Sardaukar's Newbie Grand Campaign Tutorial (Community Effort)

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter


This is what I do and have had no problem bringing in massive amounts of supply as well as covering the relocation of III Indian Corps from Singapore to Rangoon. Placing the bulk of III Indian Corps in Pegu can guarantee that the AI will never conquer Burma.

After stopping the AI cold in Burma three games straight and watching each game go downthe tubes for teh AI as a result I have refrained from beating up on the AI in this manner any longer.

Prioritizing the AVG squadrons for upgrade to P40E and P40K also helps to maintain air superiority over Rangoon during the critical period.

p.s. In my last game which I gave up in Marhc '43 Pappy was my leading ace with 37 kills and his squadron had over 500 kills (I trnasfer him and all the other experienced pilots of the AVG from the AVG when it leaves to one of the squadrons of the 10th AF when they arrive).

Bolded is one reason I will not transfer units from Malaya to Burma, only using reinforcements available or enroute. This is "plausible" possibility, but might have been politically very difficult. Same situation is with evacuation of AUS brigades from Singapore. But I'll just want to see if I can achieve stalemate in Burma with what I have in hand.

However, with bit more foresight, best troops from HK could have been transferred to Malaya, since predicted number of battalions in Malaya defence was never achieved (IIRC, pre-war planning required 44-45 Bns)..and defenders were short of that number by about dozen or more.

[Sardaukar]

Orders for Dec 26-27:

- forgot to mention that I am evacuating Port Blair BF to Colombo
- sending some supplies & fuel from Panama to Suva
- Suva building base
- sending ships from Panama to PH and SF. (CL & DDs, AKVs& DD), those AKVs will be ahndy later to transport planes.
- all AVG is now in Rangoon
- bit tidying orders here and there

[Sardaukar]

Highlights for Dec 26-27:

- IJNAF hits ships in Manila, annoyingly also AS. Fortunately we have 2 more there. IIRC, combat damage =>50 overall will stop tender to service.
- Lucena is lost and enemy closes towards Manila from south.
- experienced Brit aviators from Singapore give some extended love to BB Mutsu...unfortunately planes are flying outside torpedo range and 500 lb SAP is not going to be too bad...but we can hope.
- IJAAF Sally bombers confirms in Malaya historical saying about it..."most shot down bomber in WWII Pacific" [:D]
- one example how bad things can get to Japanese (never seen Chinese take NO casualties when involved even with small amount of IJA troops, RGC is crap, but that Bn is IJA):

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2655 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Defending force 5419 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 292

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
671 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled



Assaulting units:
67th Ind.Infantry Battalion
20th RGC Division

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps

Combat report attached.

[Sardaukar]

On additional note, I never check SIGINT report vs. AI, to give additional "edge" vs. AI.

Seing "XX Div preparing to XXXX" would be dead giveaway. Against human, always check..though many PBEM players are devious "barstewards", preparing units for places other than they are going to attack. [:D]

[Yaab]

Great combat result! Did the 62nd Chinese Corps gain much experience from this massacre?

[Yaab]

Sardaukar, I have viewed your last combat report and Nells and Betties on Port attack carry 2 x 250 kg SAP, 4 x 60kg GP bombs. I haven't noticed before that they change from 250 kg GP bombs to 250 kg SAP bombs when performing port attack runs. Really versatile aircraft. I guess they use the 2 x 250 kg SAP, 4 x 60kg GP combo on Naval attack, when torps are not available.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

ORIGINAL: HansBolter


This is what I do and have had no problem bringing in massive amounts of supply as well as covering the relocation of III Indian Corps from Singapore to Rangoon. Placing the bulk of III Indian Corps in Pegu can guarantee that the AI will never conquer Burma.

After stopping the AI cold in Burma three games straight and watching each game go downthe tubes for teh AI as a result I have refrained from beating up on the AI in this manner any longer.

Prioritizing the AVG squadrons for upgrade to P40E and P40K also helps to maintain air superiority over Rangoon during the critical period.

p.s. In my last game which I gave up in Marhc '43 Pappy was my leading ace with 37 kills and his squadron had over 500 kills (I trnasfer him and all the other experienced pilots of the AVG from the AVG when it leaves to one of the squadrons of the 10th AF when they arrive).

Bolded is one reason I will not transfer units from Malaya to Burma, only using reinforcements available or enroute. This is "plausible" possibility, but might have been politically very difficult. Same situation is with evacuation of AUS brigades from Singapore. But I'll just want to see if I can achieve stalemate in Burma with what I have in hand.

