A Japanese Debacle - Sqz (J) vs. fcharton (A)

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I don't understand this move. The B comes 4 months earlier and will repair faster. The B upgrades to the R.[&:]

How many total factories were repaired already. Might have made sense to go back to the A taking the hit on supply.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Frank a/r depends upon what he feels are his ultimate builds. I would get however many he plans as 'r' setup now. No reason to wait until later. Most, if not all, of those factories will convert to production anyway.

Frank b - prolly not many repaired and getting it in late 44 isn't that interesting to me.

Maybe I misunderstood the meaning of this post? I have 8 Ki-84a and now 6 Ki-84r factories. Was Pax meaning better to switch them all now to the Ki-84a, and once fully repaired, then switch over which factories I want to the Ki-84r?

It didn't cost me anything to switch from the 'b' to the 'r' so at least I won't take a double hit if I need to switch the 'r' back to the 'a' and pay that supply penalty.

[Lowpe]

How many factories are repaired for the R now? That is the key question.

In this mod the Frank A comes early to begin with, like around 1/44. With 9 factories already researching the A you should see it mid year 43 at which point you could advance whatever to the R fully repaired.

Your factories researching the R won't be fully repaired by mid 43 or even late 43.

Those 9 facilities you have will repair much more quickly and can be upgraded at no cost to the R.

Researching the R straight away seems like such a long time before you see any rewards. The only plane I research that late early on is the Sam because you have no choice.

[SqzMyLemon]

Hi Lowpe,

No factories are currently fully repaired for any Frank model, and won't be for some time.

You're probably right. I should switch all over to the 'a' bringing my total to 14 factories. [8D]

[Lokasenna]

Too bad about the cruiser interception on the Enterprise. All those ships launching a surprise torpedo attack at 8,000 yards... surprised none of them hit. Better luck next time.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Too bad about the cruiser interception on the Enterprise. All those ships launching a surprise torpedo attack at 8,000 yards... surprised none of them hit. Better luck next time.

Par for the course this game for me. Even when I do something right I can't get a decisive result. It's always a case of if only...

Tomorrow's another day, and if I can finish off Yorktown without losing anything in return I'll be happy. CV Enterprise can still wreck my day though.

[Bif1961]

He will probably sprint Enterprise out of the area to avoid a repeat of his lucky get away.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

He will probably sprint Enterprise out of the area to avoid a repeat of his lucky get away.

I'm not so sure. I think he'll choose to stay close to the Yorktown and try to see her to safety. I think the position of Japanese forces might lead Francois to think I am withdrawing. I hope to catch him off guard by sending my carriers back into harms way and he might not be expecting to see CV Kaga again still in fighting shape.

Next turn could be very interesting from a purely carrier perspective if we end up in range of one another again. My fighter strength is down to around 35, but I still have almost 70 bombers with around 20 torpedoes available.

[Lowpe]

I think he has to be running low on fuel, so I think this is a good move knowing the limited amount I know.

Max search and go!

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I think he has to be running low on fuel, so I think this is a good move knowing the limited amount I know.

Max search and go!

Now I just need a turn to find out! Unfortunately, Sunday and Monday are usually busy days for Francois. Hopefully, the turn will arrive tomorrow. I admit I'm rather excited to see if I made the right move. Of course, it will suck if something happens to CV Kaga. [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

No Turn yet, but some filler to keep myself from dwelling on when the next turn might arrive.

In China, Japanese forces are closing in on Kweilin. IJA 15th Division is tasked with clearing the secondary road hex southwest of the base, while IJA 34th Division is about to clear the main road hex northeast of the base. These two divisions will then invest Kweilin directly and await reinforcements before launching any assaults. Two Army HQ's and all combat units involved are 100% prepped for Kweilin.

Two more Japanese divisions will advance on Liuchow and attempt to take the base. Initial recon indicates Liuchow is held by two Chinese LCU's, but it's unknown if these represent two full corps. In total, there are seven Japanese divisions allocated to the capture of Kweilin, Liuchow and Tuyun. That should be enough to flank and move against Chihkiang to threaten isolating Chinese forces in the Changsha area.

Japanese air power in China is in transition. The need to establish new forward airbases in the north is pressing. The situation in the east is much better and the addition of Kweilin will improve the situation further.

