Yes, we've entered the Awkward Age! (You ever seen that particular Far Side cartoon?)
Actually, we've reach one of those chain-reaction-delays that seem to interrupt games now and then. Steve told me Tuesday that he'd be pulling two shifts at work on Wednesday and Thursday, thus disrupting his play to some extent. He sent a turn late Tuesday and I flipped one back...only I apparently forgot to actually click the "Send" button. So, for the next two days, I was thinking that the ball was in his court and that he just hadn't time to play. I finally discovered my mistake late yesterday, sent him the turn, and haven't heard from him since. I suspect he'll send a turn today.
See, if you only had a CELL PHONE, you'd be more conversant with technology. [:)]
Steve has one and it doesn't help... he just sent Dan's latest turn to me!!!
The sign in was ZOWEYE...is this the noise a zombie makes if shot in the eye?
All this chat about cell phones makes me smile. In olde days, when I practiced law, I represented telephone companies in case of various sorts. For the longest time, I resisted joining the "cutting edge" of communications and gizmo object worshippers and would not equip myself with a cell phone. You see, I actually like to drive and do not like being badged with complex legal crap while navigating congested freeways. That makes me want to smash my vehicle into the closest telephone pole or truck. I'd much rather practice my closing arguments or argue with the radio talk show wing-nuts. I held out a long time, but the strange stares from my telephone clients went from amused to angry, so I had to relent. I have actually thrown two cell phones out of my vehicle while "chatting" with clients. Now that was fun.
From an IT perspective, I'd definitely follow your advice. [:D]
I only watched a little Ren & Stimpy. I know what you're thinking: "You IDIOT!" [:D]
A funny story (when you're there). Back in the early 80's we're running an old 36-bit mainframe which lost power and would not power back up. It was fine, technician was on site, and knew that he just needed to press the "Red Reset Button". But he couldn't find it. See, you never powered off those things, and when they lost power the Red Reset Button almost never tripped. So he called this other technician (of course it was maybe 3:00AM) who had a truly legendary memory (quite seriously). And he said, "Oh, you have to press the Red Reset Button."
"I know that, but where is it?"
"Ahhhh..."
It was the most well-hidden part in the whole room-sized beast! [:D]
I think we're back in sync now, so hopefully we'll be turning a turn or two every day.
Eastern DEI: Mini-KB of Hosho and Taiyo is hanging around Makassar. Combat TF including Suzuya and Kumano sank three small Dutch xAP and two xAK near Tarakan. Bettys from Ambon destroyed five A-24 at Makassar. The enemy "weight" in the DEI seems to be here. I'm hoping Steve will move carefully, methodically, to Timor next. The longer he delays in moving on Java and eastern Sumatra, the better. The Allies still control every base on Borneo (this amazes me).
Western DEI: Quiet as the Indian brigade continues to come ashore at Benkolen. Three TFs carrying two UK brigades and an Indian brigade are two or three days away from Oosthaven (these troops all bound for Palembang). Until now, most of the Fortress Sumatra troops came from the DEI. When I sent these new units, I knew I had a few weeks to recall them as they journeyed across the Indian Ocean if things took a turn for the worse in the western DEI, but things look good. So the Allies have crossed the "In for a penny" threshhold and are now "in for a pound."
Burma: Finally, an IJ force is nearing Moulmein.
China: Quiet at the moment.
American Carriers: Lex and Sara are two days from Tahiti to refuel and move on to NZ or Oz. Ent and York trail by two days.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
"I think we're back in sync now, so hopefully we'll be turning a turn or two every day."
I'm headed off for the weekend, so enjoy it. But if - after that - you get a couple of turns a day and I get none, I'll be mighty ticked!! In fact, I might not tell him that he sent me your turn unless he promises to send me one of mine!! [:'(]
Brad: Steve hasn't sent me any of your turns yet; it just seems to work that you get my turns...
Eastern DEI: Small IJN CL/DD force fights with PT boats at Lautem; neither side damaged.
