Guadalcanal AAR – A Beginner's Foray into MWiF

[rkr1958]

ORIGINAL: WIF_Killzone

Student is quickly becoming the teacher. Too bad youre JPN naval moves didn't bear more fruit, but they were nice moves, big fist!

I saw someone quote before that in head to head play, when the search rolls commence, even the player with theoretical overwhelming strength is still on the edge of their seat, very intense, the stakes are so high, and things can go great or very bad.

I love the way the naval is modelled, sea boxes, unit range and movement, searching, battles, more battle, do I risk another battle to keep my land units in supply, or abort to save my fleet. So much at stake.

I do love how WiF (MWiF) models the naval. While there was opportunity for a game changing major naval battle, both sides failed to find each other in the 2 critical areas. As you seen in my next post the RN and USN got the heck out of there and to safety. It may be the mundane sinking of convoys and control of sea areas that decide this scenario versus Coral Sea and Midway naval battles.

[rkr1958]

July/August Allied Impulse 3.
There are no screen caps for this impulse, they weren’t necessary. The CW opted for naval and the US for combined.

The allies used this impulse to withdraw their fleets out of harm’s way in the South China and China Seas. The CW combined force in the South China Sea consisted of 2 CVs, 3 BBs and 4 CAs. These units were withdrawn to Port Moresby (2 CVs & 2 CAs), Darwin (3 BBs and CA) and Calcutta (2 CAs).

The two US task forces in the China Sea, consisting of 5 CVs, 5 CAs, 1 BB and 2 subs with withdrawn to Pearl, which the exception of the Chicago (CA) and the subs. The Chicago had to stay because it was disorganized. The 2 subs stayed because I forgot to move them. I still had 1 naval move left for the US; but just missed them. I hope this mistake doesn’t cost them.

Nimitz and Macarthur were able to reorganize 3 of the 5 USN carriers (Hornet, Yorktown and Enterprise). Depending on how things go in the Central Pacific next impulse, I may have something in-store for them in the next allied impulse.

[rkr1958]

July/August Japanese Impulse 4.
Again no screen caps because not much happened. The Japanese chose a combined option and elected for naval battles in the Central Pacific and China Seas. In the Central Pacific the IJN had 1 CV and 2 BBs versus 2 USN BBs. Neither side found the other so nothing happened. In the China Sea the IJN surprised the CA Chicago and sent her to Davey Jones’ locker.

On land the Japanese moved the IJN marine unit back onto Henderson airfield. They explored other possibilities but with only 1 TRS and so few corps there isn’t really much that I see that they can do.

[rkr1958]

July/August Allied Impulse #5.

Well my big plans for the USN this impulse to send the Hornet, Yorktown and Enterprise to the Central Pacific, link up with the 2 BBs in sea box 3, find and then destroy the CV Junyo was a bust. Neither side found the other.

Both task forces continue to search for the other. We'll see what will happen in the phases to come.

[rkr1958]

July/August 1942. Japanese Impulse 6.

The Japanese chose a combined option in order to transport Yamato's HQ from the Philippines to Truk. The Japanese only have 1 TRS left.

At sea the Japanese fight in all 3 sea areas that were possible to fight in.

The first battle was fought in the Bay of Bengal between Japanese naval air and CW surface ships. I was curious had this battle would play out so the CW stayed for round after round. I wanted to see if the truth that naval surface ships without air cover are no match for land based air. And I found out that they aren't, which confirms for me another aspect about the reality of how WiF (or MWiF) plays. While the Japanese land based air units didn't sink any ships they forced 2 CW BBs to abort and damage the CA before the CW player finally called it quits and retreated from the battle.

The second battle was "fought" in the China Sea between the 2 USN subs and the two large Japanese task forces. The USN declined to commit their subs so there was no combat. This is an interesting discovery of the game mechanics for me. Subs can stay hidden and avoid combat if they wish. I assume that's correct?

[rkr1958]

The last battle fought (or attempt to be fought) was in the Central Pacific. The Japanese disorganized their last remaining non-CV surface ship looking for the USN. They didn't find them and either did the USN find the IJN. So again, no contact and no combat.

[rkr1958]

July/August 1942. Allied Impulse 7.

Once against both sides failed to find each other in the Central Pacific.

