Bob Flemin's MWIF AARse II The Sequel

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 5

Japanese AA throw now - 7, 5 and 10

Damage points = 10

The Americans choose to destroy their weakest two Dauntlesses

Axis AA throw now - 9, 2 and 9

Damage points = 18

The weakest Nav air is destroyed, one Emily is aborted and the other has its bomb load reduced to just 1....

The American aircraft move in for the kill:

The carrier Junyo is destroyed
The light cruiser Ping Hai suffers the same fate
The carrier Ryujo is abort damaged
The light cruiser Sendai is aborted

Its not a pretty picture for the Japanese....

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 5

In response Yorktown and Cleveland are aborted. The Japanese have been stuffed here. They have more aircraft, the higher sea box, more land based aircraft and surprise on their side. Despite that they have been well and truly beaten.

[Klydon]

Now that is a naval fight shaping up!

Surprised you would have the CW leave Calcutta undefended. Victory hex with a red factory and a major port. It is also pretty much the Leningrad of the East only worse since it likely won't see snow. Attacking someone in the swamp behind a river is about as bad as it gets.

I do have a question for you Bob. Have you been trying to incorporate O-chits into your plans? I have not seen the Germans do much and yes they are expensive to produce, but they can also have a strategic impact in breaking a tough defensive line not to mention I think a Russian player would arrange defenses somewhat differently based on if the Germans had a chit or did not have a chit.

I sort of agree with Orm in that I think the time for offensive action on the US side of the Pacific has passed and I would write trying something with Rabaul off. 13 points of defenders in that terrain isn't really going anywhere. I think you could make some useful gains on the India side since the CW seems to be a bit weak there. Believe it or not, time is going to start to tell against the Allies in the Pacific. It is mid 1943 and while the US production is now up to war time, since they entered so late, they are behind on war production compared to a normal game. The other thing is the Japanese Navy is very largely intact for now. The same could not be said by mid 43 of the real thing.

I am not sure how the defense of Rangoon is so high. What is the weather there? That doesn't sound right.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 5

The Japanese cannot afford to stick around and vacate the area. Tokyo radio announce that events have taken place that are not necessarily to the Japanese advantage....

Meanwhile on the Japanese Coast three US submarines are hunting merchant shipping....

A 7 and 10 are thrown. No combat this impulse.

I get a message a Kate will arrive next turn. I wonder if this is Ryujo's? I assume Junyo's aircraft is lost with the carrier?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Klydon

Now that is a naval fight shaping up!

Surprised you would have the CW leave Calcutta undefended. Victory hex with a red factory and a major port. It is also pretty much the Leningrad of the East only worse since it likely won't see snow. Attacking someone in the swamp behind a river is about as bad as it gets.

I do have a question for you Bob. Have you been trying to incorporate O-chits into your plans? I have not seen the Germans do much and yes they are expensive to produce, but they can also have a strategic impact in breaking a tough defensive line not to mention I think a Russian player would arrange defenses somewhat differently based on if the Germans had a chit or did not have a chit.

I sort of agree with Orm in that I think the time for offensive action on the US side of the Pacific has passed and I would write trying something with Rabaul off. 13 points of defenders in that terrain isn't really going anywhere. I think you could make some useful gains on the India side since the CW seems to be a bit weak there. Believe it or not, time is going to start to tell against the Allies in the Pacific. It is mid 1943 and while the US production is now up to war time, since they entered so late, they are behind on war production compared to a normal game. The other thing is the Japanese Navy is very largely intact for now. The same could not be said by mid 43 of the real thing.

I am not sure how the defense of Rangoon is so high. What is the weather there? That doesn't sound right.

warspite1

Calcutta was undefended (not anymore I've railed in) because I was out Partisan hunting. There are just not enough units for all the tasks! [X(]

I have not been purchasing O-chits in this game. Its just another variable to contend with and my brain is struggling to cope as it is [:(] It's definitely something I need to look at as its an important part of the game and real key in when and how you choose to play.

If the Japanese were not on the defensive before...they are now!! This is now hunker down and survival mode.

Rangoon was suffering from rain - but that was all...

[Klydon]

The Japanese didn't really lose anything of importance in that battle. The bad thing about it is they didn't destroy anything of the US either.

As long as the Japanese carrier force remains mostly intact with a pile of carrier planes, it will make the US move with caution. As soon as its gone, the Japanese are in trouble.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Klydon

The Japanese didn't really lose anything of importance in that battle. The bad thing about it is they didn't destroy anything of the US either.

