A Lemon rises in the East: SqzMyLemon (J) vs. JocMeister (A)

[Lokasenna]

So many permanent VPs for destroying those Chinese LCUs, though...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

So many permanent VPs for destroying those Chinese LCUs, though...

Between VPs and strategic implications i'd choose the latter every day.

[SqzMyLemon]

Here's a screenshot showing China. I'll comment more later or add information to the screenshot when I get a chance.

There are at least 36 Chinese units in two forces along the road between Chengtu and Tsuyung. The smaller of the two is west of Chengtu consisting of 12 LCU's. The larger force of 24 LCU's was located weeks ago in the mountain hex midway between the two bases. I expect another 20-30 LCU's spread out between Paoshan and Kunming. It seems the Chinese are now occupying as many hexes as possible with 2-4 units to remain under stacking limits and reduce supply expenditure. Japanese forces in China have been conducting offensive operations nonstop for almost a year. I turned off replacements for many unit to allow armament and vehicle pools to stockpile, but now these units require replenishment and will draw from the pools. Vehicle points were around 31k and have already dropped to 29k. I'll be resting the weakest divisions first to recover disablements and replenish. Mid and full strength divisions will continue to apply offensive pressure towards Kunming. Airbase coverage is now an issue with the majority of bombers only able to reach Chungking and area. Tuyun and Kweiyang are expanding to allow greater numbers of aircraft to operate against Kunming. I especially need the closest bases to operate LRCAP over the remaining Chinese bases to interdict Allied transports, something I have not been doing until obvert suggested otherwise. In the short term a quick reorganization of air units and moving up aviation support is required. I'll continue to grind away east of Kunming and I'll invest Chungking and try one deliberate attack to gauge the capabilities of the defence. If results are positive and not too costly, reducing Chungking will become the priority. I really want the VP's for destroyed enemy LCU's and the freedom to set up my MLR knowing my rear is secure.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

So many permanent VPs for destroying those Chinese LCUs, though...

Between VPs and strategic implications i'd choose the latter every day.

Well, I'm playing for VPs in my game [;)]. The Allies can take away my bases, but they can't take back the VPs I get from destroying the Chinese (or other LCUs). I'm not to Chungking yet, but the days when I've destroyed large Chinese garrisons have been very large VP gains, even with the 1:12 ratio.

Edit: I had written more about my thinking, but it's probably best that I post that in my AAR rather than here.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

The Allies can take away my bases, but they can't take back the VPs I get from destroying the Chinese (or other LCUs). I'm not to Chungking yet, but the days when I've destroyed large Chinese garrisons have been very large VP gains, even with the 1:12 ratio.

I'm with you on this. I'm looking for all the VP's I can get. Considering there were no Allied losses at Pearl Harbor and the complete lack of combat, the only VP's I'm gaining are from operations in China. My philosophy all along has been to gain permanent VP's rather than focus on those provided from temporary base ownership.

[Chickenboy]

+2 (or is it +3) to the comments echoed above. Slaughter 'em while you can. Kill, kill, kill!

The only downside to liquidating them is their respawn in Chungking. That gets progressively more vexing the more respawned units (admittedly at low strength) arrive at Chungking over time. I guess I'll just have to kill them too...[:-]

[PaxMondo]

kill'em all

[SqzMyLemon]

A quick update.

China:

Bombing nets 14 destroyed Chinese squads throughout China, although troops targeted in 3x terrain suffer only 7 disabled squads.

The last enemy unit in the pocket near Anking surrendered today. 468 support squads were all that remained. 22nd and 40th Divisions plus 10th and 19th Tank Regiments can now redeploy for further offensive operations.

It looks like Jocke is going to replace a number of weakened units directly southwest of Chungking with fresh ones just like what is transpiring on the road to Kunming. I almost attacked the troops near Chungking last turn, as they were weakening and now I wish I had despite 1:1 odds being the best I would achieve. I will attack next turn while bombers target the troops at Chungking. If I can delay their arrival by a day it will help.

Burma:

Some Allied movement, but no clear picture of Allied intentions as yet.

Production:

A6M5 Zero advances R&D to 2/43.

