The Power of Inexperience / GreyJoy(A)-Rader(J)

[Nemo121]

Ok I look forward to seeing your plan for a Bonins operation which should include, at least,
1. a timeline - I estimate you have a month, no more, for such an operation. Even that might be too late.

2. Deceptive ops.

3. Your force allocation, which force goes to which island

4. A decision about whether you go just for iwo and haha jimas or the third island as well.

5. How you are going to get fighters there.

6. A plan to take Marcus ( essential )

7. Your routing plans to get to the Bonins.

8. Underway replenishment TF size etc....

9. Escorts, whether CVs will be involved and suchlike.


You need to think it through in detail and be able to write it all down. This may take 4 or 5 pages. Then you need to be able to summarise it all in no more than 5 sentences ( short sentences ). If you can't do that summarising then you need to hone the plan until you can.

E.g. My Palembang strategy - which was the basis for the entire war plan could be summarised in about 4 sentences. That helped me maintain strategic focus and prioritise appropriately... something you'll need.

Again, learning the process of how to plan is more important than adopting the right plan for you right now.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Ok I look forward to seeing your plan for a Bonins operation which should include, at least,
1. a timeline - I estimate you have a month, no more, for such an operation. Even that might be too late.

2. Deceptive ops.

3. Your force allocation, which force goes to which island

4. A decision about whether you go just for iwo and haha jimas or the third island as well.

5. How you are going to get fighters there.

6. A plan to take Marcus ( essential )

7. Your routing plans to get to the Bonins.

8. Underway replenishment TF size etc....

9. Escorts, whether CVs will be involved and suchlike.


You need to think it through in detail and be able to write it all down. This may take 4 or 5 pages. Then you need to be able to summarise it all in no more than 5 sentences ( short sentences ). If you can't do that summarising then you need to hone the plan until you can.

E.g. My Palembang strategy - which was the basis for the entire war plan could be summarised in about 4 sentences. That helped me maintain strategic focus and prioritise appropriately... something you'll need.

Again, learning the process of how to plan is more important than adopting the right plan for you right now.

Wow...well...seems pretty difficult...however i checked my notes...Iwo is for sure garrisoned...the AF has been expanding till reaching level 2 so i'm pretty confident he has a base force and some engeneers there. the other islands haven't been developed.
I'll avoid C.Jiima...it has some pre war CD of 280mm!!!!...really too much to chew!

Ok Nemo...i'll try to plan it right...

Thanks in the meanwhile!!!![&o]

[GreyJoy]

Ok, i've done some homework.

This was my previous OOB for the Marshalls operation (the units are divided for targets but targets are put in the planned chronological order of invasion, while in brackets is the Assault value). Only the assault units are listed here. the AAA, base forces, CD guns prepared will not be listed here cause they'll join the operation only when the islands will be taken.

BAKER IS:

3rd USMC Para Bn. (28 AVs)
1st Raider Bn (40 AVs)

In reserve: 2nd Raider Bn (39)

TARAWA:

1st US Amph. Corp HQ
8th Marines (142)
159th Mot Inf rgt (115)
161st Inf Rgt (126)

2nd Marine Eng Rgt (27)
110th Combat Eng bn (31)
151st Combat Eng bn (36)

754th Tank Bn (32)
2nd USMC Tank Bn (38)

2nd USMC FA bn
198th FA bn

In reserve:

2nd Marine Rgt (142)
205th FA bn
134th Fa bn
249th Fa bn


NAURU:

9th Marine Rgt (142)

19th Combat eng Rgt (63)

193th Tank bn (62)

168th FA bn
13th FA Bn



MAKIN:

7th Marine rgt (142)
182nd Inf Rgt (125)

4th FA bn
87th Fa bn


MILI (eventually):

132nd Inf Rgt (125)
164th Inf Rgt (127)
147th Inf Rgt (115)

34th Combat Eng rgt (63)

634th TD bn (42)


Strategical reserves:

148th Rgt (125)
1st USMC Tank Bn
3rd Raider Bn (40)



And that's what i'd found for the Bonins:

32nd Inf Div (389)
24th Inf Rgt (115)
108th Inf Rgt (126)
138th Inf Rgt (115)

632nd TD Bn (42)

102nd Combat Eng rgt (63)

232nd FA bn



Ok, it's clear that this disposition seems now an overkill for the Marshalls and a pretty unbalanced force for Iwo...lack of tanks, reserves and artillery...

