The Reluctant Admiral--Imperial Perspective

[John 3rd]

I've seen this topic posted many times but haven't really paid attention until right now. The Japanese need to re-size two Chutai into Daitai. This is what I did:

Took the CV and flew off the Zero Daitai. It was then replaced by the Chutai. I clicked re-size to fit and disbanded the TF into the Port. Assume that if I re-form the Carrier into a TF tomorrow then I will have a 27 plane Daitai.

Is that correct???

[FatR]

Yes, this seems to be correct. It appears, though, that a unit might refuse to resize sometimes, maybe due to lack of aircraft in the pool, I don't know.

[John 3rd]

I got one of two Zero Chutai to expand. The other didn't so I'll see if I have it taken care of next turn.

Moved a Val and Kate Chutai to Davao to do the same thing. I think I've pulled enough pilots from the Home Island Daitai to provide me with at least 15-20 excellent pilots to fill these groups out.

KB is about to enter Rabaul for a few days R&R and I will expand a Zero Chutai to Daitai there too. Once I've done this then things should be pretty good.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 30-31, 1941

Two pretty calm turns pass as the Japanese take a short breather and let the ground-pounders pick-up the slack. For the most part the Fleet has taken 3-5 days off and been disbanded in Can Rahn Bay, Davao, or Rabaul.

The heavy air casualties inflicted upon the British and Dutch have led to a total lack of aerial attacks and/or opposition. Imagine that my opponent is resting and re-organizing his forces for the next big push.

Regions:
North Pacific
Very calm as I am now simply building bases and Forts. This are will heat-up again once I have the Political Points to pull a large Inf Unit out and deploy it. Am giving serious thought to Dutch Harbor but want to think about it for a bit.

Central Pacific
My recon has picked-up several single ship TF moving towards Midway. These ships are from Manila and it seems a shame to CRUSH them but I do. The Training Cruiser Katori and an old DD make two mid-ocean intercepts and sink two AKLs on the 30th. Not often one of those fairly useless Training Cruisers does something but here we are.

Marcus--This base is now set with an Engineering unit, 2 SNLF, and a Base Force. There is 15,000 supply and we're working on the AF as well as the Forts.

Wake--Same thing except we have an SNLF, Naval Guard and a Base Force with about 10,000 Supply.

South Pacific
The KB refuels on the 30th at Lunga from its AOs and heads for some R&R at Rabaul. Will re-size a couple of Chutai while there.

The South Seas TF (4 CA, 2 CL, and 5 DD) bombard Port Moresby for minimal damage on the 31st.

Will start loading the PM Invasion Force on January 2nd with D-Day set for January 7th.

Philippines
Luzon is now being taken from both the North and South ends. The Allies have fallen back to Clark and Bataan with only 1 unit in Manila. Looks like Mike will not try to come out and fight. Too bad--I am/was pretty vulnerable to a forward defense.

Mindanao is now completely taken with the except on one base on the western tip and base to the east of Cagayan. This place should fall tomorrow as I have a Regiment who just moved into the hex.

All the remaining Japanese CVs have been disbanded at Davao for a couple of days. I re-size a Zero unit and will do so to another Zero, then a Val, and then a Kate. While Kaga is doing this I form-up Akagi, Ryujo, Shoho, Zuiho, and Hosho with a strong escort of 3 CA, 2 CL, 1 CS, and 9 DD to start a move due south and see what might be happening around Timor.

Eastern DEI
I begin eastern operations by landing on Manado on the 29th and take it on the 30th.

Morotai is invaded on the 30th and taken on the 31st.

An Inf Reg, Base Force, and Artillery unit is loading and moving towards Amboina. This Invasion will be covered by 2 BB, 2 CA, 2 CL, and 8 DD. Add the KB-2 moving through the area and things are going to get hot fast in this region.

Central DEI
Have Tankers at Tarakan and Balikpapan loading oil. There is a Daitai of Zero and two Daitai of Betty present in Balikpapan. Currently planning on starting to load troops for a landing at Makassar scheduled for January 7th.

