- Have the rebuilding divisions be with a Command HQ with over 20k in supplies. Why? If not in range of a Command HQ, the LCU will draw a replacement device/squad once every 3 days. If with the Command HQ, it will do so daily. I would keep the LCU whole for about 10 days before dividing into three.
Rear Area Units Refitting
Units can be moved to a rear area to reconstitute (ideally out of a malaria or cold zone or in a base large enough to negate the effects). If the units are in the rear area to restore disabled elements, reduce fatigue, and replace lost elements, assign unit leaders using the following order of priorities:
· Administration – Influences ability to use Supply to reduce Disruption and Fatigue.
· Inspiration – Influences fatigue reduction, morale reduction due to fatigue, disabled elements destroyed due to fatigue, and assault value for attack and defense.
· Leadership – Influences experience gain (this is unimportant if the unit has already reached the maximum training experience).
· Of small import, Land Skill – Influences attacking & defending LCU assault value, firing accuracy and experience gain.
· No other skills or qualities have any influence
Operation Roller Coaster: A rare quiet day in the Roller Coaster area of operations. No enemy air strikes or sub attacks. Most of my remaining ships are bugging out tonight, anticipating that KB could arrive in three or four days (Half KB North was seen at Attu two days ago, and I doubt John would strike before he combines fleets). Two amphib groups will linger - three xAKs and an AM to deliver more supply to Jaluiet, and the Maloleap invasion follow up. Two amphib TFs will land a Sea Bee unit and some infantry in preparation for an attack. The carriers and combat TFs will take station just to the east. After tomorrow, these ships leave too.
Operation Circus: Second day without sighting of a carrier TF, and an IJN two-DD TF erases a picket ship north of Marcus. John is coming. A USN sub sinks a big AG west of Attu (a rare success in the desert of Japanese sub terror of the past week). Four IJN DDs sank some out-of-fuel barges near Atka. The Arleigh Burke TF of Fletchers will soon be available.
Operation Carnival or Operation Thin Man? Once the Allied ships return to Pearl and combine with the fortnight-away Essex class carriers, the Allies will implement either Carnival (invasion of Amchitka) or Thin Man (invasion of Roi Namur and/or Kwaj). The decision will depend in part on where KB is and where the Jap subs are located. If KB is bound for CenPac, they'll stick for a week or two. During that interval, the Allied carriers and combat ships (which are in fine shape anyway) will upgrade and repair whatever damage there is.
Oz: I don't think John would chance an east coast invasion since the Allies are on the periphery of his LOC. He might look to the west side (Perth and vicinity). And I think he'll return to take Tennant Creek.
India: I doubt he chances an invasion of the west coast without KB. Without KB, Ceylon and NE India might be difficult for him. I'll keep a weather eye on him, but I'm most anticipating an overland campaign to try to sever the LOC between Akyab and Ramree before a move to take the latter. John may also move in strength. But here, again, Alied air power might dissuade him from probing too deeply.
China: I'm guessing this is where he'll come. He can bring 10 or 15 divisions to bear in a narrow field, so he's going to create a bulge or breakthrough somewhere or somewhere. But the Chinese are dug in and have 2000 squads in the pools. I started selectively reinforcing some units weeks ago.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
- Have the rebuilding divisions be with a Command HQ with over 20k in supplies. Why? If not in range of a Command HQ, the LCU will draw a replacement device/squad once every 3 days. If with the Command HQ, it will do so daily. I would keep the LCU whole for about 10 days before dividing into three.
Rear Area Units Refitting
Units can be moved to a rear area to reconstitute (ideally out of a malaria or cold zone or in a base large enough to negate the effects). If the units are in the rear area to restore disabled elements, reduce fatigue, and replace lost elements, assign unit leaders using the following order of priorities:
· Administration – Influences ability to use Supply to reduce Disruption and Fatigue.
· Inspiration – Influences fatigue reduction, morale reduction due to fatigue, disabled elements destroyed due to fatigue, and assault value for attack and defense.
· Leadership – Influences experience gain (this is unimportant if the unit has already reached the maximum training experience).
· Of small import, Land Skill – Influences attacking & defending LCU assault value, firing accuracy and experience gain.
· No other skills or qualities have any influence
If an LCU is in Rest mode it has a chance of replacements every day.
Why wait 10 days before breaking the unit into 3rds (/A/B/C)? 10 days of faster replacements are lost, what is gained?
The split is probably because Australia drew its M3 Lee/Grants directly from US sources whereas the British/Indians drew theirs directly from US sources or ex-Eighth Army sources.
The game correctly splits them as there were numerical limits on what each groups could source.