Think i'll do something like that:

I'll strip some forces from Tarawa and Nauru and assign them to Iwo expedition. Thinking about 2 engeneers Bns, 4 FA bns, 1 tank bn and 2 infantry regiments.

But the fact now is that i'm going to miss those aux units if both expeditions went good...so i have to keep my mind focused on the fact that the Iwo expedition will only be put in place if the Marshall operation is called back.
if the Marshall op will be called back it will mean that the KB has moved in the pacific (and so every operation will be stopped) or our recon will show some strongly garrisoned islands. If it's the latter...well, we could easily move the flow of all those forces from the Marshalls to the Bonins...for sure the preparation will be a problem toh but i think that our OOB will be so overwhelming that nothing (except for the Combined Fleet) will be able to stop us.

Ok...now we have to plan the Task forces...

[Nemo121]

Couple of comments for you to consider:

When invading non-atolls all that matters is overall adjusted AV. When invading atolls what matters is the AV per man generated by a unit. Why is this? Stacking rules. The manual/others can explain why.

What this means for you is that you should ALWAYS stack atoll invasions with tank-heavy units and only when the atolls have more than enough tanks should you commit any to non-atolls.

Have you checked whether iwo and Haha-Jima or Marcus Island are atolls?

Also, those paras are wasted landing over the beach. Airdrop them using PBYs and they will halve defender AV on the day of the landing shock attack while freeing up space on the APs for more assault troops. End result by landing paras by air instead of by sea you'll halve the defender's AV while slightly increasing your own... all without committing a single extra soldier, but by committing them more cleverly.

This is the sort of thinking you need in India also... That simple change DOUBLES the effectiveness of your troops. If you could do that in a few places in India you might find yourself comfortably holding vs being destroyed in Karachi. Anyways, the paras are wasted amphibiously, scrub that, base them at a base within flying range of Marcus and airdrop them on the day you land your amphibious invasion. If not Marcus then Midway...

Reserves: Wasted in atoll invasions. Either invade with everything you have or send the reserve elsewhere. Maintaining a reserve just means forcing a shock attack when you land the reserve and doubly trashing the troops you've already landed which weren't enough to take the island. It'd be a disaster and do exactly the opposite of what you planned.


Overall it looks to me like you have found some 2,500 AV. That's a HUGE force. FAR more than you can ever fit onto the Bonins. I suggest you look into retaking Midway, Marcus, the 2 Bonins and some bases in the Northern Marianas. That would be a very significant strategic change. If it necessitated taking 6 bases you'd still find yourself with 400+ AV per base, more than enough to make retaking it a major problem for Japan, requiring full support from KB and the surface fleet.

This is far more than you need, far, far more. I can't remember the exact figure but I think I took out the entire Marshalls chain up to Truk ( about 6 separate invasions ) with 900 AV over the course of 3 or 4 days in early 42. That should give you an idea of how much overkill this force of 2,500 AV is... but overkill is good. I think you could create a significant strategic salient with this force, IF you move quickly and rely on mass to make up for lack of preparation.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Ok I look forward to seeing your plan for a Bonins operation which should include, at least,
1. a timeline - I estimate you have a month, no more, for such an operation. Even that might be too late.

A month is doable i think. Manila is ready to be stormed so those units will be eventually moved to the Pacific and i need to hurry up. Luckly almost everything is ready at PH now


2. Deceptive ops.

Not easy...we're still moving in Nopac so i guess the Marshalls and Nopac should be considered some deceptive ops. We're going to land at Baker very soon in order to test his dispotion and estabilish a Catalinas base there so that could be considered a deceptive op if we're gonna switch to Iwo later on.

3. Your force allocation, which force goes to which island

Yes, i need some more time to choose...

