Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[kjnoel]

Might as well play the AI if you can't talk about the game. It would drive me crazy!

I have both an Allied and Japanese opponent and the only rule is that the Japanese player doesn't talk about the replay that hasn't been seen yet. I would get bored without the posturing and insults in the emails [:D]

[Miller]

Behind you, I have probably played more turns against Dan than anyone else. Sometimes we could go a couple of months of gametime without making any comments on the game......it is just his way and you will have to live with it. He will be happy to discuss this intense period of the game in time, but probably not until long after it has resolved itself one way or the other. Also there is nothing worse when playing as the Allied when the Jap player tells you everything that has happened during the turn....fair enough if there has been a big CV battle I would say something like "Big CV battle this turn" with the file....but something like "OMG I sank four of your CVs this turn whilst I only lost a CVL" is not on.

[John 3rd]

Thanks Miller. Appreciate the sentiment.

OK. It has started. Everyone to YELLOW ALERT.

Dan launched bombing attacks at Tennant Creek, Horn Island, and Port Hedlund. Nothing spectacular. He may have been surprised to find nearly 30 Tojo and Zero flying CAP over Horn. They chewed into his B-17s and Liberators pretty good.

Three TF have been spotted 'apparently' moving south of the Aleutians. I shall not take the bait. Vals attack the USS Hatfield SSE of Umnak. These are single DD TF meant to distract me and move/hold assets in place. Not gonna do it. Already have 150+ aircraft headed to Truk for the real fight. Order out my Northern Fleet assets and form a pair of hunter-killers. I have a CA and 4 DD and a CL and 3 DD out to get some easy red meat...

The CVEs move into the Bay of Bengal without being spotted. Should attack anything in the Bay next turn. The BBs move out slowly (due to fueling last turn). They are set to FULL SPEED and will hit Akyab into two turns.

I was asked for the air losses screen. Here it is. NASTY! Other then the Tojos, a great number of my losses resulted during the early phases of his Ramree Landings and early Burma fight when I had countless Daitai and Sentai impale themselves on CAP without escort.

[kjnoel]

Wow. I don't know how much (if anything) the Allied airframes were changed in RA but if this were stock then the RAF is pretty much done for hurricanes of all types and the USAAF is down to ~150 P40Es, 130 P40Ks and 250~ P39s (+ all the lesser number types of course)....

My numbers are probably out but they can't be out by that much; it screams to me that his fighter pools are close to running on empty.

[John 3rd]

So are MINE! I cannot produce enough Tojos to keep everyone at full strength...

Turn in and Running it then off to work.

[Wuffer]

Hi,

an alternative could be including any commentary in a seperate *.txt attachment, so CR is free when to read it...
Try a harmless header of course, like 'hello.txt' or 'info.txt' - than it's his problem if he reads it before watching the turn. ))

[John 3rd]

Thanks Wuffer

October 26, 1942

The CVEs put in an excellent attention getting performance as they claim the central Bay of Bengal for a day. Vals sink DD Arrow while Kates may have sunk DD Isis. These Dan's nuisance picket DDs. Nice work.

BBs spotted and shall hit Akyab tomorrow. KNOW thinks that they'll bombard! Only question is how many mines do we hit BEFORE the shells fly? CAPped these BBs with about 40 Zero for some protection tomorrow during retirement.

Just BLASTED the BFF Brig and 2/11 Field Art out of their blocking position between Katha and Mandalay. Supplies should flow for a bit.

Up NORTH my CL Isuzu and 3 DDs tangle with DD Bagley (one of the sacrificial lambs up there) and hit it pretty hard during two night engagements.

He--once again--attacks the 21st ID at 55,47 after hitting it with over 125 bombers. The Rain Forrest protects the troops only allowing 31 Casaulties. His assault is a Shock Attack and nets a 1-2 result. Have another ID moving up to help because the 21st is getting rather threadbare. Looks like he is giving up on the plains and moving into the jungle to try and open up Ramree. Order a TK Reg and Inf Reg to move from Prome north. Will add another ID once it rebuilds a bit.