However, with bit more foresight, best troops from HK could have been transferred to Malaya, since predicted number of battalions in Malaya defence was never achieved (IIRC, pre-war planning required 44-45 Bns)..and defenders were short of that number by about dozen or more.

Reading another AAR. I bielive it was Canoerebel who contrasted the two styles of play of the opponents with one being a "simulator" and the other a "gamer". Having been a wargamer for over 38 years I fully recognize the distinction.

While I am for the most part a simulator, I am also capable of being a gamer when the fancy suits me. Pulling III Indian Corps from Malaya and sending it to Burma to stymie the AI is a decidely "gamer" move. It becomes apparent after a few gamer moves against the AI that playing the AI as a gamer will cause a rapid deterioration of your game.

If you want the game to have any chance of going the distance and for the AI to have any chance of standing up to you and offering you a decent fight you need to play against it as a simulator and not a gamer. [;)]

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter


Reading another AAR. I bielive it was Canoerebel who contrasted the two styles of play of the opponents with one being a "simulator" and the other a "gamer". Having been a wargamer for over 38 years I fully recognize the distinction.

While I am for the most part a simulator, I am also capable of being a gamer when the fancy suits me. Pulling III Indian Corps from Malaya and sending it to Burma to stymie the AI is a decidely "gamer" move. It becomes apparent after a few gamer moves against the AI that playing the AI as a gamer will cause a rapid deterioration of your game.

If you want the game to have any chance of going the distance and for the AI to have any chance of standing up to you and offering you a decent fight you need to play against it as a simulator and not a gamer. [;)]

I agree.

You have slight advantage, I have been wargaming only 26 yrs. [8D]

Since this is supposed to be "tutorial", I have to balance carefully between enjoyability and realism. I like to encourage historical gameplay and realistic decisions. On the other hand, I like to point out some possibilities for Allies to have some enjoyable successes in early war. After all, for first-time campaign players, first impressions count. By imposing TOO restrictive "house rules", inexperienced players can get really disheartened by even AI, having their butt handed to them because of added realism.

So, I have to balance..or try to...between realism, plausibility and enjoyability. After some experience, player can add his own "house rules" and enjoy AI games more. Like for example, I'd rather eat worms than fly 100ft naval attack missions in 1941 with B-17s and other bombers. Or strip squadrons from carriers to add more fighters..etc. etc.

I'd not castigate anyone applying "gamey" tactics vs AI. After all, it doesn't get it's feelings hurt. I can encourage some common sense though. [:D] For any player, it is good to "take step back" and think "is this any way plausible or possible in real Pacific War?" [8D]

[Richard III]

Hi Ron

Been away for a long while and nice to see your still around helping folks ! I did print out yout first AAR/Guide to help get back into the Game, and have subscribed to this one.

I`m starting a new GC with the official patch and the 1180q9 Beta, I`d like a " quite China " but unsure how that would work with the beta & official patch, as I`d like to follow your lead here ?

In a few test runs, on 1 day turns, it seems KB still hangs around pounding Pearl for days in 2 out of three games, is that your experience as well and how do you deal with that, is it worth sending subs at them set on computer control ?

Do the deadly Japanese I-Boats still mass off the West Coast, and attack Merchant shipping or has that ( very hopefully ) been toned down in the patch. I don`t think you made note of that in the previous game, if so how to deal with that ? In the early AE games , it made sending air groups and LCU`s to the Suva & South Pacific very risky in Dec `41 ( and later even ).

I have never been able to hold Rangoon in WitP, interested in seeing if you can in AE.

In the past the more complicated AE C & C has baffled me, especially the many more (r) units deal, I hope as we go you will give some insights on that.

Anyway, thanks again and will follow this closely !

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Richard III

Hi Ron

Been away for a long while and nice to see your still around helping folks ! I did print out yout first AAR/Guide to help get back into the Game, and have subscribed to this one.

I`m starting a new GC with the official patch and the 1180q9 Beta, I`d like a " quite China " but unsure how that would work with the beta & official patch, as I`d like to follow your lead here ?

In a few test runs, on 1 day turns, it seems KB still hangs around pounding Pearl for days in 2 out of three games, is that your experience as well and how do you deal with that, is it worth sending subs at them set on computer control ?

Do the deadly Japanese I-Boats still mass off the West Coast, and attack Merchant shipping or has that ( very hopefully ) been toned down in the patch. I don`t think you made note of that in the previous game, if so how to deal with that ? In the early AE games , it made sending air groups and LCU`s to the Suva & South Pacific very risky in Dec `41 ( and later even ).

