LSI(L) are indeed the Commonwealth APAs. LCI are the USN kid sisters. Their historical designation was actually LCI(L) just to make life even more confusing. Oh, and the same hull was used for the LCS(L), and LCI(L)s were often completed or converted to LCI(M), LCI(R), and LCI(G). None of these should be confused with LST, LSM, LCVP, LCM, LCP...
The Allied amphib planners must have eaten a lot of alphabet soup for breakfast.
Hairy Asian Experiences - GreyJoy (J) vs. Q-Ball (A)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: ONE YEAR OF WAR
ORIGINAL: Gridley380
LSI(L) are indeed the Commonwealth APAs. LCI are the USN kid sisters. Their historical designation was actually LCI(L) just to make life even more confusing. Oh, and the same hull was used for the LCS(L), and LCI(L)s were often completed or converted to LCI(M), LCI(R), and LCI(G). None of these should be confused with LST, LSM, LCVP, LCM, LCP...
The Allied amphib planners must have eaten a lot of alphabet soup for breakfast.
[:D][:D][:D][:D] so true!
However, what it matters here is that these are all "dangerous" ships, that are indicators that an amphib operation may be going on.
Problem is that QBAll is a master of deception and what i see is often what he WANTS me to see...and that scares me.
I tend to think that those "heavy radio volume" messages are sometimes more reliable cause it's a thing he cannot control.
I'm making my plans anyway. One AO TF will remain between Bab and Ambon, while another one will stay at Kusiae Island. I want to be ready to refuel whatever direction i need to rush with the KB. From a central position my planes can be transfered easily in a couple of turns from DEI to CENTPAC without much trouble
RE: ONE YEAR OF WAR
Is it possible that the Pago-Pago radio source is just a large supply convoy, dumping supplies at his main supply base in SoPac? I know others have posted in their AARs that they use convoys carrying over 100,000 tons to their chosen SoPac supply dump, and large convoys make a lot of radio chatter:
"Hey mate! You got any Galiano to trade with me? I need some for my Alabama Slammers!"
"Hey mate! You got any Galiano to trade with me? I need some for my Alabama Slammers!"
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: ONE YEAR OF WAR
ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Is it possible that the Pago-Pago radio source is just a large supply convoy, dumping supplies at his main supply base in SoPac? I know others have posted in their AARs that they use convoys carrying over 100,000 tons to their chosen SoPac supply dump, and large convoys make a lot of radio chatter:
"Hey mate! You got any Galiano to trade with me? I need some for my Alabama Slammers!"
Possible, yes, but 4 days in a row (and one day we got two different messages from pago pago) is a bit too much for a simple convoy.... and, today, Jan 17 1943, we have the first evidence that our assumptions weren't that wrong[8D].
Emilies spotted a convoy (only 5 xAKs for the moment) between Elice Islands and Pago Pago...at the very edge of their range... i know these long ranges missions cannot be believed at 100%, but it's since the conquest of Amroe (sp!?) that we don't see anything down there and it cannot be just a coincidence
However the enemy LSIs arrived at Townsville and some BBs are confirmed there, while more CA/BBs and APs are confirmed at Darwin... so what gives??? Is he attacking on 2 different vectors? Where are his CVs? Which is a feint (if there will be a feint whatsoever!)!?!?
I'm afraid of moving the KB to CENTPAC.... need more evidences
In China, we had another air battle over Kunming... 9-20 in my favour..and the enemy seems to have moved his fighters back to Tyenshui...which is already a small victory! Soon we'll be able to bomb! Com'on!!!!
Our divisions are finally marching to Chengtu! Soon the siege will begin! and the LI industry will be stopped[8D]
RE: ONE YEAR OF WAR
Jan 19,20 1943
No, we were wrong. South of Tarawa, near Araoe, it was only a small convoy, bringing fuel and supplies to Araoe (3TKs and 2 xAKs), while the enemy BBs suddenly disappeared from my radars...and the CVs are nowhere to be seen.... He started to recon Tabiutea back again...and now i don't know what to think...probably he outplayed me once again.
The enemy LSIs and APs are leaving Townsville...but, as far as i can tell, they didn't load anybody there (there were 19 units at Townsville for 63000 men and those numbers didn't change)... so i think they are just moving to the straits and get to Darwin.
No, we were wrong. South of Tarawa, near Araoe, it was only a small convoy, bringing fuel and supplies to Araoe (3TKs and 2 xAKs), while the enemy BBs suddenly disappeared from my radars...and the CVs are nowhere to be seen.... He started to recon Tabiutea back again...and now i don't know what to think...probably he outplayed me once again.
