Tokyo Rose was a Hussy! Chez (J) vs. Canoe (A)

[witpqs]

24th ID stayed in the Pacific. I am pretty sure that the ones going to other theaters withdraw on a certain date even if you do buy them out.

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

As Dan appears to be busy at the moment, I'll tade some novice info.

In regards to the impregnable fortress, if possible, bypass it, if not starve it or wait for the "gadget".

I prefer San Diego for debarkation SoPac, San Fran for CenPac and Portland for NoPac. No reason other than organization relief. I do find it easier to reach blue water from San Diego for some reason without attarcting to many subs.

As for PPs, while this is my first stab at PBEM, I think the system works well and one should not cheat it. I believe I bought out the 24 Inf Division for something like 2800 PPs, almost two months worth. The Division was destined to serve in Italy and Africa and I'm quite sure it would have been very difficult to exert enough political muscle to do this if at all. I think the model abstracts the political situation in the allied camp well. The Aussies wanted their troops home to protect the mainland unlike Brittain, "Winnie", whom thought the CBI was where they should fullfill their destiny. Because the the game allows commanders to be replaced as well through the PP system choices should be far reaching, far ranging and difficult.

[zuluhour]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

24th ID stayed in the Pacific. I am pretty sure that the ones going to other theaters withdraw on a certain date even if you do buy them out.

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

As Dan appears to be busy at the moment, I'll tade some novice info.

In regards to the impregnable fortress, if possible, bypass it, if not starve it or wait for the "gadget".

I prefer San Diego for debarkation SoPac, San Fran for CenPac and Portland for NoPac. No reason other than organization relief. I do find it easier to reach blue water from San Diego for some reason without attarcting to many subs.

As for PPs, while this is my first stab at PBEM, I think the system works well and one should not cheat it. I believe I bought out the 24 Inf Division for something like 2800 PPs, almost two months worth. The Division was destined to serve in Italy and Africa and I'm quite sure it would have been very difficult to exert enough political muscle to do this if at all. I think the model abstracts the political situation in the allied camp well. The Aussies wanted their troops home to protect the mainland unlike Brittain, "Winnie", whom thought the CBI was where they should fullfill their destiny. Because the the game allows commanders to be replaced as well through the PP system choices should be far reaching, far ranging and difficult.

24th ID stayed in the Pacific. I am pretty sure that the ones going to other theaters withdraw on a certain date even if you do buy them out.

might have been the 34th, I don't have the turn. But I sure hope I checked the withdrawl date! I can picture them dissappearing on the beach. If memory serves it was the Bull Dog Div.. Chr*st now I'm nervous it'll go poof in the transports. Could be one for the courts. Sorry to HiJack Dan.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

As Dan appears to be busy at the moment, I'll tade some novice info.

In regards to the impregnable fortress, if possible, bypass it, if not starve it or wait for the "gadget".

I prefer San Diego for debarkation SoPac, San Fran for CenPac and Portland for NoPac. No reason other than organization relief. I do find it easier to reach blue water from San Diego for some reason without attarcting to many subs.

As for PPs, while this is my first stab at PBEM, I think the system works well and one should not cheat it. I believe I bought out the 24 Inf Division for something like 2800 PPs, almost two months worth. The Division was destined to serve in Italy and Africa and I'm quite sure it would have been very difficult to exert enough political muscle to do this if at all. I think the model abstracts the political situation in the allied camp well. The Aussies wanted their troops home to protect the mainland unlike Brittain, "Winnie", whom thought the CBI was where they should fullfill their destiny. Because the the game allows commanders to be replaced as well through the PP system choices should be far reaching, far ranging and difficult.

Yes, I don not know how fine it is for Japan but (assuming you are paying retail) I am always short of PP in my campaign and it is mid 44. You just can't buy them all out. It is tougher now as the patch required a lot more PP for changing air groups around. But that is the way it should be.

Only warning is that I would advise any Allied player playing scen #2 "not" to agree to pay PP for Indian and British units in order to cross into Burma. This is not a great HR for the Allied player. You simply will never have enough points to do that and free up the needed American units on the West Coast. And, it is a poor Japanese player who can't defend Burma in scen #2..

