Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Other Stuff

For the Merauke operation, I have decided to split KB into 2 TFs as follows:

KB 1: Akagi, Kaga, Ryujo
KB 2: Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku
MKB: Junyo, Hiyo, Shoho, Zuiho, Hosho, Taiyo, Unyo

The reason for this is to keep each TF as close to 200 aircraft as possible. For the most part, they will be in the same hex. Here is the plane breakdown:

KB 1: 102 Zero, 36 Val, 63 Kate = 201 aircraft
KB 2: 99 Zero, 54 Val, 54 Kate = 207 aircraft
MKB: 120 Zero, 54 Val, 60 Kate = 214 aircraft

Total: 321 Zero, 144 Val, 177 Kate

Should they run into Ted’s US CVs, they look pretty good. With a maximum of 6 CVs, each with 36 Wildcats, 36 Dauntlesses and 18 Avengers, they would have a maximum of 216 Wildcats, 216 Dauntlesses and 108 Avengers. I don’t expect to see them, but I always plan for them to show up.

Mike,
I tend to split Shokaku and Zuikaku between division once they have their radar upgrades and until the Apr 43 uprades for the rest of the CVs.

[Mike Solli]

Freelanxr, I never tried to increase the size of an air unit to 81. To me that seems a bit overboard. Since we don't have a rule against it we could do that, but I doubt I ever do.

Annagil, welcome to the dark side. [:D] I see you've been around quite a while. Enjoy playing Japan. It's a real challenge, I think. Also, try a PBEM. It's much more fun than against the computer. It's a lot more challenging.

Wirraway, that's a great idea. I'll definitely do that when I get radar for them.

Our turns have slowed a great deal, mainly due to my erratic schedule and internet availability. I'm a couple of turns ahead of what's posted and will write it up when I have time. I'll be heading to theater soon and then my schedule will settle down. We hope to do daily turns then. Be patient. Just a little bit longer.

[Annagil]

Hi,

while I'm still 1/6th thro catching up and I'll avoid asking questions or commenting on things that are now 1 year or more old, I've a general question originating from the (for me) horror stories of weeks to plan the first turn compounded with the likelihood I'll screw something easily being I'm totally green at playing japan (actually, I could ay at the game, since last time I played, slightly after the first hotfix, the game seems a new one with all the patches.. stockpiling? Buying back destroyed units? open group resizing? REALLY? ).

Question is, is it possible to start multiple PBEM games with the same 1st turn? The idea being having a first "basic" first turn and be able to tweak it as necessary for multiple games...

(thanks for the patience, I hope to have current event comments and questions soon )

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Annagil

Hi,

while I'm still 1/6th thro catching up and I'll avoid asking questions or commenting on things that are now 1 year or more old, I've a general question originating from the (for me) horror stories of weeks to plan the first turn compounded with the likelihood I'll screw something easily being I'm totally green at playing japan (actually, I could ay at the game, since last time I played, slightly after the first hotfix, the game seems a new one with all the patches.. stockpiling? Buying back destroyed units? open group resizing? REALLY? ).

Question is, is it possible to start multiple PBEM games with the same 1st turn? The idea being having a first "basic" first turn and be able to tweak it as necessary for multiple games...

(thanks for the patience, I hope to have current event comments and questions soon )

So long as all of the games using that turn use the same preference settings (and the same scenario file, obviously), I don't see the issue.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Annagil

Hi,

while I'm still 1/6th thro catching up and I'll avoid asking questions or commenting on things that are now 1 year or more old, I've a general question originating from the (for me) horror stories of weeks to plan the first turn compounded with the likelihood I'll screw something easily being I'm totally green at playing japan (actually, I could ay at the game, since last time I played, slightly after the first hotfix, the game seems a new one with all the patches.. stockpiling? Buying back destroyed units? open group resizing? REALLY? ).

Question is, is it possible to start multiple PBEM games with the same 1st turn? The idea being having a first "basic" first turn and be able to tweak it as necessary for multiple games...
(thanks for the patience, I hope to have current event comments and questions soon )

Back in the old WitP days, I had started two games against 2 different opponents using the same setup. It can be done and can be very interesting. The two games diverged almost from the start. They were wildly different and both exciting. I have learned that I really can only play one game at a time. Too much to keep track of. It was interesting that in both games the only CV I lost was Kaga.