Thoughts:

Kill 'em all indeed.

[SqzMyLemon]

Chickenboy, nice to see you are still following along. I know the pace is brutally slow, but always good to know you're looking over my shoulder. [:D]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

kill'em all

Twice!!!

When they re-spawn you will get another ripe field for VP harvesting.

[SqzMyLemon]

Missed Opportunity!

China:

A deliberate attack against the Chinese forces 92 miles east of Kunming just failed to achieve 2:1 odds which could have forced a retreat. I don't shock attack much and in this case I was worried about more Chinese units arriving in the hex so I stuck with the deliberate attack knowing that if I shocked I'd probably get 2:1 odds if no enemy reinforcements arrived. I'd rather not risk trashing more divisions. Just a note, I had to be over-stacked by 15k to even get a shot at 2:1 odds. By mistake, I must have forgotten to order the attack southwest of Chungking, but it turned out to be a good thing as one enemy unit from Chungking reinforced the hex. I'll bombard next turn to see what I'm up against before ordering another attack. Japanese forces also attacked the enemy occupied hex west of Paoshan achieving only 1:2 odds. I'll simply try and grind down the defence without trashing my own divisions.

Sub Ops:

An Allied submarine enters Medan's port and is suppressed by PB's. I've not mined this port but may have to now. Of note, I have a strong surface TF in the hex that may have been detected.

[SqzMyLemon]

I'm a little worried about my opponent in my Allied PBEM. After receiving a turn on Nov. 24th I've not heard a word since e-mailing the Allied turn back the same day. Two further e-mails enquiring if the turn was received have been unanswered. We had a brief period just prior to this where turn results caused tempers to flare somewhat and a few turns following were done in a rather agitated state on both sides. It was agreed to back things up a few turns, relax and get back on track, but since then nothing. It's highly unusual for us not to let each other know what is going on regardless of our current mental state of mind [:D]. He did mention getting over the flu on the 24th so hopefully he or his family didn't have any serious health issues as a result. We've played together for almost 4 years now so to have no word from him is odd and worrisome. I do have a number I can try and reach him at, but thought I'd just be patient incase he has some RL issues and I don't want to be a bother. I thought we had things worked out game wise by going back a few turns to get back on track, but since then I've had no contact. I guess there's a possibility this game is over, but if so it's unlike him to not say anything. I'll give it a few more days and give him a call.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I'm a little worried about my opponent in my Allied PBEM. After receiving a turn on Nov. 24th I've not heard a word since e-mailing the Allied turn back the same day. Two further e-mails enquiring if the turn was received have been unanswered. We had a brief period just prior to this where turn results caused tempers to flare somewhat and a few turns following were done in a rather agitated state on both sides. It was agreed to back things up a few turns, relax and get back on track, but since then nothing. It's highly unusual for us not to let each other know what is going on regardless of our current mental state of mind [:D]. He did mention getting over the flu on the 24th so hopefully he or his family didn't have any serious health issues as a result. We've played together for almost 4 years now so to have no word from him is odd and worrisome. I do have a number I can try and reach him at, but thought I'd just be patient incase he has some RL issues and I don't want to be a bother. I thought we had things worked out game wise by going back a few turns to get back on track, but since then I've had no contact. I guess there's a possibility this game is over, but if so it's unlike him to not say anything. I'll give it a few more days and give him a call.

Too bad. What was the in-game issue?

[witpqs]

If it was an actual flu (as opposed to a cold) that can kick you butt quite seriously. Hopefully he's just recovering.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I'm a little worried about my opponent in my Allied PBEM. After receiving a turn on Nov. 24th I've not heard a word since e-mailing the Allied turn back the same day. Two further e-mails enquiring if the turn was received have been unanswered. We had a brief period just prior to this where turn results caused tempers to flare somewhat and a few turns following were done in a rather agitated state on both sides. It was agreed to back things up a few turns, relax and get back on track, but since then nothing. It's highly unusual for us not to let each other know what is going on regardless of our current mental state of mind [:D]. He did mention getting over the flu on the 24th so hopefully he or his family didn't have any serious health issues as a result. We've played together for almost 4 years now so to have no word from him is odd and worrisome. I do have a number I can try and reach him at, but thought I'd just be patient incase he has some RL issues and I don't want to be a bother. I thought we had things worked out game wise by going back a few turns to get back on track, but since then I've had no contact. I guess there's a possibility this game is over, but if so it's unlike him to not say anything. I'll give it a few more days and give him a call.

