Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: AcePylut

Eagle Scout. Be Prepared. Trustworthy, helpful, loyal, friendly, curteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, reverent.

Hey Eagle scout. You mixed up the order between loyal and helpful. [:'(]

[AcePylut]

Must have been a mis-print in the Boy Scout Field Manual - that, or 25 years of age since hit rank

[John 3rd]

Well welcome fellow BSA types. Most meaningful to me was staffing a wonderful 10+ years at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch near Red Feather Lakes, CO. Spent every summer from 15-25 there. It is 3,000+ acres of pure Rocky Mountain beauty. Ran the rifle range for 4 years and was known as 'Ben Delatour's Happy Capitalist' running the Trading Post for 6+ years. Good times.

[ny59giants]

I didn't get too far in BSA, but I lived the experiences from an early age. My step-father was a high school English teacher and boy scout leader through 8th grade for me. From 2nd through 8th grade I spend every summer at boy scout camp as he was waterfront director. I went on over night camp outs even when I was still in cub scouts. Those damn deer flies are nasty. [:-] The camp was outside a very small town called Ava which is just north of Rome, NY. Some good memories there. [:)]

[John 3rd]

I KNEW that when Dan would attack he would bring the Kitchen Sink. HOLY CRAP! I think he brought along two or three of them.

East of Sinabang are his CVs in the Ocean Hex.

We've got landings (usually 2-3 ship Invasion Forces to test what is there and THEN he decides where to land) all along the western islands and at Sibolga. On the eastern side he tries to grab Langsha cheap. Doesn't work. Continue flying troops into Langsha as well as Medan. Bringing in about 50 men to put something at Phuket (using 8 Mavis TR).

Make some serious nibbles at him and begin to attrit his CV Air. Tomorrow will feature the First Tojo Sweeps seeking to KILL Wildkittens. The only way I will drive him away is to hurt his air groups some.

We are pretty much at the prayer rug stage of holding on. Those Infantry Divisions are a LONG way away!

Am trying to maintain optimism but this looks horrific at the moment...

[John 3rd]

Am going swimming with the family and will make a serious Post when we get back. Will tackle the 11-13 turn as well.

[pws1225]

Am trying to maintain optimism but this looks horrific at the moment...

Yea buddy, Dan dealt you quite the body blow with this one. Sumatra is right in the middle of everything you need. But as you've said, if he struck that deeply, then he is also strung out a bit too. How you respond now is everything. Take counsel from those much wiser than me on the best way to go from here. Think, then think again, on how to best respond to make Dan's aggression. Then, perhaps after you have considered all options and chosen a best course of action, you will throw the invaders back into the sea.

Best regards, Paul

[kjnoel]

Your natural reaction (and CR's expectation) will be to seek a carrier battle instantly and this may well be the best course, but.... Is the aim to destroy the carriers or to get them away from Sumatra? Long term it doesn't really matter if you destroy them, medium term there is huge value in their destruction, but short term maybe removing their cover from Sumatra is the objective?

CR will be confident that you can't eject him from Sumatra (your comment about the 3 kitchen sinks) and, from a firepower perspective, he may be right. If he has no supplies, however, that firepower is useless. Is there value in using KB to shutdown the supply route between Ceylon and Sumatra, but dancing around to deny the carrier battle? Your LBA is far stronger than his (numbers, not necessarily quality) so you should be able to keep Sumatra and Ramree suppressed and burning supplies. Absent his carriers you can easily control the straits of Malacca with LBA and SCTFs, burn his supplies and keep his forts from building while you ship in reinforcements. Ramree would remain key here so he can't just fly in reinforcement LBA.

If you seek a carrier battle and are forced to retire due to damage (even if you win) he will keep control of the sealanes and you are doomed. He would, I bet, be willing to hurl SCTF after SCTF at your surface forces (assuming the absence of air) as he will win a war of attrition; he wouldn't be able to keep the straits closed but the IO would become a no-go area for you.

Even if you don't buy this (and to be perfectly honest I am not sure it's a great idea anyway) I imagine that his conviction of you hunting down his CVs will be firmly fixed in his mind so he will seek a confontation under his terms (under Ceylon or Sumatra LBA). Therefore he'll either leave his sealanes undefended in the knowledge you will ignore them for greater game....cue interdiction with bombs, save the torps.... or he will clear the decks so that you have to approach his chosen battleground.... and then there's no supply flowing and a distracted CAP in Sumatra with two aims or his CVs sat in Ceylon..

Just ramblings from the peanut gallery.

[BigBadWolf]

This is a master stroke and one of the JFB's worst nightmares. I was always very scared of allied invasion in this region in my games, this game pushed that fear into paranoia.