In other theatres, the priority is to improve the disposition of air units to better facilitate combat and search missions, in support of finally consolidating Burma, the DEI and Philippines.

[SqzMyLemon]

Having settled in and dealt with my angst over changes to the game, I'm actually contemplating starting another game. As always, I like to post here first to see if there is any interest. I'm ok playing either side and even another DBB (eating crow here). Drop me a line if inclined.

[SqzMyLemon]

I think nothing is worse playing this game than when you are anxiously awaiting the next turn, but your opponent is busy with RL and you just have to be patient. [:D]

I believe Francois mentioned that this week was a full work week for him prior to a two week school year break. Hopefully I won't be busy with RL just when he has the time to play.

In the meantime, I was thinking about discussing what I felt where all the factors that lead to my debacle in Australia, but I've decided not to. I may want to try again in another PBEM and I don't want to completely give my strategy away. I will say this, had I planned a better overall expansion and not simply focused on getting to Australia, particularly Sydney, so quickly I could have been more successful. Too many mistakes and not setting myself up to exploit the capture of Sydney and ensure the destruction of Allied units and industry were huge factors. I know what to do next time if I get an opportunity to take a second crack at Australia.

[Canoerebel]

Wasn't it Thomas Edison that said trying and failing 1,000 times to make a lightbulb was helpful because it taught him 1,000 ways not to make a lightbulb? Trying and failing can be a great way to learn for those inclined to learn. I suppose that's just another way of saying that we can always benefit from experience. I hope you will try again. Invasions of Oz are always fun games to watch, and the better and more experienced the IJ player, the more the fun.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Wasn't it Thomas Edison that said trying and failing 1,000 times to make a lightbulb was helpful because it taught him 1,000 ways not to make a lightbulb? Trying and failing can be a great way to learn for those inclined to learn. I suppose that's just another way of saying that we can always benefit from experience. I hope you will try again. Invasions of Oz are always fun games to watch, and the better and more experienced the IJ player, the more the fun.

Nice to see you pop in CR. I totally agree. Like most, I learn more from my failures than successes. This applies in my personal and work life as well as my gaming adventures. In my current career path, I remember being thrown into a field that I had zero experience in and having to sink or swim. When I look back on that experience, besides the stress it caused, I also learned how to do my job incredibly well and now considered an expert in the field by some of my work colleagues. I'm not there yet in AE! [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I hope you will try again. Invasions of Oz are always fun games to watch, and the better and more experienced the IJ player, the more the fun.

I should add, I'm actually thinking of a way to strike back in Oz this game. Having already triggered the emergency package, I have the flexibility to move against any portion of Oz now, and at any time. I just need to wait and see if Francois gives me an opportunity to do so. [8D]

[Canoerebel]

That was probably my first post in your AAR, but I've been reading it since you elected to invade Oz. It's fun to watch!

[SqzMyLemon]

It's a really slow day at work.

There's a quote from another computer game I play that applies to me most times when posting in my AAR.

"A wise man speaks because he has something to say, a fool speaks because he has to say something"

I can't remember the person quoted off the top of my head though. I know I'm just rambling, but I really need a turn soon. [:D]

[Canoerebel]

I know how you feel. I just wrote a 750-word post in my AAR, and I think I have yet another in me before the day is through.

[SqzMyLemon]

Just got a heads up from Francois. If I'm lucky I might get a turn tomorrow, so I just have to be patient a little while longer.

Now I can relax and enjoy my planned steak dinner with some old high school friends tonight. I won't have to worry about whether I lost any carriers. [:D]

It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since my friends and I graduated in 1986, and have remained close all these years. I haven't seen either in about two years so we'll have lots to catch up on. I can smell my steak already, but still have three hours to wait!

[SqzMyLemon]

Ugh, a late steak dinner and a few beers do not make for a fitful sleep. I am bagged this morning and it's going to be a long day I fear. Hopefully I can relax with a turn in the evening.

One thing I'll have to do when I get the turn is lock in my air R&D. I have waffled on a few airframes and made some changes that I probably shouldn't have. I need to re-examine a few airframes and switch some factories over that may have a greater impact than what I first envisioned.