4. A decision about whether you go just for iwo and haha jimas or the third island as well.

IWO and Haha for sure...nothing more cause the third island has some 280mm guns[X(]

5. How you are going to get fighters there.

I have 4 AKV ready at PH and i'll bring with my CVs 5 extra Marine fighters groups (the devastators have been based at PH). Those fighters will provide extra CAP till the fleet is around, then they'll be based on the newly conquered islands. However i'll bring with me lots of fighters and dive bombers packed in AKs...

6. A plan to take Marcus ( essential )

Yes...i'm elaborating...
7. Your routing plans to get to the Bonins.

I'd say Midway and then north of Marcus...

8. Underway replenishment TF size etc....

I have a replenish TF which contains 200k fuel...plus i have some 30 TKs full of fuel to be moved to the theatre once it's conquered.
9. Escorts, whether CVs will be involved and suchlike.

Still planning here... however 5 single CV TFs will be used plus a CVE TF...


You need to think it through in detail and be able to write it all down. This may take 4 or 5 pages. Then you need to be able to summarise it all in no more than 5 sentences ( short sentences ). If you can't do that summarising then you need to hone the plan until you can.

E.g. My Palembang strategy - which was the basis for the entire war plan could be summarised in about 4 sentences. That helped me maintain strategic focus and prioritise appropriately... something you'll need.

Again, learning the process of how to plan is more important than adopting the right plan for you right now.

[Nemo121]

If you take Midway and Marcus also you can use them as part of an airbridge into Iwo. Logistically this would be superior and allow you to use USAAF squadrons to attrit his IJNAF squadrons --- something you want because of the favourable differential in replacement rates.


Routing via Midway... You hold Midway???? I thought you said you didn't...

[SoliInvictus202]

just a small side remark - as I'm not discussing strategies here:

30 TKs full of fuel won't do you much good if you don't have any ports large enough to unload them - even single TKs can take AGES to unload if you don't have enough Naval Support and large enough ports.... - and many of the targets you are considering have small ports, and building ports takes time especially if you're focus will be on airfields and forts....

just another thing to consider [8D][;)][:D] - it's probably a minor issue, but keeping your ships in moving condition, especially RUNNING AWAY FROM DANGER - is quite important if you're deep in enemy territory... -and the 200K Fuel on the AOs are used up rather quickly if you bring along 5 CVs with support ships....

EDIT: but as it seems you hold Midway - that's a huge difference...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Couple of comments for you to consider:

When invading non-atolls all that matters is overall adjusted AV. When invading atolls what matters is the AV per man generated by a unit. Why is this? Stacking rules. The manual/others can explain why.

What this means for you is that you should ALWAYS stack atoll invasions with tank-heavy units and only when the atolls have more than enough tanks should you commit any to non-atolls.

Have you checked whether iwo and Haha-Jima or Marcus Island are atolls?

Also, those paras are wasted landing over the beach. Airdrop them using PBYs and they will halve defender AV on the day of the landing shock attack while freeing up space on the APs for more assault troops. End result by landing paras by air instead of by sea you'll halve the defender's AV while slightly increasing your own... all without committing a single extra soldier, but by committing them more cleverly.

This is the sort of thinking you need in India also... That simple change DOUBLES the effectiveness of your troops. If you could do that in a few places in India you might find yourself comfortably holding vs being destroyed in Karachi. Anyways, the paras are wasted amphibiously, scrub that, base them at a base within flying range of Marcus and airdrop them on the day you land your amphibious invasion. If not Marcus then Midway...

Reserves: Wasted in atoll invasions. Either invade with everything you have or send the reserve elsewhere. Maintaining a reserve just means forcing a shock attack when you land the reserve and doubly trashing the troops you've already landed which weren't enough to take the island. It'd be a disaster and do exactly the opposite of what you planned.


Overall it looks to me like you have found some 2,500 AV. That's a HUGE force. FAR more than you can ever fit onto the Bonins. I suggest you look into retaking Midway, Marcus, the 2 Bonins and some bases in the Northern Marianas. That would be a very significant strategic change. If it necessitated taking 6 bases you'd still find yourself with 400+ AV per base, more than enough to make retaking it a major problem for Japan, requiring full support from KB and the surface fleet.