[rkr1958]

July/August 1942. Japanese Impulse 8.

Finally a naval battle in the Central Pacific!

The Japanese did have one trick left up their sleeve. They had 5 CAs in reserve based in the Philippines that they sent into the Central Pacific to bolster their 2 BBs and CV already there. For some reason they only were able to make it to sea box 0? Or, I could have made an error? No matter, they were there and would be useful in both searching for the USN task force and supporting a surface battle if the IJN could catch the USN by surprise.

Though, that was not to be this round. Both sides found each other with the USN having a lower search roll by 2. A carrier battle ensued with the Yorktown air group providing fighter cover and the Hornet and Enterprise air groups attack the enemy fleet. The Japanese decided to fly their lone carrier air group as a bomber, which bested and downed the Yorktown fighters! The Japanese carrier planes got through, attacked the Hornet and forced it to abort.

The Hornet and Enterprise planes got through the IJN flak, with some reduction in bombs, and managed to sink the IJN CV Junyo, damage the BB Fuso and force the BB Yamashiro to abort. This ended round 1.

[rkr1958]

Both the Japanese and Americans decided to stay and continue the battle. The Japanese without air were looking to surprise the Americans and force a surface battle. This they accomplished. The Japanese search was successful and the USN was not. The result of the surface battle was that both USN BB's were forced to abort, leaving the Enterprise the only ship not damaged or aborted.

The IJN decided to stay; but the USN retreated (i.e., fled back to Pearl).

I'd have to give the battle of the Central Pacific to the USN even though they were force out of the area. The Japanese lost a CV (5 VPs for the allies) to only the loss of the Yorktown's air wing.

[rkr1958]

July/August 1942. End of Turn.

Both sides play a couple more non eventful impulses and then the turn ends. Both sides keep CA and naval air patrols at sea in various sea areas and move their fleet carriers, battleships and a number of CAs to their prime bases. These are Truk, Tokyo and Signapore of the IJN and Pearl for the USN. For the CW either all their ships stayed at sea (a handful of CAs) or had already aborted back to port.

The US player makes a tactical mistake by not keeping any ships or planes at sea in the Marshalls. Hopefully this won't come back to bite the allied player.

The scoreboard shows that the allies have a substantial lead at this point. However, there's still 3 turns left and the outcome of this scenario is far from certain.

[rkr1958]

Adm Yamamato and his staff board a transport plane from his HQ in Truk and is escorted by 3 Japanese Zeros back to Tokyo for a meeting with the Emperor and the Japanese War Ministry. A meeting which he has asked for and has been granted. Actually, the granting was a formality as no one in the War Ministry would have had the courage to turn him down. Otherwise, they'd be on the front lines leading Japanese forces into battle.

Yamamato has traveled extensively across the US prior to the war and has first hand knowledge of the industrial might of that great country. He knows that unless Japan is able to strike a crippling blow against the US fleet in the Pacific, and soon, that the IJN and Japan itself will feel the wrath of the US industrial might. Time is not on his country's side; especially with the latest reports that the US and CW are winning the war in the Pacific. Not by winning a glorious one side takes all battle; but by a thousands cuts. One cut by attacking convoys in the South China Sea, a second cut by attacking convoys in the China Sea, a third cut by sinking a IJN fleet carrier and so on. While there's no honor is this type of victory it certainty is working. Working well enough to keep the IJN at bay until the US can fully mobilize in the Pacific. No more!

Adm Yamamato and his staff have developed a high risk plan that if successful will turn the tide of this war. And if it fails, Admiral Yamamato may not live to know about it. Due to the personal risk to Yamamato from this plan, Yamamato knows that the Emperor will object. But Yamamato knows that the Emperor will only object in private and will stoically follow the recommendations of the War Ministry. And, Yamamato knows that the War Ministry will endorse him plan. So, this trip is really a matter of formality and one Adm Yamamato is doing solely, and only, as a courtesy for the Emperor.

[rkr1958]

September/October 1941. Japanese Impulse 1.

The Japanese win the initiative back and decide to go first. The allies elect not to reroll. It wasn't really a decision as much as clicking a button before really thinking about it. Whatever the process was the result is that Japan has the initiative and is moving first this turn.