Here in the real world, my training and evaluation is finally complete. I did my last briefing, finally. Some make work to kill a couple of days and then a short pass then I'm off to the great adventure. Look for me to be off the net for a bit more then I'll get back to daily turns with Ted. He's been very patient during this time. I just sent him the 8 Sep turn so I'm a few days behind here. I should get some time to catch up and will upload when I can steal wifi. [:D]

[Annagil]

Ok, it took 13 days to catch up with the thread... that's how information dense the posts of this thread are.
And of course I found out you are deploying... great, I get addicted to an AAR and the author moves from a virtual war to a shooting one. Not fair. Seriously, tho, take acre and remember that incoming fire has the right of way.

As for the game, I have just one observation: I see you do not like using the KB just for use sake also to save fuel. That way, however, you lose the fleet in being potential of KB in a moment when your opponent still has to be afraid (once he has 20 CVs, he couldn't care less where your CVs are). What i'd propose, is a single shipping lane raid south-east of the Salomons: he has his subs near PM or Marake, his aircrafts are committed, and you should find some easy merchant targets there to sink, but most importantly you will make him wonder if he needs to move his assets or reinforce/re-route his convoys (it might slow his re-take of dutch arbor, if he does). fleet in being are useful only if sometimes they show around in an offensive way, if he knows he can count on your CVs being in port on near the bases you want to take, he can plan as he wants.

[Mike Solli]

Hi guys. Just on briefly to let you know I'm still around, but not for long. I suspect it'll be a few days and then I'll be on here regularly, but from somewhere else. [;)] I plan on catching up while on the plane and then uploading it here when I get access. I haven't done much because I had a 4 day pass. Sorry, but AE wasn't the first thing on my mind. [:D] See you guys soon!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Hi guys. Just on briefly to let you know I'm still around, but not for long. I suspect it'll be a few days and then I'll be on here regularly, but from somewhere else. [;)] I plan on catching up while on the plane and then uploading it here when I get access. I haven't done much because I had a 4 day pass. Sorry, but AE wasn't the first thing on my mind. [:D] See you guys soon!

Great to see you pop in! Have a good flight and look forward to hearing more of the campaign.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Great to see you pop in! Have a good flight and look forward to hearing more of the campaign.

+1

Travel safe.

[Mike Solli]

Hi guys. I'm in Leipzig. So much history here but no chance to see any of it. [:(] It's 2am here anyway. Ah well, I won't be here long. Just checking in.

[MineSweeper]

I really enjoy reading your AAR....Hope all is good.

[Mac Linehan]

Mike -

I know and trust that you, your unit and your family, will be safe and cared for during your deployment.

Am looking forward to your safe return.

My sincere appreciation and respect to you and all your fellow soldiers for your service to this wonderful country.

Semper Fi, Army Guy!

Mac

[Zorch]

We miss you, Mike!

[Mike Solli]

Morning guys (actually, it's evening here). The first couple of months of this deployment kept me from internet and the game. I'm back in "civilization" (term used loosely) and have internet and a little free time. Ted and I have started up again. I'll catch up with the turns. Not sure how far behind the AAR is, but I sent Ted the 15 Sep 42 turn a few hours ago. I'll work on the AAR until I get another turn. It's good to be back.

[Mike Solli]

6 Sep 42

Unfortunately, the next week or so of turns may be rather vague since I ran them a couple of months ago. Here goes....

Sub War

The I-17 caught an xAK off the coast of San Francisco (some 14 hexes SW) putting 2 torps into her. I doubt she makes it back.

The Ro-61 ate a depth charge off Cooktown. She'll survive but she'll have to head to Rabaul (and then Truk) for repairs.

5 Fleet

More 2E bombing of Dutch Harbor. There is definitely an Allied interest there. [:(] It's definitely a speed bump, but we'll see what 2x Naval Guard units can do.

Some Allied DMS moved into Dutch Harbor's hex and sank the SSX Ha-12. Wow, that was useful. So far this war, my midget subs have been absolutely useless. [8|]

China

Ted had been sending unescorted A-29s to bomb my troops near Ichang for several days. Oscars just shot down the last 3. [:)] Cheap experience.

Burma

My air units definitely have the upper hand here. I keep a fighter presence over Akyab, Cox's Bazaar and Chittagong. Today, the Allies lost 6x fighters and a bomber (from flak) for no Japanese loss.

Australia

Ted and I are sparring around Daly Waters and Katherine. He sends in unescorted 2E bombers and I have a reduced Zero daitai at Darwin that does it's best to kill them off. Today was a good day. Eight of 11 Allied 2E bombers were destroyed for the loss of 1 Zero. He rammed one of the bombers. [X(] I guess he got a little over excited. [8|]

SE Fleet

The typical sparring in the air here. Today was a good day here as well. Some 20x B-17s and 31 B-25s hit Salamaua but were caught by a couple dozen Zeros and Tojos and lost 7x 2E bombers for no Japanese loss.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: DD Hatsuzuki (Akitsuki class) - KB escort

I lost my first TK today. The 11.6k capacity Hoyo Maru blew up off Foochow. She was laden with fuel. I guess someone was smoking in the wrong area. [X(] [:(]

[Mike Solli]

7 Sep 42

Sub War

SW of Norfolk Island, the I-169 put a torpedo into the xAP Matsonia a 13k ton transport. I hope she sinks (but I doubt it).