[Canoerebel]

I find political points very precious in Scenario Two, as crsutton says.  I never have enough to do everything that needs to be done, which forces me to allocate carefully and to not waste any.
 
To this point, I won't say I've been hobbled by PP scarcity.  I've set priorities and managed to do most of the things I felt like were highest priority.  I've found PP management challenging and a very satsifying aspect of the game.

[JeffroK]

To zuluhour,

Any LCU due to withdraw will disappear, I would rather pay a penalty just as for air and ships, hopefully you havent wasted your pennies.

[Canoerebel]

11/7/42 and 11/8/42
 
NoPac:  A small surface combat fight costs the Allies a DD.  Bombing raids sink two xAK.  In return, Allied fighters down a much higher number of enemy aircraft.  Since winter began a week ago, the Allies have landed 55k supply, two artillery units and four engineering units.  Things look good in NoPac.  Wasp and three CVE are on patrol in the western Bering Sea.
 
CenPac:  Small enemy carrier force southwest of Tarawa.
 
SWPac:  The first Allied air raid from Milne Bay - a small force of B-24s target Rabaul, supposedly scoring one hit on a CM.
 
DEI:  SigInt reports enemy brigade bound for Brunei.  No enemy incursions into the key Java Sea zone over these two days as the Allies continue the small troop and supply convoy runs to the various bases.
 
Allied Carriers:  Victorious is stationed west of Cocos.  Lexington is stationed midway to Colombo.  These two carriers are serving as floating way stations in case there is a need to move carrier aircraft from Colombo to Sumatra.  The other four American carrier TFs just arrived at Colombo, where all ships will upgrade (yes, I could have stripped the aircraft and posted them in Sumatra while the carriers were in India, but that just didn't feel "right.").  They have already replenished aircraft and upgraded a number of antiquated squadrons (the Helldiver biplanes are gone at long last!).
 
Burma:  The Happy Stalemates continue.

[zuluhour]

Dan, have you done any research into Annapolis Grads from Georgia circa WWII? I'm planning another visit just to shoot some stills of the Long Lance and I for a perspective type shot. It would be quite easy to visit the museum and check on possible naval aviators and task force commanders. I've noticed pilots in my rosters with more more frequency that are researchable on the web, as below.



Yesterday, in game terms, he scored his eighth and ninth kills with his squadron.

[Capt. Harlock]

Since we're in a slower phase, can you tell us how aircraft upgrades are coming along? Especially, are you getting Spitfires, Lightnings, and Avengers in useful quantity?

[Canoerebel]

Aircraft upgrades are more lmited since we are playing with PDU off.  For instance, there are squadrons permanently restricted to the West Coast that are equipped with P-38s.  I can't move these fighters into the pools.  They are stuck in the good ol' USA.

At this point in the game (November 1942), I have a few P-38 squadrons in the DEI (at least one flying the G model and at least one flying the F model; I think there's a third, but I can't swear to it at the moment).  The Aussies are beginning to get a few Spitfires, but the RAF won't draw them for awhile yet.  All American carriers have had Avengers for quite some time now.

[bradfordkay]

Dan, I have noticed that a few Aleutian bases are assigned to West Coast Command, allowing you to use those P38 squadrons up there - just in case. Otherwise, yeah, you're pretty much stuck with just three P38 squadrons for almost the next year (you will get three more arriving in Australia, but their experience levels are so bad as to mean that they will spend months in training before they willo be of any use). I did re-assign Pappy Boyington to the same P38 squadron that Richard Bong flies in, so I have one "killer" squadron that can do some real damage. Alas, Pappy went down over Noumea but the rest of that squadron is still s**t-hot.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Aircraft upgrades are more lmited since we are playing with PDU off.  For instance, there are squadrons permanently restricted to the West Coast that are equipped with P-38s.  I can't move these fighters into the pools.  They are stuck in the good ol' USA.

At this point in the game (November 1942), I have a few P-38 squadrons in the DEI (at least one flying the G model and at least one flying the F model; I think there's a third, but I can't swear to it at the moment).  The Aussies are beginning to get a few Spitfires, but the RAF won't draw them for awhile yet.  All American carriers have had Avengers for quite some time now.

CR, you bent on this? Does it hurt the Japanese player more? Are you seeing many tojos?

