Hmm, I am surprised at those low salary figures, Moose. I used to say "as a lawyer, I was only happy two days out of every month." [;)]
Then again, we were doing hot shot high tech early stage intellectual property law in Austin during the Internet boom. I was lucky to leave the racket when I did. My buddy who stayed said they all became bankruptcy attorneys with the tech crash. Yikes.
I did a fast google. I found statewide numbers between $61k and $64k. I found ABA survey numbers for the TC metro of $134k. Which would make sense given that the big, even international, firms are here. Still, if you average those two together it's not "rich" money. Not doctor money, even. There are lawyers in town who are millionaires, but a lot more ham & eggers doing DUI defense and simple wills.
We have some pretty busy IP boutique firms here. We're sort of a center of gravity for that between Seattle and Chicago. A lot of medical device firms here. Not as much IT as in the glory years of the 1980s (Cray, Control Data, etc.)
Moose Nuggets in the DEI: The "forlorn hope" transports trying to sneak their way to Singapore are still afloat, one nearing Pontianak and one about to depart Soerabaja. John has good detection levels, but there's a small chance he is dismissing them. The series of MLs that have recently departed Singers to make it to the east may be throwing him off. He sees ship icons, but assumes each is a harmless "gnat." Anyhow, it was the Moose who suggested I try something to get some supply to Singers (which is now down to 8K). Thanks Moose (whether or not it works). A Dutch sub put three torps into an AO north of Balikpapan (that's two AOs in ten days).
I had to go look in my PM outbox to recall what this was. I hope it works for you.
To Mike, my esteemed opponent--I ain't doing nothin' 'bout Singers supply. Nope. Nothing of the kind. Just move along. Nothing to see here. [:'(]
Some really fine insights here. Thank you for sharing, gentlemen. BBfanboy, thanks for that encouraging angle to look at the matter. gmoney, what an inspiring and interesting story.
The forum is a remarkable place.
The forum is also a place where clumsy folks can commit opsec violations. Moose, do I need to redact?
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Some really fine insights here. Thank you for sharing, gentlemen. BBfanboy, thanks for that encouraging angle to look at the matter. gmoney, what an inspiring and interesting story.
The forum is a remarkable place.
The forum is also a place where clumsy folks can commit opsec violations. Moose, do I need to redact?
No, not at all. You were very circumspect. A bystander could assume Santa Claus had moved from Midway to Singers. [:)]
I do find myself hamstrung in commenting here right now. Our dates are too congruent.
2/21/42 and 2/22/42
NoPac: All is calm.
West Coast: The carriers are still at SF, waiting three more days for a few escorts to upgrade. I'm also watching a new sighting near Fiji. I think it's combat ships, but if it turns out to be carriers, the Allies may resume operations in the Aluetians.
Pacific: A USN sub missed a shot at Junyo just south of the Home Islands. I need to flip back through my notes, but I think this is part of the DEI KB (teamed with the Shokakus and another fleet carrier or two).
DEI: Two forlorn hopes are at Billiton Island with zero detection levels. This reminds me of a child sneaking to the kitchen through a dark house, only to have a parent flip on the light just as the tyke reaches into the cookie jar. No way this works. But Singers is down to 6k or 8k supply, so things are about to turn dire. Still, AA exacts a big toll. The Allies now lead the air war by nearly 75 points. John used a paratroop unit to enhance a stalled offensive against Tarakan, which has about 40 AV. The attack failed. But, come on, a paratroop unit? He should've just landed a regiment or naval guard unit.
Luzon: A second IJA division shows up at Clark Field, adding another chit to the pile of info about IJA divisions (and the concomittant lack of resources to throw into a major offensive in the immediate future).
India: Quiet. The American airforce in India has suddenly grown quite large (mainly fighter squadrons). However, Oz has been neglected.
China: MLR intact. John appears to be making a play for Kweilin, but at the moment I think I have enough to counter the effort.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
2/23/42 and 2/24/42
NoPac: The quiet continues. The Allies have alot of troops in Seattle prepping for Umnak and Adak Island. I'll go while there aren't any enemy airfields if the enemy carriers show up somewhere far away.