This is far more than you need, far, far more. I can't remember the exact figure but I think I took out the entire Marshalls chain up to Truk ( about 6 separate invasions ) with 900 AV over the course of 3 or 4 days in early 42. That should give you an idea of how much overkill this force of 2,500 AV is... but overkill is good. I think you could create a significant strategic salient with this force, IF you move quickly and rely on mass to make up for lack of preparation.

sorry, i wasn't clear enough. The Paras will be dropped over Baker the same day the raider will land with a fast transport TF...but i got your point. Didn't know the paras were halving the defenders' AV...cool!

Midway is mine...it's wake which is fallen into Japs hands...

however it's clear what you say Nemo. It's a considerable force i know...however i need to be very carefull because i really fear he's lurking in the shade with the KB...

I'll do this way: land at Baker (which could be the first step of the Marshalls op or a deceptive op for IWO...depends). Estabilish immediately a patrol plane base force there in order to extend my visual. In the meantime my subs will recon every base of interest (Iwo, Haha, Marcus, tarawa etc). Then i'll decide what to do.
In Nopac the operations are proceeding well...we should take back the whole aleutinas within mid - june without any opposition. However, as you said, this could attract his attention on this corner theatre...

Ok, so no reserves. Iwo and haha aren't atoll. And they can accept 30k troops each...
Tarawa and the others are Atoll....so let's see if i understood: more tanks for Tarawa and no reserves, while more strong inf units for places like Iwo where you need plain AV...ok...

[GreyJoy]

I hold Midway yes. I do not hold Wake so he can rely only in his picket single ship PBs or his subs for an early spotting...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: SoliInvictus202

just a small side remark - as I'm not discussing strategies here:

30 TKs full of fuel won't do you much good if you don't have any ports large enough to unload them - even single TKs can take AGES to unload if you don't have enough Naval Support and large enough ports.... - and many of the targets you are considering have small ports, and building ports takes time especially if you're focus will be on airfields and forts....

just another thing to consider [8D][;)][:D] - it's probably a minor issue, but keeping your ships in moving condition, especially RUNNING AWAY FROM DANGER - is quite important if you're deep in enemy territory... -and the 200K Fuel on the AOs are used up rather quickly if you bring along 5 CVs with support ships....

EDIT: but as it seems you hold Midway - that's a huge difference...

Yes i know that but howver i cannot do otherwise. I keep the TKs full of fuel at PH Midway and Christams island are already at their limits for what concerns fuel...i stockpiled it a lot in these months...
and i don't have anymore AOs to spare at the moment...so i'll have to play with the toys i have at the moment

[Canoerebel]

Forgive me if you already know this or if it's already been addressed at length, but atoll invesions are incredibly tricky. It's easy to get just about everything right, have one little oversight, and to see your overwhelming force defeated, stranded, and ultimately destroyed. So beware! Atoll invasions have to be done perfectly, and perfection is an awfully high standard. Here are some important considerations:

1. Stacking limits are critical. Know them and plan accordingly.

2. Do no exceed stacking limits unless you know exactly what you are doing and why. Exceeding stacking limits can drain your supply immediately, leaving your well-prepped, massive force without supply (and I mean ZERO supply) which means they fight at 1/4 strength if memory serves. This is a cataclysmic result. You will almost never recover from the initial shock attack failure. Your force - well organized with overwhelming force and total superiority at sea - will just die.

3. Bring lots of supply ships loaded only with supply. Make sure they go in during the morning phase of D-Day.

4. Make sure the troop transports go in duirng that morning phase.

5. Use as many troop transports for a single unit as possible - the more ships, the less troops per ship, the quicker you get all your guys on the beach. That means fewer debilitating shock attacks and more oomph on the first one.

6. If you're going to bombard, you might get your ships with range a day early and have your Kingfishers do recon to build up detection.