The enemy LSIs and APs are leaving Townsville...but, as far as i can tell, they didn't load anybody there (there were 19 units at Townsville for 63000 men and those numbers didn't change)... so i think they are just moving to the straits and get to Darwin.
RE: ONE YEAR OF WAR
All the coming and going at Darwin/Townsville appears to me just a big forward movement of troops and supplies at this point But.....you know.....it won't be long before another spring forward occurs into the DEI.
Any chance you can mass bombers and fighters in the Timor bases and bomb/torp the Shite out of him...preferably many times?? I'm sure you're running a large number of sub ops to disrupt the build up as much as possible. How about some SCTF raider action with CLs and DDs before he establishes a heavy air presence in the area (yeah, I read about the DDs, but that was his ships doing things to your ships, not his planes doing awful things to your ships)? You were unlucky....do it again!
As to the Pago-Pago yak-yak....so what, the Gilberts in their entirity amount to an ant on an elephant's tail as compared to what is headed your way in the DEI,
Any chance you can mass bombers and fighters in the Timor bases and bomb/torp the Shite out of him...preferably many times?? I'm sure you're running a large number of sub ops to disrupt the build up as much as possible. How about some SCTF raider action with CLs and DDs before he establishes a heavy air presence in the area (yeah, I read about the DDs, but that was his ships doing things to your ships, not his planes doing awful things to your ships)? You were unlucky....do it again!
As to the Pago-Pago yak-yak....so what, the Gilberts in their entirity amount to an ant on an elephant's tail as compared to what is headed your way in the DEI,
Avoiding traps
ORIGINAL: princep01
All the coming and going at Darwin/Townsville appears to me just a big forward movement of troops and supplies at this point But.....you know.....it won't be long before another spring forward occurs into the DEI.
Any chance you can mass bombers and fighters in the Timor bases and bomb/torp the Shite out of him...preferably many times?? I'm sure you're running a large number of sub ops to disrupt the build up as much as possible. How about some SCTF raider action with CLs and DDs before he establishes a heavy air presence in the area (yeah, I read about the DDs, but that was his ships doing things to your ships, not his planes doing awful things to your ships)? You were unlucky....do it again!
As to the Pago-Pago yak-yak....so what, the Gilberts in their entirity amount to an ant on an elephant's tail as compared to what is headed your way in the DEI,
Master, the way i see it is that QBall wants exactly that! He's always trying to lure me to attack. He keeps on laying traps (as you will see), hiding his true intentions. Reading tea leaves is becoming the most critical part of this match. Darwin is already full of fighters and bombers and i'm not willing to fight in enemy waters...not in 1943 however! I want him to risk and come into MY waters. There i'll be fighting. There i'll be dieing.
Jan 21 1943
if we ever wanted an evidence that QBall is a master of deception, today we had the confirmation:
1- The Convoy that made all those noises at Pago Pago was just a supply-convoy for Araoe (south of Tabiutea). As soon as i moved there my air assets, he immediately started to recon back Tabiutea (with Catalinas on recon duties).
2- The "LSI" convoy left Townsville, escorted by several DD/CA/CLs and positioned itself 6 hexes east of the Aus coast, 8 hexes south west of Milne Bay....exactly the same movement he made with his CVs some months ago, the movement that cost him the CV Wasp. I believe this is just a feint. Why? Because i think he wants me to believe, just like the other time, that he loaded 20,000 men at townsville. Actually out of the 19 units and 63000 men that were yesterday at Townsville, only 17 units for 35,000 men remain there...BUT my smart recon guys just spotted 2 units for rough 20,000 men and several guns/tanks one hex southwest of Townsville.... so i guess he moved those two units out knowing i was reconing Townsville, thus simulating an amphib loading process....
3- South of Saumlaki an enemy CA-TF, heavily CAPPED by P-38s, appeared in a clear Cap-Trap style movement. I had 2 fast transport TFs delivering men and supplies at Salroe...luckly the enemy didn't send any bomber from Darwin...he just wanted me to expend my precious bombers against his heavily capped ships...
But this time, all this feints brought him nothing, cause we counterambushed him![;)]
He sent several mitchells groups against Saumlaki, where my LRCAP from Taberfane was waiting for him.
At the same time his 4Es from Ledo tried to bomb my main western air base in China (Tuyun) and found my 100 Tojos waiting for them.
The day ended with 14 4Es downed and 12 more B25s, with very few losses on my side.
However i think his strategy is clear: he's trying to lure my CVs out, to know where they are, and then (only then) he will reveal his own CVs and will attack.
Same goes for my LBA. He's trying to figure out my disposition and, possibly, to drain my air reserve against CAP-Traps that will open the way for his real advance.
