Groundhog Day! - No NJP

[BBfanboy]

I think setloz and others may have missed the point of your frustration; I have seen you accept helpful criticism delivered in good spirit many times and reply in the same tone. What is rankling you is the criticism delivered with the tone of "Why-did-you-do-something-so-stupid-I-know-better-than-you-what-should-be-done". [:@]

In Sangeli's case he did NOT in fact know the reasons for your moving troops out of Chungking and an appropriate post would have been to ask why you were doing so while stating what he understood as reasons for not doing so. The idea is to exchange information, not beat down the people who donate so much time and effort to posting AARs. [:)]

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I think setloz and others may have missed the point of your frustration; I have seen you accept helpful criticism delivered in good spirit many times and reply in the same tone. What is rankling you is the criticism delivered with the tone of "Why-did-you-do-something-so-stupid-I-know-better-than-you-what-should-be-done". [:@]

In Sangeli's case he did NOT in fact know the reasons for your moving troops out of Chungking and an appropriate post would have been to ask why you were doing so while stating what he understood as reasons for not doing so. The idea is to exchange information, not beat down the people who donate so much time and effort to posting AARs. [:)]

LOL!!! I honestly dont understand what all the uproar is about. In my opinion, Sangelli has had an attitude with me for a while. When he decided to get snarky with me again I got snarky back. I did not ask him to leave the thread or unsubscribe, I simply shot back. End of story...

Now we have a freaking riot over it. W... T... F...!!! Do we need a mediator? Should playground time be cancelled in lieu of counseling? I spoke with several medical experts and they advised me that Sangeli is likely to survive the experience. In fact, he will probably make a full recovery. Counseling may be required depending upon the size of his bank book and whether he thinks Nancy Regan was a good advisor to her husband.

You have been very helpful through my 2 games with NJP and I appreciate your input.

Back to our regularly scheduled war... Nearly pissed myself when NJP shot me back the combat turn only. Usually that means really bad things when this time it meant almost nothing except that he cant finish the turn until lunch.

Why not get into it to set the stage for the next week or so...

[Mike McCreery]

APRIL FOOLS!!! Hope the joke isnt on me!!

Ok, NJP recently made his foray into the Arufia sea with the KB and mini-KB. He scored 2 cruisers and tipped me off to where his ships are. So we loadin' up the trucks and movin' to beverly... Hills that is, swimming Pools, Movie Stars... Wait what?

You can see one part of the KB up near Aru Island. Likely replenishing from ships he has stationed there. The 2nd part is likely jiggling a CAP trap with the E boats to see if I want to smash up some of my planes and pilots. Not taking the bait there.

I am guessing it is easily 5-6 days to get to Rabaul from his current location without going through the strait.

Merauke is built up and will be a tough nut to crack.

The plan for the next week here is to mine the strait if he decides to try to transit it to bring his carriers into play.

[Mike McCreery]

The airbase at Port Moresby is level 3, Terapo is lvl 1 and Lae and Finschafen have been upgraded. Otherwise, most of the bases are in their original state.

I really do not plan to harass the air bases right now, just use my carriers as a shield against his LBA.

There are 4 US Naval Construction Battalions (AV 12) paired with 4 Boat and Shore Units (AV18) for deployment to the dot bases southeast of Port Moresby. The goal is to develop at least two of them to the point where Japanese naval forces would be endangered trying to approach PM from the east.

If he approaches through the straight then cooktown is a level 9 airfield and can take up to 500 AV. I will mine the strait and can mine Merauke and/or Port Moresby as well.

Also, I have over 36 PT boats heading for horn island to slow him down if necessary.

[Mike McCreery]

This is where the sausage might be getting made in the next few turns.

NJP appears to have a medium size TF and probably a smaller one along with sub chasers and mine sweepers. He also has warships hanging out northeast at several of the larger islands in the pacific. My guess however is that he does not have the KB over there at this time. My lack of knowledge of what extra goodies he got in this scenario might bite me in the ass.

Anyway, the plan is to move east with the Amphibious TF's and threaten Tulagi. Buin is the only other airfield built up and it is level 3. NJP swept Ndeni last turn and due to the Corsairs that were on escort his Zero's got the losing end of the deal.

[Mike McCreery]

The gilberts is another interesting area.

NJP contested me there and has done well by taking Nikunau and building up Kuria but one of his problems is now I have 4EB's coming on line in decent numbers and an attack with 1-2 hexes distance will put almost no wear and tear on the bombers and you can use them every day.

Once he gave me a lvl 6 airfield it was game over here. He has extended the time it will take me to move out so kudo's for that but other than a delaying tactic he gained almost no advantage by being aggressive in this theatre.

I still think that NJP is defending too far forward. a line along Rabaul and north would make more sense.

I have transports headed for San Francisco and when they arrive, troops will be heading for the Gilberts to start making headway here.

[Mike McCreery]

The liberators start beating up Nikunau.

[Mike McCreery]

And reef Island.

