n01487477(Damian) Vs. Nemo121

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: aoffen

Consider his supply situation at Darwin though. I tried taking it overland in my game as the Allies and became totally bogged down with lack of supply to support all my combat power. eventually had to abandon the whole effort. Not sure it is lost.....not that this info helps your decision in any way

Yeah - I actually agree with you on this my B'vegas mate. I'll be there in 6 weeks too Which sort of answers obverts post too.

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: n01487477

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Five days since last post by Japan, I don't want to peek into Nemo's AAR, is the war still on?

I'm putting together a post right now. Unfortunately at this time of year my students have finals and I'm being pulled from pillar to post with essay marking, code appraisal and oral assessment.

Give me 30

Feel you there. My exams are today and then comes the marking. Due on Thursday! Not much turnaround time.

Good luck on it.

Do you have the summer free?

Not much turn around time for me too. Got until Monday to get these results finalized.

Actually, if I want I can take around 4+ months vacation a year - so I don't feel too bad. Thing is though, I've never taken that time. There always seems to be a teaching program to join or manage. I've been managing a summer-winter session program for the last 3 years. This however has just been scrapped due to "financial constraints".

I thought I'd be down 3.5 Million, but picked up another program yesterday for 4.5 M (yes, Won not $ [;)]) Basically the xch is 1000SKW:1USD

As to the game, that is moving along a little slower at present but I'll update here soon.

[n01487477]

Nov 1 '42

[n01487477]

Nov 1 '42

[n01487477]

Nov 2 '42
Some nice para-drops by Fionn...

Over Rangoon - that jewel of the East large sweeps by Allied fighters. Multiple aircraft engaged my Tojo's and Oscar's.

The following is a summary of the air action just over Rangoon
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 50
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 63

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 2 destroyed
-----------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 47
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 61

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed
----------------------------

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 43
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 58

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
-------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 51

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed
---------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 39
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 41

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 2 destroyed
--------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 32
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
--------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 28
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses
-------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
----------------------

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
------------------------
Are you getting the point yet ? And this is only a selection of some of the aerial attacks in Burma. To those that say I have superiority in air no's ...
-------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 15
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 8
Kittyhawk IA x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 15
P-40K Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed

------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
-----------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses
-----------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses
---------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses
--------------

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
---------------------

[Quixote]

Question regarding the para drops. Were those bases all completely undefended? If not, how much exactly did he commit?

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: Quixote

Question regarding the para drops. Were those bases all completely undefended? If not, how much exactly did he commit?

Yes, they were ... I probably should have had a small det. in each but these Is. are indefensible to a concerted attack. I preferred to withdraw from the Sth Pac and let the Allies lap it up.

I have bigger concerns in Burma / China / Kuriles than here.

[Quixote]

At some point or another in this game, almost every position the Japanese hold becomes indefensible against a concerted attack - that's the fun of playing Japan. [:'(]

Whatever problems you have in other theaters, it seems to me that you're only compounding those problems by simply giving him additional bases without forcing him spend time mounting concerted attacks to obtain them. Granted, you took so much from Floyd that you couldn't possibly defend it all, but I'd still be a bit more hesitant about giving up that much ground for nothing in the future. You seem to have hit the stage in your game where Japan has to start to trading space for time. You might want to think about making that space at least somewhat more costly.

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: Quixote

At some point or another in this game, almost every position the Japanese hold becomes indefensible against a concerted attack - that's the fun of playing Japan. [:'(]

Whatever problems you have in other theaters, it seems to me that you're only compounding those problems by simply giving him additional bases without forcing him spend time mounting concerted attacks to obtain them. Granted, you took so much from Floyd that you couldn't possibly defend it all, but I'd still be a bit more hesitant about giving up that much ground for nothing in the future. You seem to have hit the stage in your game where Japan has to start to trading space for time. You might want to think about making that space at least somewhat more costly.

Yep - I agree. This was the outer perimeter. The next perimeter is actual defended and will need more than para's to take. The inner circle has a lot more and a reserve mobile force for interdiction.

Unfortunately, Suva and Noumea have a very basic garrison; but the other bases are built and there are some interlocking air fields.

Port Moresby is a bit light on troops but Rabaul + Truk are not too bad for late '42.

[n01487477]

Nov 3-4 '42

The Allies are trying more landings in the Marshalls. I've dispatched a limited force of SC vessels and some of my troop reserve. The loss of kwajalein and the rest will not bother me too much but I would like the Allies to pay for such bravado. Anyway, I have a feeling this is just something to pull in my CV's which are elsewhere engaged at present.

In China, my attacks near Changsha have been moderately successful, but once again I didn't bring enough to get a break through. Fionn, seems a little worried about it but thinks it will hold. I am bringing in some fresh armor for rotation and maybe another Div if I can find one available.

Burma is collapsing fairly quickly now, I've pulled in 2 Div's and restructured my bases from Tavoy South. Fionn, hit Rangoon with a Bombardment of CA's damaging a large amount of my fighters. I had expected this at some point because it is what I'd do, but was forgetful after the large aerial battle the day before. Fionn likes the one-two approach and I'll file that away.

Kuriles are quiet for once - but I have plans here too.

[n01487477]

4-12 Nov '42

Sorry readers, life is throwing too many curve-balls recently. The game is still underway but both Fionn and I haven't swapped a turn in a few days due to RL stuff from both of us.

I'll update what has been going on around the map in the next series of posts...

First to the Marshall Is. where the Allies continue to take ground with para-drops on deserted outposts. My AV in this region is small and you can see from the map, I've brought in some troops to bolster Mili, Maloelap, Wotje and Kwajalein.

I'm not going to fight tooth and nail here as I just don't have the AV present to stem the tide. And allow myself more time to position troops on the Marianna's. I do however want the Allies to pay and that has started with the arrival of a small SCTF and 3 CVL's from Nth Australian waters.

2 more CV's are on their way with another (Hiryu) being prepared to leave if required. Kaga just got out of dry-dock after 45 days repairing a hole in the hull from a SS torp from when I was playing Floyd. She is joined with Akagi on the voyage south. A larger screening force of BB's and CA's is also steaming into these waters.

Overnight, 2 major actions around the Marshalls which saw the sinking of 4-5 Allied AP's.

Note: Honestly, I still don't know what I have done to this game but my AV seems small compared to the Allied onslaught everywhere and the number of air-groups available is small indeed.

[n01487477]

It is a pity that I have to give up Darwin, but it is necessary for the defense of the realm even though this allows another axis of approach.

[n01487477]

China - situation is positive after some early days of worry...

[n01487477]

And Burma where Rangoon Run 1 & 2 happened in quick succession.

[n01487477]

Some AV values in base only .. but good for an AAR

[obvert]

I know the Allies do get tons of stuff, but you're seriously putting a lot of ships down and at some point he's just not going to have the lift capacity he needs at a critical juncture in 43. Or at least no of the ships he would like.

While it does suck to lose Burma, you have the best defensive territory for making some stands now in the area. It'll be hard for him to break through some of those spots.

In China my guess is that he's shot his wad of supply already and you'll have a much easier time from here on out. The more strain you put on his LOC and the more Chinese troops you maul, the faster the other overextended troops in the East will fall apart.

[PaxMondo]

My opinion: The only purpose of Burma is to starve China. As long as you have China under control, then Burma is really of no consequential value at this point. Your only goal now is to keep him out of 4E range to Medan as long as possible ie until he gets B29's.

It is quite interesting about Fionn's apparent inability to take Darwin; one has to ask why? When I do, I get a long list of possible answers ... a very long list that only you could definitively answer as you have access to all the data (meaning you can see the entire game board). I would suggest you sit and think this one through though .... Yes, many players would struggle to get supply to Darwin to support an attack (me for example). But the better players have been able to do it, and I would never assume that Fionn does not know a game mechanic. With this premise, I would head to a nice beveraging location, order up a brace of OB, and think this one through carefully. Fionn plans, and if you can sort this one out you might be able to see something coming that he doesn't want you to ... Good Luck and enjoy the OB. Been a long time since I had that pleasure.

[1EyedJacks]

My Opinion: I want the new Tracker!!!! [:)]

I'd say scrape together 1,000 AV or more of troops plus some support and hit Fion someplace that's quiet on the map but has value in cutting his supplies. Banzai!!!

[n01487477]

12 Nov '42 Glass half full or empty ?

Some days you send the turn and haven't thought it through as well as you should have. This was one of those days. There was no need to lose 4 out of 6 DD's if I had combined them with larger ships.

Running blue water battles today as my forces return to their bases. I had thought of bombarding Rangoon but the fuel situation was very tenuous.

@obvert - Thanks, but I seriously doubt that I am killing his lift capability. The problem with these scenario's is that the Allies get supplies too easily and there is no transportation of raw materials. Consequently, they have the whole OOB as lift. Fionn laughs when he tells me he has loads of ships just idle because he can't find a use for them. I know this is part of his psychology but I know the Allied OOB too ... I'm sure he has a ton of shipping just waiting to unleash the forces at Darwin on the DEI.
So, I have decimated the Allied naval and merchant forces to this point but this is a drop in the bucket as far as I can see. Even with an amphib invasion on say Sumatra, my substantial naval forces would expend all their ammo before all the ships are damaged ... And he doesn't need naval. He can walk to Singapore and Shanghai

@Pax - I pulled the switch on Darwin a few days ago even though I didn't really want to... it came down to I have no available troops on the board. Chincha!("Really" in Korean). I believe he had no supply and couldn't get it there. I will confirm with an email with the turn later. Anyway, Darwin was lost deliberately today and THIS is going to come back and bite me on the ass, but(no pun intended) I could see no possible way to halt a march to Singapore or amphib into Sumatra without them.

