Rising Sun, Shooting Star (Chez vs Canoerebel)

[ChezDaJez]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

I wonder what the Japanese would have done with this sighting in real life? Since they missed the carriers at Pearl do you think they would have given chase to this potential phantom, or gone on with their time table? I would think go on with their time table unless they could confirm the sighting. The lose of those AO's probable made the decision a bit easier.

That's what I'm doing to do... continue on with my plans. The loss of those AOs will definitely hamper any long range missions in that area but then again, I don't expect to do much operating up there anyways. Not unless I have to.

BTW, just sighted 2 DDs and 2 AKs unloading at Adak. So Dan is planning on keeping an eye on my eye watchers... or worse. I am sending a small infantry unit plus an engineer unit to Amchitka to make sure he can't just walk in and overpower the JAAF unit. I do not plan on building it up anymore than that. Amchitka is simply a place to watch my back door.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

My only regret in my campaign as the Allies is that I did not use my surface forces in an aggressive manner. But I started my campaigns when the game was new and expected suface action to actually reflect historical reality. Now I know how powerful surface ships can be in the game and how frequent surface actions are. Too late..

Funny thing is that I see very few players complaining about the overpowed surface forces in the game. I think secretly, even though it is historically whacked, everyone likes the numerous surface fights...Sometimes the fun factor has to be considered.

There is aggressive and then there is aggressive to the point of throwing any pretense of historicalness out the window. Dan is aggressive and some of his moves such as the raid on Pelilieu could be seen as being counter to what a real life commander may have ordered. But it could also be seen as being what an aggressive but desperate commander may have decided to do to stem the onslaught.

Watching the naval battles is fun unless you're the one getting your butt spanked.

Chez

[ny59giants]

Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998)
VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78
ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81
VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87
Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90
ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92
NRD Seattle 1992-96
VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98

I was on USS Canopus AS-34 from 79 through 81. Sadly, only the first six months were in Rota before we went to Charleston, SC.

When you play someone like Dan (Canoerebel), you have to take into account their familiarity of the game and have figured out basic countermoves at the start. He has gotten the best of you to date, but you can plan to use his early moves against him later.

[Captain Cruft]

I have found that the effects of the cold zone in winter are quite mild. You can pretty much do aerial and naval things there as you would anywhere else, unfortunately.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

I have found that the effects of the cold zone in winter are quite mild. You can pretty much do aerial and naval things there as you would anywhere else, unfortunately.

Yes, spotting is a little harder but I really don't see weather affecting air combat missions at all. Op losses are not high. Sys damage goes up a bit but works against boths sides.

What about invasions in cold weather? Is there not some major penalty for that?

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

I have found that the effects of the cold zone in winter are quite mild. You can pretty much do aerial and naval things there as you would anywhere else, unfortunately.

Yes, spotting is a little harder but I really don't see weather affecting air combat missions at all. Op losses are not high. Sys damage goes up a bit but works against boths sides.

What about invasions in cold weather? Is there not some major penalty for that?

Cold Zones during the winter impact
ground units the same way as Malaria Zones (above), with the following added penalties:
»» Ships moving in Cold Zones during the winter will suffer
operational system damage at double the normal rate.
»» All base construction in Cold Zones during winter takes twice as long.
»» Air units will fly 25% less aircraft on strike-type Missions.
»» Ground units unloading at an enemy base/beach or into a non-base hex with an
enemy unit will suffer roughly three times the losses they would normally suffer.

[ChezDaJez]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998)
VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78
ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81
VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87
Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90
ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92
NRD Seattle 1992-96
VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98

I was on USS Canopus AS-34 from 79 through 81. Sadly, only the first six months were in Rota before we went to Charleston, SC.

When you play someone like Dan (Canoerebel), you have to take into account their familiarity of the game and have figured out basic countermoves at the start. He has gotten the best of you to date, but you can plan to use his early moves against him later.

I could see her from my apartment in town along with the Spanish carrier Dedalo (formerly USS Cabot). Word had it that the only time Canopus ever set sail was to move beyond the 12 mile limit in order to perform vasectomies and other procedures prohibited in the Catholic country.

I think Rota was my best duty station. Loved the people and the food. I had a 3 bedroom apartment on the 8th floor of Edificio America building near Red Square. I could see the port and the beach. Binoculars were the order of the day during the summer!

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

20 Dec 1942:

CentPac:
Pretty quiet overall for the moment.

More ASW cat and mouse games around PH. But no runs, no hits, no errors.

More supplies are landing at Rabaul and the Tulagi invasion force is enroute Tulagi. Soryu and Hiryu are sweeping the sea ahead of the Tulagi force. No more nasty surprises for me if I can help it.

Norpac:
Dan sent 4 DDs to Amchitka in search of supply ships but found nothing. I've already pulled them back. No sign of the CVs sighted the day before so I think that this may have been a false sighting but it sure did get my heart racing for a moment.

Philippines:
Continuing to bomb Manila port and the ground forces at Clark. My troops are resting at Iba after kicking his forces out of there again. Enemy fighter opposition is becoming scarce- only 1 or 2 fighters coming up to intercept bombing raids. I think they are on their last legs. I am sending a SNLF to Cabatuatan (?). They will then move south into Manila. This will help stop any reinforcements from entering Clark once my troops move there.

Mindinao is quiet. Davao is busy building forts as Dan seems to be bringing all of his troops stationed on the island towards Mindinao. I am weak heere but have enough forces to hold. Forts will certainly help.

Malaya:
Taiping falls as my troops continue to move down the peninsula. The Mersing invasion forces will be landing within a turn or two. They have an extremely heavy escort plus 2 CVLs and 2 CVEs for support. The carriers have moved south of Singapore along the Borneo coast to help detect and ward off any interventions. I'm not sure that I am in time to cut off his retreat into Singapore. I am only finding small, scattered units as I march down. These are easily brushed aside. He is launching small, penny packet air strikes from Singapore against them but they have been dealt with pretty well so far. 2 small xAKLs heading south from Singapore were bombed and sunk.

China:
I have strong infantry troops on the move towards a designated staging area at Singyang. Most of these troops are coming from the Hankow and Wuchan areas. The plan is to strom across the river and move on Chengchow to open the rail line so that I have better freedom of movement for my eventual push on Changsha.

My troops and aircraft are bombarding and bombing his troops at Hong Kong and I anticipate action within the next turn or two.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

CentPac:
More ASW attacks around PH. The USS Chew appears to be involved in nearly everyone of them! Thankfully she is a bad shot. The Soryu and Hiryu continue to patrol north of Tulagi searching for warships. They will head south of Tulagi as my invasion force gets closer.

Norpac:
His DDs have retreated to Adak. As normally happens, they are being reported as a CA and a CL. No sign of any other vessels in the area.

Philippines:
S-36 took a heavy pounding with 7 hits after attempting to penetrate the defences at Iba.
Continuing to sweep Clark and Manila. One P-40 intercepted but was briushed aside.

Malaya:
I-155 torpedoed a small xAKL fleeing Singapore.

Swept Sabang with Oscars to remove those pesky AVG boys. My transports began deploying paratroops over Sabang without interference. The automatic shock attack produced 2:1 odds so it should fall tomorrow.

The Mersing invasion begins landing tomorrow. Curious as to whether Dan will attempt to oppose with his surface ships. Thewy have several BBs in escort so he may decide not to engage. Don't know.

Burma:
Swept Rangoon with Zeros and encountered only 1 Buffalo.

Southern SRA:
A small invasion force began landing at Ternate. They are escorted by a BB and 2 CLs.

China:
Hong Kong falls! My troops will rest a bit and then head for Kukong.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

NorPac:
No sightings to report. All quiet on the northern front.

CentPac:
My Tulagi force continues its slow appraoch to Tulagi. Sory and Hiryu will begin moving to the east of the Solomons.

Philippines:
Continuiing to bomb Manila and Clark. No fighter opposition at all. SS Snapper was sunk pierside by a bomb.

Burma:
Continuing to sweep Rangoon. No more fighters found.