I have to keep the coolness now and not overreact. Gotta be wise and smart.
RE: Avoiding traps
In the meanwhile, 5 Divisions, led by the 1st Army HQ, entered into Chengtu, stopping the LI production. We're waiting for 5 more Divisions that are arriving from Kienko, along with a huge artillery train.
Back in the DEI... so we have this situation where the allies seem to be pushing north from Darwin...but this really just seem like a raid or a reinforced recon mission rather than an invasion. I think he wants to test my air defences before deciding what and how to do. Well, i won't give him away anything!
Same for that bait near Townsville... i won't eat that bait. Wanna try my defences? Come closer first. Come out without the LBA cover and then, only then, you will see!
At the same time i cannot stop looking around. We know he has at least 4 high performance long range dedicated recon units.
One is operating from Cocos island and it has reconned the southern Part of Sumatra and now is reconning Java. Using what is an higly valuable unit for the allies (remember that the allies are always short of long range good recon planes and units) for this part of the map may be an indicator of some interest...or just deception. But it has to be taken into consideration nonetheless.
The other one is operating from Northern Oz. Probably Darwin or Port Hedland. I know because the D/L goes up to 9/9 in bases like Saumlaki, Koepang, Roti etc...
Then he has a 4E recon unit (probably a USN unit) operating from Mereuake. He has reconned Bab and Truk (and spotted my AOs at Bab, damned[:@]).
The last one we're sure about is operating from Portland Roads (probably there is one more in this area) and has constantly kept under 9/9 DL bases like Buna, Salamua, Milne Bay and Woodlark Island (sometimes also Lae and PM).
The rest of his recon (Burma, CENTPAC etc) is made by Catalinas or Hudsons (so we're talking about non critical and reliable recon).
So where is deception and where is real interest? ....Hard to tell.
We all know that if we don't wanna lure the enemy attention on a particular piece of real estate we have not to recon it (Nemo tought me this lesson long time ago), in order to achieve a total suprise.
But Brad is an old fox and he could be fooling me twice...
So how we counter?
At Kendari we're loading a reserve division (well, 2 Bdes to say the truth) on a fast amphib TF and a SCTF, composed of 3 BBs, 4CAs and 12 DDs is waiting to move from Ambon. The mini KB will come down from Menado and some 150 bombers will wait between Alor, Koepang and Ambon with a very short range. 15 subs are waiting at Koepang...and some 200 fighters are already in place. My outer posts are all garrisoned with at least 100 AVs and some forts. He'll need a full scale invasion to advance. I'm also considering the chance that he's just trying to lure my attention south to land at Java (that he has been reconning heavily lately)...but i find this idea somehow so bizzare that i'm not really considering it as an option
Back in the DEI... so we have this situation where the allies seem to be pushing north from Darwin...but this really just seem like a raid or a reinforced recon mission rather than an invasion. I think he wants to test my air defences before deciding what and how to do. Well, i won't give him away anything!
Same for that bait near Townsville... i won't eat that bait. Wanna try my defences? Come closer first. Come out without the LBA cover and then, only then, you will see!
At the same time i cannot stop looking around. We know he has at least 4 high performance long range dedicated recon units.
One is operating from Cocos island and it has reconned the southern Part of Sumatra and now is reconning Java. Using what is an higly valuable unit for the allies (remember that the allies are always short of long range good recon planes and units) for this part of the map may be an indicator of some interest...or just deception. But it has to be taken into consideration nonetheless.
The other one is operating from Northern Oz. Probably Darwin or Port Hedland. I know because the D/L goes up to 9/9 in bases like Saumlaki, Koepang, Roti etc...
Then he has a 4E recon unit (probably a USN unit) operating from Mereuake. He has reconned Bab and Truk (and spotted my AOs at Bab, damned[:@]).
The last one we're sure about is operating from Portland Roads (probably there is one more in this area) and has constantly kept under 9/9 DL bases like Buna, Salamua, Milne Bay and Woodlark Island (sometimes also Lae and PM).
The rest of his recon (Burma, CENTPAC etc) is made by Catalinas or Hudsons (so we're talking about non critical and reliable recon).
So where is deception and where is real interest? ....Hard to tell.
We all know that if we don't wanna lure the enemy attention on a particular piece of real estate we have not to recon it (Nemo tought me this lesson long time ago), in order to achieve a total suprise.
But Brad is an old fox and he could be fooling me twice...
So how we counter?
