Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks

[Lomri]

Oh, that's great to know about paradrop capable units and SST. Too bad the marine raiders don't also count, but whatcha gonna do. You get enough para units to do all sorts of naughty things. I do really wish I had more than one, because grouping them would allow for a bigger punch. With one I'm not even sure I could replicate the Makin raid (real life one that is).

The marine raiders do have withdraw dates but as you said they stick around for a long time - I don't think they actually withdraw until 1944.

I have to say I'm very entertained at the use of these small specialized units. Too often in AE it feels like anything smaller than a DIV is a waste of time. (slight exaggeration . And it is clear that you don't need to do a lot to block these kinds of small raids - even an eng unit can stop you.

Anyhow, not surprisingly this is turning into a really interesting AAR. (Marching out of China was the first hint that this was a must follow)

[Bullwinkle58]

The Move mode rule is very odd to me. In the few cases sub landings were done (Makin I.) the Marines were very much in combat mode when they got into the rafts. OTOH, I'm not aware of any cases where parachute troops were landed by SST. Strange coding choices.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Lomri

Oh, that's great to know about paradrop capable units and SST. Too bad the marine raiders don't also count, but whatcha gonna do. You get enough para units to do all sorts of naughty things. I do really wish I had more than one, because grouping them would allow for a bigger punch. With one I'm not even sure I could replicate the Makin raid (real life one that is).

The marine raiders do have withdraw dates but as you said they stick around for a long time - I don't think they actually withdraw until 1944.

I have to say I'm very entertained at the use of these small specialized units. Too often in AE it feels like anything smaller than a DIV is a waste of time. (slight exaggeration . And it is clear that you don't need to do a lot to block these kinds of small raids - even an eng unit can stop you.

Anyhow, not surprisingly this is turning into a really interesting AAR. (Marching out of China was the first hint that this was a must follow)

Raiders capable of SST/combat would be a big help, but we work around it.

In cases like Tarawa I had no recon. Landing a handful of very capable troops gives perfect intel, and they do some damage before being wiped out. Islands like Bikini can help blind the Japanese from using float planes on a vector of approach. I don't think I'll ever build Bikini up, but he doesn't know that. It multiplies his problem set, which is mostly what SNAGGLEPUSS is for.

These landings are a nice rest from the moving of 100,000+ stacks in China and Burma.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

The Move mode rule is very odd to me. In the few cases sub landings were done (Makin I.) the Marines were very much in combat mode when they got into the rafts. OTOH, I'm not aware of any cases where parachute troops were landed by SST. Strange coding choices.

Not really a strange choice.

There is no true commando type recognised within the code. The Raiders is just a nomenclature term, eye candy if you wish. As far as the code is concerned, the Raiders are just a small infantry unit, really no different than the Indian 9th Infantry Division and that is far from being an elite unit as of 7 December 1941.

Paradrop capable units on the other hand were already recognised within the code as a sui generis type of infantry. Being already differentiated from normal infantry for the purposes of airlifting and airdropping, the code could be made to recognize them as a different type of unit for the purposes SST raiding. In short they were the closest thing to a commando generis. Which is why the devs utilised them to give the SSTs some teeth and an ersatz IRL Makin Island raid capability.

Alfred

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

The Move mode rule is very odd to me. In the few cases sub landings were done (Makin I.) the Marines were very much in combat mode when they got into the rafts. OTOH, I'm not aware of any cases where parachute troops were landed by SST. Strange coding choices.

It was done specifically to limit what was thought to be an abuse of the game system, which was complained about by many players. Basically (IIRC) hordes of subs conducting major amphibious ops, and massive evacuations via subs. Basically they limited (or mostly limited??) the troop moving function to SST type. They do not have a land unit type for 'commando' or 'raider' (only INF, ARM, etc.), so they used the para-capable flag to decide which units can be combat loaded on SST. It was an available programming time compromise.

Not saying it should have or should not have been done that way or any other particular way...

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

The Move mode rule is very odd to me. In the few cases sub landings were done (Makin I.) the Marines were very much in combat mode when they got into the rafts. OTOH, I'm not aware of any cases where parachute troops were landed by SST. Strange coding choices.

Not really a strange choice.