7. Bombardments are important, but they seldom seem to be as effective as you'd expect them to be.

8. Embed some DDs and a CA or BB in with your transports to soak up enemy CD fire.

9. Embed minesweepers.

10. Have ASW present.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Forgive me if you already know this or if it's already been addressed at length, but atoll invesions are incredibly tricky. It's easy to get just about everything right, have one little oversight, and to see your overwhelming force defeated, stranded, and ultimately destroyed. So beware! Atoll invasions have to be done perfectly, and perfection is an awfully high standard. Here are some important considerations:

1. Stacking limits are critical. Know them and plan accordingly.

2. Do no exceed stacking limits unless you know exactly what you are doing and why. Exceeding stacking limits can drain your supply immediately, leaving your well-prepped, massive force without supply (and I mean ZERO supply) which means they fight at 1/4 strength if memory serves. This is a cataclysmic result. You will almost never recover from the initial shock attack failure. Your force - well organized with overwhelming force and total superiority at sea - will just die.

3. Bring lots of supply ships loaded only with supply. Make sure they go in during the morning phase of D-Day.

4. Make sure the troop transports go in duirng that morning phase.

5. Use as many troop transports for a single unit as possible - the more ships, the less troops per ship, the quicker you get all your guys on the beach. That means fewer debilitating shock attacks and more oomph on the first one.

6. If you're going to bombard, you might get your ships with range a day early and have your Kingfishers do recon to build up detection.

7. Bombardments are important, but they seldom seem to be as effective as you'd expect them to be.

8. Embed some DDs and a CA or BB in with your transports to soak up enemy CD fire.

9. Embed minesweepers.

10. Have ASW present.

Don't be sorry CR...Repetita Adiuvant!!! [:D]

My real problem in assembling my invasion force now is that i don't have enough DDs!!...i'd like to make 5 different CVTFs but making the ideal single CV TF would mean to use all the DDs i have...and the DDs are too usefull for escorting the amph TFs, the bombardment TFs and the SCTFs...think i'll have to play smartly...keeping the single CVTFs very tiny and move the DDs between the different TFs during the different phases of the operation...

For what concerns the stacking limits...Tarawa has a limit of 30.000...so plenty of space to land almost everything i need.
Iwo isn't even an atoll so...




Ok guys, time for an update:

MAY 25th 1942

Bombay, after 6 days of harsh fightings, finally fell in front of 2500 overpowered japanese AVs. Now everything is ready for the final advance towards Karachi. 72 units are assembling at Surat, while more 35 are at Bombay. Seems that he wants to use Surat as the main starting base for his final advance...

In Luzon, Manila, out of supplies, is getting ready for the final japanese push...troops are assembling and i'm sure within the next 4/5 days he will begin the final attack.

In Oz arrived a US division and a african Bde. These troops will soon be moved to SUVA but for the meanwhile they'll rest and prepare at Sydney.

In NOPAC, after the conquest of Addak Island, we're now assembling engeneers and base forces there. Want to create an advanced fighting base, with subs, bombers and fighters.

we're ready to invade Baker Island...the next couple of turns will be decisive in order to decide how to move and which operation to chose.

Still no sign of the KB....[:-]

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

...My real problem in assembling my invasion force now is that i don't have enough DDs!!...i'd like to make 5 different CVTFs but making the ideal single CV TF would mean to use all the DDs i have...and the DDs are too usefull for escorting the amph TFs, the bombardment TFs and the SCTFs...think i'll have to play smartly...keeping the single CVTFs very tiny and move the DDs between the different TFs during the different phases of the operation...

Off all the sheer unadulterated piffle which has been presented as to why this or that can't be done, this claimed shortage of DDs is the last straw.

Notwithstanding the regular claim that AARs have been read to provide guidance, it is absolutely clear that nothing is learnt. To give just a recent example, the surprise expressed that a simultaneous paradrop + sea landing halves the defenders AV is inconsistent with the claim that AARs have been studied for this very same tactic was discussed in one of the AARs allegedly studied.

Nor is any attention paid to what is in the manual or often posted in the AE forum. Recently the claim is put forward that Iwo Jima is not an atoll. That fact can only be relevant in the context of believing that it means a landing there will not trigger an auto shock attack. So why is it that no one is prepared to clearly state to the Allied player, who has no idea how to play this game and always draws the wrong conclusions from the advice tendered by others, that due to its size, landing on Iwo Jima will trigger an auto shock attack.