@1EyedJacks - lol ... I'll take that under advisement.

[obvert]

@obvert - Thanks, but I seriously doubt that I am killing his lift capability. The problem with these scenario's is that the Allies get supplies too easily and there is no transportation of raw materials. Consequently, they have the whole OOB as lift. Fionn laughs when he tells me he has loads of ships just idle because he can't find a use for them. I know this is part of his psychology but I know the Allied OOB too ... I'm sure he has a ton of shipping just waiting to unleash the forces at Darwin on the DEI.
So, I have decimated the Allied naval and merchant forces to this point but this is a drop in the bucket as far as I can see. Even with an amphib invasion on say Sumatra, my substantial naval forces would expend all their ammo before all the ships are damaged ... And he doesn't need naval. He can walk to Singapore and Shanghai

I wouldn't think twice about his comments. I'm sure he does have ships, but what kind? The 12knot AK and small xAP aren't going to do much for him. Where will his necessary shore bombardments come from? As you get into the mid-43 time period he'll start to get more, but that'll be when he wants to be moving quickly and will be trying with inferior shipping as he doesn't have anything else.

He can't walk to Malaya if you don't want him to. The terrain around Moulmein to Chang Mai is perfect for a long stand. I've held three times my raw AV in Burma for 8 months longer than I though possible even during 44. He needs more than 3 times your AV in +2 terrain if you've built forts and have supply, and especially if you have good HQs and some arty with you.

As for your DDs, you're using a lot of various types in one TF which isn't optimal. Especially those tiny DDs like the Kuri and Karii. I see those as really only for small raiding TFs, ASW and escort duties. I'd rather not have as many in the TF than have those, because putting them there against any significant opposition just means they're gone but also might mess up the usefulness of other ships in terms of best firing distances during those battles. They have a TT good to only 8k yards and only have a few 12cm guns.

I've been advised several times that smaller TFs are usually more effective, especially at night. I've noticed a difference since I took this on.

Time and again you will face Nemo's attempts to dramatically seize initiative by throwing as much as he can at you. This cannot be sustained. Even the Allied OOB can't make up for the kinds of losses he has taken and continues to take if you stand strong and move up in the box, don't' buckle when he throws you a curve, and take a hit on the back if he throws inside. It's all designed to get you flustered and demoralized, as you know, but if he hits you with a pitch you still get the base.

[n01487477]

Thanks mate - you put a lot into perspective. I needed that today.

ORIGINAL: obvert
I wouldn't think twice about his comments. I'm sure he does have ships, but what kind? The 12knot AK and small xAP aren't going to do much for him. Where will his necessary shore bombardments come from? As you get into the mid-43 time period he'll start to get more, but that'll be when he wants to be moving quickly and will be trying with inferior shipping as he doesn't have anything else.

He can't walk to Malaya if you don't want him to. The terrain around Moulmein to Chang Mai is perfect for a long stand. I've held three times my raw AV in Burma for 8 months longer than I though possible even during 44. He needs more than 3 times your AV in +2 terrain if you've built forts and have supply, and especially if you have good HQs and some arty with you.

I really like the sound of that - I just hope that I can get into position to take advantage of the terrain.

As for your DDs, you're using a lot of various types in one TF which isn't optimal. Especially those tiny DDs like the Kuri and Karii. I see those as really only for small raiding TFs, ASW and escort duties. I'd rather not have as many in the TF than have those, because putting them there against any significant opposition just means they're gone but also might mess up the usefulness of other ships in terms of best firing distances during those battles. They have a TT good to only 8k yards and only have a few 12cm guns.

I've been advised several times that smaller TFs are usually more effective, especially at night. I've noticed a difference since I took this on.

Yes, I usually organize my TF's much better than this. But it is really good to hear the words resonating about what should be used. Usually a max of 12 ships for me and similar class shipping esp. BB's. The DD's were a hodge-podge while transitioning naval forces from the Kurile's and were needed for the last 2 day running battles. It was a bit of an all guns blazing approach with little subtlety. I'm not sure that I did as good as I could have, but Fionn must be hurting a bit.

Actually, I should have alluded more to the set ups I had going in the Kuriles and Aleutians. But essentially, you are right... the differences are huge when you work out the nuances of TF composition.

Time and again you will face Nemo's attempts to dramatically seize initiative by throwing as much as he can at you. This cannot be sustained. Even the Allied OOB can't make up for the kinds of losses he has taken and continues to take if you stand strong and move up in the box, don't' buckle when he throws you a curve, and take a hit on the back if he throws inside. It's all designed to get you flustered and demoralized, as you know, but if he hits you with a pitch you still get the base.

Cheers ... I'll get back into it.