The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Canoerebel]

3/24/43

Battle of Sumatra: The Six Sisters and the Kongos hit Sabang and, in the process, take out the last ACM. Two BBs hit Langsa, as do the bombers. KB is re-sighted near Georgetown. As usual, no sign of imminent attacks by land in the Langsa and Sabang sectors. The first enemy unit advances to the yellow road on the west coast. I think John will bombard today and attack tomorrow. The US RCT there is 60 AV with JR terrain, so it won't halt the Japanese advance. Further up the road, a tank unit and 1st Marines will be waiting in rough terrain. The biggest question is whether John will invade now that he's siphoned off these units to the west side.

Battle of Burma: Allied heavy bombers hit Magwe, which has no CAP but lots of 2EB on the field. The main accomplishment is taking out some supply.

SWPac: Peanut 2 (100%) will reach Check 1 tomorrow.

SoPac: A marine detachment aboard an xAKL is nearing Vitupa, which is ungarrisoned. But John may react this time. SigInt is showing a Mixed Brigade unit inbound to Tabituea, and I think he has patrols operating there now. So freebees may be over.

[paullus99]

I may be harsh, but I don't see how the allies can be competitive in these types of mods for at least a couple of years - and any defeat or loss of major warships they suffer at the beginning, puts them further back in the timeline.

I don't see this as John trying to competitive - I see it as his way to beat up on the allies for a couple of hundred turns until the frustrated allied player goes somewhere else.

Sorry, I'll shut up now.

[Canoerebel]

Who's been doing the beating up in this game, really? Isn't it apparent that the Allies are doing remarkably well, especially given the disparity in aircraft pools? I've said all this before, but permit me to say it again:

1. The Allies have retained the initiative more or less since late Spring of '42. John's been reacting to Allied moves in the Aluetians, then Gilberts, then the big Oz feint, and now Sumatra.
2. As a result, he's failed to expand anywhere close to his normal perimiter (with the exception of New Caledonia).
3. He's taken it on the chin in the air war (losing 3k more aircraft than the Allies to date).
4. The war at sea has been tough on both sides, I think, but the Allies have done pretty well overall, I believe, especially in sinking cruisers and destroyers.
5. The Allies repeatedly take the high ground and force the enemy to attack (Longstreet's methodology, of course). Thus far John's been able to handle things in the Aluetians and Gilberts, but he's still struggling in Sumatra to regain what he's lost.
6. This may seem a small thing, but John lost Medan for a month. When he recaptured it, the oil production and refinery were destroyed. I think that has certain long-term affects on him.

To date, the Allies have considerably more territory than normal, have efficiently attrited the enemy at sea and in the air (to my reckoning, anyhow), and John's been totally in react mode for a year. Now the Allies are about ready to begin the true offensive stage of the game, rather than the spoiling attack stage.

[Lecivius]

I think your doing really well. I think the frustration is in the air model, which has already been mentioned. But as you said, it makes the victory all the sweeter [;)]

[poodlebrain]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

I may be harsh, but I don't see how the allies can be competitive in these types of mods for at least a couple of years - and any defeat or loss of major warships they suffer at the beginning, puts them further back in the timeline.

I don't see this as John trying to competitive - I see it as his way to beat up on the allies for a couple of hundred turns until the frustrated allied player goes somewhere else.

Sorry, I'll shut up now.

The time investment to play this game is significant. For the Allied player getting smacked around in the early war by the Japanese, with even historic forces, is not much fun. Giving the Japanese substantially more resources for applying the early war smack down just increases the misery, as well as having the potential to prolong the misery. The flip side is that the modifications do not increase Japanese economic capacity, so eventually the additional forces will become a bigger onus on the Japanese economy. The problem is that this encourages a Sir Robin approach by the Allies, and an I give up response by the Japanese when the initiative shifts. And that makes for a dissatisfying game for both players.

The modifications are fine for Allied players who don't have a problem investing their time in a game they are willing to lose in crushing fashion, kudos to Canoerebel, with an active defense. The problem is that most players are not willing to invest the time to let JFBs exercise their fantasies when it is all too common for the JFBs to lose interest once the fun times are over.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Who's been doing the beating up in this game, really? Isn't it apparent that the Allies are doing remarkably well, especially given the disparity in aircraft pools? I've said all this before, but permit me to say it again:

Channeling your opponent, however:

1. The Allies have retained the initiative more or less since late Spring of '42. John's been reacting to Allied moves in the Aluetians, then Gilberts, then the big Oz feint, and now Sumatra. Yes, but BANZAI!
2. As a result, he's failed to expand anywhere close to his normal perimiter (with the exception of New Caledonia). It's all good because, you know, BANZAI!!
3. He's taken it on the chin in the air war (losing 3k more aircraft than the Allies to date). The Power of BANZAI renders your points moot!
4. The war at sea has been tough on both sides, I think, but the Allies have done pretty well overall, I believe, especially in sinking cruisers and destroyers. Our shipyards are in BANZAI Mode. Soon hundreds of replacements will sally forth like grunion running in the surf. Or, umm, something. But, BANZAI!!!!
5. The Allies repeatedly take the high ground and force the enemy to attack (Longstreet's methodology, of course). Thus far John's been able to handle things in the Aluetians and Gilberts, but he's still struggling in Sumatra to regain what he's lost. Longstreet was not under the true warrior's BANZAI curtain. Also, he smelled of rancid butter. BANZAI!!!!
6. This may seem a small thing, but John lost Medan for a month. When he recaptured it, the oil production and refinery were destroyed. I think that has certain long-term affects on him. Nonsense! Our ships run on pure BANZAIness. BANZAIitiude. BANZAIishness. One of those stupid English-isms.

To date, the Allies have considerably more territory than normal, have efficiently attrited the enemy at sea and in the air (to my reckoning, anyhow), and John's been totally in react mode for a year. Now the Allies are about ready to begin the true offensive stage of the game, rather than the spoiling attack stage.

Weak-kneed, Mickey Mouse-loving, fight-like-girls Allies shall fall to their bellies and beg forgiveness for violating the realm of the BANZAI! I now leave you with you with the pure, fiveple-dog-dare-you uber-BANZAI. BANZAI!! BANZAI!! BANZAI!! BANZAI!! BANZAI!! (Eat a hamburger, American Dog!)

All in good fun of course. Not a whit of truth here. [:'(][8D]

[Lowpe]

Longstreet was not under the true warrior's BANZAI curtain. Also, he smelled of rancid butter. BANZAI!!!!

You missed that one.[:-]


"Longstreet, pfui. I am channeling Stonewall! Banzai!!!

[:D]All in good fun.[:D]

[panzer cat]

He has to retake Sabang, it's a huge threat to his oil. You are holding down a superior force, hopefully allowing a strike somewhere else.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Longstreet was not under the true warrior's BANZAI curtain. Also, he smelled of rancid butter. BANZAI!!!!

You missed that one.[:-]


"Longstreet, pfui. I am channeling Stonewall! Banzai!!!

[:D]All in good fun.[:D]

Stonewall only made it half way through the war. [:'(]

[Mike McCreery]

It is good to know that some other people find John's exuberance a tad exasperating ;]

This game was never designed to be fair and I for one dont mind getting beaten on for a few years if I can turn the tables.

The Japanese player could find it rough from the start with no chance for improvement!!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Longstreet was not under the true warrior's BANZAI curtain. Also, he smelled of rancid butter. BANZAI!!!!

You missed that one.[:-]


"Longstreet, pfui. I am channeling Stonewall! Banzai!!!

[:D]All in good fun.[:D]

Stonewall only made it half way through the war. [:'(]

It is not longevity, but elan. BANZAI![:'(]

[Canoerebel]

3/25/43

Moose, you are too much. That's John in a nutshell - "Banzai!"

Battle of Sumatra: 10th IJ Division dispensed with a probing bombardment and used a deliberate attack to rough up the USA RCT in the picket position. The RCT retired a hex and John can advance. I'm going to give him another freebie hex to draw him that much further up the yellow road before he'll begin to encounter stiffer resistance. I would much rather have John focused on four divisions (or whatever) moving up that long wesern road than him geting desperate and invading Langsa or Sabang. Of course, he may be planning somesuch, but there's no sign of it in the near term.

Four Sisters bombard Langsa and enemy strike aircraft focus there, as usual. The KB returns to position SW of Sabang. It helps me to know her whereabouts.

SigInt that a brigade is inbound to Port Blair. So that's two brigades - the other bound for Tabituea - and still no SigInt that John is reinforcing the key Java to New Britain arc of bases I'm focusing most upon.

My first choice is to invade Java. It's important, right now it's weakly defended (judging by long-term SigInt), it's easy to select a poorly defended port, and I've never invaded there before. Over my WitP/AE career, I've tried a variety of deep thrusts: Kuriles '42, Sumatra '42, Iwo '43, Hokkaido/Sikhalin Island '43, and China coast '44. I haven't tried Java and the Philippines before and those have occupied most of my thoughts in this game.

SoPac: The AI flips Vaitupu to Allied control a turn before the marines arrive. Freebie. A small expeditionary force is loading at Shangri La and bound for Canton Island. I'd be surprised if that invasion actually comes about - I think John is reinforcing that theater now. But this is just in case events elsewhere draw his attention.

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: panzer cat

He has to retake Sabang, it's a huge threat to his oil. You are holding down a superior force, hopefully allowing a strike somewhere else.

I think Jiii is quite happy with the situation.

Sabang is threatening nothing, no aircraft, no shipping, half a dozen divisions waiting to be bashed. Even when the much vaunted Hellcats arrive CR will be out numbered in CV and will be facing some very experienced IJN pilots, the results are not assured.

Movement in the South Pacific is good, but IMVHO a month late, Jiii is committed to clearing Sabang, he should seal you off and tidy up later.

If there was a vote, mine would be against Java, its too late to draw forces from Sumatra and very close to a japanese hub. If your forces were stronger (or the IJA weaker)I might change my mind. Any movement into the Timor/Ambon/Celebes is OK if you have strong airpower, not yet an Allied advantage.

CR has done well, many are defending Karachi in vanilla mods, but I dont think the position is strong.

[Canoerebel]

John has to keep all his assets in place in order to keep Sabang buttoned down. Primarily, if he pulls KB away, the Allies will be able to reinforce wtih combat ships and fighters. Then he has to address the situation afresh. I don't see him winding up the ground game in the next 60 days. At this point, I'm primarily wanting it to buy the time for the Allies to invade en masse elsewhere. And I thinkI can create the kind of diversion that will make Java or New Guinea or the Admiralties possible.

[JeffroK]

I'll be very happy if it succeeds, love to see the smile wiped from Jiii's postings.

However I'm not convinced yet.

[Lecivius]

My only concern to your plan, and I have said it before, is his satellite airfields. If he gets them to level 4 then LBA can continue the blockade, perhaps with a small carrier contingent as support (remember, he gets more carriers in this mod than normal). He can run his gunships for bombardments. This will free up his KB to react to any moves on Java.

I'm not being critical, just voicing my concerns on your plans. In any event, it's gut check time & see where we land

[Canoerebel]

Well it's still early to be convinced of anything. But my overall plan is to grab another chunk of high ground and force John to attack again, in essence repeating what we've just gone through in Sumatra. From that standpoing, Java, New Guinea, and New Britain are enticing. It will be important to draw John out of position a bit - such as a feint towards Sumatra or Port Blair or New Caledonia. He's so aggressive that I think I can accomplish this, just as I did prior to the Sumatra invasion.

Going back to my earliest games of AE and WitP, I used to put the ebb and flow of the game in these terms:
1941 - Year of Surprise
1942 - Year of Japanese Aggression
1943 - Year of Parity
1944 - Year of Allied Aggression
1945 - Year of Conquest

The Allies don't expect to win the war this year. I just want to keep John reacting and attacking defensively, if that makes sense.

[Lowpe]

Mr Kane pulled off a great early invasion of Java. One thing to note is the Dutch troops will respawn at Tjilatjap too I believe.

I find it hilarious that everyone has such diverse opinions on this mod and this game. It is so entertaining, and seemingly, the players are having a lot of fun (and stress) from playing it.

Including all us jokers in the peanut gallery are having a blast chiming in too.

Seems like a win-win-win.

[Lecivius]

Oh yeah, I'm having a blast from the peanut gallery. I'm getting ulcers thinking on those electrons in Sabang, and it's not even my game [:D]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: Lowpe



You missed that one.[:-]


"Longstreet, pfui. I am channeling Stonewall! Banzai!!!

[:D]All in good fun.[:D]

Stonewall only made it half way through the war. [:'(]

It is not longevity, but elan. BANZAI![:'(]

Stonewall? Elan? He was a complete sourpuss. Kind of a dick, even.

And I say that having served on the sub named for him. I ate every meal in the wardroom with a replica of his saber poking me in the back.

Oh, sorry. BANZAI!!!!!!!![:'(]