At Kendari we're loading a reserve division (well, 2 Bdes to say the truth) on a fast amphib TF and a SCTF, composed of 3 BBs, 4CAs and 12 DDs is waiting to move from Ambon. The mini KB will come down from Menado and some 150 bombers will wait between Alor, Koepang and Ambon with a very short range. 15 subs are waiting at Koepang...and some 200 fighters are already in place. My outer posts are all garrisoned with at least 100 AVs and some forts. He'll need a full scale invasion to advance. I'm also considering the chance that he's just trying to lure my attention south to land at Java (that he has been reconning heavily lately)...but i find this idea somehow so bizzare that i'm not really considering it as an option
RE: Avoiding traps
ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
Jan 21 1943
if we ever wanted an evidence that QBall is a master of deception, today we had the confirmation:
1- The Convoy that made all those noises at Pago Pago was just a supply-convoy for Araoe (south of Tabiutea). As soon as i moved there my air assets, he immediately started to recon back Tabiutea (with Catalinas on recon duties).
2- The "LSI" convoy left Townsville, escorted by several DD/CA/CLs and positioned itself 6 hexes east of the Aus coast, 8 hexes south west of Milne Bay....exactly the same movement he made with his CVs some months ago, the movement that cost him the CV Wasp. I believe this is just a feint. Why? Because i think he wants me to believe, just like the other time, that he loaded 20,000 men at townsville. Actually out of the 19 units and 63000 men that were yesterday at Townsville, only 17 units for 35,000 men remain there...BUT my smart recon guys just spotted 2 units for rough 20,000 men and several guns/tanks one hex southwest of Townsville.... so i guess he moved those two units out knowing i was reconing Townsville, thus simulating an amphib loading process....
3- South of Saumlaki an enemy CA-TF, heavily CAPPED by P-38s, appeared in a clear Cap-Trap style movement. I had 2 fast transport TFs delivering men and supplies at Salroe...luckly the enemy didn't send any bomber from Darwin...he just wanted me to expend my precious bombers against his heavily capped ships...
But this time, all this feints brought him nothing, cause we counterambushed him![;)]
He sent several mitchells groups against Saumlaki, where my LRCAP from Taberfane was waiting for him.
At the same time his 4Es from Ledo tried to bomb my main western air base in China (Tuyun) and found my 100 Tojos waiting for them.
The day ended with 14 4Es downed and 12 more B25s, with very few losses on my side.
However i think his strategy is clear: he's trying to lure my CVs out, to know where they are, and then (only then) he will reveal his own CVs and will attack.
Same goes for my LBA. He's trying to figure out my disposition and, possibly, to drain my air reserve against CAP-Traps that will open the way for his real advance.
I have to keep the coolness now and not overreact. Gotta be wise and smart.
I'm currently reading a book called Churchill's Wizards. All about deception and camouflage in WWI and WWII by British forces.
All of this stuff seems right out of the book. Feints, deception and false forces. I'm sure he's got a few xAKs dressed up like BBs over in Darwin and most of those planes on the ground are actually canvas over wood frames!
That move with the transports 'loading' and then the guys walking out of the base as they left is a classic. Looks like you're getting some some insight though, and bravo for countering with your own traps and swindles. How about a 'false' KB sighting soon made up of CS cruisers and a few CVEs? Somewhere near Kweijalein, perhaps? [:)]
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Avoiding traps
Yes Erik, i was thinking about it too... but burning fuel for deceptions isn't my best option imho... in this mod i have to be very carefull on how i use my limited supply and fuel resources.... I will think about it another time anyway!
More evidences showing something is going on...
Studying the map, i discovered that at Cairns suddenly appeared 120 aux planes... aux planes mean transports...and transports there in NE Oz mean only one thing: a paradrop operation!
The possible targets are Salamua (heavily reconned by his F4s), Milne Bay (which is lightly defended) and Rossell Island, which, as CRsutton tought few months ago, is a very juicy target for the allies.
Terapo, PM, Buna, Lae and Nazareb are too well defended to be taken only using paras. Rossell Island and Talague are especially exposed, being completely unguarded (i had moved there some men few months ago, but took them back cause they were simply starving there).
So the TF east of Townsville may be a deception, a bait (CAP Trap) or a reinforcement convoy...once the base is captured by his Paras - backed, i bet, by hundreds of 4Es - the convoy could land very fast CD guns and Engineers...
I've done this kind of operations against Rader...i remember how i conquered PM using only Paras against 3 SNLF units... and my convoys arrived the very same day unloading troops and supplies...
Gotta study an immediate countermeasure for this possibility...
In the meanwhile, i've ordered a strong CA TF to cover the retreat of the 2 Fast Transprts TFs near Saumlaki. The enemy CAs are very close... we're sending in 10 subs and some 130 bombers are ready to strike if he dares to come any further...finger crossed
More evidences showing something is going on...
