troops 92 miles North of Chengting. A Shock Attack by Japanese forces resulted in 541 casualties, but the Chinese were forced to retreat with the loss of 3864 troops.

Borneo: Kuching is about to be assaulted by seaborne invasion with troops from Malaya and Sandakan. A large surface fleet of BB's, CA's and DD's to provide shore bombardment and anti-air protection for the invasion transports, air support will be provided by the CV's, Zuikaku and Shokaku. After a brief stint repairing minor damage at Kure, the rest of the Japanese Carrier Fleet is enroute to Truk. CVL's are already based at Truk.

An update on future Japanese objectives for the new year to follow, with screenshots for all active theatres.

[bklooste]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

A general question for everyone out there. Does anyone move Combined Fleet HQ's out of Kure, and if so where? I'm thinking of moving it to Truk, any benefit really, or can 4th Fleet HQ handle all my fleet needs there, torpedoes and naval support in particular?

Ok, maybe 2 questions [:D] Is it worth upgrading repair facilities at Truk? Or does future Allied bombing make it a better idea to expand facilities in Japan? Actually, I'm not even sure it does have repair facilities? I think it doesn't so a moot point.

Didnt they say HQ Naval support points dont help with loading etc .

[SqzMyLemon]

Just a quick update on the situation in China as of Jan 7/42.

Central China:

[SqzMyLemon]

Southern China:

[BaMac]

Just one question.  When do you find time to do this great AAR, play the game and work? [:)]
 
Great job!

[SqzMyLemon]

Thanks BaMac! I'm glad you are enjoying it. It is time consuming and I've had my share of late nights, I don't always update every game turn, but Im trying to keep everyone abreast of major things going on. The wife says I'm obsessed, I just tell her taking over the world requires time, they never understand these things. It's a great game and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

[SqzMyLemon]

A few more screenshots.

Malaya:

[SqzMyLemon]

The Philippines

Luzon:

[SqzMyLemon]

The Philippines

Mindanao:

[SqzMyLemon]

A quick note on some future Strategy. Smeulders is keeping his cards close to his chest. My lack of submarine, air, or naval forces locating any Allied shipping is becoming very frustrating and I'm thinking of changing my initial strategy somewhat. As soon as Singapore and the Philippines fall I'll undertake major operations against Sumatra, Java and the Celebes, also clearing up Borneo. Nothing new here I know.

The invasion of Sumatra and Java will be the responsibility of the 25th Army and Southern Army operating out of Singapore.

The Celebes will be the responsibility of the 14th Army assisted by Combined Fleet forces from Davao and Babeldoab.

Now this is where I am thinking of a new stratgey. I am planning invasions of 1) Midway, Johnston, and Christmas Islands, or 2) New Guinea (SP?) and the Solomons with 16th army units based in the Philippines assisted by Combined Fleet units as soon as they become available in sufficient numbers. My initial leaning is towards the Solomon's, this will entail the taking of Rabaul, Lae, Port Moresby and the entire Solomon Islands, as well as possibly Espirtu Santu. The reason is to bring the war to the Allies, I'm not going to sit back and let Smeulders just bide his time and gather strength. I'm going to make him fight for something, and if he doesn't...all the better. I think the Solomons will force him to act. Threaten his logistics to Australia and deny some key bases to him early.

KB is almost at Truk after escorting damaged warships home. I have not used KB effectively up to this point, and it is already split with Zuikaku and Hiryu in the Celebes. I plan on driving deep into Allied positions to seek battle and finally start inflicting some serious hurt on Smeulders, or at least make him fight on my terms...for something of value to him. It's time to have my elite Imperial Navy ships and fliers earn their rice ration and Geisha privileges.

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Do either of these ideas show merit, and could be attainable say by the end of April? Or even advisable for that matter? I'd like your thoughts.

Thanks for reading everyone.

[Cuttlefish]

Either the Central Pacific or New Guinea strategy should be doable by the end of April. Midway in the Central Pacific and Port Moresby in New Guinea are frequent targets for early reinforcement by the Allied player; it isn't too early to think about interfering with that, whichever way you decide to go, by using KB, submarines, fast SCTFs, or some combination of these. If you do it with cunning (hitting multiple targets, for instance) you might even avoid tipping Smeulders off about your true objective.

Whatever you decide to do my number one piece of advice (and remember, free advice is always worth what you paid for it) is to unite KB before venturing into enemy waters. If there is an early carrier engagement - something I think the Japanese player should always hope for - you want every scrap of advantage you can get. Carrier battles in AE are uncertain things and you don't want to just survive such a battle, you want to win it, crushingly and decisively.

Good luck!

[SqzMyLemon]

Sound advice Cuttlefish all around, thanks for your ideas. I'm really enjoying your AAR vs. Q-Ball by the way. I agree on massing my Carrier units or at least make sure they are all there in however many TF's I create when I go in.

A submarine sighting of the Allies's Carrier TF S.W. of San Diego a while ago reported all carriers together. Smeulders's modus operandi so far has been very conservative, so I'm betting the farm that he'll keep his carrier forces massed. I'm going to target size 4 AF bases or size 3 that I can quickly build up, I want the double whammy of Carrier Air Units and an LBA umbrella as well, I'm bringing it all if I hit the Solomon's. To that extent support units will reach my kick-off bases of operation before the combat units do. As soon as I take a base I want LBA there the next day, barring any repairs I may need to make.

[SqzMyLemon]

Update as of Jan 10/42

Malaya:

Mauled in Malaya! Bombing attacks on Allied ground forces resulted in the destruction of 12 Nell's and 1 Sally to the loss of no Allied aircraft. The escorting Oscar's and Zeros never met up with the bombers much to my annoyance, so unescorted went the brave bomber crews. Bihoro Ku K-1 will rest until replacement aircraft and crews are available. Air losses for the day were Japan 24 Allied 0!

Kuala Lumpur was captured, but as feared the retreat route was open and Allied troops were pushed closer to Singapore, the chase is on.

China:

A screen shot later. Essentially the Chinese are withdrawing rather than fight for forward bases. Chengchow may fall without a fight, once Smeulders realized the Northern and Southern pincers were in motion he's decided to withdraw. this suits me just fine, I'll take whatever I can cheaply.

The Philippines:

On Luzon, a shock attack by Japanese troops at Clark Field resulted in 2142 Japanese casualties to the Allies 1603. Most of mine were disrupted and not destroyed. Antimonan was captured by paratroopers of 3rd Yokosuka SNLF.

On Leyte, Tacloban fell pushing the Allied forces back to Baybay.

On Mindanao, Cotobato was assaulted in a Shock Attack wiping out the remaing 67 Allied troops to the loss of no Japanese.

The following screens are mostly production based with a few developing theatres thrown in. Enjoy!