[crsutton]

Dan's attrition slugfests in Burma would alarm me as an Allied player. Squads are a problem but the loss of devices is critical for Commonwealth forces. The replacement rate is pitiful and will effect all Commonwealth units til the end of the war. I have been very careful and still have a few Indian divisions using 18 pounders and other obsolete equipment in 1945. Every tank is critical as you never get enough shermans to fill out all your units. You have to use Grants and Lees up to the very end. Best not to fritter them away.

I would call the British and Indian army a "glass cannon" It can grow amazingly powerful, but take a lot of losses and it is very brittle.
Australian divisions undergo radical upgrades and expansion late in the war that create a demand for key weapons that you just don't have. Six pound AT guns and 3 inch mortars come to mind but there are other things as well.

[zuluhour]

Very true CR, I am stock piling Aus '42 Inf squads in March '42 because even these guys are rare and I'm not sure where I'll really need them.

[John 3rd]

This is the turn for excitement. Am starting it now after a LONG-A**ed day!

[zuluhour]

I know I could'ent wait till you got home.[:D]

...love this part of the game.

[John 3rd]

What happened on October 28, 1942 at Akyab?


NOTHING!

My BBs are set for a full speed run into Akyab and have hung-up TWO days in a row. Luckily nothing terrible has occurred and I must say that they have drawn away most of Mr. Roper's bombers who have accomplished little to nothing for two days of attacks upon them. Am finding Japanese heavy FLAK from the BBs is somewhat effective against his 4EB.

Will Post a screenshot in a moment.


ELSEWHERE:
North Pacific
Interesting. My STF sinks DD Bagley and recon picks up 4-5 TF operating just at the edge of Kate Range. My Umnak boys go in with 16 Zero and 19 Kate to find 24 Wildkittens flying CAP. Looks like we have at least 1-2 CVE. Shoot down 4-6 F4F for 4 Kates. The Kates easily break through and plant 3 bombs on an AK.

Why do I not take this seriously? It is October 28th. Anyone playing the game knows what happens up north on November 1st.

Move a Daitai of Nells, Kates, and a Chutai of Zeros to Umnak for another crack on the innocent shipping. We shall KILL them...

Central Pacific
Spot a TF or two moving past Kure threatening (apparently) Wake or Marcus. TRY IT!

South Pacific
My STF of CL Sendai and 3 DD sink an AKL and DD Phelps. Am LIKING sinking these sacrificial lambs in the IO, South Pacific, and North Pacific.

Begin congregating my airpower to the region. He is COMING. I feel it in my bones...

[John 3rd]

Here is the screen shot for show the BB's movement. Any ideas?

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Here is the screen shot for show the BB's movement. Any ideas?

Gotta be a movement (full speed) setting mismatch. Screenie including any waypoints please.

[JuanG]

What threat tolerance do you have them set to? Could it be that the mines in the hex are somehow being considered 'to be avoided' at the current setting?

Does anyone know if TFs set to something other than 'absolute' will avoid mines? I have no personal experience in the matter since I always use 'absolute' for threat tolerance.

[John 3rd]

Lordy knows that there are ZILLIONS of mines present in the hex...

I've never had something like this take place over two turns. Sometimes one sees it for a single day as if the TF has to 'think' for a day and then go in. Beyond that...

[Chickenboy]

I'd start by taking them off of 'full' speed, John. Mission speed should be their profile just in case.

[erstad]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I'd start by taking them off of 'full' speed, John. Mission speed should be their profile just in case.

I've had problems even with mission speed. Supposedly they should make the final run under night but sometimes the TFs decide to stop in close air range of their target.

I've had problems a number of times but have not firmly made my mind up as to whether I think there's an algorithmic issue or if the engine correct represents the vagaries of war.

[zuluhour]

The big question... are they spotted? If not......Chittagong? Multiple TFs shown.....or vanish, give him the wonder factor......

[JocMeister]

I have had this happen on occasion and I know my opponent have had it happen many, many times. I´m always very nervous when doing bombardments like that. Something in the routine just seem to go bonkers from time to time.

EDIT: Did you check the fuel on the escorts? If they were lowish the TF might have refueled on route?