IRL, the Australian Army formed 9 Armoured Rgts and 3 Tank Bns, unfortunatly they could only carry M3 Stuarts or Matilda II into New Guinea si IMVHO all units should have Lee/Grant unless you choose Matilda II, it shouldnt be automatic.
Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum
- Have the rebuilding divisions be with a Command HQ with over 20k in supplies. Why? If not in range of a Command HQ, the LCU will draw a replacement device/squad once every 3 days. If with the Command HQ, it will do so daily. I would keep the LCU whole for about 10 days before dividing into three.
Rear Area Units Refitting
Units can be moved to a rear area to reconstitute (ideally out of a malaria or cold zone or in a base large enough to negate the effects). If the units are in the rear area to restore disabled elements, reduce fatigue, and replace lost elements, assign unit leaders using the following order of priorities:
· Administration – Influences ability to use Supply to reduce Disruption and Fatigue.
· Inspiration – Influences fatigue reduction, morale reduction due to fatigue, disabled elements destroyed due to fatigue, and assault value for attack and defense.
· Leadership – Influences experience gain (this is unimportant if the unit has already reached the maximum training experience).
· Of small import, Land Skill – Influences attacking & defending LCU assault value, firing accuracy and experience gain.
· No other skills or qualities have any influence
If an LCU is in Rest mode it has a chance of replacements every day.
Why wait 10 days before breaking the unit into 3rds (/A/B/C)? 10 days of faster replacements are lost, what is gained?
Building pools for a bit before releasing to the split unit??
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
A few weeks back, I made a couple of predictions about what John would write once Sabang fell. He fulfilled one of them about a week ago. He fulfilled the second this morning when he wrote: "My engineers as well as pilots wish to thank the Allied engineers for the tremendous AF they have built for Japan at Sabang."
I know this guy.
As for any lingering doubt about whether's KB is heading for the Marshalls, he offered this tidbit: "Additionally, it LOOKS like you’re leaving the party in the Marshalls and Gilberts. That is too bad. It was just really getting fun. You are now an APP. That would be an ALLIED PARTY POOPER!"
I know this guy.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
A few weeks back, I made a couple of predictions about what John would write once Sabang fell. He fulfilled one of them about a week ago. He fulfilled the second this morning when he wrote: "My engineers as well as pilots wish to thank the Allied engineers for the tremendous AF they have built for Japan at Sabang."
I know this guy.
As for any lingering doubt about whether's KB is heading for the Marshalls, he offered this tidbit: "Additionally, it LOOKS like you’re leaving the party in the Marshalls and Gilberts. That is too bad. It was just really getting fun. You are now an APP. That would be an ALLIED PARTY POOPER!"
Everyone just thinks rebuilding those destroyed units at Sabang is going to be relatively easy and not impact on the staying power of other units deployed elsewhere. You are all overlooking a major point.
The reason why players say they have no problems with American land pools, and only some inconvenience with other nationalities, is entirely due to the fact that obsolete squads returned to the pools will eventually convert to the current squad type. That is not the case here. Allied players do not lose 7 divs completely in mid 1943. Those destroyed units are not returning squads to the pool to be converted.
Look at the pool screenshot. There is only enough 1943 USA squads to fill out a single destroyed USA div. The monthly production rate is only 80 squads. That covers a daily destroyed rate of 3 only.
Heavy land combat will see a great deal of pressure on the pools, not now or 1-2 months, but 3+ months out.
Alfred
Everyone just thinks rebuilding those destroyed units at Sabang is going to be relatively easy and not impact on the staying power of other units deployed elsewhere. You are all overlooking a major point.
The reason why players say they have no problems with American land pools, and only some inconvenience with other nationalities, is entirely due to the fact that obsolete squads returned to the pools will eventually convert to the current squad type. That is not the case here. Allied players do not lose 7 divs completely in mid 1943. Those destroyed units are not returning squads to the pool to be converted.
Look at the pool screenshot. There is only enough 1943 USA squads to fill out a single destroyed USA div. The monthly production rate is only 80 squads. That covers a daily destroyed rate of 3 only.
Heavy land combat will see a great deal of pressure on the pools, not now or 1-2 months, but 3+ months out.
Alfred
Alfred, I agree with your larger point but not about obsolete devices converting being the major factor. They do convert, but it takes a while to start and the rate slow. Every little bit helps, but I think the real reason that most people say they have no problems with American land pools is that their losses of squads are well within the replacement rate. Once the various units' upgrades get straightened out that is usually the case with Australian squads, too. But British and Indian squads are a different matter. The British have a paltry squad replacement rate compared to any heavy losses. The Indians have a good (and increasing) squad replacement rate but the expansion of the army stresses that even with very modest combat losses.