Western DEI/Java
I've pulled my TF out of this area to avoid more sinkings by Allied SS. This move isn't truly accomplished until I lose an AO and an I-Boat to Allied SS! There are at least 15 present in these waters.

I'm continuing to learn the game. I had three Daitai of Betty-Nell on 50% ASW, Range 10 at 1,000 Ft, and Search 30% when I realized I have the ability to direct the ASW Search.

Hee-Hee! Narrow the Arc to the point I've got a good number of planes flying in a restricted area and the reports of SS hits began pouring in! The 30th sees two hits and the 31st catches three. I don't care if they sink but I do hope to send them to the yards. That is victory enough.

Surprisingly Michael has abandoned Batavia. My troops moved into the hex this turn and next turn will take it. How about that?!! The TF at Merak will pick-up troops and supplies and immediately move them to this far superior base. Everyone will move east and I don't plan on endangering any more shipping until the issue is decided.

Malaya
This area continues looking good. Am about to take Malacca by two TK Reg. It has a very small unit guarding it. Once it falls I will move all the troops at Taiping (still in Strategic Mode) down the RR to this base and begin the approach march to Singers...

Singapore has had its planes taken out of it. I did a Sweep on the 31st and met nothing. The bombers will begin the bombing campaign starting tomorrow.

Home Islands
Expand the Ha-32 and Ha-35 plants for engine production. Not enough of them with the expanded Japanese Naval Aircraft industry.

This is a serious oversight and the Mark 2 RA Mod will have the engines at appropriate levels at the start of the war. We knew it would be bad but I don't think we foresaw it was actually critical. Lesson learned there!

[John 3rd]

Forgot to mention that the biggest development of January 31st was the US CVs making their presence known when they clobbered a Japanese AMC. All three are operating together NE of Christmas Island.

Good to know where they are...

[John 3rd]

Hello All.

Michael and I have decided to do a re-start with the Mark Two Reluctant Admiral's release coming up.

Time has been at a premium with my boys home and getting a promotion into Management at the hotel I work for so the AAR fell by the wayside. Had a sneaking feeling we would look at the re-start and so I let things go. Will probably start a new AAR with that and describe the changes, additions, and upgrades to the Mod at that point.

[John 3rd]

As many readers know we ran into issues with the Mark One Version of RA. Every Chinese unit started the war at full strength! [X(] Very bad. We decided to go through and make modifications that developed into a full scale revamp of the Mod. We just released the Mark Two Version and Michael and I will start start all over again.

Hoping to send Turn One tomorrow night or Tuesday. Pends on the work schedule...

The new Version comes along with a batch of changes for the Allied player. Here are some of them:

The Allied Player gets new toys and I think Michael will explain that there a several major choices beginning Dec 7th that could have a major impact on the Japanese movements South and Southeast. Changes:

A. There are two reinforcement convoys:

1. American Convoy at Pago Pago with 10,000 Supply, a Marine Defense Bat, small Base Force, and an AO with 8,000 fuel. This TF is escorted by a CL and 3 DD.

2. Port Moresby Reinforcement TF: contains the remaining two Inf Bat to create the larger Brigade at PM, a Base Force, 10,000 Supply, 6,000 Fuel. Escorting them are a CA and 3 CL forming the ANZAC Force. They start in the hex due South of the C in Coral Sea on the map.

B. Townsville: There is also a Hudson, Wirraway, and Floatplane Squadron at Townsville ready for deployment.

C. The Americans gain the ability convert several AOs to CVE in 1942 if wanted.

D. The Independence-Class CVL comes in 3 months early (March-April 1943) with two additional CVLs added to the class.

E. American Navy gains a VF, VB, and VT Training Squadron at San Diego. They can expand to 36 (or maybe 48) planes and they will allow for American Naval Training similar to what the Japanese can do.

F. Some shipping is moved from the IO to Cape Town to facilitate a quicker British Empire reaction.

Those are most of the Allied changes. Should make things a lot more interesting for the BOTH players now.