The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Lokasenna]

With an AGC with fully prepped HQm, you can unload from xAP and xAK just as fast as from an APA/AKA by themselves (without the AGC/HQm bonuses).

[Anachro]

I need to learn how to better make use of HQs for my general combat and landings. Are there any good threads for this?

[durnedwolf]

Are you doing any night bombing with your 4E bomber groups?

[ny59giants]

I need to learn how to better make use of HQs for my general combat and landings. Are there any good threads for this?

You need to learn to pair up (both prepping for same base) a mobile Command HQ with a Corp/Army HQ when attaching major bases. The Americans have 4 Command (North Pacific, Pacific, South Pacific, and SW Pacific) for this task.

[Canoerebel]

11/27/43

Big Tent: The first attack at Ambon accomplishes nothing, with equally modest losses on both sides. In order to succeed here, I'll need to either eliminate supply or reinforce. Forts four were untouched. BB Maryland TF bombarded well, retired to Boela, and fully replenished (that was nice to see).

John committed a tenacious four-DD TF to a raid on Ambon. It tangled with the CA Baltimore TF. I lost three 10-point DDs (I think all Fletchers), and John lost the same number (also 10-pointers, including Arashio) plus a fourth with "fires, heavy damage." Both of us are bleeding DDs a bit, but since attritioning the Kaigun is my highest priority, I'll take this result. I suspect the enemy TF was highly experienced and had a good commander, because it found several rounds with marked tenacity.

Death Star was going to head into Boela tomorrow to see to replenishing, but mouse-over showed a possible CVE TF approaching Manado from the north. This is unlikely, but on the chance that John is committing his carriers, I've revised Death Star's position to just outside Boela. But lots of transports are to return to port and commence (or resume) unloading.

Early returns for supply distribution via barge are positive. Morotai supply is up to 3.5k.

More an more enemy ships are inbound to the next line of defense - Timor, Kendari, Manado, Mindanao. There are plenty of targets out there, but for reasons set forth earlier, I am not sallying forth at present. Part of the rationale is that I don't expect to ever attack these places. I'd rather have John working feverishly to attend to places I don't intend to attack than to the places I do. That's the plan as long as I have carrier superiority, so not taking long chances with Death Star is key to my long term planning.

[Lokasenna]

Can I play editor? You wrote "attritioning"... Sorry, I only did it because you're a writer [:'(].


I don't know why you wouldn't want Manado, but let him reinforce south of there all he wants.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I don't know why you wouldn't want Manado, but let him reinforce south of there all he wants.

With a look at this map, a knowledge of the CV balance and a memory of Dan's last move deep into Japanese territory, I think I see why he wouldn't want Manado. It's a great base, but so are Davao, Cotabato, and Cagayan. Dare I say Kudat and Jesselton? [;)]

My feeling is with John scrambling for the front lines, the rear will again be soft.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I don't know why you wouldn't want Manado, but let him reinforce south of there all he wants.

With a look at this map, a knowledge of the CV balance and a memory of Dan's last move deep into Japanese territory, I think I see why he wouldn't want Manado. It's a great base, but so are Davao, Cotabato, and Cagayan. Dare I say Kudat and Jesselton? [;)]

My feeling is with John scrambling for the front lines, the rear will again be soft.

I think Big Tent is simply a big shinny object to attract the interest of the IJ ... while the USN goes elsewhere to reek havoc [;)]

[paullus99]

Once he's established here, surface forces backed by LBA will be enough to keep John away & allow for concerted base-building.

If it was anyone other than John, I'd say he'd be better off withdrawing to an inner line of defense, repair his Navy and prepare to hit back when you make your next move.

I doubt John will do that, however, as he always seems to need to be "doing something." He's the embodiment of John Bell Hood - he attacks when he should defend....

[JohnDillworth]

John committed a tenacious four-DD TF to a raid on Ambon. It tangled with the CA Baltimore TF. I lost three 10-point DDs (I think all Fletchers), and John lost the same number (also 10-pointers, including Arashio) plus a fourth with "fires, heavy damage." Both of us are bleeding DDs a bit, but since attritioning the Kaigun is my highest priority, I'll take this result. I suspect the enemy TF was highly experienced and had a good commander, because it found several rounds with marked tenacity.

yup, this is definitely "cruiser country" but since both of you are depleted I guess DD's will have to do. Both of you are have success with with those small DD raiding parties. Destroyer production is a battle you can't lose, you get tons. scrape you State Side ports and make sure you have more headed this way. a one or 2 DD TF is often overlooked by search and even if found they are the devil to hit from the air. PT boats are your friend in closed waters. even if they don't hit anything they provide a tripwire and some disruption. At the rate you guys are going you might sail into Tokyo bay on a PT boat. Good to see this AAR back up and running

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

I think Big Tent is simply a big shinny object to attract the interest of the IJ ... while the USN goes elsewhere to reek havoc [;)]

Havoc does have its own unique smell. [8D]

[Canoerebel]

My posts are full of mistakes and typos; if I would take the time to read them once before posting it would reflect my vocation more credibly.

[Flicker]

Woohoo! A turn.

I'll be a little uncomfortable until you take Port Moresby et al to consolidate your lines of communication. Of course you already know this: speed is your friend, especially since you've got John rocked back on his heels in theater (IMO). After Ambon, do you need Death Star in the Spice Islands?

Is it too early to speculate on targets (or operation code names) for what comes after Big Tent / Third Ring? I'd like a port with a repair shipyard.

