Empire of the Rising Lemon? SqzMyLemon (Japan) v Smeulders (Allies)

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Dante Fierro

I find part of the fascination of playing these games is not only the challenge of the game itself - but sometimes what you end up learning about yourself! Regards.

The biggest thing I've learned about myself this game is how indecisive I am, and lack a certain confidence. I've always been competitive, unfortunately it brings out the worst in me and the AAR reflects that at times. It's not a side of myself I like to see, or anyone else for that matter.

I should go with my gut more often though. The ideas are there and some of them are good ones. Being indecisive, unprepared and overall Charlie Brownish has put me behind the 8 Ball in this game. If I would follow through on my ideas and put myself in a better position to succeed...I would.

I'm glad this AAR provides more for me than simply documenting the game. Less frustration would be nice too, but I'm working on that. [8D]

[Dante Fierro]

>> I'm going to lose. I'm ok with that, but I'm going to go out on my own terms.

Something I monitor in my own games: level of risk. If I am doing well, I lower my risk. If I'm losing, I increase risk - do more out-of-the-box maneuvering as you mention.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I'm going to lose. I'm ok with that, but I'm going to go out on my own terms.

BANZAI!!!!!

[:D][:D][:D]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I would be spending most of my efforts getting my next layer of defense in place. 

Hi SqzMyLemon,

Just got back from a family trip and catching up with your AAR. Glad there's some action afoot!

I agree with Pax on this and will comment further as events unfurl.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Bart has suggested that I think things over, and suggested I take a week to allow for a chance to reconsider. He by no means is suggesting I do so, but is allowing me that option. Bart's been a great guy over the course of the time we've played, he's put up with my vents and has always been nothing but polite and considerate. He understands my frustration and lack of fun factor with the game right now, and knows it hasn't developed as we both probably would have liked. He also acknowledges how the last few days could be frustrating for me, but indicates it hasn't been too bad either, and he has a point.

Everyone who follows this AAR, knows by now I can be rather implusive and let my emotions get the better of me at times. I admit that things are deeper on my end then the game itself. It's probably a culmination of a lot of things going on in my life right now. I'm going to take that week and remove myself from the game to think things over.

One thing that would haunt me if I decide to end the game, is not securing the Solomons for Pax. To show I could do it. [:D]

Back in a week with a decision. Feel free to offer any thoughts be they positive or negative if so desired.

Joseph

I think you should continue. You're being unduly critical of your efforts in the Solomons at this time. I look at your combat reports and see a half dozen (seven?) Allied aircraft carriers damaged-some severely-and some other capital ships also put out of action for a while. In exchange for some **** IJN CLs and DDs? You also scored heavily on a goodly number of other craft during the unloading process.

So what if he takes Lunga in February 1943? You can contest it where it's convenient for you for a couple months and then let him have it. So he builds a massive aerodrome there by April 1943 and pounds Rabaul? Big whoop. He won't be able to support his 4EBs from that range either, so your Georges, Tojos and Nicks can attrit his 4EBs writ large.

Historically, Guadalcanal was a bleeding ground for the IJNAF and IJN. No reason you can't use the opportunity to attrit him as he's out on a limb too.

Buck up, dude. Get in there and kick some ass! Engage him in a defensive struggle all the way up the Solomons and you'll have held the SWPac door closed until 1944. That's a major feat in my book.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

A question for everyone who cares to answer. What would you do faced with a similiar situation? Would he risk his carriers? Would you?

Yes. I'd at least have them in range to whack any surface forces still at Lunga during the next daylight phase.

I'd also detach an SCTF for nighttime interdiction off of Lunga. Set their home base to Rabaul and they can clear the combat zone by morning if you're only 4 hexes away right now. LRCAP 'em if you need some additional fighter coverage.

Get in there! KILL! KILL! KILL!

[SqzMyLemon]

Hi Chickenboy,

I'm glad to see you back and posting.

As you can see from the replay, I was unsuccessful interdicting the Allied exodus from Lunga with forces from the Combined Fleet. I had a major SCTF that was set to full speed in an effort to catch something at Lunga, the enemy slipped through the net. I got some reactions during the turn, but only the CL and DD's interdicted anything.