Now, the things are out in the open and at least you can make some solid plans. Here's what I'm thinking:

1. If you lose this fight, it's game over. It's win or die for you here. Bring everything you can and bring it fast. All those planes you have in New Guinea region should already be hoping north. Unleash the full might of Imperial Naval Air Service. Burma Tojos should already be sweeping every base he has captured. Never mind the loses or odds. You can always produce all the planes you need, he can't. If you can amass 1500 land based airplanes in the region, you will wipe the floor with him. There's no way he can resist that. It only takes one good coordinated strike against his CVs to change the situation drastically

2. Keep KB back. Do not rush in. I know it's tempting, but it's too risky. KB is more valuable as fleet in being right now than fighting force. AFB are scared out of their wits by it, especially in 1942. It will cause him all sort of trouble just guessing where and when you will strike. Only when you are sure of victory should you send it in. Let LBA do all the heavy lifting.

3. Speed is now most important. It will come down to how fast you rotate your front. Keep communications open. Every AP you have should be sailing troops north.

My $.02, anyway [8D]

[Paladin1dcs]

I keep seeing JFBs saying "this is a war winner for the AFBs" but I have to ask, what if this is a massive recon-in-force, aimed at hitting with enough power that you're forced to respond, but is not actually his main thrust?

I mean, what forces have you ACTUALLY seen land? I'm not saying that this isn't a real invasion, or even that this isn't a real major invasion in a critical area, but what I am saying is what if this is a major invasion at the one point which is guaranteed to force a JFB to respond so that CR can carry out his actual invasions against other targets, such as those in PG? Is Canoerebel the type of player who would sacrifice a large number of troops knowingly, just to get the KB to respond so he can land unopposed elsewhere?

After all, he's got you responding to his moves now, so who's to say that wasn't his intent all along? You've had some great success earlier in the war due to knowledge of CR's habits, such as the NorPac theater, but that knowledge goes both ways. He knows your tendencies as well, and I suspect that he's using those tendencies to lure the KB out of position, even if for just a few days.

I can't offer you an answer, as I don't know enough about the two of you to even begin to offer detailed advice as to what to do, but I can say that I think you need to stop and consider the possibility that you're being had.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

This is a master stroke and one of the JFB's worst nightmares. I was always very scared of allied invasion in this region in my games, this game pushed that fear into paranoia.

Now, the things are out in the open and at least you can make some solid plans. Here's what I'm thinking:

1. If you lose this fight, it's game over. It's win or die for you here. Bring everything you can and bring it fast. All those planes you have in New Guinea region should already be hoping north. Unleash the full might of Imperial Naval Air Service. Burma Tojos should already be sweeping every base he has captured. Never mind the loses or odds. You can always produce all the planes you need, he can't. If you can amass 1500 land based airplanes in the region, you will wipe the floor with him. There's no way he can resist that. It only takes one good coordinated strike against his CVs to change the situation drastically

2. Keep KB back. Do not rush in. I know it's tempting, but it's too risky. KB is more valuable as fleet in being right now than fighting force. AFB are scared out of their wits by it, especially in 1942. It will cause him all sort of trouble just guessing where and when you will strike. Only when you are sure of victory should you send it in. Let LBA do all the heavy lifting.

3. Speed is now most important. It will come down to how fast you rotate your front. Keep communications open. Every AP you have should be sailing troops north.

My $.02, anyway [8D]

I disagree. CR is a long way from supplies. John get's his air superiority and then he can start egging enemy ground units to slow down their advance. In an above post John noted a Jar-head Division plus SW Pacific HQ. Is that an HQa or a Command HQ? If it's command it gives die roll adjustments to ground combat - if it's an air HQ then CR can run torpedo AC... In any case it sounds from John's earlier posts that CR came in strength. Recon flights can confirm this.

John can pull this off. He mentions his divisional assets are a ways off but that will give him time to get air superiority. Bleed CRs AC. CR can't have to much AC to throw into this - right? John's subs and his carriers can blockade any attempts by CR to resupply. This close to home John has to have a bigger kitchen sink or three to throw back @ CR. And his repair facilities and supply line is closer and safer. And Japan can make lotsa aircraft PDQ...

Time-wise it will probably throw off some of John's other plans but this war is still young. Contrary to popular opinion, John's got plenty of time.

[zuluhour]

I would have to disagree here. There appears no less than seven US units on the ground. That would represent a very large PP purchase for a feint. The number of invasion sites gives Dan more chances at developing an advanced base structure even should he experience one or two set backs. When two or three of them reach level five John is in for a pounding. I believe he must concentrate on cutting allied supply to Sumatra and maintaining air superiority as long as possible while trying to dislodge him quickly on the ground. I would hope the brightest JFBs would huddle up with John for moral support as well as scrutinizing the situation for possible courses of action. It will be interesting to see just what exactly Dan has brought with him, particularly from the states.

