Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Dan learned that I still have teeth in the Marshalls. A Strike of 23 Georges and 61 Judy catch a TF approaching Kwajalein. It is covered by 27 Fighters. Most of my George's die but they protect all but five Judy. The rest make their dives and plaster 4 APDs and an AMC and also nail an additional 2 APDs and another AMC. Over 300 casualties are reported with numerous sinking sounds coming during the rest of the turn.

NICE!

[John 3rd]

October 16, 1943

The Allied Fleet continues to move away from Wake and provide rich hunting for my subs. Sank a YMS and hit a fully loaded AO. Lost the newer I-Boat I-177.

Have pulled 8-10 longer range I-Boats and am sending them north to hunt in the Gulf of Alaska. That area has been sub free for 6-8 weeks and I am willing to bet the hunting up there might be pretty fair with less dangerous escorts.

I abandoned--more or less--New Caledonia, Efate, and Luganville months ago. Dan finally lands a small Infantry unit at La Foa today to begin taking things back. He can take his time but the defense perimeter is solid looking around the Coral Sea Region. Have supply TFs unloading at Tagula, Buin, and Port Moresby presently.

[John 3rd]

October 17, 1943

A very GOOD day for the Japanese!

Wake Isle
BC Haruna and 10 DDs enter the waters and find two new US DDs and old Brit guarding the henhouse. They don't last long. Scratch 3 DDs!

Rongelap Atoll
This is north of Rio Namur. An American Fast TF lands a small unit here to take the atoll and--man I HATE this when it happens to me--it chooses to stay. Three Judy or Helen strikes occur sinking DD Pringle and 2 more APDs. NICE!

Maleolap
A strike going in there finds 47 Allied Fighters full of fight and we lose 15 George and 11 Judy. Not good.

SS Action:
I-19 sinks an LCT south of Wake.
I-160 sinks another LCT in the same hex.
I-25 sinks AO Neshanic and then hits AO Lackawanna with a Torp that causes two fuel explosions. Nicely done.

A good day where no Japanese ships are lost and the Allies lose 4 DD, 2 APD, an AO, have another AO damaged, and then see two landing craft sunk. Think that is a decent day's work...

[Anachro]

Yes, three games are too much I've found. Two games are fun too, but the sweet spot seems to sit somewhere between 1 and 2. Two because you can play one side in each game, one because you can focus completely on one spending more time on a turn. Beyond 2, really beyond 1, you start to worry about getting the turn out to your opponent so you can work on another game and end up sometimes not putting in the satisfactory orders needed.

It might be beneficial to take breaks from the other two and finish this one to completion first, is what I am saying - for all us having fun reading your's and Canoerebel's AARs. [:D]

[pws1225]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Yes, three games are too much I've found. Two games are fun too, but the sweet spot seems to sit somewhere between 1 and 2. Two because you can play one side in each game, one because you can focus completely on one spending more time on a turn. Beyond 2, really beyond 1, you start to worry about getting the turn out to your opponent so you can work on another game and end up sometimes not putting in the satisfactory turns needed.

It might be beneficial to take breaks from the other two and finish this one to completion first, is what I am saying - for all us having fun reading your's and Canoerebel's AARs. [:D]

What, and lose the game with 1275psi? Argh!

[Anachro]

Haha, I was joking somewhat, but there is some truth in what I said. John III knows his limits, but three games at one time is definitely too much for me.

[John 3rd]

I am beginning to see what Anachro is saying. Two games provides a nice contrast but three is too much. I am more worried about getting the turns done and out then truly concentrating on them. I figure Dan is realistically getting about 50% of my true attention and abilities. That saddens me. Michael and Herbie get even less and that is not good. Am doing a bunch of thinking on how to work with this...

By seniority the games go:
1. Dan (including the original game start)
2. Michael
3. Herbie

Appreciate the thoughts and will take more advice from those willing to toss it out!

[John 3rd]

If I wasn't working...

If I didn't have two CRAZY demonic children...

If I didn't have a magnificent but needy wife...

If I wasn't President of the Historical Society...

If it wasn't summer time and the whole family is home 24-7...

You get the picture?

[John 3rd]

I've often told Dan after we re-started that I have tons of jealousy for his ability to focus a couple of hours on each turn while I try to watch the turn and do orders inside of 45 minutes. he laughs but admits to enjoying the luxury of time.

[pws1225]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

If I wasn't working...

If I didn't have two CRAZY demonic children...

If I didn't have a magnificent but needy wife...

If I wasn't President of the Historical Society...