[Mike McCreery]

Noumea fell to the allies 2 days ago and this is the mop up.

One of the things that accelerated the re-deployment of troops is that Noumea fell faster than anticipated. I had a few islands in the last game that hung on stubbornly for a long time. The first attack was 1-4, the 2nd was 1-1, the 3rd was something like 4-1 and the 4th took the city.

Koumac already has 3 tank battalions waiting for another division to join them along with 3 -4 artillery units. He has 3 units there of maybe 100AV so it wont take long to eliminate them.

Having heard of the healing properties of HQ units I am going to try to see if I can get the 2 that got messed up unloading on the beaches patched together again. That gives me 4 divisions in the Noumea/Suva area and 4 divisions prepped for Port Moresby. So, once that objective is taken there are 8 divisions ready to continue the advance all in the one area.

I hope to make relatively quick progress.

[Mike McCreery]

I do have a question for the audience.

What is the best way you think to take down Truk?

I am thinking HQ on the dot island to the west to save space. Then part or all of a command HQ, a division plus a lot of tanks and combat engineers and some artillery thrown in. Add another 2 divisions to insert when the first one is worn out and it might come off as easy as possible.

In the beginning hitting it from maximum range with battle ship groups until the guns are softened up seems like a good plan.

I have never seen bombing work effectively at least against ground troops as the fort level is extreme.

Anyone out there have any suggestions to add?

[Mike McCreery]

Here is a confusing picture with aircraft and sub deployments.

I am swinging troops up and landing them on woodlark island along with 3 other dot islands in the area. The allied main CV's are going to station southwest for the landing.

NJP is retreating his main surface forces back toward Rabaul while leaving harassing forces at Tulagi. I will continue to attack reef island with air forces and am loading a variety of forces for this area. It is really just whatever I can put together at the moment to throw at NJP in this area. The entire focus is harassment and limiting his movement.

In 16 days, all of my transport upgrades should be completed. Another 2 weeks and likely I will be in position for an assault on Port Moresby.

For Tulagi I have a division 100% prepped along with a combat engineer about 40% and a corp HQ around 30%. Thinking about sending those troops in plus all the artillery and armor I can scrape together. If I could manage to wrestle that island away from him it would advance my cause.

[BBfanboy]

Re: Truk -you don't have to stand off max range for your bombardments: try 12-14K yards and little should get hit. The Japanese may have radar by now but it is not very good. You should also have little trouble with mines at that range, but embed a couple of DMS in your bombardment TF anyway.

Satawal may be an easy dot base to take but IIRC the airfield can only build to 3? Not enough to effectively bomb Truk. You need Ponape or Emirau Island (off Kavieng).

One thing I have found in my sandbox games: even when the base and the Coast Defence fort are out of supply, the guns still fire when you approach, especially at minesweepers.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Re: Truk -you don't have to stand off max range for your bombardments: try 12-14K yards and little should get hit. The Japanese may have radar by now but it is not very good. You should also have little trouble with mines at that range, but embed a couple of DMS in your bombardment TF anyway.

Satawal may be an easy dot base to take but IIRC the airfield can only build to 3? Not enough to effectively bomb Truk. You need Ponape or Emirau Island (off Kavieng).

One thing I have found in my sandbox games: even when the base and the Coast Defence fort are out of supply, the guns still fire when you approach, especially at minesweepers.

I am thinking of trying around the September/October range but a lot depends upon my progress up to that point.

You are correct about the dot base. I just want to put the Command HQ there since it takes up space that does not have to be on Truk. I would much prefer it was 45K stacking rather than 25K. Does not leave that much room for manuver. The dot base could also be used for scouting north of Truk to prevent suprises.

Prerequisites to any operation like this is that somehow I gain naval and/or carrier superiority somehow, and take Rabaul and probably Ponape along with some other support islands ideally. I cannot do it with his forces at full strength. I will need to have concrete plans by June to bring it off early though.

Thanks for the range info. I will start at 16K and work my way down. This is not going to be a shoot and run scenario if I even attempt it.

[Mike McCreery]

April 8, 1943

The operation has gone very smoothly. Transports ascended into the dot islands with carrier cover. On the 4th, NJP used sweeps to start reducing my air power.

Therefore, I moved the carriers and left the amphibious ships unprotected for a day while I shot east and tried to take out some of his surface forces at Tulagi. NJP anticipated my move and had all 3 task forces out of range.

That lead me to look at Tulagi and send in the mine sweepers that did an amazing job and then the next turn to send in multiple bombardment groups to harass the island. NJP also seemed to anticipate this because 110+ planes disappeared from the island and were not damaged by the attack(s).

By the time NJP saw my positioning, the troop transports had time to retreat from the dot islands with almost all troops delivered. The Boat and shore troops got the rest on the shore fast and the NCB's are working hard. Tagula is already past half way to a level 1 airfield.

The solomon island operation is deemed a complete success using surprise and strategic advantage. Right now NJP is moving the KB from the Arufa Sea back over to the Rabaul area. This wont help him when I swing back and hit Merauke next...

If I can pull him back in that direction it will have cost him a lot of fuel and provided a great opportunity for the assault on Port Moresby. All data coming out of the base indicates he has 8-10,000 troops at the base. Should be an easy go for 3+ divisions.

[Crackaces]

On Truk .. My own thoughts is to isolate and make it unusable rather than brut force ..
take the islands around to project force .. the huge shore batteries have been known to take its toll for sure during an invasion

The 88L71's will take their toll too trying to bomb .. where more lucrative targets might be damaged for less costs

In my first game I threatened Truk which increased activity and my subs took their toll, but my focus went elsewhere

I have never been effective with mines vs. bombardment, but certainly mines have to be cleared for an invasion RE: those huge shore batteries

[Crackaces]

If I can pull him back in that direction it will have cost him a lot of fuel and
provided a great opportunity for the assault on Port Moresby

I love this part of your overall strategy ..and its effectiveness. I believe this is the weakness in any IJN scenario
The DEI offers unlimited fuel but it must be brought out to the periphery to be used effectively and that is at a cost to the home islands.

Each time the KB (especially those BB's) fuel up out in some remote location fuel has to be brought out .. it sort of aligns with your thoughts on Truk ..

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

On Truk .. My own thoughts is to isolate and make it unusable rather than brut force ..
take the islands around to project force .. the huge shore batteries have been known to take its toll for sure during an invasion

The 88L71's will take their toll too trying to bomb .. where more lucrative targets might be damaged for less costs

In my first game I threatened Truk which increased activity and my subs took their toll, but my focus went elsewhere

I have never been effective with mines vs. bombardment, but certainly mines have to be cleared for an invasion RE: those huge shore batteries

All true, but in my PBM where I chose to tackle it Truk sure does repair a lot of ships with the size 7 port. Not essential, but helpful if you do take it in a given game.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

On Truk .. My own thoughts is to isolate and make it unusable rather than brut force ..
take the islands around to project force .. the huge shore batteries have been known to take its toll for sure during an invasion

The 88L71's will take their toll too trying to bomb .. where more lucrative targets might be damaged for less costs

In my first game I threatened Truk which increased activity and my subs took their toll, but my focus went elsewhere

I have never been effective with mines vs. bombardment, but certainly mines have to be cleared for an invasion RE: those huge shore batteries

All true, but in my PBM where I chose to tackle it Truk sure does repair a lot of ships with the size 7 port. Not essential, but helpful if you do take it in a given game.

Ok ... and the thought is that a level 7 port in the middle of the Pacific is helpful for a bit vs. the costs?
I always thought the strategic move toward Cam Ranh Bay that you have done in your game costs less effort .. ?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

On Truk .. My own thoughts is to isolate and make it unusable rather than brut force ..
take the islands around to project force .. the huge shore batteries have been known to take its toll for sure during an invasion

The 88L71's will take their toll too trying to bomb .. where more lucrative targets might be damaged for less costs

In my first game I threatened Truk which increased activity and my subs took their toll, but my focus went elsewhere

I have never been effective with mines vs. bombardment, but certainly mines have to be cleared for an invasion RE: those huge shore batteries

All true, but in my PBM where I chose to tackle it Truk sure does repair a lot of ships with the size 7 port. Not essential, but helpful if you do take it in a given game.

Ok ... and the thought is that a level 7 port in the middle of the Pacific is helpful for a bit vs. the costs?
I always thought the strategic move toward Cam Ranh Bay that you have done in your game costs less effort .. ?

Same game, so they can't really be separated. Both were opportunistic in their own way. With Truk I gauged the repair state of the IJN carriers and figured I had time to jump on it. Might not have been an ideal strategy, but I wanted to try it. Sure learned a lot! [:D]

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: witpqs



All true, but in my PBM where I chose to tackle it Truk sure does repair a lot of ships with the size 7 port. Not essential, but helpful if you do take it in a given game.

Ok ... and the thought is that a level 7 port in the middle of the Pacific is helpful for a bit vs. the costs?
I always thought the strategic move toward Cam Ranh Bay that you have done in your game costs less effort .. ?

Same game, so they can't really be separated. Both were opportunistic in their own way. With Truk I gauged the repair state of the IJN carriers and figured I had time to jump on it. Might not have been an ideal strategy, but I wanted to try it. Sure learned a lot! [:D]

Ok .. not to hijack the thread but you make a major point I believe .. in the strategic context of your game you made the decision that the risk was worth the gain ..
in this case 1 point is the operational status of the IJN carriers in your game ...

I think that is where some get lost in chiming in with advice ... they think within there own context and they do not consider that others might see things differently and if they do they are wrong ...
Sometimes the right decision tactically in that moment is totally the wrong decision strategically especially if one has a different strategy altogether

Both of the players in this game are brilliant in there own right and provide much insight on different perspectives.

I am sort of interested in getting back into the game but it is just not fair for my opponent as I have a 7X12 schedule [8|]