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

Dan, I have noticed that a few Aleutian bases are assigned to West Coast Command, allowing you to use those P38 squadrons up there - just in case. Otherwise, yeah, you're pretty much stuck with just three P38 squadrons for almost the next year (you will get three more arriving in Australia, but their experience levels are so bad as to mean that they will spend months in training before they willo be of any use). I did re-assign Pappy Boyington to the same P38 squadron that Richard Bong flies in, so I have one "killer" squadron that can do some real damage. Alas, Pappy went down over Noumea but the rest of that squadron is still s**t-hot.

You just send the rookies back to TRACOM and draft in some guys who know how to shoot!

[Canoerebel]

Three significant air war variables were added to this game. I'm not sure how to allocate responsibility between each of them, but here's my thoughts.

In this game, the Allies are winning the air war in a decisive manner. That is the loss ratio is decidely in favor of the Allies, but overall losses have been light (IMO), because Steve has exercised restraint in committing his air force (though he says his losses in this game have been higher than his losses in his game with BradfordKay, which is a year further along).

As stated, I think there are three major things that factor into the good results for the Allies: (1) PDU off, which definatately seems to stop the "Star Wars" aspect of the game; (2) the Allies have been fighting defensively in the DEI and in the Kuriles since the start of the game or very early in the game; Steve has to come to me, which definately favors me since I'm on the defensive; and (3) I've been much more attentive to pilot and commanding officer quality and pilot training. My front line squadrons all have very high skill at this point.

My good friend Miller says PDU off is a real game changer - that he wouldn't play with it off as a Japanese player. I see his point and he may be right. On the other hand, some players think it works better and is relatively neutral. BradfordKay feels that way, I think.

I am not seeing much advanced aircraft at all. A few Tojo squadrons in the Kuriles is about it. But my opponent isn't seeing skads of P-38s either.

[JeffroK]

I am not seeing much advanced aircraft at all. A few Tojo squadrons in the Kuriles is about it. But my opponent isn't seeing skads of P-38s either.

This is the major point, with PDU on and flexible japanese production you could be facing large numbers of modern aircraft but Chez would still be facing 2-3 sqns of P38's!

While I dont think either side has vastly superior aircraft at this point, your ability to be based on large and well supplied bases gives you a vast advantage over a similar campaign through New Guinea or the Solomons.

[princep01]

JeffK, well, it is very nice for the Allies to operate out of big bases, but I'd think that the Japanese are also doing the same just about everywhere they fight (which isn't very much). Singers would be maxed by now I'd think, and the bases in the Miri/Balikpapan area have had time to grow significantly. The end result is that both sides are operating out of large fields except maybe in the Kuriles. This will help keep op losses at a minimum, but again, that would be for both sides now.

But, I see your point about comparing it to an Allied advance in the Solomons. By that measure, I agree with you.

[Canoerebel]

Singers is a level nine field.  Japan also has many other big fields in the DEI.  But the advantage lies with the Allies, because Japan has to come to them.  The air battles are all taking place over big Allied bases.  Well, they were back when Japan actually attacked.  But Steve was taking much heavier losses and eventually stopped.  He may resume some day, but he is a naturally cautious player.

I'm seeing that pretty much everywhere and with every aspect of the game.  When Steve encounters something he tends to evaluate it as "too strong/risky" to deal with, which makes him very tentative.  When the Allies invaded the Kuriles, he assumed the bases were too strong to counterinvade (he was wrong - the Allies were very weak there through late summer due to no supply); when the Allies held Sumatra in strength, he (apparently) evaluated the position as too strong to invade, thus delaying an invasion until the window when he could have done so had closed; when the Allies invaded Tavoy/Moulmein, moved on, and then later began reconning the bases, he evaluated this as a sign the Allies would come again, thus committing strong forces to garrison bases; when he met stiff Allied resistance n the air, he ceased fighting rather than committing to a long and bloody campaign to overwhelm the Allies, which Japan usually can do in Scenario 2 in 1942.

Sometimes, a player simply has to adopt the philosphy "It's got to be done, no matter how costly, so I might as well get it done."  This is the Stonewall Jackson method of play and opponents like Q-Ball, Miller and John III have demonstrated this.  But Steve is much more cautious, which doesn't serve a Japanese player well in 1942.