Western DEI: The three reinforcement convoys are just two days out of Oosthaven.
SEAC: The Japanese will have Moulmein within a week and will then push to take Rangoon. I'm moving one of the transports that worked out of Batavia up to Port Blair. I may try to airlift some of the Rangoon garrison to beef up that base. I want to defend forward as much as possible. An Aussie brigade arriving at Aden tomorrow may be shipped to Port Blair. I'm leaving India awfully empty, but the idea is to defend strongly where the enemy doesn't expect it, hoping to slow him down so that the Americans will have time to make India.
Allied "Holds": We're nearing the end of January and the Allies hold Clark Field (Japan now has three divisions there - 4, 33 and 21 - so Steve intends to liquidate this fairly quickly), Singapore (no attacks since Imperial Guards took it on the chin crossing the causeway on January 10); all of Borneo, Makassar, Timor, Java, and eastern Sumatra.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Luzon: The Japanese try an improvident shock attack at Clark Field; improvident because (1) they didn't regularly bomb the base to prevent forts from going all the way to four, and (2) they didn't try a deliberate attack first to gauge the level of opposition. Here's what happened:
Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 64544 troops, 675 guns, 391 vehicles, Assault Value = 2252
Defending force 47568 troops, 667 guns, 643 vehicles, Assault Value = 1668
Impact: The Allies are beginning to run low on supply, but the IJA divisions were treated pretty harshly. Steve will have to rest his troops for quite some time, intensify his air campaign, and he may consider bringing in reinforcements. Four IJA divisions (the fourth was at Singapore on 1/10) have now taken a beating. I don't think Steve would want't to go for an auto victory knockout punch in Oz or India without most of his divisiions available, so this leads me to believe that no massive operation will be underway in the near future. Thus, the Allies will continue efforts to feed troops in eastern Sumatra.
Western DEI: Tonight is a critical as three transports TFs are due to arrive at Oosthaven, carrying two UK brigades and an Indian brigade. All three of them are prepped for Palembang. If I get them ashore, Palembang's AV will go to something near 1200. With good forts and supplies, and with units now reaching 60 prep, the Japanese might need seven to nine divisions to deal with this fortress by the time they move on it, at least if they want it within a reasonable time. The Singers garrison has reached 904 AV (3.71 forts). Holding this is a big safety valve because it prevents Japan from sidestepping Sumatra to move on a nearly defenseless India. I don't think major IJA reinforcements have arrived since the botched shock assault on the 10th, so this turned out to be a major road block.
Eastern DEI: Much more IJ activity from Kendari and Ambon. I'm keeping fingers crossed that Steve is focusing on Timor or NW Oz.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Western DEI: Most of the two UK brigades are ashore at Oosthaven. They will move to Palembang over the next few days. 100th Indian Brigade didn't begin unloading, but should by tomorrow. It too will move on to Palembang. The next waves of transports (carrying two Oz brigades to Oosthaven and an Indian brigade to Padang) are south of Sabang now, so just five or six days away from port. The Allies have lifted most of the portable troops from Java, Borneo, and the islands to the east over to Sumatra. I'm switching some of the patrol squadrons back to search missions, now, hoping to get warning before the next IJN raids (or invasion).
Burma: A large IJA stack is nearing Moulmein. The Allies continue their methodical steps to pull back ahead of the enemy. If I had more political points, I'd fight at Rangoon, but everything I have has gone to Sumatra. A newly arrived Aussie brigade is destined for Port Blair once I have some xAPs at Aden and assuming Port Blair is still open at the time. Without them, Port Blair will have an AV of about 80. With them, the AV would climb to about 200, which would require some major work by Japan, rather than a quick strike.
India: This theater seems vacant as the Allies have pulled out so much to send to Sumatra. Karachi has 300 AV, Bombay a bit more than 200, and Calcutta about 200. The American reinforcments will begin arriving at Capetown in about a month.