To John: I thought it was coming through south west Pacific as well. I thought Dan was having second thoughts for several days and might bag it. Totally fooled. Personaly, I would think the off shore landings the most dangerous as they require far more effort and resources to dislodge. This would be the time in a game (like when I lost 4 carriers to none) when a billiard night at the O club and bottomless stein might be required.

[Capt. Harlock]

Re: Paladin

I keep seeing JFBs saying "this is a war winner for the AFBs" but I have to ask, what if this is a massive recon-in-force, aimed at hitting with enough power that you're forced to respond, but is not actually his main thrust?

I mean, what forces have you ACTUALLY seen land?

Sumatra
ALLIED LANDINGS:
THIRTEEN TF land at Sabang this turn. Major units: SW Pacific HQ, 27th ID, 18th Brit ID, and 1st Marine Div. Numerous Base Forces and Engineers.

If he has committed Engineers and Base Forces, this ain't no feint.

[BigBadWolf]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

This is a master stroke and one of the JFB's worst nightmares. I was always very scared of allied invasion in this region in my games, this game pushed that fear into paranoia.

Now, the things are out in the open and at least you can make some solid plans. Here's what I'm thinking:

1. If you lose this fight, it's game over. It's win or die for you here. Bring everything you can and bring it fast. All those planes you have in New Guinea region should already be hoping north. Unleash the full might of Imperial Naval Air Service. Burma Tojos should already be sweeping every base he has captured. Never mind the loses or odds. You can always produce all the planes you need, he can't. If you can amass 1500 land based airplanes in the region, you will wipe the floor with him. There's no way he can resist that. It only takes one good coordinated strike against his CVs to change the situation drastically

2. Keep KB back. Do not rush in. I know it's tempting, but it's too risky. KB is more valuable as fleet in being right now than fighting force. AFB are scared out of their wits by it, especially in 1942. It will cause him all sort of trouble just guessing where and when you will strike. Only when you are sure of victory should you send it in. Let LBA do all the heavy lifting.

3. Speed is now most important. It will come down to how fast you rotate your front. Keep communications open. Every AP you have should be sailing troops north.

My $.02, anyway [8D]

I disagree. CR is a long way from supplies. John get's his air superiority and then he can start egging enemy ground units to slow down their advance. In an above post John noted a Jar-head Division plus SW Pacific HQ. Is that an HQa or a Command HQ? If it's command it gives die roll adjustments to ground combat - if it's an air HQ then CR can run torpedo AC... In any case it sounds from John's earlier posts that CR came in strength. Recon flights can confirm this.

John can pull this off. He mentions his divisional assets are a ways off but that will give him time to get air superiority. Bleed CRs AC. CR can't have to much AC to throw into this - right? John's subs and his carriers can blockade any attempts by CR to resupply. This close to home John has to have a bigger kitchen sink or three to throw back @ CR. And his repair facilities and supply line is closer and safer. And Japan can make lotsa aircraft PDQ...

Time-wise it will probably throw off some of John's other plans but this war is still young. Contrary to popular opinion, John's got plenty of time.

Disagree with what, that speed is of the essence? Dunno, once CR digs in, it will be that much harder to evict him. Plus, the number of targets of opportunity he has is terrifying. Landing in Malaya would really hurt right about now. Not to mention Palembang port will be in range of his bombers.

The sooner John starts pushing back, the better.

[John 3rd]

GREAT conversation Gents!

Sorry I haven't Posted but life here has been rather chaotic. I own/manage a Subway here in La Salle and my Ass't Manager's son has severe asthma issues. He got admitted into the hospital today for a 48 hours because they are having all sorts of issues getting things working. With our exceedingly dry air I couldn't imagine what this kid might go through in a place with humidity. The point of this is that I am now Opening the store (6am) Wed--Thurs--Fri this week prior to my family and I taking a couple of days off and going up into the Mountains again. This time we are going to North Park (Gould, CO). The odds of me keeping a turn a day going for through Friday is pretty slim. It is possible but only just...

I sent back the 11-14 turn and things are downright scary, however, I am getting to be fighting mad! [:@] He had the audacity to send 3 DD down the coast and hit Singapore's shipping. I've been clearing the TKs and high value AKs for the last two days but he did manage to catch a pair of TF and SMASH them! Lost 3 PB and 11 AK. Depressing and audacious.

As to points asked above:
1. Airpower is rapidly expanding. Problem is that he controls nearly all of northern Sumatra and has even bounced over to Pluket, Langkari, and is even attempting to grab Alor Star. I need more BF and Support troops but am trying to dodge his damned small STF. Good NEWS is that I landed an Air Division at Oosthaven so I can base Betty-Nell from there. Have another Air Division unloading (if it isn't smashed by a STF) at Victoria Point. Air Floitllas are based at Cocos and Pt Blair. Am trying NOT to throw in my airpower piecemeal. This hsall be the first REAL turn that Japanese IJN/IJA aircraft make a concerted attempt to sink some shipping.