Malaya:
Dan moved a small infantry unit from Victoria Point to Chumpon and captured the base. No big deal. Theose troops are cutoff. My Mersing invasion forces decided to take a more roundabout approach to Mersing possibly as a result of a sub sighting near Kuantan. The TFs experien ced several small air raids withour damage. My LRCAP destroyed most of them before they could drop their bombs. My CVLs torped 2 small xAKLs near Singkawang.

Southern SRA: Ternate fell with little opposition. A small invasion force is headed towards Manado and should arrive

China: Forces continue to gather at Singyang. Another 2 or 3 turns and they will begin to move across the river and head towards Chengchow.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

NorPac:
Nothing to report. No sightings.

CentPac:
My Tulagi force is one day out and Soryu/Hiryu are near Steward Island and heading south. to intercept any ships planning to oppose the landings.

Philippines:
S-36 took another heavy pounding near Iba. This time I believe she sank with heavy damage.

Burma:
No fighters left at Rangoon. Where did they go.

Malaya:
Troops are unloading at Mersing. Many troops lost in the unopposed landings. Dan launched several air raids against the landings but all were repulsed with heavy losses for no hits. Small unit actions are taking place along the roads to Kuala Lampur. These are easily brushed aside.

Several air raids came out to attack the my carriers but were destroyed. The AVG is believed to be at Palembang as Zuiho encountered them on long range CAP wile sinking 2 small xAKLs near Muntok.

Sabang is standing firm having repulsed 2 of my attacks, the last being at 1:3 odds! More troops are being dropped.

Southern SRA:
Sighting report south of Ternate shows 2 ships of unknown type. I have a BB TF at Ternate so if these are warships, he will find an unpleasant surprise. I also have another BB TF moving ahead of my Ambon invasion force that is just passing Ternate to the east.

Chnia:
Minesweeping operations underway at Hong Kong. One DMS struck a mine and sank.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

NorPac:
4 ships sighted at Adak, type unknown.

CentPac:
Tulagi falls. No enenmy surface ships found in the area. Soryu and Hiryu continue to search south and east of the Solomons.

Philipiines:
Bombing of troops at Clark continues. My SNLF is about to enter Cabatuan north of Manila.

Burma:
Nothing to report

Malaya:
Mersing falls. Only 1 air attack against the landing forces seen and it was destroyed. My carriers sighted and sank 3 xAKLs near Taobali and Muntok. 8 AVG aircraft blew through my escorts and shot down 5 Kates. 4 others are damaged so she has no offensive firepower left. Zuiho will withdraw to Cam Ranh Bay for new aircraft.

Sabang falls.

Southern SRA:
The ships sighted the previous turn have remained in the same location. Pretty puzzling. My guess is that they are warships looking for an opportunity to strike. With that in mind I will slow my advance to Ambon until I know what is going on.

China:
Troops continue to head for Singyang. Nothing else to report.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

Merry Christmas!

Well Santa had a very nice gift waiting for me at Ternate. I had suspended unloading supplies at Ternate and sent that TF to wait developments.I left the BB force in place.

CAs Louisville and Australia escorted by the CL Perth and Adelaide plus 2 DDs showed up at Ternate during the night and found BBs Fuso, Ise, and Hyuga with 3 CLs abd 5 DDs waiting for them. Australia sank under a hail of 36cm shells and Perth followed her down. Louisville was hit 6 times by various caliber shells and left with heavy fires. Adelaide was also hit as was DD Voyager.

BB Hyuga suffered 10 non-penetrating hits. Most were 4.7" shells but she did take two 8" from Louisville. CL Oi received two 6" shells and sustained heavy fires.

Skies were partly cloudy with 42% moonlight. Visibility was 11,000yds.

Not much else to report elsewhere. 4 ships sighted at Adak again, type unknow. May by landing troops, don't know.

Mersing troops continue to land unopposed at a friendly base with heavy losses. Really starting to piss me off.

Chez

[fodder]

[ChezDaJez]

Dan took a few days off to go camping (how dare he!!!). Anyways, Dan is back now so I'll catch this up.

26 Dec 42

Not much to report in the ground war.