Next turn I'll mop up the remaining enemy SC's, shell Lunga in an effort to nail the fighters now based there. My main effort in the short term will be to close Lunga, sink whatever remains of Allied shipping at sea and then withdraw my CV's for fuel. The CV Taiho arrives in 13 days, a new CL and a large number of refitted DD's are also available. [8D]

Immediate defensive measures are to bring reinforcements to Munda and Shortlands. I'm reinforcing Eniwetok, Kusaie Island, Ponape and Truk. I'm frantically building up additional airbases around Manus and Rabaul. I am looking at slowing the Allies down here and forcing them to commit additional assets. I'm going to push back, feint a counterinvasion, and try and force the Allies to commit air and naval assets for destruction in Lunga's defence. As you say, who cares about Lunga, I certainly don't need it. If the Allies think I do, maybe I can get their attention focused here and bloody their nose defending it, while I prepare my defences farther back. The worst thing is about 25k of supply was captured at Lunga, a mistake on my part provisioning the island so much with no intention of keeping it.

I must have overcommitted to Burma and China, because other than SNLF and Naval Guard units there is nothing else to defend with. Should I be splitting up divisions into their three parts and garrisoning as many potential bases as possible in light of this? The forts, airbases and ports are being built up in the rear, there's just no way to garrison them until late 43 at the earliest. This is what makes me think I have to defend forward, with everything I can bring to bear until more troops are on hand.

I will be saving PP's to get units out of China as fast as possible. If I can take Tuyun and possibly drive on Kweiyang, it will probably then be time to go defensive in China. Seeing the Allied juggernaut waiting to be unleashed in Burma, I don't think I'll have the time to try and open a direct line to Burma via Kunming and Paoshan.

I agree with you. I think the Allies are out on a limb, both in the Gilberts and Solomons. The only thing preventing an Allied defeat is my poor play and preparations. An isolate strategy would work against Bart here, as his supporting bases are few and far between and had I prepared for as much, he'd be in trouble. I have no doubt of that. This is my biggest lesson learned with playing Japan, create a strategic reserve at all costs! However, since I'm in no position to do that, the next best thing is fight back and draw more Allied force here.

The fact Bart ran rather than even risk a SCTF to hit KB or something tells me everything. I need to bleed him and force him to fight where and when he doesn't want to. If I can keep Lunga suppressed and pressure him to commit naval assets, he may make some mistakes. I must capitalize on his obvious aversion to taking losses. I'm prepared to lose ships and will risk them now. Bart hasn't seen this from me yet and he may get a rude awakening.

I concur. It is time to buck up and Kill 'em, Kill 'em all.

[ny59giants]

From one fellow Japanese newbie to another, I feel your pain. Right now I'm dealing with roving 4e bomber raids in May '43. They just have too much range and I don't have enough George groups to go around. They are the best 4e killers at this point.

Japanese BB TF are hit and miss, but more miss when you try to hit a base. Meanwhile, Allied BB TF will nuke a base and leave you with a WTF look on your face. If there is a magical way to get them to do damage and hit the AF more than kill trees in the jungle, I haven't found it yet. [:(]

Mr Tojo still rule the skies when assigned CAP or sweep mission. Use them that way!! I just had them shoot down 32 P-40Ks on escort for 1 Tojo.

Your best asset is still the SC TF. They can take on a superior forces and win. [:D] Look to attack the support shaft of the Allied advance and dull the spear tip that way. The Allies have overwhelming supplies. The problem is getting them to the front lines. I would be making some hunter killer sub groups (one Glen boat and two I-boats all set in parallel patrol zones and the Glen in the middle) to find out where his logistical tail in strung out across. What base in the South Pacific is he using as his supply hub?? Noumea, Suva, Pago Pago?? A reinforced KB can still get in and out of an area and do some damage.

[SqzMyLemon]

Hi Mike,

The unreliability of bombardments is certainly a concern. The key to delay in the Solomons will be keeping Lunga neutralized while I get my house in order around Shortlands and Rabaul. SCTF's will have to suppress the airbase for now, so I'm counting on the bombardments hitting the facilities and runway.