The IJN see an opportunity to capture Dutch Harbor and get 5 VPs back. To do this though the only unit capable of making that invasion is the Yamamato HQ based in Truk. It's a go. Yamamato is loaded on a transport, all carriers, battleships and 3 CA based in Truk make their way to sea box 1 in the Bering Sea. Adm Yamamato, his staff and his HQ unit will carry out this amphibious invasion. It's a high risk / high payoff operation.

[rkr1958]

Japan uses the 2nd, and last, naval move of their combined option to load, transport and unload two armies to Kwajalein and to Truk (both objectives). Both were previously ungarrisoned (except for the notional unit). This move was especially important as the US has deployed 2 army units to Samoa, which could have been used to easily have taken either objective if defended only by the notional.

[rkr1958]

Now back to the invasion of Dutch Harbor by Yamamato. The allies get to choose the attack and choose the assault table, which gives them (the allies) the best chance of repelling this invasion.

Before I get to the odds, I need to back up and detail the attack. Yamamato landing from sea box 1 during fair weather gave 4:4 (or 1:1). The 5 attached BB's through naval bombardment added 4 more to the attack, which brought the odds up to 8:4 (or 2:1). Then air attacks by the 7 attached CVs and 1 CLV added 4 more, bringing the final odds to 12:4 (or 3:1). Under the assault table, the odds of successfully landing are 50/50 (or 50%).

I stopped the game there and have not made the roll. So even I don't know what the outcome of this invasion is. Stay tuned ... [:)]

[WIF_Killzone]

Good moves to garrison Kwajalein and Truk. If I were the Americans I would be thinking about either bating on the transports in the marianas or repelling the invasion. I think I would go for the marianas if I could get some carriers in the 3 or 4 box and let fate deal with the Yamato dice roll. Another option would be to intercept the yamato task force on their return trip, they would have to go in the zero box on the way home so place some hardware in their way might be an option although they are probably out of range for a move with strength.

Where are Jp's naval air and fighters for Truk? Easy pickens without them, get some there soon, no?

Cant wait for the invasion dice roll, I generally don't do 50/50 but luck favors the brave

[rkr1958]

ORIGINAL: WIF_Killzone

Good moves to garrison Kwajalein and Truk. If I were the Americans I would be thinking about either bating on the transports in the marianas or repelling the invasion. I think I would go for the marianas if I could get some carriers in the 3 or 4 box and let fate deal with the Yamato dice roll. Another option would be to intercept the yamato task force on their return trip, they would have to go in the zero box on the way home so place some hardware in their way might be an option although they are probably out of range for a move with strength.

Where are Jp's naval air and fighters for Truk? Easy pickens without them, get some there soon, no?

Cant wait for the invasion dice roll, I generally don't do 50/50 but luck favors the brave

Good advice! The Japanese naval air are in the China and South China Seas. It sounds like Truk would have been a better base for them. Is there an easy way to get them to Truk without transports?

[rkr1958]

The Japanese landing force led by Adm Yamamato himself was holding on by a thread. The battle had gone back and forth for 2 days. Finally it came down to a single roll on the 1D10 Assault Table. The die was thrown and the result came up a 6! Yes, a 6! No losses to the attackers and the notional eliminated. But wait!? There was a +1 die roll modifier. No, that can't be! It's a 7 ... oh my goodness it's a 7. Yamamato is destroyed and the invasion is repelled.

[WIF_Killzone]

Wahahaha, saw that coming, poor Yamato, rest in peace. Close run affair though. Lesson, never rush an invasion, make it so the dice don't matter. Two units or one marine at a minimum.

Yes truk is key, it offers interior lines meaning you can react in any direction, its like a force multiplier. Get some air their with air-naval moves, just place them into a sea zone, then rebase them on the other side, and do it again..., and you are there. Few impulses... No what, Americans can kick some butt but I suspect they are in a weak position, go get them!

[WIF_Killzone]

How about attacking they transports in the solomons and at the same time interdicting the returning jp task force when they rtb to truk, if they dare. That would mean staying at sea with the Americans, which could be risky if they fail to find the jps, and do some damage to them the next turn. just a thought.

[WIF_Killzone]

whoops, I misled you. It will take a few turns to get the air to truk as they will become disorganized after the impulse...