China: Japan seems to have pulled back from the Nanyang front (east of Sian). I suspect the Japanese may concentrate for a stab at Changsha or Hengyang.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
I've been a lurker off and on for years. I've always liked your AAR's. I've spent the past couple days getting caught up and I'll be following this one at least until I deploy again. I may even try my hand at a game sooner or later.
Wow - that attack at Clark was a major boondoggle. He may be forced to bring in an extra division just to try to keep up the momentum (or at least avoid a repeat performance). He still doesn't appear to be serious about Singapore (reinforcing Port Blair is a good idea - just in case).
Beyond troops, what does your air power look like? If you can serious contest the skies over Palembang as well, you're going to really put the monkey in his wench....
How do things look in the east / southeast areas of the map? Any reinforcing actions on Fiji or the Line Islands?
Never Underestimate the Power of a Small Tactical Nuclear Weapon...
1) Air power is a problem I'm working on. I have lots of Dutch squadrons plus two elements of the AVG, and I have American squadrons on the way, but I only have a few airfields and limited base forces. I need engineers at Palembang and Oosthaven (and elsewhere, but that's not going to happen short term) to help build forts and fields. They're on the way. But if the enemy attacks in a major way withiin the next month to six weeks, I think he'll achieve air superiority.
2) All units in India are moving forward to Sumatra. The vaccuum is being filled by all unrestricted American units that arrive as reinforcements. That means I have nothing going to the Pacific. I would if I could, but I don't have any extra political points, so I've chosen my course. So far, the enemy hasn't taken advantage of my weakenesses there, but I'd be content if he concentrated there rather than Sumatra. The game could be won or lost in the DEI, but not in SoPac or CenPac.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Wow - that attack at Clark was a major boondoggle. He may be forced to bring in an extra division just to try to keep up the momentum (or at least avoid a repeat performance).
I think this was lack of prep. at least one of those divisions was prepped for another location. I guess he didn't want to break the prep and brought in troops with zero prep for the target they were attacking. This boy is digging quite a hole for himself.
Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly
All units in India are moving forward to Sumatra. The vaccuum is being filled by all unrestricted American units that arrive as reinforcements. That means I have nothing going to the Pacific. I would if I could, but I don't have any extra political points, so I've chosen my course. So far, the enemy hasn't taken advantage of my weakenesses there, but I'd be content if he concentrated there rather than Sumatra. The game could be won or lost in the DEI, but not in SoPac or CenPac.
I believe you have seen divisions prepping for New Zealand. This might indicate that a major thrust is being planned for the SW Pacific If your opponent ever gets his S%&t together with his opening conquests you might be caught short. I know you get some significant reinforcements if he attacks New Zealand, but it will take a while before they are in place.
Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly
John, you have a good memory. IJA 4th Division, currently at Clark Field, was recently reported prepping for Auckland.
I have no way to defend New Zealand against a major attack, and no way to change that in the next six months. I don't want to lose NZ, but I have positions to defend that carry a higher value and priority. NZ is kind of an "appendix" for Japan. Devote alot of effort and time there and Japan is likely to suffer an acute bout of appendicitis.
If the Allies somehow still hold eastern Sumatra by early autumn 1942, Japan has committed seppuku.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
I believe your strategy of defending New Zealand in Sumatra will be most successful. Looking at the board, I can't see any likely turn of events that would turn this game in your opponents favor. If you were playing the Japanese now what would you do? Unless he were to go all out in India I don't see anything
Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly
Western DEI: The Indian brigade is ashore and nearly all the transports carrying the three units (the other two being UK brigades that unloaded a few days ago) are on the way back to India. Another wave of reinforcements are about four days out. I'll try a fighter ambush at Singapore tomorrow - 89 fighters including about 40 of the AVG; the rest a mishmash of Buffales and P-40s. I've also ordered the B-17s to hit the airfield at Mersing.
NoPac: IJ transports are heading in to Amchitka. I don't have anythying with which to counter, and it's possible that IJN carriers are lurking nearby.
Elsewhere: The apparent quiet prevails as the Allies continue efforts to reinforce Sumatra and to get troops from America to India.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