If it wasn't summer time and the whole family is home 24-7...

You get the picture?

I once tried to play three PBEMs and found it to be too much. And that was without keeping an AAR, plus I was retired and had none of the RL considerations you have. I honestly don't see how you can handle all that AND keep your sanity. Should you decide to withdraw from one or more games, I am sure all of us forumites will support your decision.

[Lowpe]

Obvert said a while back that it is best to have one main game, and a slow paced second game doing 2-3 turns a week.

Why am I posting, I have two turns to work on...but I need caffeine first!!![:D]

[John 3rd]

October 19, 2016

I am beginning to call this Pest control. Am keeping several small DD TF at several points to allow for me to continue sinking Dan's YMS 'Scouts.' I have other words for them but they are being consistently sunk...

[John 3rd]

October 19, 1943
Rio Namur

Supplies have been running low at Kwajalein and Roi Namur. The decision is to bring in 11,000+ in small AKLs with an escort of 5 veteran DDs in a separate STF.

Four Daitai and Sentai fly CAP as the TF arrives at Roi Namur. As expected the Allies hurl their advanced fighters and bombers at the two TFs. It is late 1943. This SHOULD be a one-sided fight. It is. FOR THE JAPANESE! A layered CAP of Georges, Tojos, and a couple of Franks (making their combat debut) meet five waves of Allied planes. Some old Vindicators, Dauntlesses, Avengers and Beauforts come in under the protection of Corsairs, P-38s, and advanced P-40s.

They are crushed!

The bombers that get through mostly go after the nimble DDs with just two SBDs diving on the AKLs. They score no hits. How about that??!!

Expect PTs to arrive next turn. Perhaps a couple of American DDs? We'll see if the Japanese knife fighters are prepared to deal with that set of threats...

[John 3rd]

Just got a note from Herbie saying he's been reading the AAR and would allow me to find a 'substitute' for me in our game. It is a pleasant offer and I am pondering it. This would be an elegant solution to the issues of time and gaming.

[John 3rd]

My opponent has finally decided to start taking bases I abandoned six months ago in the South Pacific. So far LaFoa, Efate, and Koumac have been taken.

As General Lee said, "there may be an opportunity here."

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Just got a note from Herbie saying he's been reading the AAR and would allow me to find a 'substitute' for me in our game. It is a pleasant offer and I am pondering it. This would be an elegant solution to the issues of time and gaming.

That would be a wonderful opportunity for a very lucky player! Top notch dedicated opponent you have....in fact all your games are -- you are very blessed.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Just got a note from Herbie saying he's been reading the AAR and would allow me to find a 'substitute' for me in our game. It is a pleasant offer and I am pondering it. This would be an elegant solution to the issues of time and gaming.

That would be a wonderful opportunity for a very lucky player! Top notch dedicated opponent you have....in fact all your games are -- you are very blessed.

Very true. All three are very good, different styled players.

I was fine until Dan wanted to re-start. I simply couldn't say no to him wanting to rejoin the forum and our game. Sometimes I feel really bad about that due to how it has impacted Michael and Herbie but Dan is too good a member of this group to not be involved with a game.

[John 3rd]

October 22,1943

As said a little earlier, 'there may be an opportunity here.'

The Allies have a CVE or two covering landings in the Southern Coral Sea. Presently Dan is using about 18-20 ships to pick-up bases that have been abandoned by me. There has been little resistance since my defensive line starts and runs from Ndeni--Lunga--Tagula--Milne Bay. There are paired Zero and Judy Daiatais at Ndeni and Tagula. Rabaul and Lunga each have a large Betty Daitai. This is about it.

Am trying to shift my style and try to pick off pieces of the Allied Forces. This certainly seems like a logical place to make a serious attempt. I've worked to place fuel reserves at several key points for just such an operation. Tulagi has 45,000 fuel and Rabaul has near 80,000. A TF of 4 8,000 ton AOs is a day out of Tulgai to pick-up fuel. This is plenty for the reduced Kido Butai to operate with.

An overwhelming force of 3 CV and 4 CVL is already near Rabaul and will slip into the Coral Sea tomorrow. There has been NO Allied air activity at his newly taken bases (Efate, La Foa, and Koumac). So far we have drop on Allied Forces.

The Japanese are approaching the hen house...

[John 3rd]

October 23, 1943

The Glen Subs spot an approaching Invasion Force. This time it is a long ways away...

Vector in a dozen I-Boats.

[Anachro]

Don't leave us hanging. [:D]