I have never been able to hold Rangoon in WitP, interested in seeing if you can in AE.

In the past the more complicated AE C & C has baffled me, especially the many more (r) units deal, I hope as we go you will give some insights on that.

Anyway, thanks again and will follow this closely !

Well, I am not Ron (I think you mean Ron Saueracker, one long-term forumite just back to forum too), but I do remember you from earlier days.

I take that Bosworth Fields was not good for you (sorry, could not resist). [8D]

Since "quiet China" scenarios are stock-game versions, some of the things mentioned here may not be relevant. 80-90%, depending on case, would be, though.

AndyMac's AI scripts for AE are VAST improvement over WitP and gave even me (WitP player since 2004) several WTF-moments.

IJN subs around West Coast, I have never really had problem with them in AE. At start, those around PH are pain in butt, tho. But generally, AE ASW routines are lot better, just remember to use lot of Naval Search air missions.

I have been able to hold Rangoon (and in 1943) completely destroy AI Japanese in Burma, with operations that'd made Bill Slim himself quite proud. [:D]

As with (r) units, don't bother with those with name in white, those with name in yellow, you may consider "buying out" with your Political Points. (As I did with AUS brigades in Singapore)

[Richard III]

[/quote] Well, I am not Ron (I think you mean Ron Saueracker, one long-term forumite just back to forum too), but I do remember you from earlier days.

I take that Bosworth Fields was not good for you (sorry, could not resist).[/quote]

Very Sorry !, My Kingdom for a few Gigs of better memory [:D]

To the game: I`m going to play along with your AAR, in fact am at Dec 22, `41, but I will not fight hard for Rangoon, in past WitP vs AI games if you jammed up the AI by sinking their invasions fleet, especially around the Java oil producing bases, AND stalled them at Rangoon ( big oil center base ) , the AI game ground to a halt by mid `42 because they lacked resources to run the war machine, which Garry & Joel modeled for the Japanese AI.

Not to B***h, but I will say that much of the new combat units C & C /layered HQ system relationships in AE is a mystery to me....and doesn`t seem covered in the manual or patch notes or FAQ. Can you point me anywhere on that please ??

Or is a lot of that just chrome ?

One example, some good combat units come in from off map in Capetown for III Indian Corps which doesn`t seem to be on the map or scheduled to arrive ? ( maybe I missed it ?)

There seems to be no arrival times for the major HQ`s [&:] by about this Turn time, North Pacific and South Pacific HQ`s would show up at Pearl.

Also the whole Allied PP system is much more stringent cost wise in AE ( probably a good thing, too easy in WitP ) Also seems all the good US Fighter units are in ( R ) East Coast Training units and costs a ton of PP`s which you don`t have, to get them into the War. An example, at T 1, the P-40`s FG`s at SF, which are mostly assigned to 10th AF which will be a SEA HQ ? 30PP`s each to change them to SP, which isn`t on the map yet.

So, if after years of WitP I have problems managing the new units, HQ`s, and & PP`s model, I think real newbies to the game will be lost.....so if you or some of the other experts, address some of those management issues, with game play AAR examples, it would be a great help and an important thread . Just IMHO.....

Thanks
Rich

[8D]

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Richard III

Well, I am not Ron (I think you mean Ron Saueracker, one long-term forumite just back to forum too), but I do remember you from earlier days.

I take that Bosworth Fields was not good for you (sorry, could not resist).

Very Sorry !, My Kingdom for a few Gigs of better memory [:D]

To the game: I`m going to play along with your AAR, in fact am at Dec 22, `41, but I will not fight hard for Rangoon, in past WitP vs AI games if you jammed up the AI by sinking their invasions fleet, especially around the Java oil producing bases, AND stalled them at Rangoon ( big oil center base ) , the AI game ground to a halt by mid `42 because they lacked resources to run the war machine, which Garry & Joel modeled for the Japanese AI.

Not to B***h, but I will say that much of the new combat units C & C /layered HQ system relationships in AE is a mystery to me....and doesn`t seem covered in the manual or patch notes or FAQ. Can you point me anywhere on that please ??

Or is a lot of that just chrome ?

One example, some good combat units come in from off map in Capetown for III Indian Corps which doesn`t seem to be on the map or scheduled to arrive ? ( maybe I missed it ?)

There seems to be no arrival times for the major HQ`s [&:] by about this Turn time, North Pacific and South Pacific HQ`s would show up at Pearl.