So to get back to the claimed DD shortage. In post #432 you listed your major combat ships for this operation as:

5 CV
7 BB
13 CA
16 CL
45 DD
(note no numbers of escort ships were listed)

If there is a DD shortage then

• tell us how large in your considered opinion is the DD shortage
• how exactly have your determined what is the optimum number of DDs for this operation
• what exactly is the role to be performed by the DDs which just cannot be undertaken by any other type of vessel
• just when was the shortage discovered - after all you did have several weeks notice to plan the operation

When you have done that, you might care to enlighten us all what is meant by moving the DDs between the different TFs during the different operational phases. As you would have noted from your reading of AARs and the forum, players who intend to maximise the survivability of their invasion fleets tend to move everything together. If all the TFs are in the same hex, what exactly does "moving" the DDs accomplish? If you intend to string out across the wide expanse of the Pacific the TFs, will the DDs have sufficient fuel to be moved from one to another TF.

But do carry on, the schadenfreude is quite exquisite. No reason why this post should be received any better than my other posts.

Alfred

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Alfred



Off all the sheer unadulterated piffle which has been presented as to why this or that can't be done, this claimed shortage of DDs is the last straw.

Notwithstanding the regular claim that AARs have been read to provide guidance, it is absolutely clear that nothing is learnt. To give just a recent example, the surprise expressed that a simultaneous paradrop + sea landing halves the defenders AV is inconsistent with the claim that AARs have been studied for this very same tactic was discussed in one of the AARs allegedly studied.

Hi Alfred,

first of all i have to admit that when i first read this post i got a little bit upset cause the overall tone was/is expressing kind of annoyance, like the tone of a Harward professor placed in a "learning support teacher" role. Then i re-read your post and went beyond the tone. I admit your points are, again, good ones.
I went back reading Q-Ball and CR's threads (think you're talking about that match here) but didn't find where they referred to the paradrop+sea landing that halves trhe defenders AVs...
However i must say in my defence that those are very long AARs and it's not easy to memorize everything you read...also because the time, the period you read does change what you learn and what you simply read. I probably read those AARs when i was looking for an overall strategy and didn't paid enough attention to details that, at that stage, were not in my mind of that importance.
If i had memorized half the things i've read in the last 3 months over this forum i'd be an expert...unfortuntaly i am not.

Nor is any attention paid to what is in the manual or often posted in the AE forum. Recently the claim is put forward that Iwo Jima is not an atoll. That fact can only be relevant in the context of believing that it means a landing there will not trigger an auto shock attack. So why is it that no one is prepared to clearly state to the Allied player, who has no idea how to play this game and always draws the wrong conclusions from the advice tendered by others, that due to its size, landing on Iwo Jima will trigger an auto shock attack.

Well, i remember there was a debate in Q-Ball's AAR about a landing at Scoodra and someone pointed out that even if it was not an atoll, the shock attack was mandatory...well Rader just showed me that that one was a wrong conclusion cause landing at Scoodra doesn't trigger a shock attack.

So to get back to the claimed DD shortage. In post #432 you listed your major combat ships for this operation as:

5 CV
7 BB
13 CA
16 CL
45 DD
(note no numbers of escort ships were listed)

If there is a DD shortage then

• tell us how large in your considered opinion is the DD shortage
• how exactly have your determined what is the optimum number of DDs for this operation
• what exactly is the role to be performed by the DDs which just cannot be undertaken by any other type of vessel
• just when was the shortage discovered - after all you did have several weeks notice to plan the operation

When you have done that, you might care to enlighten us all what is meant by moving the DDs between the different TFs during the different operational phases. As you would have noted from your reading of AARs and the forum, players who intend to maximise the survivability of their invasion fleets tend to move everything together. If all the TFs are in the same hex, what exactly does "moving" the DDs accomplish? If you intend to string out across the wide expanse of the Pacific the TFs, will the DDs have sufficient fuel to be moved from one to another TF.

Yes, you're right. I should have noticed it a lot earlier (not that this could have made the difference mind you). The fact that when i planned the operation at first i was just drawing on papaer which forces i had, not going into details about TF composition and such...yes, that's not very professional...i admit it...but i guess my ability to plan forward and to set up my mind for a logical analysis of all the variables is still at the state of a "process"...work in progress i'd say[:)]
Ok, my idea was to have a strong SCTF leading the invasion fleet. A 25 ships TF with at least 10 DDs. Then i wanted to have 5 single CV TFs, with 2 CAs, 2 CLs and 10 DDs each (for ASW purpouses)...recently i've read (jwilkinson i think said that) that the best way to face the coordination problems in 42 is to set up only single CV TFs... then i wanted at least 4 DDs for every of 3 Amph TF i was planning for the first wave...plus AMs and PCs...you u can see i'd need at least 100 DDs for this composition, that's why the shortage claim you mentioned.
Moving DDs between TFs means that i'll be forced to create 2 single very large amphibious TFs, with the SCTF embedded in them, in order to maximise the ASW role of the DDs. The CVs will be grouped in 2 CVs TFs for the same reasons.
This composition will be mantained for the travelling from PH to the combat theatre, where we'll re-group and re-form and the DDs will be concentrated in the TFs that will mostly need their help in that particular moment.
So to say, we advance towards Tarawa with that composition. When we arrive at 6 hexes from Tarawa, the DDs will be used for escorting the newly reformed amphi TFs and for the bombardment TF...CVs will rely mainly on supporting ASW ships (like KVs) and on their own air ASW capabilities at this stage.

But do carry on, the schadenfreude is quite exquisite. No reason why this post should be received any better than my other posts.

Alfred

What do you mean? I've always well received your previous posts and i've always thanked you for the patience and time spent teaching me. And, above all, i've always tried to learn and to get your suggestions...since the beginning. If you are disappointed because i'm not the best pupil one could hope for...well, i'm sorry, but i try and do what i can.
Sayin' that in this thread people are "schadenfreude-ing" implies that everybody is secretly laughing at my back and having fun watching me losing day after day a war that i cannot win. That's a bit unfair i'd say. Unfair in respect to all those people who have invested their time giving me suggestions and supporting my morale and also to me. In this "big picture" i actually seem like a clown who dances and got smashed in the back to make you laugh. Sad.

[modrow]

GreyJoy,

I just logged in to try to give some personal opinion related to how to read Alfred's post. Now, your reply has just popped up, but I'll still write what I was planning to write.

Alfred really wants to help you. The fact that he takes the time to post in your thread shows that, and if you study his posts, you see that he is not really someone capable of giving excellent advice but also always willing to share his knowledge.

If his choice of words seems a bit on the harsh side, I would assume that this (including specifically the "Schadenfreude" part) is an attempt to get through to you, as he feels that previous advice seems not to have been considered adequately and wants to stir you into action (including study in order to improve the understanding of the mechanics of this game).

Just my 2cts.

Hartwig

edited for grammar

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: hartwig.modrow

GreyJoy,

I just logged in to try to give some personal opinion related to how to read Alfred's post. Now, your reply has just popped up, but I'll still write what I was planning to write.

Alfred really wants to help you. The fact that he takes the time to post in your thread shows that, and if you study his posts, you see that he is not really someone capable of giving excellent advice but also always willing to share his knowledge.

If his choice of words seems a bit on the harsh side, I would assume that this (including specifically the "Schadenfreude" part) is an attempt to get through to you, as he feels that previous advice seems not to have been considered adequately and wants to stir you into action (including study in order to improve the understanding of the mechanics of this game).

Just my 2cts.

Hartwig

edited for grammar

Thanks Hartwig.
I understand he wants to help and, as i said, he really does help me. Actually i agree he is right especially in the part when he says i should have noticed earlier and i should have studied more what i said i have studied and read.
I just don't understand the last sentence when he seems to imply that i didn't appreciate his previous posts. I did.

[GreyJoy]

May 26-27 1942
 
a 6 DDs TF moved at night in front of Karachi to interdict the flow of reinforcements from Aden. There was a small fight with an ASW TF of mine composed by 2 DDs. My destroyers fought well and managed to get away with a couple of hits taken and couple given... not a lot of damage on both sides. During the following morning my torpedo bombers took off but didn't score a single hit despite losing 2 planes against his AAA...seems that the DDs are really difficult to hit with aerial torp (which seems realistic due to the speed and mvr of that kind of ships),
 
Our Raider Bn managed to land at an empty Baker Island as planned. We've immediately sent in a small naval base force from Canton and 8 catalinas in order to see what's going on around Tarawa. My subs have engaged lots of PBs near Mili and Wotje...for sure he's reinforcing those islands!!
My Subs around Iwo have been suddenly chased down by 4 PBs...mmmm...we'll stay there to get a better detection level...but this new activity really puts me off...seems that Rader cannot be caught off guard.
i need more recon!!
 
At Attu atoll he got again a bloody nose[:D][:D][:D]...despite my Bde there is being with 0 supplies for weeks now, despite 5 heavy BB bombardments that annihilated everything...despite the constant and daily level air bombing....the 45th indian Bde covered herself again with Glory, stopping back on the beach the second invasion...this time Rader came with 3 naval guard units, 1 SNLF and 1 eng rgt...result?...[8D]
 
Ground combat at Addu (16,52)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 2335 troops, 47 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 103
 
Defending force 4436 troops, 25 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 120
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 0
 
Allied adjusted defense: 345
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 4)
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1814 casualties reported
         Squads: 82 destroyed, 29 disabled
         Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 21 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    44th Nav Gd /1
    Sasebo 8th SNLF /1
    43rd Nav Gd /2
    41st Nav Gd /2
    16th Engr Rgt /1
 
Defending units:
    45th Indian Brigade
    Addu RN Base Force
 
round combat at Addu (16,52)
 
---------------------------------

Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 3063 troops, 45 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 67
 
Defending force 4353 troops, 25 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 114
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 9
 
Allied adjusted defense: 57
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 4)
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1102 casualties reported
         Squads: 77 destroyed, 18 disabled
         Non Combat: 111 destroyed, 28 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
      Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      119 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
 

 
Assaulting units:
    43rd Nav Gd /2
    41st Nav Gd /2
    Sasebo 8th SNLF /1
    44th Naval Guard Unit
    16th Engr Rgt /1
 
Defending units:
    45th Indian Brigade
    Addu RN Base Force
 
 
 
Rader will need to reinforce if he wants to take Addu![:'(]
 
 
 
more than 600 planes spotted at Surat and 120 units [X(]...already AF level 6...Rader must have thousands of engeneers there...[&o]
It must be overstacked however...so we'll try to pay a visit there tomorrow...weather forecast says overcast in India...50 4Es are already warming their engines...i can efford some losses (got more than 70 4Es in the pool) ...and i need to keep Rader at bay...i fear he's thinking about starting to sweep my northern bases with all those fighters there...
 
the KB is still a ghost...[&:][&:][&:]

[Fishbed]

My Friend, if you're not ashore in a couple days, knowing that the KB was around India a week ago won't be of much help...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

My Friend, if you're not ashore in a couple days, knowing that the KB was around India a week ago won't be of much help...

What do you mean Fishbed?
It's been almost 2 weeks now since i don't see the KB nor i have any sign of his presence anywhere...and i won't be ashore before 2 weeks at least... but i won't risk to move in force untill i know where the KB is...
Rader now has to pull the trigger and cross the LOD ...think it's a matter of days. If he crosses he must have the KB in the proximity...cause if the KB springs up in the pacific, then my 3 brit CVs could come and play a role at Karachi, thus keeping the Aden Channell open for the upcoming reinforcements... there's a strong correlation here...
AUT the KB is in India lurking in the shades waiting to pop up and close once for all the Aden Channell when Rader decides to pull the trigger and cross the LOD...and that means i have free hands in the pacific...

AUT the KB is in the Pacific and so my pacific operation will be put on hold BUT there is a strong chance of keeping India alive with the new reinforcements.

He simply cannot be everywhere[;)]

[Fishbed]

Ho, ok. I thought the whole operation was built around taking advantage of KB sighting in the Indian Ocean while you were landing at the same time. Ok, no problem, finger on the trigger then