As long as the Japanese carrier force remains mostly intact with a pile of carrier planes, it will make the US move with caution. As soon as its gone, the Japanese are in trouble.

warspite1

I take a slightly different view on that. While the Junyo is not a frontline fleet carrier she is, for the Japanese, a carrier - and they need all they can get. Furthermore, and far more importantly, this battle had the Americans at a disadvantage as they were coming from a long way out and had to risk the O box to get a fight going. They likely won't be in that position again and that just makes the Japanese job harder. This was no Midway in terms of losses its true, but as I said at the outset, the Americans just needed to hurt the Japanese - and they did.

God I love this game! [&o]

[WarHunter]

ORIGINAL: Orm
Japan declared war one year later so US had one more year to prepare. The US fleet looks dreadfully strong and if Japan overstretch then their precious carriers may be lost.
I think it is time for Japan to go on the defensive except, maybe, for one front. I would make capturing Rangoon first priority. The second priority would be to garrison the captured area and make sure that all the central sea areas can be reached by several land based NAV and FTR. Third priority would be to fix the China front. I would abandon all attempts to capture Rangoon. And instead contest that sea area with land based air.
Capturing more territory for Japan just means more territory that Japan has not enough units to defend.
One crucial task when playing Japan is to know when to stop the offence and begin to defend. But at the same time be prepared for fast, limited, offensives if US focus to much on the European land war.

General Orm,
Spoken like a true Staff officer, covering all contingencies.

warspite1,
About that Rangoon invasion, regarding bombardment. Invading from the 1 box in rain can be very diffucult. An additional -1 is in addition to the normal -2 to each naval bombard in sea box 1. Anything 3 or less has no effect.

Last comment. I agree with the pulling back and waiting for the USN to commit while the IJN considers a night longlance attack with surface vessels. CV's are over rated and the BB admirals are tired of being flak wagons for prissy carriers. Banzi!

Have a drink I'll have one also

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: WarHunter

ORIGINAL: Orm
Japan declared war one year later so US had one more year to prepare. The US fleet looks dreadfully strong and if Japan overstretch then their precious carriers may be lost.
I think it is time for Japan to go on the defensive except, maybe, for one front. I would make capturing Rangoon first priority. The second priority would be to garrison the captured area and make sure that all the central sea areas can be reached by several land based NAV and FTR. Third priority would be to fix the China front. I would abandon all attempts to capture Rangoon. And instead contest that sea area with land based air.
Capturing more territory for Japan just means more territory that Japan has not enough units to defend.
One crucial task when playing Japan is to know when to stop the offence and begin to defend. But at the same time be prepared for fast, limited, offensives if US focus to much on the European land war.

General Orm,
Spoken like a true Staff officer, covering all contingencies.

warspite1,
About that Rangoon invasion, regarding bombardment. Invading from the 1 box in rain can be very diffucult. An additional -1 is in addition to the normal -2 to each naval bombard in sea box 1. Anything 3 or less has no effect.

Last comment. I agree with the pulling back and waiting for the USN to commit while the IJN considers a night longlance attack with surface vessels. CV's are over rated and the BB admirals are tired of being flak wagons for prissy carriers. Banzi!

Have a drink I'll have one also

I will take that as a compliment. I am a firm believer that an army without a competent staff officer is in trouble. [:)]


Unfortunately I was not guarding against all possibilities but I rather wrote the wrong name the second time. I intended to write that all attempts to capture Rabaul should be abandoned.

[WarHunter]

[/quote]
I will take that as a compliment. I am a firm believer that an army without a competent staff officer is in trouble. [:)]


Unfortunately I was not guarding against all possibilities but I rather wrote the wrong name the second time. I intended to write that all attempts to capture Rabaul should be abandoned.
[/quote]

Orm, I'm glad you could see the compliment inside the words of humor.
Its little things like this that history is made. Even in a wargame. By the omission of Rabual, Warspite1, may have seen that as tact support for the fleet engagement.

The loss of the CV Junyo can be viewed as a loss due to circumstances not tied to General Staff guidelines.

Yep, I'm spinning this like a top. which was not unusal for the Japanese High Command.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 5

The CW try a bit of Strategic Bombing, targeting Paris, Prague and (spotting the Italian fighters have all migrated south) Milan. Unfortunately only Prague saw any damage (1-point).

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 6

On to Impulse 6. The Italians decide to take an air impulse. The attack on Milan has served as a warning. They are itching to do something offensive with the fleet but cannot afford to commit first...

The search rolls in the Japanese Coast remain stubbornly high - a 9 and 10 - so nothing is going to happen there this impulse.

In the Soviet Union the Germans decide against a ground strike and will hope instead to be able to break a couple of weaker held hexes...