Also the whole Allied PP system is much more stringent cost wise in AE ( probably a good thing, too easy in WitP ) Also seems all the good US Fighter units are in ( R ) East Coast Training units and costs a ton of PP`s which you don`t have, to get them into the War. An example, at T 1, the P-40`s FG`s at SF, which are mostly assigned to 10th AF which will be a SEA HQ ? 30PP`s each to change them to SP, which isn`t on the map yet.

So, if after years of WitP I have problems managing the new units, HQ`s, and & PP`s model, I think real newbies to the game will be lost.....so if you or some of the other experts, address some of those management issues, with game play AAR examples, it would be a great help and an important thread . Just IMHO.....

Thanks
Rich

[8D]

C&C can be seen as "chrome" and you can be totally OK by mostly ignoring it. There are some benefits to be within command range, but you can live without. It mainly gives some combat, supply and replacement benefits, related to Command HQs (like North Pacific, South Pacific etc.)

III Indian Corps is in Malaya...and shares the horrible faith there.

PP in early game is pain in butt...and you really have to consider what units to release. E.g. my main expenditure was AUS brigades in Singapore...totally something like 500+ PP per unit...though I was cheapskate and moved one to Burma Corps for discount...[8D]. Later you'll have more PP than you can shake a stick at.

[Sardaukar]

Orders for Dec 28-29:

- AUS brigades start to embark in Singapore, shipped to Perth, if luck is with us (and IJN CVs not).
- damaged BB PoW will also start retreating to Colombo for repairs.
- supply TF sent to Singapore from Palembang.
- damaged CL Durban sent to Perth from Palembang.
- AVG ground echelon and RAF BF sent to Rangoon from Toungoo.
- damaged CL Boise & DD Scout sent to Perth from Rangoon.
- 2 more sub patrols added for Dutch subs in Soerabaja.
- normal tidying up the orders.

[Sardaukar]

Highlights for Dec 28-29:

- AI pixel troops did hand some painful defeats to us.

Ground combat at 87,48 (near Sinyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6486 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Defending force 6074 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Japanese adjusted assault: 182

Allied adjusted defense: 30

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
2332 casualties reported
Squads: 58 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 96 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th RGC Route Brigade

Defending units:
12th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army

- OUTCH!

Ground combat at Lingayen (79,75)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 10364 troops, 104 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 763

Defending force 6569 troops, 142 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 108

Japanese adjusted assault: 960

Allied adjusted defense: 18

Japanese assault odds: 53 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1878 casualties reported
Squads: 167 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 104 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 112 (112 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
48th Division
65th Brigade
4th Tank Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
14th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Field Construction Battalion

Defending units:
11th PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion

- OUTCH x 2
- ground combat was NOT really for Allies during this turn.

Combat report attached.

[Sardaukar]

Orders for Dec 30-31:

- xAP that got Port Plair Det. out, sent to Aden
- more Tankers with fuel loading in Abadan, bringing fuel into India (Karachi & Bombay)
- general tidying on ordrs in Burma
- same for DEI & Philippines
- some supplies sent from PH to Midway.

[Sardaukar]

Higlighst of Dec 30-31:

- some minor air action ves each other
- Chinese keep on being mauled near Wenchow
- Cotabato in Philippines is lost
- Batangas in Philippines is lost
- some successes by Allied subs near DEI & Philippines
- mainly our troops did well this turn, even when defeated

Seems that AUS brigades from Singapore plus PoW with her escorts have escaped...so far...they are still vulnerable for sudden appearance of IJN CVs.
Bad this is that we have been bypassed in Malay and some of our troops are going to get trapped.
Similarly, in Philippines, Japanese have arrived next to Manila and into Clark F.

Combat report attached.

[Sardaukar]

Malaya:

[Sardaukar]

Philippines:

[Sardaukar]

Orders for Jan 1-2, 1942:

- reinforcements from Cape Town (AA, AT and Hurricane Sqn) are sent to Mombay, not going to risk Rangoon anymore.
- Bleinheim Sqn from Aden send to Bombay
- SS Trusty sent from Aden to Colombo
- SS Seal sent to patrol from Soerabaja
- fortifications stopped in Bataan & Clark at lvl 3, to start saving supply. Manila, lvl 2, still continues.
- 2 PA Rgts, reinforcements in Bataan, sent to Clark.
- 7th & 11th AUS Brigades start to pack for shipping to Port Moresby in Brisbane, some extra shipping sent there from Sydney.
- Canton I. is now relatively secure, with USMC Def & Para Bns landed and taking supplies, with already lvl 2 forts.
- operation to surround Sinyang in China has started
- some supply sent to Suva and bases on island set to build up.

[Sardaukar]

That's pretty much it. I'll make save available for download later.