There is no true commando type recognised within the code. The Raiders is just a nomenclature term, eye candy if you wish. As far as the code is concerned, the Raiders are just a small infantry unit, really no different than the Indian 9th Infantry Division and that is far from being an elite unit as of 7 December 1941.

Paradrop capable units on the other hand were already recognised within the code as a sui generis type of infantry. Being already differentiated from normal infantry for the purposes of airlifting and airdropping, the code could be made to recognize them as a different type of unit for the purposes SST raiding. In short they were the closest thing to a commando generis. Which is why the devs utilised them to give the SSTs some teeth and an ersatz IRL Makin Island raid capability.

Alfred

I think one needs to get deeper in the weeds on this. Staying at unit type (infantry, para, etc.) I agree it's difficult. But each unit is composed of devices which could be coded to. And the code already sees a Sub Transport mission type and the SST ship type in special terms. All that's needed is a bit more if-then statement structure to examine device numbers against mode.

Take the Marine Raiders. Three pretty big battalions, for 1942. Each is composed of only three devices: Device 1111, US MMG Section; Device 252, Support, and Device 1116, US Raider Squad. It would be possible to code to tell SSTs to allow Device 1116 to load in Combat mode, but not the other two. Given we're talking rubber rafts that's OK. If the player wants all of it he can use a Fast Transport and chance it. But for a raid on an unoccupied island, or one with only construction enemy forces, Device 1116 works for 1-2 turns. But forcing raiders to land on occupied islands in Move mode, yet still Shock attack, makes them much less useful than they should be. I'd settle for removing the Shock attack code as an alternative, but that's probably harder than letting them land in Combat.

It's counter-intuitive to have raiders, which did travel by sub and did combat-capable landings, not allowed to do so, and to have parachutists, which did not travel by sub, able to.

And on parachutists, I looked at my Bikini landing. There is 0 AV present. Only 5 squads of Support, Device 252. Yet it was allowed to jump in Combat, and captured the island.

I know this won't be changed in AE. But the key is to look at the issue from the POV of the SST ship type, not what it troop category it carries. Given the USN gets only four SSTs, and one of those late in the war, the problem from WITP of widespread sub invasions is solved. But other problems were created, which are compounded by the UI's quirks. Carrying parachutists by sub? What newbie would know that? Or some vets, like me? [:)]

[Bullwinkle58]

June 28, 1942

"Elvis Has Left The Mountains!!!

1) OK, not Elvis, but the Big Stack has. They have emerged onto the yellow road leading to Paoshan. Most LCUs at about 50% supply and not too bad off morale or otherwise. There are still about 30 LCUs sitting in Tsuyung watching. Don't know if they will follow or move east. But this has been the longest 45 days of my AE career getting these Chinese out of the rocks. It's up to Japan what happens now in the short term. Longer term the Chinese horde is going someplace warmer.

2) Two whole Dutch PTs out of Soerbaja run around the tip of Java and put a fish into xAK Matsue Maru at Banjo. An S-boat sticking her nose in later sees one of the bombed xAKs from yesterday in a very bad way. The ship sunk sound effect tis heard later in the turn. Matsue is in a lightly escorted pure xAK TF. Probably just supply.

3) At Bikini SNAGGLEPUSS continues to pull Japan's nose. Five squads of Support troops get this:

Night Naval bombardment of Bikini at 131,110

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
DD Tawakaze
DD Hokaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Okikaze
DD Nenohi
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Shigure
DD Yamagumo
DD Yukikaze
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio
TB Kamo
TB Kiji

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Still no carriers. Interesting.

3) The sub-landed guys at Tarawa are wiped out by attrition. But they did some good and got some intel.

4) Strat bombing at Port Arthur gets through tonight and the city burns. Fires 435. This is a critical loading port for the region; I expect it to be CAPped after today. Which is good.

5) RO-65 pokes around Rabaul. Japan has to be wondering where the Hollandia landing came from. A 2-ship ASW TF works the boat over a bit. To the south fairly heavy Kiwi forces are moving toward Shortlands. To sit, build, and watch. I do not want to fight in the Solomons if I can help it.