West Coast: The USN carriers depart SF tonight (oops, I forgot to return the planes from the land base; I hope I don't happen to blunder into the KB tomorrow...).
Pacific: Quiet. 27th/B Div. will arrive at Tahiti in five or six days, en route to Melbourne.
Oz: Suddenly three enemy units are adjacent to Geraldton. The Allies have roughly 200 AV in the hex, with 27th/A Div. en route from Melbourne. The first American squadron (B-26s) arrived via the Capetown pipeline.
DEI: With Soerabaja gone, I've ordered all subs to Batavia to refuel before it falls. Short-legged subs will change stations to the Andaman Sea with home base at Colombo; long-legged ones will continue in the South China Sea or around the Celebes, with home base set at Midway. One of my forlorn hopes was sighted and sunk by Kates from Palembang, drat it. A second, in the exact same position, has no detection and is just two days from Singers. I can't believe ships are making it this far. Another xAKL is in the Java SEa now, with more en route from Perth. Singers supply down to 5k.
India: Lots going on from the perspective of the good guys. Plenty of troops prepping for Cocos Island in case an opportunity presents itself. I think the garrison there may consist of part of 4th Div. The unit originally invaded the island, didn't seem to suffer much damage, but the unit parent is now at Batavia showing only 250 AV.
China: MLR intact, with the biggest move coming against Kweilin. A small attack took place west of Ichang in very remote and bad terrain. It failed against one small Chinese corps even though reinforced by paratroops. This assault doesn't worry me, because Chinese units are coming in from the rear and will isolate the already isolated tiny Japanese force. John isn't accomplishing a thing with this particular attack.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
One of my forlorn hopes was sighted and sunk by Kates from Palembang, drat it. A second, in the exact same position, has no detection and is just two days from Singers. I can't believe ships are making it this far. Another xAKL is in the Java SEa now, with more en route from Perth
I'd laugh if JIII's serch reported these as AP's!!
"What CR's reinforcing Singapore - I'll have to make anothe ill prepared attack!"
Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum
One of my forlorn hopes was sighted and sunk by Kates from Palembang, drat it. A second, in the exact same position, has no detection and is just two days from Singers. I can't believe ships are making it this far. Another xAKL is in the Java SEa now, with more en route from Perth
I'd laugh if JIII's serch reported these as AP's!!
"What CR's reinforcing Singapore - I'll have to make anothe ill prepared attack!"
I'd laugh if JIII's serch reported these as AP's!!
I see the early detection leading to the conclusion that troops are moving toward Malay ....Given the circumstances and a late stage of discovery [&:].. I would interpret the information of AP's as a last desperate attempt to evacuate Singers ..AS the IJ I would especally be concenred about base force types that eat supplies but only contribute 1:5 to the AV and very little firepower ..
But at this stage .. I am not sure CR has anything to worry about .. the lack of inititive on the stage 2 of the IJ plan is going to cost John ...it just takes awhile in this game ..[as everybody knows in this thread]
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
There's alot of fog-of-war from my seat, naturally, since I have little idea what John is planning or thinking. I am mystified by the lack of Phase II and the apparent uncertainty in the enemy camp. There are only two possibilities that I can think of: (1) John has something big underway [though I can't puzzle it out given the current dispersion of his infantry divisions]; or (2) Something(s) threw John off so that he decided to fight a mainly defensive war, knowing that Japan gets lots of extra goodies "later" in Reluctant Admiral.
I don't mind the second option. I know I'm in for a tough fight in '43 and '44 (and maybe beyond). But, given my mind-set, the biggest question for me at the outset of the game is whether Auto Vic is on the table. Once I've cleared that, the Allies can begin Phase II, which is attriting the enemy and then winning the game (even if that take four years).
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
I am not sure the Allies can win a game not ended because of SCLS or a IJ disaster and resignation through a strategy of attrition. If the goal is 2:1 VP's before the 1946 deadline, I contend that attrition alone does not get the Allies there ...
