The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

A Formosa coup de main in 1943

That would be most amazing in my perception .. I have gotten close before the game ended in Feb 1944 . but I had a July 1944 timeframe .. Doing it say December 1943 would be quite the trick in my book [8D]

I know Dan likes a challenge. How about it, dude? [8D]

[Cribtop]

I love it! It may be hazardous to the health of CR's pixeltruppen, but the masses demand bread and circuses (circusi?)!

On a more serious note, I have always wanted to see an Allied player explore how the proposed Formosa invasion would have worked out. Not sure it's doable as soon as is suggested, but I'd love to see our man in Georgia try it.

[Canoerebel]

I invaded Formosa relatively late, I think in my WitP game vs. Miller.  By then it wasn't any big stretch.  But I do have a legacy of some pretty interesting invasions:  (1) 1943 Iwo Jima vs. John III (as Poultry Lad references); (2) late 1943 Hokkaido, Sikhalin Island, Kuriles vs. John III; (3) skipping from the DEI across the South China Sea to Hainan Island and SE China vs. Miller (I think this was late '43 or early '44); (4) Kuriles vs. Miller in early '43 (that was a tough battle but cost Miller four Kongos).
 
I'm willing to go out on a limb if I think there's something for the taking, but mainly right now I'm trying to keep John off balance while also bearing in mind that he gets major ship reinforcements above Scenario Two.
 
In 1942 it's dangerous to impossible for the Allies to face off en mass against Japan en mass.  So,at any particular moment, I'm trying to attack where John isn't.  I can foresee a stretch coming in which John's carriers will be in the far south or western parts of the map, giving me an opportunity to move in strength into the Western Aleutians.  This creations direct pressure on him because it isolates his forward bases and is a clear and present danger to his well being.  (I don't have any plans to invade the Kuriles, but circumstances might change).
 
Long term, the Allies intend to fully prosecute the war in Burma, to use Oz as a feinting mechanism against the DEI, and to eventually move across CenPac.  I also intend to use China fully, as I have previously done in one game vs. John III and another against Miller.

[witpqs]

Dan - If you do invade Formosa I'll have my wife type up directions to some good restaurants.

[Canoerebel]

One of the ideas I toyed with, considered, analyzed, and have just about dismissed as impractical and dangerous was this:  With the KB in the Gilberts, move my carriers to the Bay of Bengal to cover a big invasion of Port Blair.  Taking that key island, along with the current moves in Burma, would be huge.  However, there are a number of fairly large enemy airfields in range (Port Blair 3, Rangoon 4, Moulmein, 4, Tavoy 4, Victoria Point 5).
 
Since the Allies are already in position to do quite well in Burma without exposing my carriers to interlocking land bases, Port Blair doesn't seem like a good idea.
 
On the other hand, a move against the western Aleutians would stress John at the two extreme ends of the map, Burma and NoPac, if successful.  I think I can time it where the KB is far away, so that the risks are manageable. 
 
So this is my medium term working plan at the moment, subject to whims and circumstances.

[JohnDillworth]

One of the ideas I toyed with, considered, analyzed, and have just about dismissed as impractical and dangerous was this: With the KB in the Gilberts, move my carriers to the Bay of Bengal to cover a big invasion of Port Blair.

Is someone just a little bit disappointed that their Australian operation did not dislodge the KB from the Gilberts and is over compensating? ? just kidding

[Canoerebel]

Yes! 
 
I knew the Gilberts would draw John's carriers.  I knew the Australia operation, if successful, would force John to make a tough choice:  back off from the Gilberts or risk losing western Oz.
 
Things went smoothly for the Allies in the Gilberts invasions, but the Oz operation has been clunky and slow.  John has put up pretty stiff resistance using what he has.  Under these circumstances, I'm not surprised that he hasn't pulled out of the Gilberts.  I think he's made the right choice, though western Oz is of far more importance than the Gilberts are.  I just think, at this point, he can achieve a stalemate in Oz while recovering the Gilberts.  That's a good move for him.
 
And as the Allies continue to work things in Oz, I'm cycling through options for the near and medium terms.  The ideas I've come up with have also served as reminders to not risk my APs and carriers in Oz.

[Canoerebel]

6/19/42
 
Oz at Sea:  Two IJN DDs tangle with the American carrier TF to no effect, other than John gets a full roster count.  A number of small DD TF combats occur to little effect.  Tomorrow, the American carrier TF will move further offshore to refuel.
 
Oz on Land:  No Japanese attack at Exmouth, which is a surprise.  The Marine tank unit arrives at Carnavon, bringing Allied AV to 260.  The Allies will shock attack tomorrow.  A USA RCT loading at Geraldton will move on Exmouth assuming Carnavon falls in short orter.
 