6) Two very large unescorted Betty attacks hit Soerbaja, but there is a small CAP there and the Bettys are savaged. Two sweeps come in during the afternoon and down one fighter for 60ish sorties. The Bettys looked like they came from northern Borneo, at least two AFs. 6 are destroyed, 8 damaged in the first raid, 4 are destroyed in the second. The animation and daily losses would suggest these numbers are light. On the day Japan loses 34 aircraft to the Allies' 8.

7) PBang is also hit hard, but the AA there is fierce. 12 Bettys damaged in the first raid, 1 lost 2 damaged in the second. Two Sally strikes cost Japan 14 damaged, 1 destroyed. Light AF damage. Offshore the 32ng ID is moving SW for its last waypoint and a charge into Oosthaven. RN carriers at 90% CAP. Swordfish on ASW alert on a sub today. He may turn Kaga/Akagi around and go for it. All I can do is what I'm doing, move Soerbaja's pitiful CAP north at the last minute, and hope.

8) Troop bombing in China nets Japan another 500 casualties.

9) Burma bombing of the three corps moving on Moulmein is lighter. North, three spearheads are moving on Bassein (armored plus Aussie 7th), Rangoon (mixed nation infantry), and Pegu (mostly Chinese.) The stacks are bombed, but what's left of the AVG (withdraws in a week) does very well.

Afternoon Air attack on 1st Burma Division, at 56,52 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Afternoon Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 56,52 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 23
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

========================
Admin Note

I have a turn in hand I will do tonight, and that will be our last for about ten days. We should be back on the air about 8/8. I will be reading the forum in a Guest status. I won't get PMs, but I will have my email for those of you who know it.

All hail late summer! [:'(]

[Bullwinkle58]

June 29, 1942

The Suspense . . .

Just before this, our last movie before a 10-day hiatus, a short series of emails. The first from Mike was titled "The Suspense". The body was empty. Figuring he had seen the movie and that bad things had happened to the Allies I was non-committal in my response. He followed with one that said "You know I saw you with my subs, right?" Ouch. I had gotten sub hits in the IO, but I didn't know if that was what he was referring to. Figuring I could at least save some leverage with bluster I replied "I know you saw SOMETHING, but I don't know you saw EVERYTHING."

I pictured the 32nd ID jumped on by the full KB, in flames, then at the bottom. But he might not know what was coming near the Marshalls. As the movie concluded I still don't know if:

1) He was pulling my leg
2) He had ordered a slaughter which didn't come off
3) He really was talking about the Marshalls
4) A slaughter is likely next turn

But on balance the day was a good one for the Allies and a good way to go off the grid for awhile.

1) SNAGGLEPUSS bags another target. Kangas again, reloaded from Hollandia and moved. It's possible Rowboat Corps will re-take Hollandia. I hope not, but it's possible. I skipped the base in the middle so as not to be predictable.

"Aitape is occupied by the Allies"

2) Night strat bombing at Chengtu starts 1310 Fires at the cost of a Wellington. I will someday want the supplies generated here and burning the factories is permanent, but for now this is a major local supply source for a siege of Chungking and the trade-off is toward fire. Elsewhere I have moved back to more daytime HI/LI strikes, but many do not fly due to low numbers and CAP.

3) PBang is utterly swarmed by heavy bombers today--about 165 in two large waves. 17 are damaged, 1 destroyed. There are still unloading TFs at Benkoelen (more in a minute), so I understand wanting to close this bigger AF, but there are other bases in range, and I don't have a lot of planes at PBang. Three Cats to be exact. If this is to stop fort building it's too late. And all of the supply destroyed is replaced the next day. Totals hover just over 200,000 no matter the degree of bombing.

4) The other major Japanese air effort is to bleed the spearheads marching south in Burma. These may not be big enough to take all three targets, but maybe two and isolate the third, Rangoon. One the Big Stack gets south (can rail much of the way once Lashio is reached) times will get hot even at the main base. As part of SNAGGLEPUSS Burma is a sideline, but important. I want to focus worry and air assets in this theater and, at best but not likely, draw the KB up to supervise either a relief operation or an evacuation, giving me free reign in mid-PAC.

There is a bit of LRCAP working from Prome in the theater. Again just a few fighters, with the scraps of the AVG, do good work.

Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 56,52 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G3M3 Nell x 40
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 56,52 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

FLAK only:

Morning Air attack on 5th Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 56,52 , near Pegu
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 30
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 23
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 8
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 10 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 4 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

5) Back to Benkoelen. As I said, other AFs and other options besides PBang. Many thanks again to the AAR reader who suggested I get into individual pilot selection and find some Naval B. experts for my LBA. Lesson learned for next time. I was picking from the Reserve pool, but not going in for specific skills. (I have also done this for multiple ASW air units by now too; Bolos have been on ASW training since 12/8/41 dumping 60+ ASW guys into the pools.) At Benkoelen and at Soerbaja this hand-holding pays dividends. I also moved about half of Timor's offense up to Soerbaja to help. That's where the war is.

Without further ado, a bad day for the Japanese merchant marine. Note love applied by 1000-pound bombs:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Loemadjang at 56,106

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 3
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Uga Maru
xAK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Koyu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Massive explosion on xAK Koyu Maru

Morning Air attack on TF, near Benkoelen at 45,91

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 9

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Kobe Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Kamo Maru
xAP Katori Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Japanese ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Benkoelen at 45,91

Interesting report; ground casualties, but the bomb did not record in the report

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Kamo Maru
CL Yura

Japanese ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Hudson I bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Benkoelen at 45,91

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 9

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
xAP Kobe Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Teikyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Five other attacks which did not strike anything, but were fun to watch. [:)]

6) As an experiment I left the B-17s at Soerbaja, which don't have super-Naval pilots yet, on Commander's Choice AF. They chose Kendari (I wouldn't have) and destroyed one on the ground by report, but 5-6 by animation. A 2E strike there bombed a huge AO, but missed.

7) On to the Marshalls and the heart of SNAGGLEPUSS.

My non-upgrading carriers began the week down south guarding Canton from bombardment, but have moved due north and then west for days. Multiple TFs are inbound Eniwetok. Today a Fast Tans with an EAB got there and began unloading. I don't think it was seen until today when a float plane overflew. Much heavier garrison TFs are to the east, as well as supply and air transport TFs which need to get through. They are waypointing up to near Wake, then down on a shortest-exposure trajectory in and out.

Yesterday Japan exposed a bombardment TF with one BB and many DDs. Today I stopped the Cats at Eniwetok (one AVD supporting) from running supplies to the Raiders and put them on eastern search. They see red TFs at Roi-Namur, Kwaj, and Wotje. Which one is the BB? Don't know. But probably Kwaj. Are there carriers around? Don't know. One CVE was seen a week ago approaching Kwaj. Since? Nothing. What has he done to the AFs in the island group? Again, very limited recon. My best info is Roi-Namur is more built than Kwaj, but I do not have a plane count. Marc Mitscher is in command of the TF; he says "Go!" So, we go. Again, gotta love those 1000lbers.





Morning Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2

Besides this two small raids of Jakes and Zeros come at the birdfarms and are swatted down. Also, half-a-dozen text reports of DBs on Search attacking xAKs, minesweepers, etc. With FOW I believe almost none of these. No TBs flew either, a disappointment. I had coordinated all air wing assets to like hex maxes. The question for tomorrow is whether to burrow in or hide and wait for the incoming TFs. I have two BB-led surface action groups by Wake or coming to Wake, as well as a couple of 3-4 DD picket/raider/straggler crews deep in the chain, south of the carriers. Is it possible the Marshalls are this naked? Stay tuned. But the lack of air cover may influence the next phases of SNAGGLEPUSS. I just need more ships at Pearl. The other carriers are five days from finishing upgrade, and I'm pulling every AK and AP I can in there as well. The Marines are wanting a kick at the Empire.

8) Lots of small-change action elsewhere but that's enough for one day. The 32nd ID is at Full, has passed waypoint 3 and is churning toward Oosthaven with all crews at battlestations. A small TF with some tanks is coming too, as well as some merchants to take fuel and act as screen. Everything will reach Oosthaven bone dry, but there is a flood of fuel there and it's no time to spare the gear. As soon as we resume this piece of the war will be resolved one way or the other. PBang without the 32nd is a very tough slide. With them and their arty Japan will need Singers-levels of LCUs to siege, and in a place far more exposed to counterattack from the IO than Singers is from its water.