[BillBrown]

Tokyo has a nice repair yard. [8D]

[Canoerebel]

Commencing next turn (I hope), 2nd Marine Division will come ashore at Boela. This was the invasion reserve and is 100% prepped for Umnak Island. How will I use it? I could use it to reinforce the attacks at Dobo and Ambon and/or to take another crack at Namlea. Those are possibilities, especially something like Dobo that should take just a little nudge, freeing the unit up to then do something else. But I'm leaning towards using it to take key bases on my LOC that are still vacant (I think). This would be Babar, Saumlauki, and one other likely candidate.

If I did head that way on that mission, there's a fair chance that from there Death Star and a gaggle of empty transports would proceed to Normanton, Australia, to then handle the Horn Island and Merauke invasions.

Or....I could take 2nd Marine Division and move forward, invading places like Dongala, Kolaka, etc. in the Celebes. This is a bit unlikely, only because those places will be in Indian country and will require lots of attention and will stretch my logistics.

But those are things I'm considering.

I think Big Tent and Third Ring are going to take two to four months. What I do thereafter depends on developments - mainly carrier balance of power and where John has reinforced. As mentioned a page or two back, I have a lot of ideas, but selection will be highly dependant on whether Death Star remains much stronger than KB. If it does, my strong preference is to go island hopping, island chain hopping, or continent hopping. IE, there won't be a methodical expansion from Big Tent. I'd prefer to create another massive lodgement somewhere new and disruptive on the order of Big Tent.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Commencing next turn (I hope), 2nd Marine Division will come ashore at Boela. This was the invasion reserve and is 100% prepped for Umnak Island. How will I use it? I could use it to reinforce the attacks at Dobo and Ambon and/or to take another crack at Namlea. Those are possibilities, especially something like Dobo that should take just a little nudge, freeing the unit up to then do something else. But I'm leaning towards using it to take key bases on my LOC that are still vacant (I think). This would be Babar, Saumlauki, and one other likely candidate.

If I did head that way on that mission, there's a fair chance that from there Death Star and a gaggle of empty transports would proceed to Normanton, Australia, to then handle the Horn Island and Merauke invasions.

Or....I could take 2nd Marine Division and move forward, invading places like Dongala, Kolaka, etc. in the Celebes. This is a bit unlikely, only because those places will be in Indian country and will require lots of attention and will stretch my logistics.

But those are things I'm considering.

I think Big Tent and Third Ring are going to take two to four months. What I do thereafter depends on developments - mainly carrier balance of power and where John has reinforced. As mentioned a page or two back, I have a lot of ideas, but selection will be highly dependant on whether Death Star remains much stronger than KB. If it does, my strong preference is to go island hopping, island chain hopping, or continent hopping. IE, there won't be a methodical expansion from Big Tent. I'd prefer to create another massive lodgement somewhere new and disruptive on the order of Big Tent.

And you could. In fact you could sooner than 4 months I'm guessing.

Although certain routes are more glitzy, when I had my oil cut off after Jocke took bases on West Borneo the end was basically given a timeline. The most effect you can have now is to starve his economy.

[Canoerebel]

I think that's the second most effective way, Eric. So I'll be working that angle.

But I think the surest, most direct way to defeat Japan is to attack, neutralize, and destroy her navy. Every step towards that goal means that everything else - interdicting supply and oil, taking bases for strategic bombing, carrying the war to the enemy - becomes that much more possible.

Above every other consideration right now is the objective of efficiently attritioning the Japanese navy.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I think that's the second most effective way, Eric. So I'll be working that angle.

But I think the surest, most direct way to defeat Japan is to attack, neutralize, and destroy her navy. Every step towards that goal means that everything else - interdicting supply and oil, taking bases for strategic bombing, carrying the war to the enemy - becomes that much more possible.

Above every other consideration right now is the objective of efficiently attritioning the Japanese navy.

Sounds like U.S. Grant's strategy against the South, a page right out of his playbook.

[Canoerebel]

11/28/43

Big Tent: CL Richmond and a DD visit Kendari, sinking four CM (including CM Tsugaru, so Grafin Zeppelin can't participate in this AAR any longer).

It was a busy day for subs on both sides. Japanese subs sank an xAP and an xAK on Ceram's south coast. ASW probably sank one Jap sub. Allied subs sank a DMS near Truk and a TK in the Makassar Strait.

Death Star took position a hex from Boela. No further sightings of enemy carriers, so all Allied carriers go into port tomorrow. The airfield has 115 fighters and will go to level three tomorrow. I'll be very interested in seeing how replenishment goes. I'll give it at least two days. If I don't see any progress, then I'll come up with a Plan B.

The bulk of the lumbering herd only moved one hex instead of the six or seven needed to make it into Boela. I hope that doesn't happen again tomorrow. One of the TFs is carrying fighter squadrons - four of them, two of which are aboard AKV and two aboard xAK. Also, 2nd Marine Division needs to come ashore. I am leaning towards using it to try to bludgeon my way to victory at Dobo before dividing the unit to seize Saumlaki, Babar and either Damar or Selaroe.

No sign of enemy carriers today. I look for them here, there, everywhere. The three likeliest: raid on Oz LOC; invasion in the Marshalls or vicinity; or circle back around and close on Ceram via the Java Sea, seeking an opportunity for a surprise attack on a juicy target.

Operation Roller Coaster: After a long, perilous journey, badly damaged BB Washington made it to Pearl Harbor. I'm going to let SYS and minor FLT damage repair. Then she goes in the yards. It looks like she's out of commission for about 500 days. I'll consider moving her to the West Coast yards at some point.

[Canoerebel]

Note to Bill Brown: In her 2007 role in Casino Royale, Eva Green was at the very peak of feminine beauty. The highest compliment I can give is that she was as radiantly lovely as Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca.