Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[ny59giants]

In a conversation with John this morning on way to see my doc, he did confirm a few things.
1) Adm Tanaka was in command
2) the SC TF was a lower number that Amphib TF
3) the TF was order to go to Miri. It was NOT set to Patrol Zones with Miri as destination.

[Lowpe]

Settings. The devil is in the details.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

In a conversation with John this morning on way to see my doc, he did confirm a few things.
1) Adm Tanaka was in command
2) the SC TF was a lower number that Amphib TF
3) the TF was order to go to Miri. It was NOT set to Patrol Zones with Miri as destination.

A Patrol order is the closest thing to a guarantee you can get when it comes to interceptions.
I've experimented heavily with this in solo play.
A Patrolling squadron with a Reaction Range set that arrives in the hex first may even react out of the hex to intercept in an adjacent hex.
Whenever I send a SCTF to a hex as a defensive move it gets a one hex patrol pattern with an appropriate reaction range.

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

In a conversation with John this morning on way to see my doc, he did confirm a few things.
1) Adm Tanaka was in command
2) the SC TF was a lower number that Amphib TF
3) the TF was order to go to Miri. It was NOT set to Patrol Zones with Miri as destination.

Did the weather have a part in this debacle ?

[John 3rd]

Weather was fair to OK. There was plenty of moonlight. Had the TF set to react 2 hexes--which it did not--and placed Tanaka in there. Looking back I should have placed a BB and several DDs into the Amphibs and then had the other BB and DDs run Cover.

Agree about the whole lessons learned paradigm here. I continue to think in 1942 terms and NOT 1944 terms. As stated before this adjustment is adding up to a steep learning curve. I apologize to the those who have come this far before and not hearing you. Continues to simply be a failure of vision and experience. Example: I am producing nearly 400 Franks a month. That number jumps to 600 when the -B comes in. I THOUGHT man--that is incredible--this will kick the Allies patookus. The answer---NOT! Should have been even more. Ramping up the aircraft production (and engines) was done but not on the level of foresight I needed.

Damn...I am truly looking forward to my next match. Telling you that 1942--1943 will be totally different.

[John 3rd]

Happy as all HE** to hear another Forum member reading Shattered Sword. That book changed everything for me with the Japanese.

[adarbrauner]

your match is NOW

[Lowpe]

Show us what you have now at Miyako Jima? It is adjacent to Ishigaki, east of Formosa.

That is a level 7 Air base within sweep range of all of Kyushu. Only 7 hexes to the Chinese Coast.

It is clear terrain.

You have very limited fuel. And yet, You are steaming around with the KB without purpose except to hunt subs. You showed the KB for no purpose alleviating any doubt in the Allied plans whatever they are with no victory points to show for it.

I posit your endgame in the next game you play will not see the improvement you desire.

And yet, in this game you are in great shape for mid 44. A KB! Fuel and oil still sneaking thru to the HI. Economy untouched at the HI. A great VP buffer. Most JFB would be excited as all get out to be in your position in mid 44.

You are fighting yesterday's battles with yesterdays economy thinking Allied forces are comparable to their 1941 experience, equipment, leadership and morale.

Rant off.[:D]

[John 3rd]

Rants are fully allowed and encouraged! Rant on.

We are not simply 'steaming around.' KB will arrive at Saipan this turn and refuel. It is then positioned for several possibilities.

My endgame in the next match will be FAR different. Mark those words.

OK. Running next turn now.

[John 3rd]

"You are fighting yesterday's battles with yesterdays economy thinking Allied forces are comparable to their 1941 experience, equipment, leadership and morale." This quote is FULLY accurate. This is why the learning curve is so steep presently! You go right on with yourself Mr. Lowpe. Keep it coming please.

[ny59giants]

AA - I would list them ALL. Next, go through where they are, number of guns per LCU, which have radar, and how many are heavy and medium guns. You will need to decide how many need to go to the Home Islands to defend against the B-29s and at which bases. Professor Lowpe should be able to help you with these numbers as I haven't gotten to the end game yet. I saw what troops you have in Manila in Dan's AAR and there were no AA LCUs there. Why not? Even the small AA LCUs with just 4 heavy AA guns should be in places like this to at least damage and lessen the impact of a 'milk run.'