Studying the map, i discovered that at Cairns suddenly appeared 120 aux planes... aux planes mean transports...and transports there in NE Oz mean only one thing: a paradrop operation!
The possible targets are Salamua (heavily reconned by his F4s), Milne Bay (which is lightly defended) and Rossell Island, which, as CRsutton tought few months ago, is a very juicy target for the allies.
Terapo, PM, Buna, Lae and Nazareb are too well defended to be taken only using paras. Rossell Island and Talague are especially exposed, being completely unguarded (i had moved there some men few months ago, but took them back cause they were simply starving there).
So the TF east of Townsville may be a deception, a bait (CAP Trap) or a reinforcement convoy...once the base is captured by his Paras - backed, i bet, by hundreds of 4Es - the convoy could land very fast CD guns and Engineers...
I've done this kind of operations against Rader...i remember how i conquered PM using only Paras against 3 SNLF units... and my convoys arrived the very same day unloading troops and supplies...
Gotta study an immediate countermeasure for this possibility...
In the meanwhile, i've ordered a strong CA TF to cover the retreat of the 2 Fast Transprts TFs near Saumlaki. The enemy CAs are very close... we're sending in 10 subs and some 130 bombers are ready to strike if he dares to come any further...finger crossed
RE: Avoiding traps
Yes... the more i think about those 120 aux at Cairns, the more it seems like a para drop operation is taking place...
RE: Avoiding traps
Ok, orders have been issues. Huge masses of planes and ships moving all around the map. CAP, LRCAP, fast transports missions, ambushes, feints...i've done everything i could.
Turn is sent to Brad...now we just have to keep the finger crossed and hope for the best
Turn is sent to Brad...now we just have to keep the finger crossed and hope for the best
RE: Avoiding traps
The butcher's bill of the day was, 14 4Es dowend, 16 B-25s for 6 Tojos and 4 A6M2s... with 2 pilots KIA and 2 WIA. Not bad indeed
RE: Avoiding traps
Jan 21, 22 1943
Well, for the 100th time in this game, QBall made me hunt shadows, smoke and mirrors, while his advance continues like a steamroller.
Nothing happened on the eastern coast of Oz. The BB-LSI TF was just a bait, once again. A Cap trap probably to lure my Netties on long range suicide strikes. The paradrop never materialized and i spent two turns delivering my reserves with transport planes and fast transport TFs to Salamua, Milne Bay and Rossell Isl.... result? some 12 planes lost for op mission and my reserves fragmented and fatigued all over useless bases that will probablu never see an american paratrooper or an allied chute.
Same for southern DEI, but worse.
The enemy sent first several PTs to Salroe (south of Saumlaki). We sent a force composed of 1 TF of 8 modern DDs and 1 more TF with 4 CLs and 8 DDs. Result? The PTs went back to Darwin, while a HUGE SAG TF (BBs, CAs, CLs etc) materialized 2 hexes south west of Samulaki. Just one hex too far for the range of my Netties and Kates. My TFs, for some reasons, didn't retreat in time and got found by 50 SBD-3s from Bathrust Island (yes, the dot base, conquered just 2 weeks ago, is already a level 2 AF and level 1 port[:o])... my LRCAP was non-existent (don't ask me why cause i don't know) and the result was 4 CLs badly damaged by 500lb bombs that now will have to avoid the enemy SCTF and the 100 subs that are circling in this area... oh well....[:o][:o][:o]
In China we got another bloody nose at the gates of Kunming... while 70 enemy fighters got back at Kunming[:(]...
Overall i think we reached that point where Japan can only lose stuff without obtaining any decisive tactical or strategical gain. Enemy CVEs are now present and confirmed at Darwin, while QBall is keeping his CVs out of my sight (probably waiting to get the Hellcats before committing).
He can move easily behind his strong LRCAP and his air power is, by now, much stronger than mine (at least in terms of numbers of active planes).
Despite i've done my best to secure my southern DEI perimeter, i now feel the weakness of my plan.
I've supposed that my opponent would overextend. I've supposed that he could go overconfident. I've supposed that he could make some kind of mistakes.... none of that. Brad hasn't. He is methodical, he never risks. He knows his power is growing and he's not in hurry of using it. Every base he conquers gets immediately well defended. And he never risks his best ships to advance. There's a reason why he landed at Broome (4 months ago) with (old)xAPs and (old)xAKs, even if he could use the AP/AK or the fast and modern xAPs... he simply didn't need to risk his best ships.
Same goes for the modern CL/CAs... why we fought against CL Leander, CL Achilles and CA Pensacola? Why we didn't encounter any Cleveland or Brooklin Class? Cause he knows he simply doens't need to risk them, while every ship, every plane, every pilot i lose is a mortal blow to my fighting abilities.