Oz in the Air:  A quiet day with little activity.
 
Oz:  If Carnavon falls in short order, the Allies will resume the move in earnest on Exmouth.  If Carnavon continues to give me trouble, the Allies will dial back expectations.
 
Bay of Bengal:  An IJN CL/DD force arrives at Ramree, sinks a couple of small ships, and then encounters the covering force.  The IJN CL takes pretty heavy damage and at least one ship hits a mine.  More engineers are inbound to Ramree from Calcutta.
 
China:  Things look good.
 
NoPac:  No obvious moves on Akutan yet.
 
CenPac:  KB has moved south, just west of Tarawa.  A USN sub missed a shot at Shokaku.

[artuitus_slith]

Tokyo 7 dec 42, just end the damn war already :p

[V I Lenin]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Oz on Land:  No Japanese attack at Exmouth, which is a surprise.  The Marine tank unit arrives at Carnavon, bringing Allied AV to 260.  The Allies will shock attack tomorrow.  A USA RCT loading at Geraldton will move on Exmouth assuming Carnavon falls in short orter.

Don't forget armoured units are fast in desert! When Carnarvon is taken, that tank unit (and any others?) can drive to Exmouth in ~ 1 week (or 2 if bombed at), removing need for amphibious assaults. Even infantry can make it in perhaps 20 days. More visible, predictable and less surprising than sea transport, but it is always worth keeping in mind.

Probably you know that, but just in case...

[Canoerebel]

6/20/42
 
Australia:  The Allies take Carnavon, destroying about 35 IJ aicraft (including 19 Zeros) on the ground.  The Japanese get a high odds attack at Exmouth that doesn't wipe out my troops, but will, probably tomorrow.  A sub finishes off Astoria, darn it!  The Allies probably aren't going to push much further, but I'll make that decision for sure tomorrow.
 
Bay of Bengal:  More troops landing at Ramree (engineers, port service). An IJA unit seems to be approaching my jungle line, perhaps to measure it.
 
China:  Looking good.
 
NoPac:  Quiet.  CV Wasp arrives at Balboa, joins BB North Carolina, and the new TF makes for San Fran.
 
CenPac:  Recon by fire.  An IJ paratroop unit lands at Abemama by fast transport, gets snuffed out, but does a fine job of recon by fire.  The KB remains just SW of Tarawa. Kirishima, Hiei and four CA bombard Tarawa. 
 

[Canoerebel]

6/21/42
 
Oz:  I'm standing down offensive operations in southwest Oz.  John's had enough time to gather his wits and plan, and it appears that he has some stout ships arriving on scene.  He attacks 6th Oz Cav. at very high odds at Exmouth, so the jig is up there.  The Allies will work on rebuilding Carnavon.  The carriers are likely to retire to Melbourne, though that's not 100% certain yet.
 
India:  Looks like an IJN combat TF may be inbound to Ramree.  We'll see.  The port service units is fully unloaded there.  My carriers are loitering near Viz, a level five airfield.  I don't think John knows there whereabouts, though he might have a notion.  Rangoon-based Betties score a couple of hits on merchant shipping at Ramree, but then the P-40Es arrive and chew up Miss Betty and her escorts.
 
China:  Looking good.
 
NoPac:  Subs and Dakotas are running supply to Akutan.  Thus far two units have drawn a full allotment and now the Marine are getting some.  So Akutan may not be defenseless.
 
CenPac:  KB still SW of Tarawa.  Subs are running supply to that island, though things are certainly meager at the moment.

[paullus99]

John certainly has a number of fires to try to put out right now, Australia, Burma, Gilberts, etc.....and he's not a big fan of splitting the KB. It should be interesting to see how he attempts to deal with the situation at hand....

[Canoerebel]

But John is notorious for doing just that: splitting the KB. I'll bet he's preparing to do so again.

The Allies really did have a very productive month of June. What happens in Oz and the Gilberts is almost immaterial to what happens in the Bay of Bengal. John still shows very little recognition that this theater (IMO) is the only one that currently poses an end-game kind of threat. Not that an Allied victory in Burma ends the game, but its the kind of move that has ramifications that reach to the end game.

So I'll continue to make noise, especially around Oz, while the real focus will be in Burma. The only question that matters now is whether John does the same. I think he is too late, even if he does.

[Canoerebel]

6/22/42
 
Australia:  The general stand down begins as the IJ airfield at Corunna Downs goes to level four and a carrier force of some sort is hovering near Port Headland.  It can't be much, but I'm not going to test it now.  John's had too much time to configure his defenses and my carriers are starting to run up high SYS numbers - Yorktown is at 14.  Too, Carnavon's airfield is a wreck - no operations until engineers, arrive, which will be in about five days.
 