The loss or nerfing of a British division is a permanent cost of the Sabang op, as is the reduction of either the number of Indian units or of the strength of a number of them. Careful handling of the replacement and rebuilding process can mitigate that to some degree. Maybe some Indian units that still have a significant number of British squads can be disbanded to bolster the British rebuilding effort?
I know that Alfred. That's why I contemplated rebuilding 1st Marine Div. and one US Army Div. I won't rebuild 18th UK (at least, not anytime soon). I will rebuild the Indian division.
I'm not poo-pooing the loss of 7+ divisions. I've said before it's a historic defeat, especially this late in the game.
What I have said is that it won't effect my offensive plans the balance of 1943. I have enough divisions to do what I plan to do this year. And what I said long ago is probably on target: The Allies won't have enough to conquer everything, but I still have enough to beat Japan (if played well).
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Operation Roller Coaster: No enemy sub attacks or air attacks today. No sign (yet) of KB, though John's patrols picked up many of my picket ships and an IJN DD force eliminate four of them (one xAKL, three YMS).
The reinforcing landings at Maloelap went well, but the attack unaccountable achieved very low odds. The Allies have about 100 AV ashore facing about 5 AV behind one fort but can't punch through. Prep and supply is decent. I'll rest my guys a few days and try again. I don't think there's an organic problem here, but it could become serious if KB arrives and John decides to reinforce. I don't want an enemy base on the east side of the new Allied bases.
The departure from the Marshalls goes very well, for the most part. No contact with subs and many TFs have already arrived at Pearl with 80% of the others substantially on the way. One large supply TF declined to leave Mili. I checked and double-checked each TF to make sure they had "stop unloading" orders, but I nevertheless missed this one (I think). It'll leave tonight, along with the amphib TF that just landed the reinforcements at Maloelap. The carriers and a few combat TFs will also move east. That will leave three xAK and an AM at Jaluit. They're hung out, but I want as much of the supply as possible.
All repair work is done at Tarawa, so fort building begins.
It will be interesting to see what John's plans are in this region. What will he do in the absence of major Allied shipping (assuming the Allied departure is indeed successful before KB arrives)? Lots of Allied ships will be concentrating at Pearl. Alabama and Mobile and a handful of Fletchers are en route to Balboa where the two Essex class arrive over the next three days. CVL Princeton arrives at San Fran in a week or less. But I'm going to take the chance to upgrade all ships while they're at Pearl Harbor. One USN CV is due the 10/42 upgrade. Many DDs are due various '43 upgrades. In a month, though, the US Navy (augmented by a few RN ships) will be ready to move and to meet Steroid KB.
Operation Circus: A quiet day up here too. No sign of Half KB North, which is probably around Wake or Marcus by now. Transports, mostly barges, pulled 41st Div. from Cold Bay to Kodiak, which is overloaded. That unit will go to Anchorage. It's prepping for Buldir Island. Garrison duty at Cold Bay was assumed by a US RCT. This unit retired from Cold Bay in the spring of '42 after defeat in battle. Thereafter, transport aircraft kept it in supply in a marsh hex two hexes NE. It returned to Cold Bay recently and is rebuilt to 125 AV, sufficient to handle the defensive duty behind good forts.
Elsewhere: Several IJA divisions are still attending to the remnant support units in Sumatra. I'm attending to repostioning and fine-tuning defenses in Oz, India, Assam and China.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
I know that Alfred. That's why I contemplated rebuilding 1st Marine Div. and one US Army Div. I won't rebuild 18th UK (at least, not anytime soon). I will rebuild the Indian division.
I'm not poo-pooing the loss of 7+ divisions. I've said before it's a historic defeat, especially this late in the game.
What I have said is that it won't effect my offensive plans the balance of 1943. I have enough divisions to do what I plan to do this year. And what I said long ago is probably on target: The Allies won't have enough to conquer everything, but I still have enough to beat Japan (if played well).
If you keep him chasing bones he will Banzai himself into economy collapse before 1945. Plenty of time to win even before the historical date.
Several IJA divisions are still attending to the remnant support units in Sumatra.
In the making lemonade from lemons department you can add the fuel costs of transporting and escorting the all freed up Japanese LCUs from Sumatra to wherever your opponent sends them. Your subs should have adequate time to take up stations covering the egress from Sumatra and destinations revealed by SIGINT.
Another potential method you can attack the shipping used to extract the forces from Sumatra is to send the Death Star on a raid west of Sabang and try a hit and run strike against transport shipping in or around Sabang. Your opponent may not leave adequate air strength to defend against a Death Star with over 800 of the latest aircraft with experienced pilots.
Never trust a man who's ass is wider than his shoulders.