At the same time he never gives me a clue to his real intentions. He keeps me costantly under mental pressure. Now, for example, some P-40s started to sweep Tabiutea... as if he knew i was just realizing the whole Tabiutea thing was a bluff... he felt, with his lizard instinct (Dexter, anyone?) this new epiphany (sp!?) of mine and sent those P40s like a message (there isn't any other reason to sweep the dot base of Tabiutea now) sayin: "Are you really sure i'm not coming for CENTPAC?"
And what about those Recon Wildcats that from Cocos keep on reconning Merak? Is there any other reason to do that if not keeping me under pressure, reminding me that none of my fronts is secure and safe?
One thing i know... the next game i'll play the allies i'll remember all these lessons[;)]
R&D: N1K1 advanced to March 1943... soon we'll have them... will they save me? No... but probably they'll help my mood [:D]
Well, for the 100th time in this game, QBall made me hunt shadows, smoke and mirrors, while his advance continues like a steamroller.
Nothing happened on the eastern coast of Oz. The BB-LSI TF was just a bait, once again. A Cap trap probably to lure my Netties on long range suicide strikes. The paradrop never materialized and i spent two turns delivering my reserves with transport planes and fast transport TFs to Salamua, Milne Bay and Rossell Isl.... result? some 12 planes lost for op mission and my reserves fragmented and fatigued all over useless bases that will probablu never see an american paratrooper or an allied chute.
Same for southern DEI, but worse.
The enemy sent first several PTs to Salroe (south of Saumlaki). We sent a force composed of 1 TF of 8 modern DDs and 1 more TF with 4 CLs and 8 DDs. Result? The PTs went back to Darwin, while a HUGE SAG TF (BBs, CAs, CLs etc) materialized 2 hexes south west of Samulaki. Just one hex too far for the range of my Netties and Kates. My TFs, for some reasons, didn't retreat in time and got found by 50 SBD-3s from Bathrust Island (yes, the dot base, conquered just 2 weeks ago, is already a level 2 AF and level 1 port[:o])... my LRCAP was non-existent (don't ask me why cause i don't know) and the result was 4 CLs badly damaged by 500lb bombs that now will have to avoid the enemy SCTF and the 100 subs that are circling in this area... oh well....[:o][:o][:o]
In China we got another bloody nose at the gates of Kunming... while 70 enemy fighters got back at Kunming[:(]...
Overall i think we reached that point where Japan can only lose stuff without obtaining any decisive tactical or strategical gain. Enemy CVEs are now present and confirmed at Darwin, while QBall is keeping his CVs out of my sight (probably waiting to get the Hellcats before committing).
He can move easily behind his strong LRCAP and his air power is, by now, much stronger than mine (at least in terms of numbers of active planes).
Despite i've done my best to secure my southern DEI perimeter, i now feel the weakness of my plan.
I've supposed that my opponent would overextend. I've supposed that he could go overconfident. I've supposed that he could make some kind of mistakes.... none of that. Brad hasn't. He is methodical, he never risks. He knows his power is growing and he's not in hurry of using it. Every base he conquers gets immediately well defended. And he never risks his best ships to advance. There's a reason why he landed at Broome (4 months ago) with (old)xAPs and (old)xAKs, even if he could use the AP/AK or the fast and modern xAPs... he simply didn't need to risk his best ships.
Same goes for the modern CL/CAs... why we fought against CL Leander, CL Achilles and CA Pensacola? Why we didn't encounter any Cleveland or Brooklin Class? Cause he knows he simply doens't need to risk them, while every ship, every plane, every pilot i lose is a mortal blow to my fighting abilities.
At the same time he never gives me a clue to his real intentions. He keeps me costantly under mental pressure. Now, for example, some P-40s started to sweep Tabiutea... as if he knew i was just realizing the whole Tabiutea thing was a bluff... he felt, with his lizard instinct (Dexter, anyone?) this new epiphany (sp!?) of mine and sent those P40s like a message (there isn't any other reason to sweep the dot base of Tabiutea now) sayin: "Are you really sure i'm not coming for CENTPAC?"
And what about those Recon Wildcats that from Cocos keep on reconning Merak? Is there any other reason to do that if not keeping me under pressure, reminding me that none of my fronts is secure and safe?
One thing i know... the next game i'll play the allies i'll remember all these lessons[;)]
R&D: N1K1 advanced to March 1943... soon we'll have them... will they save me? No... but probably they'll help my mood [:D]
RE: Avoiding traps
I would repeat what I said earlier, your problem here is that you never committed overwhelming odds to win a battle.. You cannot play and expect to win against the allies by defending on a budget while trying to protect everything, just because keeping the KB hidden is good to make sure allies go slow.
