The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Mundy]

Dan, in my Japanese game, after about 6 months, I've never seen any intel apart from "signals detected at XXX". I'm wondering if it's even possible at this point, though I admit to not checking for quite a while.

Japanese officers, however seem to like gossiping to their girlfriends in Japan over the radio.

I'm guessing those detection levels would probably indicate ships in the port, but as to accuracy...?

[obvert]

Question. If KB is in hiding, and you've not had any clue as to where it is for a week before you've ready to start your next Op, wherever it ends up going, what will you do?

Will you risk not only the Allied CVs but also the invasion/reinforcement fleets in a potential duel? Will you wait until you do know where the KB is patrolling?

[Sangeli]

I have seen instances where a Japanese player was able to sniff out the location of the Death Star with the help of those generic signals detected messages in SigInt. Can't remember which AAR it was but it led to a brutal Allied defeat of the Death Star as it made its way back to PH from the Gilberts in fall 42. But I believe that SigInt report was at a particular spot of the ocean rather than a port. In my opinion the only way Japan can really act on it is if the player already has a strong suspicion of where the Death Star is located and the SigInt supports that hunch.

[Canoerebel]

Obvert, I don't intend to commit the Death Star unless I know or have a very strong idea that the KB won't be a factor during the operative period. John may commit his carriers so that I know their whereabouts, or I may get SigInt, or a sub may happen across a carrier. But my ace in the hole is the idea I mentioned yesterday: there's a green dot hex in the Java Sea. I'm sending supply there by sub and will eventually insert a base force fragment. Then I'll send a PBY unit there (it's only about 37 hexes from Normanton and Portland Roads).

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

I have seen instances where a Japanese player was able to sniff out the location of the Death Star with the help of those generic signals detected messages in SigInt. Can't remember which AAR it was but it led to a brutal Allied defeat of the Death Star as it made its way back to PH from the Gilberts in fall 42. But I believe that SigInt report was at a particular spot of the ocean rather than a port. In my opinion the only way Japan can really act on it is if the player already has a strong suspicion of where the Death Star is located and the SigInt supports that hunch.

I remember that too.

[JohnDillworth]

Cracker Jacks.

just don't spend PP on Circus Peanuts. WORST CANDY EVER!

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
But my ace in the hole is the idea I mentioned yesterday: there's a green dot hex in the Java Sea. I'm sending supply there by sub and will eventually insert a base force fragment. Then I'll send a PBY unit there (it's only about 37 hexes from Normanton and Portland Roads).

Does that work? I've definitely had issues loading units into SSTs before. Though I can't remember what the restrictions are off the top of my head.

[witpqs]

If that dot base is Kalao then you cannot unload there until you build a port IRRC. I might cover that way back in my AAR, because I think I flew guys in with PBY types and built from there.

[BBfanboy]

Dan, IME the D/L needs to be up around 5 before any ship type is identified. About all those subs can report is that there are ships in port or a TF or two in the hex.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
But my ace in the hole is the idea I mentioned yesterday: there's a green dot hex in the Java Sea. I'm sending supply there by sub and will eventually insert a base force fragment. Then I'll send a PBY unit there (it's only about 37 hexes from Normanton and Portland Roads).

Does that work? I've definitely had issues loading units into SSTs before. Though I can't remember what the restrictions are off the top of my head.

I think it is only paratroops that can travel by SST. Go figure.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
But my ace in the hole is the idea I mentioned yesterday: there's a green dot hex in the Java Sea. I'm sending supply there by sub and will eventually insert a base force fragment. Then I'll send a PBY unit there (it's only about 37 hexes from Normanton and Portland Roads).

Does that work? I've definitely had issues loading units into SSTs before. Though I can't remember what the restrictions are off the top of my head.

I think it is only paratroops that can travel by SST. Go figure.

If I got this right, only paratroops can load in Combat mode on subs. Other type have to be in (I think it's) Move mode. They want to make sure that only paratroops can assault from subs.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Sangeli


Does that work? I've definitely had issues loading units into SSTs before. Though I can't remember what the restrictions are off the top of my head.

I think it is only paratroops that can travel by SST. Go figure.

If I got this right, only paratroops can load in Combat mode on subs. Other type have to be in (I think it's) Move mode. They want to make sure that only paratroops can assault from subs.

Oh, right! So they strap on some water skis, open their parachutes and sail right onto the shore. Slick!

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Oh, right! So they strap on some water skis, open their parachutes and sail right onto the shore. Slick!

I believe the rational was that only specialized raiders could do it. Which ironically means Marine raiders cannot. That being said, I recall having issues loading even paras in SSTs. Or was it SS. Honestly I can't remember. Since no one here has any real hard knowledge here it would probably be useful to test. Then you could have a table with 3 columns: para vs non-par, SST vs SS, and strat vs combat mode.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I have a few questions about Japanese SigInt and Glen-generated detection levles.

1. Several of my big Australian ports show detection levels like 1/0 or 2/1. There are IJN subs close by. I "think" the detection levels are from Glen reconnaissance. Any chance, in your experience, that John could be getting an specific information like the number and quantity of ships in port? (I have some BBs down there and I'd prefer that John not find them.)

2. Several of my big West Coast ports show similar detection levels. I haven't seen a sub near the West Coast since before the Sumatra invasion. I'm pertty sure there aren't any subs around, so I've been attributing the detection levels to the usual "radio signal" SigInt reports. Any chance in your experience that a Japanese player could be getting more specific information, like numbers and kinds of ships?

So the basic question is really the same: what kind of information might a Japanese player get from a 1/0 or a 2/1 detection level of a port?

Not much with that sort of detection level. And, if he is using Glens to scout major bases, you will get both sighting reports and on occasion shoot one down. I don't think these detection levels are the results of Glens. The DL would be much higher even without a camera equipped aircraft unless the conditions were horrible.

[Canoerebel]

4/25/43

Battle of Sumatra: No enemy invasions and no sign of KB. Six sisters bombard Sabang.

On the west side, IJA 2nd Tank Div. pushes back the picket RCT (this unit retreats into the interior, but it's the exact hex I would've chosen for it as it now is in a blocking position and can recover). 2nd Tanks will advance next into a hex occupied by 1st Marine Div., so no more freebies.

On the east side, no ground assault. Massed enemy bombing runs against Langsa and the contexted-hex troops to the south.

Operation Circus: SigInt that 5th IJA Regiment is aboard ship bound for Samarinda. This dovetails with recent reports of 15th Div. aboard marus bound for Balikpapan. I'm not concerned about the location of these reinforcements. These do hint at a possible JIT Reinforcement Part III. But if John is primed for an attack in the Java Sea region, I can probably feed those fears and use them to my advantage, either by attacking in New Guinea or by switching to Operation Chicken.

[Canoerebel]

In Sumatra, John must be thinking as simply as this: "I've got you where I want you now. You have to come to me if you want to save your troops."

That's a logical stance. So, how do I use it against him?

[witpqs]

I must admit, John has me baffled as to what his plan is. That is different than saying whatever it is constitutes a bad plan, just that I don't know what the plan is. I doubt he would just leave that Allied position in place. He knows that as the Allies get the goods of increased war production Sabang would take on a different character.

[BillBrown]

I think his best hope is to storm the beaches at Sabang. He needs to completely eliminate the Allied presence on Sumatra.

[Canoerebel]

Bill and witpqs, I agree. I think it's John's best plan and I'm puzzled. But John may figure he has the position properly cauterized. He may be using it as bait to draw in and then pounce on Allied reinforcements.

[Encircled]

Even with a couple of Glen recon flights with 70 skill recon pilots won't get you any concrete info.

It might well say "CV CV CVL CV CVL" to the Japanese player, but its not right very often.