In New Guinea and Rabaul, my Tojo's, Nick's and Oscar's are in good shape. Only a few Zero and Betty units are still replenishing lost airframes, they'll be ready to go again soon.

Reducing the number of enemy ASW ships should take some heat off my submarines. I will need them to screen effectively to give me a chance of reacting quickly to enemy naval movements.

I'm getting more fuel into the theatre to support increased naval operations. I'll be diverting one of my large fuel TF's to supply Rabaul with over 150000 tons and then maintain levels with much smaller TF's coming from Babeldoab.

I'll be expecting submarine laid enemy minefields to begin appearing in order to disrupt bombardment operations. I plan on doing the same on the most likely routes into Lunga and area. My concern will be suppressing enemy submarines, a minefield or two on my part might bag a couple and deter them operating in the slot.

Should be interesting times ahead.

[ny59giants]

Form up small (2 to 4 DDs) in a SC TF and get them close enough to Lunga that his SBDs come after them. Then, have a LRCAP over them to destroy them and 'hope' that they are nible enough to not get hit. While he is recoverying from this, line up a BB TF to hit the base the next turn and change your LRCAP over to this TF. A nice one two punch if you can pull it off.

Don't forget to do some hex clicking to see how the 'third' opponent in this game is playing, Yes, Mr Weather has a great amount of influence over both players. While the info you get from each hex is not 100% foolproof, I have used weather fronts to my advantage from time to time.

Usethis game as a learning tool and try things. Mine is steadily heating up, so I will use it to try out different tactis and strategy.

[obvert]

If you can get China solidified and get some of those divisions down to So Pac soon you should be able to get a great line from Rabaul to Lae secure. I know your first encounter didn't go well with naval strike aircraft, but I would fortify the second line bases heavily and just make sure you can bleed any invasion that hits the outer area with the KB and LBA.

If he just has the one area at Lunga out on a limb it will be very hard to keep it while you pick off reinforcements. You did take out CVEs and put at least one CV in the yards for a while. He will have a hard time going toe to toe for several months. Further, at least you know where he will strike now. This means other areas can relax a bit while you shift forces here.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Hi Mike,

The unreliability of bombardments is certainly a concern. The key to delay in the Solomons will be keeping Lunga neutralized while I get my house in order around Shortlands and Rabaul. SCTF's will have to suppress the airbase for now, so I'm counting on the bombardments hitting the facilities and runway.

In New Guinea and Rabaul, my Tojo's, Nick's and Oscar's are in good shape. Only a few Zero and Betty units are still replenishing lost airframes, they'll be ready to go again soon.

Reducing the number of enemy ASW ships should take some heat off my submarines. I will need them to screen effectively to give me a chance of reacting quickly to enemy naval movements.

I'm getting more fuel into the theatre to support increased naval operations. I'll be diverting one of my large fuel TF's to supply Rabaul with over 150000 tons and then maintain levels with much smaller TF's coming from Babeldoab.

I'll be expecting submarine laid enemy minefields to begin appearing in order to disrupt bombardment operations. I plan on doing the same on the most likely routes into Lunga and area. My concern will be suppressing enemy submarines, a minefield or two on my part might bag a couple and deter them operating in the slot.

Should be interesting times ahead.

150000 tons of Fuel! And here I though this mod limited supply and fuel movement! Wow.

One way to deal with the minefields is just assign DMS in single ship TFs to hit likely points searching to find the mines. In a week with 4 DMS you should be able to locate any mines in the area and begin to remove them.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

If you can get China solidified and get some of those divisions down to So Pac soon you should be able to get a great line from Rabaul to Lae secure. I know your first encounter didn't go well with naval strike aircraft, but I would fortify the second line bases heavily and just make sure you can bleed any invasion that hits the outer area with the KB and LBA.

If he just has the one area at Lunga out on a limb it will be very hard to keep it while you pick off reinforcements. You did take out CVEs and put at least one CV in the yards for a while. He will have a hard time going toe to toe for several months. Further, at least you know where he will strike now. This means other areas can relax a bit while you shift forces here.

150000 tons of Fuel! And here I though this mod limited supply and fuel movement! Wow.