Guess what.. if he goes for small offensives with equipment he could afford to use and it works because you hardly defend, well he is going to keep on doing it and it will keep on working... As the Japs you have to pick your spots and smack as hard as possible with as much power as possible to win a quick massive tactical victory, and hope you weren't trapped so that he can attack somewhere else...
To be honest the mod you are playing makes it extremely more difficult, but I must say you got your timing wrong regarding the KB. The KB should be used to spank the allies hard whenever possible when it is strong... Then in late 43 and after it is useful more as a fleet in being until time comes when its sacrifice is usefull.. But here you played japan too conservatively... If you spread out your forces and don't commit when you can, you will be slowly nimbled away.
Good luck though !
Guess what.. if he goes for small offensives with equipment he could afford to use and it works because you hardly defend, well he is going to keep on doing it and it will keep on working... As the Japs you have to pick your spots and smack as hard as possible with as much power as possible to win a quick massive tactical victory, and hope you weren't trapped so that he can attack somewhere else...
To be honest the mod you are playing makes it extremely more difficult, but I must say you got your timing wrong regarding the KB. The KB should be used to spank the allies hard whenever possible when it is strong... Then in late 43 and after it is useful more as a fleet in being until time comes when its sacrifice is usefull.. But here you played japan too conservatively... If you spread out your forces and don't commit when you can, you will be slowly nimbled away.
Good luck though !
Adieu Ô Dieu odieux... signé Adam
RE: Avoiding traps
ORIGINAL: veji1
I would repeat what I said earlier, your problem here is that you never committed overwhelming odds to win a battle.. You cannot play and expect to win against the allies by defending on a budget while trying to protect everything, just because keeping the KB hidden is good to make sure allies go slow.
Guess what.. if he goes for small offensives with equipment he could afford to use and it works because you hardly defend, well he is going to keep on doing it and it will keep on working... As the Japs you have to pick your spots and smack as hard as possible with as much power as possible to win a quick massive tactical victory, and hope you weren't trapped so that he can attack somewhere else...
To be honest the mod you are playing makes it extremely more difficult, but I must say you got your timing wrong regarding the KB. The KB should be used to spank the allies hard whenever possible when it is strong... Then in late 43 and after it is useful more as a fleet in being until time comes when its sacrifice is usefull.. But here you played japan too conservatively... If you spread out your forces and don't commit when you can, you will be slowly nimbled away.
Good luck though !
You are absolutely right mate. And i agree with your statement. I know.... I'm realizing right now that my mind isn't made for this kind of attitude... that's the problem i'm facing. I always feel too weak... The aggressiveness needed to play Japan as it should be played isn't really something in my chords.
Also i think i've been too conditioned by my previous game... Rader has beaten me so hard that i haven't recovered yet and i'm too influenced by what happened in that game to really play a game with a strategy indipended from what has happened.
Probably now it's even too late to be aggressive. The real problem is that i stopped advancing as soon as the amphib bonus went out...while i should have pushed way further and way more aggressive. Now, with the Corsairs arriving online and with only 3 months far from having 130 Hellcats/monthly...well...
And QBall has been smart and wise to exploit these weaknesses of my Character
RE: Avoiding traps
GJ - you are always your own harshest critic, which is really good in many ways to keep pushing and learning.
There is still a lot of time and opportunity here though. Through your persistence and eventual aggressive response in the game with rader you showed you do have the necessary mindset to play this side well. This is just your first time doing it in a mod where you have to consider every move carefully. Top that off with a very strong and elusive opponent and it's a mixture that could get you down very quickly.
Nothing is decided yet. He still has to make the jump somewhere. Decide which place YOU want to defend (probably the SE DEI near OZ) and defend it tooth and nail. Give what you can elsewhere, but don't compromise that one area. Show the KB sometimes to let him know you'll use it. Make him wonder what YOU'RE going to do next. It's possible to still chip away at his forces at this stage as well.
Maybe it's time to use your recon to look in places he should be concerned about, or not to look at all for a while. He can't set you up if you make it seem you're not paying attention. [;)] Ask yourself what would make you nervous as the Allied player right now. He still has to prep for any target he wants, and if he preps for one you defend heavily, or lead him to believe you will defend heavily, he may have to take time in changing those plans. If he continues to go o a shoestring and you catch him, it will force him to go bigger on what he really wants, which can give you the chance to get a more decisive result.
There is still a lot of time and opportunity here though. Through your persistence and eventual aggressive response in the game with rader you showed you do have the necessary mindset to play this side well. This is just your first time doing it in a mod where you have to consider every move carefully. Top that off with a very strong and elusive opponent and it's a mixture that could get you down very quickly.