None of the AAR's I have read from your perspective has ever got into the 1944 stage. But in reading PzB vs. Andy Mac and my one PBEM experince that got to 1944 .. given blood, space, and time .. Space in terms of taking IJ premium (the denominator) and Allies Premium (the numerator) bases is certainly the factor as this game rewards the base points the most. You can shoot down 2:1 of aircraft and get 5,000 points but that does not come close to matching the opportunities in base points. Greyjoy shot down thousands of IJ aircraft yet Radier had thousands more to lose to get to that 1946 goal. Thus time to achieve this goal is surely against the Allies as the material to match the IJ strength does not begin to become overwhelming until March 44. The IJ can match blood all the way until the end of the game.
The attrition of certain key assets might be the path to victory because the IJ resign, but I do not think this works against an IJ player willing to truly work toward 1946 ...
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
80% of practicing attorneys would change professions if they could.
That's interesting -- from what I hear, 50% of today's Law students are going to get that wish whether they have articulated it or not. The prediction is that there will be jobs for only half of the students currently in the system.
Yes, but that is still a better percentage than English majors...[:)]
I am not sure the Allies can win a game not ended because of SCLS or a IJ disaster and resignation through a strategy of attrition. If the goal is 2:1 VP's before the 1946 deadline, I contend that attrition alone does not get the Allies there ...
None of the AAR's I have read from your perspective has ever got into the 1944 stage. But in reading PzB vs. Andy Mac and my one PBEM experince that got to 1944 .. given blood, space, and time .. Space in terms of taking IJ premium (the denominator) and Allies Premium (the numerator) bases is certainly the factor as this game rewards the base points the most. You can shoot down 2:1 of aircraft and get 5,000 points but that does not come close to matching the opportunities in base points. Greyjoy shot down thousands of IJ aircraft yet Radier had thousands more to lose to get to that 1946 goal. Thus time to achieve this goal is surely against the Allies as the material to match the IJ strength does not begin to become overwhelming until March 44. The IJ can match blood all the way until the end of the game.
The attrition of certain key assets might be the path to victory because the IJ resign, but I do not think this works against an IJ player willing to truly work toward 1946 ...
Well, the Allied objective is to wreck the Japanese economy and get close enough to start bombing Japan. Once you start the bombing then the strategic VPs comes in spades. So few get that far.
I will say that in my campaign with Ark, I never look at victory points. Makes no difference to me what the VP count is at the end. I will know if I won or lost------- Just checked and I am about 10,000 ahead as the Allies in 1/45. I really have no clue how that translates as far as Allied progress goes. I am playing scen #2 so my own expectations are different as he still has a decent fleet and for all purposes his air power is still fairly strong.
Crackaces may have read too much into my "attrition" comment. I wasn't referring to attrition as a step towards a VP win, but rather as an important component in bleeding Japan efficiently to reduce it combat effectiveness.
In previous AARs I've laid out my general guideline to the game, which goes like this:
1941: The Year of Surprise
1942: The Year of Japanese Expansion
1943: The Year of Attrition
1944: The Year of Allied Expansion
1945: The Year of Allied Victory
In the late '42 and in '43, I want to have places where I can effectively meet Japan in battle. Those battles will be bloody. The Allies may come out on the short end quite often. But, in the end, what matters is attriting Japan's combat power - especially in CAs, BBs and CVs.
I also agree with a philosophy I first saw articulated by Q-Ball: The Allies have to close on Japan and/or the DEI to engage in effective war against industry/economy. So, as part of the "effective attrition" campaign, I also want to advance properly towards those two objectives, putting myself in an appropriate position for the endgame.
As far as VP, I care nothing about them once auto victory is off the table. I love auto vic - LOVE IT - but once it's no longer possible, it's just the ebb and flow of the game I pay attention to.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
2/25/42
NoPac: Continued signs John is reinforcing. I think there's a decent chance the Allies will win the base-building race up here. Akutan and Cold Bay both have engineers, so I hope I can build the airfields more quickly than John can build his.
West Coast: Ent and Lex recovered their fighter squadrons. The carriers, currently seven hexes SSW of San Fran, will proceed towards Tahiti.
Pacific: Quiet.
DEI: The forlorn hope xAKL is still alive and undetected, but dodging some combat TFs left her still two days from Singers. Two IJN combat TFs sank one other forlorn hope xAKL and two ML. Singers down to 4k supply. The AA is still exacting a good toll - the Allied points lead in aircraft is nearing 100. I hate to lose this asset.
India: Man, one of the Indian divisions at Chittagong has experience level 20! Taking all factors into consideration, I'm starting to feel good about India.
China: The MLR is intact. The IJN "way out there/not big enough to do anything/not strong enough to pose a threat" army defeated the solo Chinese corps in rough terrain far to the NE of Chungking (with a big assist from bombers). Unless I'm missing something, this campaign is meaningless.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Isn't there a supply trail from Russia that assists the Chinese? Could that far north unit be out to cut that, or maybe aiming at Urumchi which, IIR, has resources, industry and aircraft.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Crackaces may have read too much into my "attrition" comment. I wasn't referring to attrition as a step towards a VP win, but rather as an important component in bleeding Japan efficiently to reduce it combat effectiveness.
In previous AARs I've laid out my general guideline to the game, which goes like this:
1941: The Year of Surprise
1942: The Year of Japanese Expansion
1943: The Year of Attrition
1944: The Year of Allied Expansion
1945: The Year of Allied Victory
In the late '42 and in '43, I want to have places where I can effectively meet Japan in battle. Those battles will be bloody. The Allies may come out on the short end quite often. But, in the end, what matters is attriting Japan's combat power - especially in CAs, BBs and CVs.
I also agree with a philosophy I first saw articulated by Q-Ball: The Allies have to close on Japan and/or the DEI to engage in effective war against industry/economy. So, as part of the "effective attrition" campaign, I also want to advance properly towards those two objectives, putting myself in an appropriate position for the endgame.
As far as VP, I care nothing about them once auto victory is off the table. I love auto vic - LOVE IT - but once it's no longer possible, it's just the ebb and flow of the game I pay attention to.
I am not as experinced as any of the members of this group N=2 PBEM games -- Both scenrario #1. But I do not see 1943 as attrition per se but limited Allied offenses with the intent of pushing on the big bowl of jelly toward the big picture offense in 1944 rather than calculate "3 P38's killed 5 Tojo's today" although some limit of losses is in the back of my mind. I have been more focused on what offensive moves will cause the IJ the greatest consternation at the least costs. "Hit 'em where they an'it" That includes what moves will influence IJ deployment and economics. It might seem a nit, but I read AAR's with daily body counts of ships, planes, and squads, and yet the IJ are still in a very powerful position to continue the war effort. Thus I am not sure that a total focus on exchaning platforms as opposed to gaining critical postions where the IJ are weak is the objective in 1943.
Thus the logic in my first AAR of seizing the Gilberts and Marshalls early and then buying units to put pressure in Burma completly ignoring the Solomon's where I might have gotten better attrition of the IJ forces. The focus on seizing certain objectives at a cost that leads to further weaking of the IJ position.
BTW) It is quite possible if the IJ do not seal Burma at the India border to acheive an Allied victory in 1944.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
@Crackaces - 1943 is the year where the Allied player picks and chooses his targets to force the Japanese player to commit irreplaceable resources to prevent the "Expansion" phase - hence calling this the "Year of Attrition."
Never Underestimate the Power of a Small Tactical Nuclear Weapon...
Thanks, Paullus. Crackaces is reading too much into my use of the word "attrition," I think.
yes I think you are right. My only emphasis is that 1943 is not the time to enagage in a McNamara like body count assessment of victory. "I swept ABC today ans shot down 8 Tojo's for 4 P38's" OK .. but how does that connect to 1944 ?? As I stated .. I read AAR's (inlcuding my first AAR [8D]) with a focus on daily body count -- i.e squads, planes, and ships particularly in the 1943 phase with little thought on how this proceeds on to victory before 1946.[I do know that you have a plan .. I an writing in general terms] I think paullus99 has the point in which picking objectives that the IJ has to comitt and take risks with irreplacemable asests is the major part of the equation.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