Bay of Bengal:  An IJN combat TF runs into mines at Ramree.  A destroyer seems to have suffered a mortal blow.  Later, the Beuforts operating out of Akyab sink another DD.  That's good work.  John's doing more to feel out the extent and strength of the Allied line in the jungle.  I'm moving forward more troops as reinforcements are coming in at Aden and Capetown to handle rear defense at Karachi and Bombay.  Most important is to get a US RCT currently at Karachi over to Calcutta, where fast transport will carry them to Ramree.
 
China:  Things look good.
 
NoPac:  No move yet on Acutan; more SigInt that 7th Div. is iinbound to Adak.
 
CenPac:  KB is at Nauru and launches another Kate attack vs. Tarawa.

[JohnDillworth]

But John is notorious for doing just that: splitting the KB. I'll bet he's preparing to do so again.

I suspect he has done so again, or at least has a mini KB about somewhere. You have done the same splitting a carrier of to cause trouble. I think it makes for a more interesting game. Right now the carriers are support operations so the split works. It becomes duller in a year or 2 when each side just creates a BattleStar of doom. Quite a bit more flexibility for both sides while the game is fluid.

[Cribtop]

IMHO he is WAY too late in Burma. The plains are functionally yours already, and with Ramree you have the usual IJA MLR nicely flanked. Plus, Ramree gives you a port to use to pump in supply. All in all, he's in trouble there.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

One more important note.  The Allies have 1300 political points and I've been torn between buying a 1200-PP Australian division at Perth to help with the Exmouth operation or towards buying 41st USA Div. (1900 PP) which just arrived at Capetown.  I'm almost certain to go with 41st Div. on the belief that Burma is more important and that 41st will be more effective than would the Aussie division at Exmouth.

You have to be careful. Given the choice I would buy out the American Division. You reach a point where you just do not have enough devices to restock all of your Indian, British and other Commonwealth units. Even in early 45 I find that I have bought out too many Australian units and can't build them up with the Indian army fighting hard in SE Asia. Mortars, 25 pounders, six pounders, bren gun carriers (to name only a few) are shared and production for all of these devices is pitiful.

Indian army units are constantly expanding all through the war. And the Australian territorial units undergo massive device expansions later on. I really have not been able to keep up.

In 42 it is a problem for the Americans but for the most part you will never run short of gear for American units. Best to get them in the fight first.

[Canoerebel]

6/23/42
 
Australia: The stand down seems to be going well.  I'm withrawing most shipping from the front lines in expectation that John will raid forward from Exmouth.  He's stabilized the "front" and will be feeling precocious.  The American carriers will "round the cape" today on the way to Melbourne.  They'll need some yard time (two CVs are due upgrades, though perhaps they are too big for Melbourne???).
 
India/Burma:  I heard sounds of an enemy ship hitting a mine.  Could be Makin or Tarawa, but I'm guessing Ramree again.  John continues heavy "recon by bombing" raids against my foward line.  I'm moving a Burma Area Army Indian brigade from Asanol to Calcutta.  From there it'll fast transport to Ramree.  This unit is already unrestricted and 100% prepped for Rangoon.
 
China:  Looking good.  John seems to be concentrating on Chengte, but I don't think he's making the slightest headway.  The Chinese forward post at Kweilin appears to be solidly held with all flanks also well protected.
 
NoPac: Supply continues to Akutan, so that the Marines are now about 1/3rd supplied with AV climbing.  The invasion of the western Aleutians will be my next big move.  This is a medium term operation - probably two to three months away.  I'll monitor SigInt carefully for signs that John is prepared.  If that happens, I'll scrub it.
 
CenPac:  KB still sending Kates to Tarawa.  Small supply TFs are hovering well to the east of the Gilberts.  I'm hoping for a chance to sneak them in, but John's guard is fully up.
 

[Canoerebel]

6/24/42
 
CenPac/SoPac:  No sign of the KB today - that's a first since back in mid or late May.  I have DD ASW TFs operating east of Brisbane and Sydney to make sure my big naval bases don't get a surprise visit.  CA New Orleans, heavily damaged and given up for lost in the March "Battle of the SW Cape," is repaired and available for duty.

Australia:  Four American CVs are about 37 hexes from Melbourne.

Bay of Bengal:  Several Japanese raids vs. combat ships at Akyab are readily repulsed by Allied fighters.  The attrition in this theater is decidedly in favor of the Allies since D-Day, back on the 4th.  (Overall, the Allies now have a 1,100 plane lead in the air wars.) A second Indian engineer unit is ashore at Ramree.  The Indian brigade mentioned yesterday will begin the APD shuttle ride from Calcutta to Ramree tomorrow.

China:  Looking good.