Downfall - Revised

[PaxMondo]

Starting to test IJ side.

Also working through a design crisis. Digging into this, I've seen where the history has been 'bent' a bit to create the scenario. No rub or criticism intended by that.

Here's the catch: Okinawa historically ended about June 45. So, this start is 3 months later. Meaning both sides should be fully prepped for one or a series of landings on HI/Korean peninsula. But that's not really how it is setup at this time, and I'm pretty sure it is intentional, and I am good with it. It simplifies a lot of the setup. Granted, some reality goes with it, but I not really sure that is the point of this scenario. Again, not being the author, I’ve got to do some interpolation and extrapolation based upon what I see. So, I've got some testing to do and then some thinking. I'm pretty far along on this update and will prolly finish it off the way it is. I think it will be fun to play and a useful scenario to see what works in the end game for both sides ... at least I know I have played it many times in its original PDU OFF form and enjoyed it a lot before taking on this update for PDU ON.

But, now I'm thinking that a really interesting scenario would be a Nov 1, 44 start (or somewhere near there). Marianas have been taken, but not operational yet for another 3 weeks. Leyte landings are a week old. Allied Deathstar retired to Guam for re-supply/re-arm. IJN surface forces crippled, Naval Air devastated, but Army Air mostly intact yet. HI economy still intact, but DEI link almost severed. So, the allies have to finish PI, prep for next stages (historically Iwo/Oki) etc. IJ, OTOH will have new AC coming on line due to successful RnD programs. So, could the IJ 'wunderkind' aircraft have actually made a difference? The allies have 10 months before the European units shift over ... might be intriguing ... anyway, we'll see. Biggest open question is the map … Map could be very similar or it could be a full map. Lotta thinking to do on this one….

[Mac Linehan]

Hey Pax!

Good work, as always; looking forward to adding your scenario to my library!

Keep up the good work, Sir!

Mac

[RyanCrierie]

Still working on this? If so, you need to add TALL BOY (12,000 lb) and GRAND SLAM (22,000 lb) as both were being shipped to the Pacific for use. [X(]

[PaxMondo]

Yes, but at a standstill for now. Design issue.

The original Downfall is basically a cursory cut at a historic setup, excluding the SOV. Its a good scenario to play. I have played it many times, and enjoyed it. I also hate it ... [:D] ... because, the IJ starts out in a position that I would never allow myself (hopefully) to be put in ... all units thrashed, everything else out of position and the allies on my doorstep. [:@]

What I wanted was to create one that is more representative of what IJ/Allied layers would actually see ... there's my issue. In scanning numerous AAR's (I've asked for and received a number of save games to analyze, thanks to all who have sent them to me [&o] [&o] [&o]), I haven't found much of a 'consensus' of how they arrived at say 9/44, and all are way different than any of my AI games ... so, I'm stuck thinking through exactly how I want the starting point to look like for both sides and THEN I have to map out how they got there to determine what units are likely where. I intend this to be a full map scenario ... in the trade we refer to this as "scope creep". [;)]