[AcePylut]

Got a question: reading through the last few months of reports, I get the sense that you are thinking “If I lose this ID, no big deal, I’ll just rebuild it in a couple of months, got plenty of stock, and it will be just as strong as it was ‘before’ I lost it”…. Are you looking at the exp and morale levels the ID’s had before they were lost vs. after rebuild? Any considerations to how the (possibly) reduced exp and morale might lead to ‘shocking’ losses (i.e. Damn my IJ Guards Div held for 1 month in that jungle terrain, and now the rebuilt one got it’s butt kicked in one attack against the same enemy forces)

It’s really for my own knowledge on “what to expect” in the future for me. This is a great learning experience for all. WRT to this game: I think it’s very important to take this game “to the end”, if for no other reason than to gain knowledge of “what to expect” for your next match. I mean the very absolute end. No "I lose my carriers I surrender" (your JAPANESE after all!!!) but "I lost my carriers, now lest see how these Kaitens work in the game -what can they do!" I’ll be interested in following the ’42-’43 moves you make in the next game  and see how you adjust strategy.

[John 3rd]

I am in until the end is here. Things are somewhat enjoyable presently in TRYING to hit a little here and there.

As to the ID question, since the Burma debacle occurred I have bought back four ID. The XP is usually around 50% or so. I have bought them, rebuilt them in Tokyo and then sent them to locations where they should have plenty of time to prep at wherever their base is. I have one at Takao and another at one of the bases in Hainan. Both have been there long enough that they will be 100% prepped at that location. How will they do? Don't really know but I made sure they have a very good General commanding them.

As to Michael's AA question in Manila, I had five AA units at Mauban when he attacked and ALL of them were destroyed. Two were destroyed by those 4EB BEFORE the fighting even started. There are several at San Fernando presently as I am using that base to bring in limited supply and troops. Two more are at Clark. All the destroyed AA are being bought back, rebuilt, and deployed throughout the Home Islands for what is sure to come...

[John 3rd]

End Game Aircraft Research/Pools

Thought, since we're talking about education for the end game players, that I might Post the current research thrusts and pool levels within this match.

The current planes being heavily researched are as follows:
1. Ki-100 Tony 8-44 115 Planes + 28 Tony currently producing.
2. Ki-84b Frank 8-44 212 Planes + 330 Frank " "
3. D4Y4 Judy 10-44 116 Planes + 128 Judy " "
4. B7A2 Grace 10-44 52 Planes

My bet is that we see Frank and Tony go into production next month. Judy should come in August or late-July.

Here are the current pools of Japanese Aircraft:

[John 3rd]

Here is current aircraft production and research. The numbers are slightly different due to some factories still repairing:

[John 3rd]

In an effort to eat up my large Naka Ha-35 pool, I have brought back into production several aircraft that use the engine. They will be used for Kamikaze or second-line fighter duty.

[John 3rd]

Current VP board:

[John 3rd]

Here are my top Naval Fighter units. These are some BAD boys!

[John 3rd]

Damn. I can see all of you watching these Posts!

Here is the economic overview:

[John 3rd]

Am pondering a Naval Question...

I have the Decoy KB at Soerabaja topping off their tanks. The Kido Butai is at Saipan.

Should work to combine these two into one, massed force. Am thinking of bringing KB down and shoot through Dan's Ambon--Boela area to unite with the rest of the CVs. In doing this we would:

1. Unify the Carriers and have nearly 1,000 aircraft available for attack/defense.
2. Be closer to my fuel supply.

Am actively thinking about this due to Dan's next wave of reinforcements being about 4 hexes east of Gove, AUST. Could come down and try to make serious assault on an element of his forces without the full brunt of the 1.0^10x6 present.

Won't get to the turn until I after I get Inventory done tonight so there is plenty of time for comments, thoughts, and suggestions.

This is the last of my current set of Posts.