2. He has brought EVERYTHING. Add at least two more American ID to the ground forces as well as smaller Inf units (Marine Def Bn for example and TK units). I think what Dan is trying to do is somewhat gamey of where he sends abunch of Invasion Forces to various targets, begins landing, sees what is there, and then decides to bring in more or not. Important note: Nearly everything is not prepped whatsoever! He has landed a full Inf Div at Sibolga and they have an Assault Value of ZERO. That won't last long though. Am holding fairly well along the east coast where I still have Langsha, Medan, and Tand???. Problem is that Tand??? has got lots of HQ and Support units but next to no infantry.

Thank goodness I had all those TR getting ready to use in Burma. Right now nearly 200 TR are moving the 4th, 48th, and Imperial Guards by dribbles to the contested areas. Alor Star is a major threat. I have elements of Imp Guards and a SNLF unit being flown in. Tomorrow a portion of the THAI ID should arrive by rail. He has parts of the 18th ID there. Order my Sally to bomb this unit so I do not lose the base. This would be VERY bad.

3. My CA TF that was going to be used to bombard Cooktown is now nearly at Cocos (4 CA, modern CL, and 6 DD). I will divide this TF into two parts and move them to the edge of the board to hunt convoys going from Australia to Sumatra. The CVEs (6 CVE, 1 CL, and 10 DD) are a day behind the CAs. They will be divided into two TF and will also HUNT TF. I want to draw those US CVs AWAY from Sumatra. KB is rounding the SW Corner of New Guinea and booking it to Soerabaja.

The thinking with KB is correct. I want to hit his CVs but it is more important to pull them away from Sumatra so I can bring in reinforcements and attrit his airpower and ground units. We must stabilize the situation if possible. Cocos is the KEY. I am moving AKE, AS, AD, and any other form of support ship there. Luckily I had three of the big 11,500T AOs at Balikpapan. They are loaded and moving towards Cocos to support the Fleet.

4. Michael suggested I start a notebook on which unit is moving from where with my LCUs. Didn't think too much of that to start with but will start one tomorrow. 2nd ID negotiated the area around Port Moresby and Horn with no interference. He is allowing me to make these moves without any intervention from Australia. This may be a mistake. I am leaving enough airpower here and ground strength to still provide and pretty good bloody nose if he moves north. The 14th ID has departed Lunga and moving the same path as the 2nd. Have grabbed a BUNCH of my CD units to help in the threatened area to. The 10th ID departed Shanghai three days ago at is set at FULL SPEED. It has passed Formosa heading for Singapore.

5. Two 50-60,000 Supply TF have left Japan to help bolster the supply situation down there.

Give me a minute and I will Post a new and even more horrific screenshot of the current situation.

Keep helping guys. I am trying to think this thing through from many different angles and appreciate any and all ideas. Have already read a couple of good ones above. Keep it coming...

[John 3rd]

Here is that AWFUL shot of the US move down to Singapore:

[John 3rd]

First of two shots. This Burma looking south to about Langsha. LOOK at al the Invasion Forces and STF!

[John 3rd]

Second shot looking down from Langsha to Singapore. Look at all the TF landing on the OUTER Islands. Those are total undeveloped. I understand taking them but don't see the value when everything else is, more or less, ripe for the picking...

[MrBlizzard]

this appears to be the main menace, and a very damgerous one, it's a knife in the heart of oilfields. Japan hasn't a choice, John has to strike back the much harder he can, and I think he is already doing that.
The landings appear very fragmented, many locations...if CR divides his forces it will be easier to pull them back, but I'm afraid CR will strong reinforce only some of them. And with complete surprise he surely is dropping plenty of supplies. John is going to block reinforcements from Ceylon but he has to commit KB to achieve this leaving open many doors all around the empire. Sumatra beacheads appear to be undefendable by the Allied in the medium term at this point of the game. If CR keeps committing everything here I think it will be a major victory for Japan. Allied best move at this point is IMHO to advance elsewhere. All the doors will be soon open. If John can manage to dislodge CR from Sumatra before he can mount another easy push elsewere there will be a success.
Of course I hope to see soon a CV clash, they're always a good show! [:D]
Very nice game [:)]

Edit: John this was posted before seen your last posts, in replay to other readers. my strategic evaluations of course remain the same.

[DHRedge]

I started reading your AAR, and there is some good information, the Reluctant Admiral patch is interesting, after looking at the first dozen pages.
I like many things about your posts, and there are good ideas there also.

I do have one question.

In the Air To Ship Reports, when it shows ships hit.
Why does it show ships hit with Pies?
TT

[:D]