One way to deal with the minefields is just assign DMS in single ship TFs to hit likely points searching to find the mines. In a week with 4 DMS you should be able to locate any mines in the area and begin to remove them.

All good points obvert. I'll be refining my tactics over the coming weeks, but some of my ideas echo yours.

As to the fuel, this isn't a mod. This is just Scenario 1 with PDU off. The lack of combat for most of 1942 allowed me to conserve fuel usage. I've been sucking Palembang and Balikpapan dry, but I have over 300,000 tons still on Java. I quick diversion of one of my biggest fuel TF's and I can easily ship 150,000 tons to Rabaul. This should allow me uninterrupted naval ops for the immediate future in this theatre. Then my smaller, less valuable tankers can move in additional fuel and risk the enemy submarines which are bound to be swarming around the Solomons soon.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

If you can get China solidified and get some of those divisions down to So Pac soon you should be able to get a great line from Rabaul to Lae secure. I know your first encounter didn't go well with naval strike aircraft, but I would fortify the second line bases heavily and just make sure you can bleed any invasion that hits the outer area with the KB and LBA.

If he just has the one area at Lunga out on a limb it will be very hard to keep it while you pick off reinforcements. You did take out CVEs and put at least one CV in the yards for a while. He will have a hard time going toe to toe for several months. Further, at least you know where he will strike now. This means other areas can relax a bit while you shift forces here.

150000 tons of Fuel! And here I though this mod limited supply and fuel movement! Wow.

One way to deal with the minefields is just assign DMS in single ship TFs to hit likely points searching to find the mines. In a week with 4 DMS you should be able to locate any mines in the area and begin to remove them.

All good points obvert. I'll be refining my tactics over the coming weeks, but some of my ideas echo yours.

As to the fuel, this isn't a mod. This is just Scenario 1 with PDU off. The lack of combat for most of 1942 allowed me to conserve fuel usage. I've been sucking Palembang and Balikpapan dry, but I have over 300,000 tons still on Java. I quick diversion of one of my biggest fuel TF's and I can easily ship 150,000 tons to Rabaul. This should allow me uninterrupted naval ops for the immediate future in this theatre. Then my smaller, less valuable tankers can move in additional fuel and risk the enemy submarines which are bound to be swarming around the Solomons soon.

My mistake. I was thinking both you and Erkki were playing the Babes. Sorry. That makes things a bit easier.

Do you move things in large TFs habitually or does it usually go in smaller groups? Just curious about so much going in one TF. Does this work better to utilize more escort and limit sub attacks?

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon
I quick diversion of one of my biggest fuel TF's and I can easily ship 150,000 tons to Rabaul. This should allow me uninterrupted naval ops for the immediate future in this theatre. Then my smaller, less valuable tankers can move in additional fuel and risk the enemy submarines which are bound to be swarming around the Solomons soon.

I would urge caution with such a large quantity of fuel at Rabaul. I'd rather 125,000 tons of fuel of your 150,000 go to Truk-well away from Allied 4EB threats. Keep 25,000 at Rabaul for submarines and smaller craft, but you won't want that much stranded or destroyed by Allied 4EB raids.

I would also dump copious supply at Rabaul and Truk for forward dispersement.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Do you move things in large TFs habitually or does it usually go in smaller groups? Just curious about so much going in one TF. Does this work better to utilize more escort and limit sub attacks?

I have two mega fuel/oil TF's regularly plying a route to/from the Home Islands. They are heavily escorted. They are set to maximise efficiency by being within docking limitations of my biggest ports. I can routinely unload these TF's within two days of arrival. It has been working well so far. I utilize much smaller TF's composed of less valuable tankers to stock up bases under threat of enemy submarines.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I would urge caution with such a large quantity of fuel at Rabaul. I'd rather 125,000 tons of fuel of your 150,000 go to Truk-well away from Allied 4EB threats. Keep 25,000 at Rabaul for submarines and smaller craft, but you won't want that much stranded or destroyed by Allied 4EB raids.

I would also dump copious supply at Rabaul and Truk for forward dispersement.