My forces continue to move down the Malaya peninsula encountering small packets of retreating allied troops. Heavy casualties have been inflicted on them.

Troops are landing at Ambon and Manado. The force at Ambon has seen small air raids launched from Kendari and Ambon but no damage has been incurred.

My troops continue to rest at Iba in the PI. They will be moving soon into Clark. The Sasebo 1st SNLF captured undefended Cabanatuan north of Manila. They will move into Manila to prevent troops reinforcing Clark.

The naval war is finally going as planned.

Received a day after Xmas present when Soryu and Hiryu intercepted an allied CA force heading for Tulagi. The encounter took place near Kirakira (hex 116,145). CA Minneapolis took 5 bombs and CL Raleigh took 4 in the AM attack. DD Dewey also took 2 bombs. Unfortunately, nearly all of my Kates went after the DDs and failed to score. The PM attack went better with Minneapolis and Raleigh each receiving a bomb and a torp. All are believed to have sunk.

Dan still has major naval forces with which to counter my moves but it is nice to finally gain some retribution on these marauding forces.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

27 Dec 1942

Dan's subs are active. SS KXVI put a torp into AP Argentina Maru near Ternate. She had just reloaded troops to ferry them to Manado. No danger of sinking but she will need some time in the yards.

SS Perch also tried but failed to torp xAP Kowa Maru near Shimizu.

Dan's PTs showed up at Manado in daylight to interefere with my landings there. The first amphib TF withdrew with neither side receiving any damage. They tried again with a second amphib TF. Escorts were able to drive off the PT sinking PT-43 in the process.

Japanese army forces captured Kuala Lumpur cutting off what few troops remain north of there.

An initial shock attack at Manado failed with 1:2 odds. Allied casualtied were heavier than Japanese so will try again.

The Ambon landings are going well. Small allied air raids have failed to inflict any damage. Will attempt a shock attack next turn if all troops have been landed.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

28 Dec 42

SS KXVII put a torp into BB Hyuga as she began here transit to Japan from Babeldaob. System damage is heavy but flot damage is only 15. She return to Babeldaob and has been disbanded to repair her system damage before returning to Japan.

SS RO-62 found the xAKL Sarangami near Kure Ilsand in the central PAcific and pummeled her with gunfire before running out of ammo. The freighter is believed to have sunk.

I have been conducting fighter sweeps from Rangoon to Singapore to Clark the last few turns without seeing any fighters except at Rangoon and then its only 2-3 at a time. I believe his fighter forces have been hurt and have probably withdrawn into Java or further north in Burma.

My shcok attack at Ambon just failed to achieve 1:1 odds despite a 3:1 initial odds advantage.

This seems to be the norm so far. The forces landed at Ambon outnumbered the allied defenders about 5:1 prior to the landing but the losses and disruption from the landings themselves means that I seldom have enough force to take the place on the first go round. Frustrating.

I've noticed a potential problem with aircraft production. I expanded the A6M2 factory at Maebashi but so far not a single point has been repaired. The AI keeps redirecting supplies away from there so two turns ago I upped the supply requirement there so I hope that does it. At this stage of the game the Home Islands are awash in supply so there is no logical reason for supply to be redirected back to Tokyo and Osaka.

Chez

[Captain Cruft]

I would keep the supplies required at all aircraft/engine factory bases dialled up to at least 5,000 permanently. It doesn't cause any problems since Japan has a structural surplus of supply, unless you go mad with the expansions.

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

I would keep the supplies required at all aircraft/engine factory bases dialled up to at least 5,000 permanently. It doesn't cause any problems since Japan has a structural surplus of supply, unless you go mad with the expansions.

That is not a bad idea. I keep all bases that see factory increases at 4200 minimum required supply. Then it should be at 12k+ all the time. A little supply overkill to make sure the repair

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

I would keep the supplies required at all aircraft/engine factory bases dialled up to at least 5,000 permanently. It doesn't cause any problems since Japan has a structural surplus of supply, unless you go mad with the expansions.

Actually, I would dial them to 7000 min. 3 * 7000 = 21,000. You need 20,000 min to repair factories.