5 Fleet

All quiet on the Dutch Harbor front.

I pulled the infantry regiment out of Nome. Eventually, Ted will discover this.

Burma

Sparring in the air caused 6 Allied fighter losses to 1 Oscar shot down and 4 more op losses. I can afford the losses in the IJAAF. The Oscar IIa model becomes operational on 1 Oct 42. The Oscar IIb model becomes operational in mid-December 42. I also have over 400 fighter pilots in the pool with experience/skill of at least 50/70.

Australia

The Zeros shot down 4x 2E bombers for no loss today. More maneuvering of 3x Japanese divisions and 2 Aussie divisions (+ a few other small odds and ends).

Merauke

I'm going to invade Merauke with 2x Japanese divisions. I know it will be expensive but I can't leave that base in Allied hands. It's just too close to the SRA. I split KB into 2 task forces (Akagi/Kaga/Ryujo in one and Soryu/Shokaku/Zuikaku in the other) along with MKB of Junyo, Hiyo, Shoho, Zuiho, Hosho, Taiyo and Unyo. The second KB is sailing to Hollandia where it will use it's Zeros (A6M3a) and Kates against Merauke while the other KB TF and MKB will support the invasion TFs. This should all come down in a week or so when KB2 is in place.

A Helen sentai flies nightly raids against Merauke's airfield, which usually doesn't amount to much but they got lucky today putting a decent amount of holes in the airstrip and killing 3x P40s on the ground.

SE Fleet

More air combat over Salamaua. Ted is using B-17s and B-24s today along with sweeps of P-39s. Ted lost 3x bombers and a fighter vs. a Tojo (and 2 more op losses). Stalemate here right now but I'm on the losing side. I can't defend all of my airfields. Ted is wasting his 4E bomber sorties trying to kill troops in Salamaua instead of using them to close down my airfields. He doesn't have enough 4E bombers to put me out of business but he can get lucky and bash my fighters on the ground. I'll take his current tactics.

[zuluhour]

Welcome back! We used to use the phrase "back to the world", conceited but American.[;)]

[Mike Solli]

Thanks Zuluhour. It's good to be back, even though I'm not anywhere near home and won't be for a while. [8|] I'm going to try and focus on this game to kill time and forget where I am in the evenings. It's been a rough couple of weeks. I've been unable to play for a couple months and finally got back to where I can play. I missed my 30th wedding anniversary at the end of last month and my family is on vacation right now. Ah, well, I'll make up for it next year, right? [:D] In the mean time, I'll try to kill off some more of those damn Yankees. [:D]

[Annagil]

GREAT to have you back!
It's funny, I had checked the forumjust yesterday to see if by any chance I had missed anything and finding it still mute, i was kinda worrying.
welcome back
(and send your carriers to have a raid south-east!)

[Mike Solli]

8 Sep 42

Sub War

My remaining midget sub at Dutch Harbor took a pot shot at a PC in an ASW TF and missed of course. She took some minor damage and will attempt to sail to Adak (mainly on fumes) to get reloaded.

The I-164, sitting off shore at Dutch Harbor, spotted a TF composed of 4 BB, 1 CA, 1 CL and 4 DD. She didn't get a shot off and wasn't attacked. Uh-oh.

5 Fleet

Well, that surface fleet didn't bombard today. There are a handful of TFs sitting in Dutch Harbor's hex, including at least 1 carrier. 30 SBDs escorted by 14 Wildcats bombed the place. I wonder what's coming next?

Burma

Minor air combat resulting in 2 Martlets shot down. Ted is half-hartedly attempting to fight back, but he always has inferior numbers. He's using Martlets and Hurricane IIbs. What happened to the IIc model? Haven't seen them in a while.

Australia

Ted is happy using unescorted 2E bombers over Daly Waters. Today he lost only 1 for no real gain. I wish I could get a full daitai over Daly Waters. I could do some serious damage.

SE Fleet

Ted's 4Es (66 today) hit Salamaua again and lost 4 against my Tojos, for no Japanese loss. The Tojos aren't doing do badly.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: 58 JNAF AF Unit - headed to SE Fleet.