Nothing is decided yet. He still has to make the jump somewhere. Decide which place YOU want to defend (probably the SE DEI near OZ) and defend it tooth and nail. Give what you can elsewhere, but don't compromise that one area. Show the KB sometimes to let him know you'll use it. Make him wonder what YOU'RE going to do next. It's possible to still chip away at his forces at this stage as well.
Maybe it's time to use your recon to look in places he should be concerned about, or not to look at all for a while. He can't set you up if you make it seem you're not paying attention. [;)] Ask yourself what would make you nervous as the Allied player right now. He still has to prep for any target he wants, and if he preps for one you defend heavily, or lead him to believe you will defend heavily, he may have to take time in changing those plans. If he continues to go o a shoestring and you catch him, it will force him to go bigger on what he really wants, which can give you the chance to get a more decisive result.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Avoiding traps
Sorry guys, been very busy in the last days...
Got it. Gotta attack. Gotta respond. Will do!
Jan 23, 24, 25 1943
Couple of good turns.
In China we swept again Kunming, obtaining a solid 33 to 7 in my favour. P-40s and P39s fell from the skies like flies. The following days the bombers appeared again over the enemy city.
Our divisions are reaching Chengtu. We are almost ready to attack.
Near Tabiutea Brad is showing me lots of TFs... but, so far, nothing really big...wonder if these are, once again, feints and traps...
North of Darwin the enemy start bombing Saumlaki and Babar, while we keep on reinforcing these places with fresh troops.
On the 25th a strong enemy TF arrived to bomb Saumlaki...on its way back my silent hunter service, again, did its job... sinking the CA San Francisco with 3 fishes[8D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Babar at 77,118
Japanese Ships
SS I-164, hits 2
Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
CA Devonshire
CL Detroit
CL Concord
CL Sumatra
DD Mahan
DD Le Triomphant
DD Conyngham
DD Case
SS I-164 launches 4 torpedoes at CA San Francisco
The idea not to build Saumlaki and Babar is paying off now... he has very little to bomb and my guys are already behind forts so he will have to do something different.
We're also bringing troops to other dot bases between Timor and NG...
Yet, no sign of enemy CVs anywhere.... also his 4Es haven't appeared in northern Oz... i really hope i can have some N1K1 soon... My bet is that by Feb we'll start to build them[;)]
Got it. Gotta attack. Gotta respond. Will do!
Jan 23, 24, 25 1943
Couple of good turns.
In China we swept again Kunming, obtaining a solid 33 to 7 in my favour. P-40s and P39s fell from the skies like flies. The following days the bombers appeared again over the enemy city.
Our divisions are reaching Chengtu. We are almost ready to attack.
Near Tabiutea Brad is showing me lots of TFs... but, so far, nothing really big...wonder if these are, once again, feints and traps...
North of Darwin the enemy start bombing Saumlaki and Babar, while we keep on reinforcing these places with fresh troops.
On the 25th a strong enemy TF arrived to bomb Saumlaki...on its way back my silent hunter service, again, did its job... sinking the CA San Francisco with 3 fishes[8D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Babar at 77,118
Japanese Ships
SS I-164, hits 2
Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
CA Devonshire
CL Detroit
CL Concord
CL Sumatra
DD Mahan
DD Le Triomphant
DD Conyngham
DD Case
SS I-164 launches 4 torpedoes at CA San Francisco
The idea not to build Saumlaki and Babar is paying off now... he has very little to bomb and my guys are already behind forts so he will have to do something different.
We're also bringing troops to other dot bases between Timor and NG...
Yet, no sign of enemy CVs anywhere.... also his 4Es haven't appeared in northern Oz... i really hope i can have some N1K1 soon... My bet is that by Feb we'll start to build them[;)]
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RE: Avoiding traps
Medals for the submariners...and sake for them and you! Nicely done.
Question; Are you scouting Perth. Brisbane, Auckland and Sydney with those nasty Glens? Maybe it would produce a whiff of CV if you did so.
Question; Are you scouting Perth. Brisbane, Auckland and Sydney with those nasty Glens? Maybe it would produce a whiff of CV if you did so.
RE: Avoiding traps
Sounds like a new Christmas cologne for Naval Wargame players - Eau de CVORIGINAL: princep01
Medals for the submariners...and sake for them and you! Nicely done.
Question; Are you scouting Perth. Brisbane, Auckland and Sydney with those nasty Glens? Maybe it would produce a whiff of CV if you did so.
A heady avgas base with a hint of funnel smoke, burnt cordite and unwashed sailors ... certain to ensure your spouse/gf/bf leaves you alone to play AE. [:D]
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth