Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

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ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

There are 4 divisions in Sabang which [full strength] is something like 1000 rifle squads. The US Army gets 80 squads a month, so 960 a year. To rebuild these units will take a full year of replacements (not time, just squads). That is one huge bite out of the US war effort!

Am I missing something?

Possibly, yes. Are all 4 divisions U.S. Army, or are there units which can draw on other pools?

We have the 1st Marine Div and two Marine Regiments, 2 US Army ID and 3-4 Ind Reg, the 20th Indian Division, and 18th British ID.

You've got the 27th, 32th, 37th US Army divisions, plus the Americal broken into regiments (164th, 182nd, 132nd). I think the two Marine regiments, 9th and 21st, are part of the 3rd Marine division, too. Not sure if the rest is here.

As I found out the hard way too, British/Australian/NZ AA pools are not deep, and there is a lot of that here too.

[John 3rd]

One has to remember the attempted capture of New Caledonia by five Brigades/Regiments. Dan pulled that trigger before I moved the two ID that were there off. I forced the surrender of two Aussie Brigades, two NZ Brigades, and a Marine Regiment. This was around the start of January 43.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: kjnoel

Is it really so easy to shrug off the US losses?

There are 4 divisions in Sabang which [full strength] is something like 1000 rifle squads. The US Army gets 80 squads a month, so 960 a year. To rebuild these units will take a full year of replacements (not time, just squads). That is one huge bite out of the US war effort!

Am I missing something?

Not easy but not a serious problem. There are ways to do it. Probably won't get the RCTs (some might be slated to withdraw later anyways) back soon but the three other divisions won't take long. Tanks are not much of a problem. And support units no problem at all. But the loss of that many men is not small matter. He can make up those losses but gives up any cushion he has for at least the rest of the year.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Great first attack!

Boy, you are really going to grab the victory points here! If the Allies lose all that, my goodness will that put a crimp in their ability to threaten multiple fronts.

Well, the American divisions should be fairly quick to rebuild. (three, maybe four months) with little trouble. Indian and Australian can be rebuilt if you are a little creative in breaking down smaller units. I doubt the British division will ever get rebuilt. It is a big hit for Dan but not the end of the world. All other units are really no problem for the Allies to quickly rebuild. Sinking six carriers would have been a lot more significant. [;)] It has always been my contention as an Allied player that the Allies can recover from just about any early war disaster so long as they do not screw up and lose the carriers. It does limit his options in this theater for some time. I would call this contest a draw so far. Neither side had delivered a significant body blow. Been fun to watch so far.

I think this is bigger than just buy back and refill, and the VPs gained don't go away. The experience is a big factor, the time it will take even if he gets to buy them back soon, and the PPs themselves. You only get so many.

The Allies still own one hex in addition to Sabang. Could the IJ move out of that one once Sabang is about to fall and let the Allies have a retreat path? The question is, without another base on the island would they retreat? If they did they could sit there for a good while.

As kjnoel points out too, it's a lot of squads, plus devices that will be even harder to fill as many of the regiments and smaller units don't have a lot of those devices in numbers.

Destroyed Allied units can be bought back immediately for just a few PP. Maybe 30PP for a full division. American units then come back on the West Coast in about 30 days. American units come back with about 50 Exp which is the same as most newly arriving American division. Funny how it works but for the most part my American divisions in my last campaign never really got a lot of exp. That is because they spent most of the war attacking bases that were quickly overwhelmed. Only the ones I had in the Eastern theater saw extended combat and gained a whole lot of experience. So in 8/45 when I was planning my invasion of Japan. I had maybe half a dozen US army divisions with exp well over 60. However, my Indian, British and Australian troops (along with some American) that had fought through Burma, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam and then though China were all in the high seventies to eighty range. They were my shock troops. In my current campaign, I am deliberately engaging in some slow slogging campaigns to wipe out garrisons that I could have bypassed just so my damn infantry will get some experience. Squads are one thing but by 1943 the American pools are overfull with all sorts of devices. Devices are never a problem for the Americans.

As for VP, I don't pay much attention to them. I will know I have won once my troops are in the Imperial Palace..[;)] It was my experience that once strat bombing comes into play, the Allies start to get a whole lot of VP. I think it is out of balance-slanted towards the Allies.

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ORIGINAL: crsutton

As for VP, I don't pay much attention to them. I will know I have won once my troops are in the Imperial Palace..[;)] It was my experience that once strat bombing comes into play, the Allies start to get a whole lot of VP. I think it is out of balance-slanted towards the Allies.

If your troops only arrive on the Japanese mainland in March of 46 and you're only even in VPs, that visit to the Palace would be bittersweet. [;)]

Strat bombing does what it's supposed to do as well as getting points. The B-29s absolutely crippled my economy and production in spite of taking heavy losses regularly.

I used to think VPs didn't matter, and after playing one game to the end and playing both sides, now I can't think of what matters more. For the Allies you have to be so careful and aware of AV potential in 42, and then with the amount you're bleeding as you move forward for the rest of the war.

For the Japanese it's the route to feeling okay with being smacked down relentlessly for two full years of game play. [:)]

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: crsutton

As for VP, I don't pay much attention to them. I will know I have won once my troops are in the Imperial Palace..[;)] It was my experience that once strat bombing comes into play, the Allies start to get a whole lot of VP. I think it is out of balance-slanted towards the Allies.

If your troops only arrive on the Japanese mainland in March of 46 and you're only even in VPs, that visit to the Palace would be bittersweet. [;)]

Strat bombing does what it's supposed to do as well as getting points. The B-29s absolutely crippled my economy and production in spite of taking heavy losses regularly.

I used to think VPs didn't matter, and after playing one game to the end and playing both sides, now I can't think of what matters more. For the Allies you have to be so careful and aware of AV potential in 42, and then with the amount you're bleeding as you move forward for the rest of the war.

For the Japanese it's the route to feeling okay with being smacked down relentlessly for two full years of game play. [:)]

Just a difference of philosophy. We HR auto victory out in our game. We decided that it was not historically relevant and it causes a lot of game to end on 1/43. One thing that I have always felt would have enhanced play is to make VP losses for American carriers much higher in 44/45 vs 42 and then do the reverse for Japanese carriers.

[John 3rd]

June 16, 1943

Have been getting a couple of turns in before leaving for three days off up in the mountains. Cannot wait!

There has been some serious developments so I'll touch on them quickly:

North Pacific
Attu
The Kido Butai splits with the newest 3 CVs, 4 CVLs, and 18 escorts moving to Attu to replenish and resupply. They serve as a warning to Mr. Roper. They are also highly visible for a few days because I want him thinking the carriers are HERE instead of in Yokohoma and Tokyo upgrading.

Amchitka
There has been a batch of aerial activity with American Sweeps being flow here from Adak. A most unpleasant discovery was a squadron of 20 P-47 Thunderbolts appearing YIKES! Didn't think I would see them this soon. Exchanges are fairly decent and, for a change, I am now fighting over MY bases, pilot losses are light.

Adak
Lots of shipping around here and my Vals do well sinking several AKs over the last few days.

The big action is a surface fight on the 16th. The venerable Light Cruisers Isuzu and Nagara with 4 DDs go hunting for Allied shipping and find a small tiger. The STF mixes it up with CA Shropshire, CLAA San Juan and 9 US DDs. Crap! One would think this will be bad but---IT ISN'T. The Aleutians have NASTY weather and all sorts of inky blackness that help the saber-slashing Japanese Sons of Nippon. The fight STARTS at 1,000 Yds with the Japanese crossing the 'T.' Before the Allies can open up, DD Hatsushima slams two Long Lances into the British cruiser crippling and maybe sinking her. The Nagara blows DD Aulick to smithereens by a Long Lance and then the TF beats feet away. Score is CA Shropshire and DD Aulick for medium damage to DD Hatsushima. Solid work by my knife fighters.

Sumatra
Sabang
The 15th sees a bombardment by 2 BBs, 3 BCs, and DDs that 1,028 Cas, 40 Guns, 70 Vehicles, and hit the Runway 60 times. A Deliberate Attack follows (#2) and misses scoring a 1-1. We get a 1-2 (1078--1463) with casualties breaking nicely for the Allies: Jpn 6,476 to 1830 Allied, 102 Guns, and 81 Vehicles. Two full strength ID will arrive in two days with a third coming up from Langsa. Pull two ID out to return to Langsa for rest. Though disappointing, the result is not terrible. We'll keep knocking on the door...


That is the news! Here is a shot of that lovely surface fight near Adak:

[John 3rd]

I am packing up the Cochran Clan and we are going up the Poudre Canyon for three days of R&R in a world WITHOUT electronics due to no signal whatsoever. We'll try to muddle through and survive. The war will be still waiting when I get back Thursday.

NOTES:
1. Following advice from the previous pages I ahve worked to shift my Naval and Army Fighter Research. Have second versions of George and Tony well underway in this area.
2. Frank is now moving forward steadily a month earlier for every six weeks passed in game time.
3. Am looking at the late-war Fighters as well as expanding Sam but haven't done it yet.

Late-War airframes are something I know little about. Any further exploration here would be greatly appreciated.

Off to a palatial cabin!

[Lowpe]

Enjoy the trip![:)]

[Revthought]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: crsutton

As for VP, I don't pay much attention to them. I will know I have won once my troops are in the Imperial Palace..[;)] It was my experience that once strat bombing comes into play, the Allies start to get a whole lot of VP. I think it is out of balance-slanted towards the Allies.

If your troops only arrive on the Japanese mainland in March of 46 and you're only even in VPs, that visit to the Palace would be bittersweet. [;)]

Strat bombing does what it's supposed to do as well as getting points. The B-29s absolutely crippled my economy and production in spite of taking heavy losses regularly.

I used to think VPs didn't matter, and after playing one game to the end and playing both sides, now I can't think of what matters more. For the Allies you have to be so careful and aware of AV potential in 42, and then with the amount you're bleeding as you move forward for the rest of the war.

For the Japanese it's the route to feeling okay with being smacked down relentlessly for two full years of game play. [:)]

That's totally relative to your playing experience. I completely ignore VPs--it helps to HR out AV I suppose--because they are completely irrelevant to the actual conduct of the war. I enjoy pretending like I am actually "fighting" WW2 in the Pacific--I am not playing a game for points.

For me, this is a much more fulfilling experience because both my opponents and I know we're in the game for the long haul and need to approach the game as such. This makes the experience far more immersive (for me at least) and makes me feel like, even though we are on different sides, what my opponents and I are really doing is collaborating to tell an alternative story of WW2 in the Pacific.

Not that there is anything wrong with not doing this and treating this as a game--it is! Its just not really necessary for me, nor does it add much for me. I'm not competitive enough of a person to need something other than "history" by which to judge my performance in my historical gaming.

[AcePylut]

Ya know, one thing about this game is the tedious nature of it. I mean "I'm going to invade Marcus Island in July"... oh great that's 4 months away, let me make sure for the next four months I tend to all my YMC ships, far off patrol planes, akl's, and the 10,000 mouseclicks that will take, to see this invasion happen.

What makes this enjoyable, is reading your and Canoe's. Reading them, to me, is worth the price of the game itself. You both have fun-to-read styles. It's enjoyable.


And as you like to say... BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

We're HOME! Watched a beautiful snowfall last night that did not impact the drive home: NICE! The boys didn't kill each other and actually got along quite well. A solid, good couple of days.

Will let Dan know I 'm home and able tot ake a turn.

I don't play for victory points. I play to win and survive as Japan.

Thanks Ace Pylut. Bet they are a blast to read side-by-side.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

We're HOME! Watched a beautiful snowfall last night that did not impact the drive home: NICE! The boys didn't kill each other and actually got along quite well. A solid, good couple of days.

Glad you had a good trip! Nothing like the western landscape to give some perspective and joy to the family.

I don't play for victory points. I play to win and survive as Japan.

I said the same thing in my first two games. [;)]

Other players keyed me into how VPs can actually make the full game much more enjoyable, and I found this to be true once I'd played into 45 especially. I started to become a fan of VPs as a way to measure the agony it is to play Japan in the last days of the Empire. The small victories, or the days when you take a haul of ships and planes (and points) become more strategic, and interesting to engineer (when the rest of the game is slogging through the inevitable finish) if the points mean the Allies aren't actually crushing you objectively.

Having this measure makes the ending fun for Japan, because you can "win" on points with your navy sunk and the Allies landing on Honshu, or draw from a position that feels like an even more devastating loss otherwise.

It also puts in perspective all of those xAK used as pickets. Those are 8-10 points each!! He has to gain 16-20 points to make up for each one and get to a win. It means any callous behavior by the Allies, or ridiculous kamakaze air losses by the Japanese, are paid for in the balance.

[Anachro]

I think when people talk about caring or not caring about VP's, what they really mean is they don't care about auto-victory. VPs on their own are fun and a nice measure, as you say, of how well you performed/how much agony you might wreak relatively on your opponent.

[Lowpe]

Allies can only win by auto-victory.

I mirror Obvert's sentiments.[;)]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Allies can only win by auto-victory.

I mirror Obvert's sentiments.[;)]

Anachro is correct.

Obvert and Lowpe have hit on something I have decided to take advantage of. It is my intention to go after these 'free' ships Dan is hanging out for me to gobble up: points-are-points. Just might also force my opponent to re-think his position in this area...

[John 3rd]

I am going to pull up my screens and try to detail what I am now researching. As said earlier, I have pulled roughly half of my George, Tony, and Tojo production into researching the next models. Frank is coming forward at a good clip.

Really need opinions on late-war airframes for the army...

[John 3rd]

Here is a screenshot of just R&D (RED for IJA and BLUE for IJN):

[Lowpe]

Army fighters: a lot depends upon your current research and current production.

Don't forget engines and their research.

[John 3rd]

Had some action last turn. A series of surface fights between a Japanese STF and several American TFs at Adak. Will detail in a bit but the Japanese lost 2 DDs in exchange for CLAA San Juan, 3 Fletchers, and several fully loaded AK. Not too bad...