Anyway, folks. That's the summer campaign season. Play here all you like while I'm away. The empties go in the recycle, 'K? [:'(]

[catwhoorg]

When you say SST, I assume these are regular fleet boats using the transport mission, not a conversion ?

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: catwhoorg

When you say SST, I assume these are regular fleet boats using the transport mission, not a conversion ?

There are a couple (Argonaut, plus I believe Nautilus and maybe Narwhal) that are eligible for conversion/upgrade to SST type instead of SS. This gives them a small amount of Troop Capacity. I wasn't convinced of their usefulness, and maybe I'm still not, but Moose's AAR here is making me reconsider.

[catwhoorg]

Very much one of those out of the box ideas.

Works for both sides of course, and the Japanese do for sure get SST conversions.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: catwhoorg

When you say SST, I assume these are regular fleet boats using the transport mission, not a conversion ?

When I say SST I mean the three conversions. There is a fourth (USS Barracuda I believe) that comes much later in the war. I have used less than a dozen SS transport missions to haul supplies from Rabaul to the PI and Soerbaja ditto. In general I think those assets are better used to kill ships and scout.

Converting the three to SST gives up their ability to use the much better mid-war submarine mines. It's a trade-off.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: catwhoorg

When you say SST, I assume these are regular fleet boats using the transport mission, not a conversion ?

There are a couple (Argonaut, plus I believe Nautilus and maybe Narwhal) that are eligible for conversion/upgrade to SST type instead of SS. This gives them a small amount of Troop Capacity. I wasn't convinced of their usefulness, and maybe I'm still not, but Moose's AAR here is making me reconsider.

RockyRoo convinced me. I was opposed as I like the bigger mines later on. But it has worked well so far. Because I didn't understand the limitations on what units SSTs can carry I had a mismatch between where the subs were and where the parachutists were. I'm fixing that, but it takes time. Two SSTs are working in the Marshalls, and one out of Rabaul.

[catwhoorg]

Thanks.

As I said, a very interesting approach. Potentially ties down a lot of forces, for relatively little investment.

[Lomri]

I like the SST conversions. You have sub-mines, even if they aren't the biggest. So going with the conversions is a diversification of your assets. Gives you some capabilities you didn't have before. Even if you aren't doing raiding you can do stuff like provide supply to sieged bases, sneak in a few AV springled over untaken dot hexes so you can pop Cat searches in and out, etc..
(DEI is a good candidate if your opponent doesn't clean up dot hexes, or even PI - you lose a lot of cats tho, and the engineers are sitting ducks . Sure you can do this with an AVD too, just differently with different risks.

I'm extra non-lurky because all the damn AARs I read are on summer slow down!

[JocMeister]

Sooo, whats up?

[Bullwinkle58]

Back after a week in Big Sky Country, Montana. I have no idea what was going on in this game or AAR ten days ago. [:)] Have to get back up to speed; Mike had a turn in my box this AM.

A week gone and still hanging onto the anchor position on Page 1. Nice, but we need more active AARs, gents.

One photo from a day in Yellowstone National Park. The first national park in the world, and a World Heritage and World Biosphere site. Yellowstone is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined and covers parts of three states (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho.) A visit should be on every American's bucket list.

[obvert]

Been twice. Amazing. Best experience was sitting in a hot spring in mid-winter when a Bull Bison sauntered up and decided to join the party. We got out real fast. He seemed to really enjoy himself in there while we shivered in the cold. [:D]

Good to see you back!

[JocMeister]

Welcome back!

Did you see any moose? [:D]

PS. You were back on page 2 until I bumped it 3 days ago. A gift basket will be in order... I´ll send you my address. [;)]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Been twice. Amazing. Best experience was sitting in a hot spring in mid-winter when a Bull Bison sauntered up and decided to join the party. We got out real fast. He seemed to really enjoy himself in there while we shivered in the cold. [:D]

Good to see you back!

We saw three Bison bison. Waited 40 minutes for Old Faithful and she delivered.

Just ran the movie for the June 30 turn.

Wow.

More tomorrow.