The Eastern Front feels very "Stalingrady" at the moment. I am desperately trying to get top quality units to the hexes they are needed...but in so doing am leaving much weaker units to hold the line.... very uncomfortable.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 6

Damn... I just realised I have put three stacks of Soviets out of supply but can only attack one hex as my units are disorganised [:@]

Oh hum... Right! Two attacks: one west of Novgorod and the other northwest of Bryansk.

The Germans and Soviets will both contest these hotly! The order has gone out from both sides "If it can fly - get it in the air...NOW!". This is going to be big!!

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 6

Right then. The Soviets have hung everything out on this one. They are 9.5:7.8 down in A2A rating, but as we have seen so many times in this AAR, the side with the air advantage has got splattered. The Russians have five bombers to the German two. So the plan is simple - hope that enough bombers sneek through to affect the land odds.

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 4

East of Smolensk, Zhukov successfully provides HQ Support.

The first attack is in Burma, where I am confused on the odds - it shows as 1:2! Not sure what this is all about - the Notional unit is +7?? and I was not given the chance to shore bombard either..

Anyway, I am going to do something I have not done to date and will affect the outcome. The reason is that I would not have done such an attack if I had known about this (whatever it is) and so will make the throw a 9 which means the Japanese lose a unit but at least land.

Do you still have a save from before this attack?

If you do could you, please, mail it to me or upload it to the forum?

I really would like to look at this and I prefer to use your save rather than reconstructing it.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 6

Round 1

10 (DC) The German gets to choose the Ju-88 to clear through
9 (No Effect)

Round 2

9 (AC) The second German bomber is cleared through
10 (AC) The German has to choose a Soviet bomber to clear through - they go for the weakest IL-4

The Soviets need one more bomber through to bring the odds down a notch.

Round 3

9 (No Effect)
16 (DX) That does not help. The Soviets have to destroy a fighter or bomber. They cannot choose a fighter if they are to stay around so its goodbye to the Pe-8.

Round 4

7 (AA) The Germans must abort their front fighter - that could help matters for the Soviets.
8 (DA) The Soviets have to abort their front fighter or bomber. Once again they have to choose the bomber.

This is getting tense...

Round 5

19! (AX PX) The Soviets destroy a Bf-109 and kill the pilot.
13 (No Effect)

Suddenly the Soviets are ahead in the fighter quality table...

Round 6

16! Incredible (DX PX) The Germans lose another 109 and pilot
7 (DA) The Soviet can choose which to abort - they can now choose the fighter which gives them 2 bombers still capable of getting through.

Round 7

13 (No Effect)
13 (No Effect)

Round 8

7 (AA) The Germans must abort another 109
16 (AA) The Germans have to abort the Soviet fighter

The A2A fighter rating is almost back to parity

Round 9

17!! (DX PX) This is proving to be the Great Leningrad Turkey shoot - a third 109 is destroyed and yet another pilot with it.... what a disaster.
11 (DC) Just to rub it in - the Germans clear through a Soviet bomber...

Round 10

9 (No Effect)
14 (AC) The last Soviet bomber is cleared through.

THAT was amazing.. The Luftwaffe have really not had the best of fortune in this game...

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 6

And so to the second Air Battle. I dare not say it but the Germans have an 8.2:6.8 advantage...

Once again the Germans need to stop the Soviet bombers from getting through.

Round 1

12 (AC) The Soviet clears through the He-111 bomber
11 (DC) The Soviet decides to clear through its TB-3

Round 2

9 (AC) The Stuka is also cleared through
8 (DA) The Soviets choose to abort their front fighter and trust to lady luck

Round 3

7 (No Effect)
10 (AC) The Germans are speechless as they clear through the SB-2....

The Soviets do not need to stay around - they have succeeded in their task.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 6

To the two land attacks. Firstly its a 2:1 +1 and the Germans get the choice of Assault as they have Zhukov. The Germans are really paying for their low dice throws in previous impulses...

...its a 2(3). That really puts the seal on a terrible turn, never mind impulse.

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 6

The second attack is a 3:1 (no modifier) on the Blitzkrieg table...

....its a 6. The Soviets retreat but the Germans are disorganised. What a total shambles....

[warspite1]

May/Jun 1943
Impulse: 7

The Allies are going to try and ramp up the pressure in the Mediterranean theatre now.

The Entire Mediterranean Fleet sails for the Italian Coast. "ABC" Cunningham, aboard the venerable Warspite has six aircraft carriers, seven battleships and nine cruisers. They are escorting 4 x AMPH containing 1st (North American) Army - 39th US Infantry Corps and 4th Canadian Infantry Corps. These units are supported by a Royal Engineer division and led by General Alexander.