[Canoerebel]

11/9/42
 
NoPac:  Quiet on the seas.  Plentiful Japanese air raids escorted by lots of Tojos did wear out the Allied CAP, but the Japanese strike aircraft missed their shots.  With my four Army fighter squadrons wearing down, I've moved in Wasp's F4Fs to lend a hand. 
 
CenPac:  Lots of support units have been aggregating at Pearl.  These were slated mainly for destinations in CenPac and SoPac, but the first big convoy has been organized to ship a handful to the DEI.  Each of this is prepped for Miri, which is probably too optimistic even for this game.
 
SoPac:  Quiet.
 
SWPac:  Another convoy is heading from Townsville to Milne Bay to carry cadres that didn't go with the earlier TF that carried the bulk of the garrison force.  If this goes smoothly, the next step will be to send garrison and base force personnel to Merauke.
 
DEI:  Recon reports Kuching empty, which I can hardly believe since a large number of Japanese TFs have been hanging around there of late.  Japan bumped the Singkawang garrison by one unit (to four, but just 6k troops there).  The Allies will move 1st Marine 'Chutes from Oosthaven to Ketapang.  The unit is 100% prepped for Kuching.  Soon, the Allies will also organize a large convoy to transfer there Sinkgawang-prepped army from Oost to Pontianak, the kicking-off point for that offensive.  Lots more SigInt of enemy troops prepping for Palembang.  It is possible that Steve will be coming in while I'm busy going out, but I'm not neglecting Sumatra's defenses, which remain very strong.  The Allies are also gearing up to reinforce the 74-AV garrison at Singkep, the island near Singapore.  An RAF Wing base force is headed that way from Colombo, and 9th Marine CD force is inbound from Capetown.  If Japan does orchestrate a major move on eastern Sumatra, one Allied countermove might be to isolated it by neutralizing Singapore.  If Japan can't operate out of Singapore due to proximate major Allied bases, then it will be difficult for Steve to support a move in Sumatra (and Burma).
 
India:  Four USN carriers are in the yards at Colombo for 20 days.
 
Burma:  7th Hussars is a hex from Pegu, which is weakly held, but not weakly enough for this single unit to take.  I can't bring in anything else right now, but the Allied position in Burma is good.

[Canoerebel]

Pardon me while I give voice to a personal pet peeve.
 
Steve and I are playing under a pretty old version of the game:  pre-beta, which means we don't even have the ability to buy destroyed units.  It hasn't bothered me in the least since I'm used to things the way they are. 
 
Last night, Steve advised that he and Brad have installed the new official upgrade. He asked if I wanted to.  Since I know absolutely nothing about it (like I said, I'm happy with the way things are), I asked for his opinion.  He said: "Two words:  Search Arcs."
 
I assume he meant this in a positive way, but the very thought sent shivers down my spine.  One of the best things that ever happened to AE was when we discovered that arcs were broken so that we didn't have to fool with them at all.  Who in the world wants to set individual search arcs?  Holy cow! 
 
I think I'm inclined to stay right where we are.  Can anybody out there who is relatively sane tell me that the latest upgrade is worth it?

[Cribtop]

Well, I am not sane, but would recommend the upgrade. There's just too much goodness to offset the hassle of search arcs. I'm very OCD, so I kind of like the arcs - for onshore bases! Even I get annoyed by the need to alter search arcs when a TF changes course. Ugly.

[ny59giants]

There are so many improvements/enhancements with the official patch and beta's to list. The search arcs are fixed and now can be set for both CW and CCW. The ability to stockpile devices is probably more helpful to the Allies. You can fill out a units TO&E, but have a particular device (Indian and Aussie rifle squads) remain the same. i used it early in a game to fill out some of the Allied AA units with older devices for those units that had scheduled withdrawal dates. The ability to click on a stack of LCUs and go between hard and soft info is great. You can see what percentage of a unit has rather than click through the whole stack. In a non-base hex, I can quickly see what the fort level is of each unit. Your ships can now re-fuel in a port while disbanded. You can load your various tenders in port with supplies while disbanded. Since you "hate" to micromanage your pilots, you can select which ones stay with the air group and then with one click send 10 pilots to Reserve based on their skill. There is improved supply movement. I hope this is enough and like Criptop, say UPGRADE NOW!! [;)]