Hi SqzMyLemon,

My second Allied opponent (USS Henrico) disappeared without a trace about a year and a half ago. This was two years into a PBEM. Haven't seen or heard anything since then. No replies to emails or whatnot. I think I called him in there somewhere too. Very disconcerting.

Well, you must declare victory after a reasonable amount of time incommunicado. [:)]

[SqzMyLemon]

Received a turn and an apology for the delay from my other PBEM partner. I think we both needed a timeout and short break, these games are a long haul. I'm just glad the reason for delay and lack of contact wasn't due to health or personal issues.

[SqzMyLemon]

Another quiet turn.

Sub Ops:

The submarine spotted at Medan was laying mines, but fortunately no ships hit any and they were cleared quickly. Minelayers and an ACM of my own are heading for Medan to set and maintain my own minefield.

China:

Business as usual on the ground, but my bombers are now targeting the airfields in the remaining Chinese held bases.

Thoughts:

Boring, but I like boring now. Getting a little nervous though as Jocke seems to be in no hurry to move and is taking his time building up his logistical base in Australia, Burma and the Southeast Pacific. The feeling of wanting to do something is always there, but there's no point sailing around looking for trouble and having something go horribly wrong. I stick to the plan of building my defences and awaiting the next Allied move. The urge to withdraw KB from the Central Pacific is strong right now. I can't help thinking I should move it to the DEI. I still think some kind of move against Java or Sumatra is on the table for the Allies in 1943 and the slow pace of Allied moves in the Southeast Pacific is to draw my attention away.

[SqzMyLemon]

I seem to have missed a number of days, but then again there isn't much happening. The only thing of note for today was the Ha-43 advanced R&D to 2/45.

[SqzMyLemon]

Bad day for Japan.

Bombing Chinese forces in 3x terrain causes ridiculously low casualties and a second AO (8000 capacity) is lost to enemy submarine attack near Balikpapan just east of the chokepoint heading towards Babeldoab . The three destroyer escort proves useless in spotting, suppressing or attacking the submarine. To make matters worse, the AI overrides the orders for the TF and sends it back towards Balikpapan rather than continue on to Babeldoab. I now have to traverse the same path again minus a DD that was broken off to protect the fully laden and sinking oiler. Another bonehead AI move.

The AI makes stupid decisions when it comes to splitting TF's up because of damaged ships, it always has and always will. The AI can keep it's bloody hands off my TF's rather than make matters worse.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Bad day for Japan.

Bombing Chinese forces in 3x terrain causes ridiculously low casualties and a second AO (8000 capacity) is lost to enemy submarine attack near Balikpapan just east of the chokepoint heading towards Babeldoab . The three destroyer escort proves useless in spotting, suppressing or attacking the submarine. To make matters worse, the AI overrides the orders for the TF and sends it back towards Balikpapan rather than continue on to Babeldoab. I now have to traverse the same path again minus a DD that was broken off to protect the fully laden and sinking oiler. Another bonehead AI move.

The AI makes stupid decisions when it comes to splitting TF's up because of damaged ships, it always has and always will. The AI can keep it's bloody hands off my TF's rather than make matters worse.

Simple solution. Don't move TFs to Babeldaob. [;)]

Move along the coast to Soerabaja with small less valuable 12-14 knot tankers. Make sure you have night search running. Coastal routing will do wonders to avoid most subs and put your ASW in better position to hit the ones that go for you. Then either drop off at Soerabaja or Singers for losing to big 15-18 knot tankers that will transport along the Chinese coast under LBA.

If you feel it necessary to use something in the area as a hub, use Manila and move along the coast and the islands to get there. Still, you then have to traverse some difficult choke points to move the stuff on.

The slight back track is worth it in fuel if you lose fewer tankers (loaded with fuel in tanks as well as their bunkers).