Operation Roller Coaster: The separation process continues without major incident. No signs of enemy carriers yet, though John picked off three more picket ships today (two via DD TF and one via Judys at Marcus Island). A sub picked of badly damaged xAP Dunbarton. All other ships continue to steam due east. Many ships have already reached Pearl or are nearing.
CV Kettle Creek arrived at Balboa today. She's named for a Revolutionary War battle in northeast Georgia, February 14, 1779.
Operation Circus: No major altercations today. John is reconning Umnak Island. He's probably trying to get a feel for how strongly these islands are garrisoned. Soon the Allies will reassert themselves - placing combat ships at Adak Island, which will also take stout fighter and bomber squadrons.
Battle of Sumatra: A remnant of Allied units still survives in the jungle west of Sabang. A sub (O-20, I think) picks off a 19-point AKE.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Roller Coaster: No sign of KB. Separation from the Marshalls and retirement to Pearl Harbor continues to go well. An IJ sub badly damaged an xAK, and took heavy damage in return. That was the only item of molestation on the day. Seven APA and 2 LSI(L) have reached Pearl. Eighteen/six are still en route. One of those APA is heavily damaged. The USN capital ships that suffered single torp hits (two fast BB, one CA, one RN BB) will begin reaching Pearl tomorrow. The American carrier TFs will arrive in three or four days.
I don't yet know if Steroid KB will make an appearance here since the Allied fleet has retired. IT depends on if and how John envisions a counterattack. SigInt report as xAKL inbound to Abmemama, the dot hex with big potential just three hexes south of Tarawa. I've shifted some good fighters and an SBD squadron to Tarawa to watch for that move. This is the kind of sign that John intends to work his defenses forward and actively.
Shock attack ordered for Maloelap tomorrow, where the IJ garrison has been working a powerful Mojo.
Circus: No sign of enemy carriers in the Aleuts and no bombardment missions by enemy capital ships. SigInt that 10th Div., recently in Sumatra, is prepping for Adak. That base has 600+ AV and will go to four forts the turn after all the bombardment damage is repaired. I'd like to see John take it on, but when the time comes that he has to make the decision, he'll opt out. Dutch Harbor garrison down to 40k.
Elsewhere: I have guesses and hunches where John will go next, but I'm not seeing any true indicators yet. The longest-lasting indicators of interest are reconnaissance missions in China.
I'm confident (but not positive) that John will keep KB in the Pacific to face and guard against Death Star. But what if he did pull it into the IO to cover an invasion of Ceylon or India or Oz? Unlikely, but if he did so the Allies would react by moving strongly on Kusaie, Ponape and the western Aleutians. Big land units are now well prepped for multiple targets in CenPac and NoPac. These moves wouldn't be daggers in the heart of Japan, but they would eliminate strong lodgements in what is now John's outer line of defenses. I don't think he'll withdraw KB with that possibility on the table.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Everyone just thinks rebuilding those destroyed units at Sabang is going to be relatively easy and not impact on the staying power of other units deployed elsewhere. You are all overlooking a major point.
The reason why players say they have no problems with American land pools, and only some inconvenience with other nationalities, is entirely due to the fact that obsolete squads returned to the pools will eventually convert to the current squad type. That is not the case here. Allied players do not lose 7 divs completely in mid 1943. Those destroyed units are not returning squads to the pool to be converted.
Look at the pool screenshot. There is only enough 1943 USA squads to fill out a single destroyed USA div. The monthly production rate is only 80 squads. That covers a daily destroyed rate of 3 only.
Heavy land combat will see a great deal of pressure on the pools, not now or 1-2 months, but 3+ months out.
Alfred
Never said it would be easy but doable with some effort. The loss of seven division is the loss of seven divisions and the squads have to come from somewhere. As I said, the British unit will probably never be rebuilt. The Indian unit is easy by simply breaking down a few of the many independent Indian brigades on the map. One marine division is fairly easy. The many US infantry divisions will take some time and planning. As said it will probably involve him breaking up a few independent US regiments.
The point is and Dan has said it as well is that the Allies eventually have more units than are necessary to win the war. In my last full campaign, there were late arriving units that I simply could not use or need. And, as Allied fire power eventually becomes overpowering, Allied casualties begin to take a dramatic drop as the war progresses.
You are right in that it is a fine edge. Dan is a risk taker and likes to put units in harms way. At this point he has no room to spare and another large loss will mean that he will be fighting with a lot of units under strength. However, if done correctly, the losses at Sabang are manageable.
If he didn't see which way your carriers went when they retired, he might think he needs KB to cover any IO operation - but if he got a DL from naval search or a sub that your carriers were going back to PH he will keep KB together in CentPac.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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