I agree, but there's a reason I see the need for it. Since I'll be relying on SCTF's to suppress Lunga, having fuel at Truk makes my strategy untenable, simply because of the delay it would cause refueling so far away. Speed is key here. Rabaul is a major base for me and I have enough naval support and supplies available to sustain SCTF operations. I also need to get small levels of fuel built up at some forward bases for operations by my ASW TF's. I don't anticipate there being 150k worth of fuel at Rabaul for any period of time, it will be used up quickly. This is so I can maintain a quick pace of operations until things settle down. I need to be able to react quickly over the next few weeks to anything the Allies may try. It took my fleet 4 days to interdict the enemy at Lunga, next time I won't have that much time to interdict them.

Mind you, I've also been building up Manus's port as well. I could disperse the fuel between multiple bases. That could alleviate the concern of having so much fuel at Rabaul. Bart tends to focus on one objective at a time for his bombers. I can definitely see him hitting Rabaul hard here soon from bases in Northeast Australia. If I spread things out a little, he may remain none the wiser.

The Allies will need to stock up both Ndeni and Luganville with fuel for any kind of sustained operations around Lunga. If I can whack the airbase multiple times, and be refueled and rearmed sooner than Bart anticipates, I may catch him making a move when he thinks the coast is clear. If I can make it costly for the Allies to maintain aircraft at Lunga, they will need to do something about it with naval forces.

Supply levels are good. Rabaul 60k+ and Truk 100k+ and more is on the way.

I have some ideas on trying to make the Allied LOC's not as secure as they have been. It's time to push back and remind the Allies it's no longer safe to go back into the water just now [:D]. I want to bleed the enemy any chance I get and he has limited routes to bring fuel/troops/supply to Lunga. I'm looking at seeing if I can put a small Amphibious force together to finally grab the Ellice Islands. If I can get some much needed eyes in place, perhaps I can whack the odd supply TF. I need to put some pressure on the Allied flanks.

Great suggestions though. I'm still developing my plan of attack here and will be refining things over the next few weeks. Keep 'em coming, I'm flexible!

[SqzMyLemon]

The next turn is off. This turn took a massive amount of time. I did so many things and put so many units in motion my head hurts! I wanted to do something with KB, but decided against it as fuel is becoming an issue. I'm anticipating a lot of enemy submarine attacks against Japanese SCTF's, my fingers are crossed. My biggest fear is Yamato or Musashi taking a fish.



Let's see if the Allies keep the fighters at Lunga, and if so, they could get hit hard from bombardments during the night phase. I wish there was a way you could order a TF to bombard specifically during daylight. In this case, I would prefer a day bombardment. I think they get better results. Anyway, I've ordered the Yamato and Musashi SCTF to hammer Lunga, as well as the four fast battleships that were escorting KB. Lunga is crawling with enemy subs, but if all goes well the base will be hammered by 7 BB's, 4 CA's and a couple CL's. The DD escort's were ordered to hold fire. That may have been a mistake, as I don't anticipate any surface combat and they could easily have rearmed at Rabaul after. I hope they tear Lunga a new one!


I'm going to post a screenshot next time of Baker, Canton and the Ellice Island's. I think Tabiteuea could be isolated with very little effort on my part. I'm sending recon to scout out the Ellice Island's to get a glimpse of what may be there.

I'm also reconning Ndeni. It appears to be lightly held as well, but the DL is low so I could be wrong. If so, then the Allies may be reaching and if I commit my fleet I could cause some trouble. KB is ordered to Rabaul to refuel and allow some LCU's to arrive. I could mount a few small amphibious operations with KB in support within two weeks. With the Allied focus shifting to Guadalcanal, this could be a perfect opportunity to actually employ the isolation strategy. It would be completely shoestring, but perhaps surprise and timing would be the difference. Not to mention 9 CV's. [:D]

[Chickenboy]

Yes. That's the spirit. Get in there and kill something, damnit! It'll make you feel much better! [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

I just learned yesterday while completing the turn, that all my DMS Minesweepers have been converted to E's. So other than the small AMc's, does Japan have any other source of sweeping mines? It never even occurred to me to hang on to a few of the DMS's. Oops!

[PaxMondo]

None that I know of ... I only convert the one type and save the other for counter-offensive minesweeping.  Forget which is which.  W something I convert and the other W something I don't.  [:D]