The Gamiest Game in Town - EL (J) vs Rio Bravo (A)

[Lowpe]

Tough message to write. I started, stopped and deleted, and started over.

I just don't feel comfortable offering anymore tactical advice at this point.

Good luck with whatever you do, do!

Non Guam advice: Expand your engine and fighter production it takes a long time to accomplish. Do it gradually, but you should be expanding ha45 engine production to 1000 per month (more). I would look at making 750 Franks a month and 500 Georges and Jacks a month (together) maybe even more.... a 1000 Franks a month production wouldn't be outrageous for what is coming. Re-examine your fighter training program.

And while you are fighting in the Marianas, don't forget to bulk up Bonins, but especially Hokkaido (and the islands around it), and Iwaki/Sendai coastline of Honshu. Start stripping the western Empire's defenses if you haven't already.

[PaxMondo]

+1

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Tough message to write. I started, stopped and deleted, and started over.

Copycat!!! [:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Tough message to write. I started, stopped and deleted, and started over.

Copycat!!! [:D][:D][:D][:D]

I never had an original thought. [:D]

[el lobo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

What range will you set the strike planes on the KB to?

How are you protecting the runways and planes in the Marianas...I bet every single one of them could be bombarded at night.

Are you leaving the planes in the Marianas?

I did not get the turn away, too much to do. But tonight for sure.

I am going to rope-a-dope it for a couple of turns.

KBs will be set just to reach Saipan. The LBA will be set to two hexes.

I will move my Bettys from Guam and my Tojos from Tinian. I can not move the Zeros at Guam as I moved them in this turn and can not move them again.

I am going to try to send in some SCTFs.

I am going with my assumptions. If he hits all of the islands then I will be in even bigger trouble than I am now. It's a gamble that even if I win this bet, the odds will still be greatly against me.

[el lobo]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

Ok

unfortunately I could not have resisted but had a read at Rio's reports.

This means I'm much seriously limited in my interventions here, if not totally (and , believe me, I'm biting hard at the belt).

I hope I'll resist.

adarbrauner, don't bite the bit, bite your tongue. [:D] * laughing * [:D]

[el lobo]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Last comments, Rio is doing too many things right here. Either he is a very good player or he is getting coached by some really good players. A lot of subtle things happening that I don't normally see from players of your two reputed ilks. Makes me doubly nervous because of that ....

If you don't mind me asking, what are the things he is doing right? I'd like to know for my own gameplay! [:D]

ORIGINAL: el lobo
Capital ship losses for both sides has been very light. Two CAs, one CL and three DDs for me, three CLs and eight DDs for Rio. (I sank two BBs but they were going to withdraw anyway, so they don't count.)

Wow, that is extremely light! You must've been completely bored until now - I know I would be!

What Pax said plus;

I don't know how much you have read here but Rio played the first part of the game as Sir Robin on steroids. Yeah, it was somewhat boring and he got a lot of flack from his advisers. Rio listens to them but then he makes his own plan and sticks with it.

It has paid-off for him. He is back in Burma with force but more significantly, he is here with I think, everything the Allies have which makes for an overwhelming force even though it is early in the war.

His going for the jugular via this route is in my opinion, I don't want to say brilliant, but great. I should have been better prepared but I honestly thought that he would take Truk first and that I would have a little more time. I got out-played. And, as you can see, my lack of experience isn't helping.

I said earlier that I do not think this game will see 1945.

For the record, Rio is an experienced player, just not at witp. He and Cpt. Haggard have played board games like this for years, mostly Civil War stuff but some sea warfare. And he's smart.

[el lobo]

You guys again are posting faster than I can read. [:D] [:D] [:D]

[adarbrauner]

El Lobo

" he is here with I think, everything the Allies have which makes for an overwhelming force even though it is early in the war.

His going for the jugular via this route is in my opinion, I don't want to say brilliant, but great. I should have been better prepared but I honestly thought that he would take Truk first and that I would have a little more time. I got out-played. And, as you can see, my lack of experience isn't helping.

I said earlier that I do not think this game will see 1945."

I respectfully disagree.

- His force is not overwhelming.

- You can deal him a fine blow and an egregious retreat, and see him back in an year or so.

If you've not mustered and gathered yet enough forces in the air, sea and land, YOU CAN STILL DO IT!

[el lobo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Tough message to write. I started, stopped and deleted, and started over.

I just don't feel comfortable offering anymore tactical advice at this point.

Good luck with whatever you do, do!

You and Pax have gone far and above the call of duty.

The turn is off.

Thanks.

Non Guam advice: Expand your engine and fighter production it takes a long time to accomplish. Do it gradually, but you should be expanding ha45 engine production to 1000 per month (more). I would look at making 750 Franks a month and 500 Georges and Jacks a month (together) maybe even more.... a 1000 Franks a month production wouldn't be outrageous for what is coming. Re-examine your fighter training program.

And while you are fighting in the Marianas, don't forget to bulk up Bonins, but especially Hokkaido (and the islands around it), and Iwaki/Sendai coastline of Honshu. Start stripping the western Empire's defenses if you haven't already.

+2

[el lobo]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner



El Lobo

" he is here with I think, everything the Allies have which makes for an overwhelming force even though it is early in the war.

His going for the jugular via this route is in my opinion, I don't want to say brilliant, but great. I should have been better prepared but I honestly thought that he would take Truk first and that I would have a little more time. I got out-played. And, as you can see, my lack of experience isn't helping.

I said earlier that I do not think this game will see 1945."

I respectfully disagree.

- His force is not overwhelming.

- You can deal him a fine blow and an egregious retreat, and see him back in an year or so.

If you've not mustered and gathered yet enough forces in the air, sea and land, YOU CAN STILL DO IT!

[el lobo]

PACIFIC Jun 22, 1943 Turn 563

Round One.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tinian at 108,95, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 2
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
DMS Southard, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Starling, Shell hits 7, on fire
AM Rail, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Grebe, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Robin, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Lark, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Whippoorwill, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-217, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
YMS-84, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-85, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-86, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
YMS-94, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
YMS-96, Shell hits 1
YMS-97, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
YMS-99, Shell hits 1
YMS-383
YMS-385, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
YMS-117, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-118
YMS-119, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

[el lobo]

PACIFIC Jun 22, 1943 Turn 563

Round Two.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tinian at 108,95, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1
DD Asagiri
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
DMS Hovey, Shell hits 3, on fire
DMS Wasmuth, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
AM Finch, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
AM Oriole, Shell hits 23, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Adroit, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Advent
AM Conflict, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
YMS-95, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
YMS-120, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
YMS-114, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-115, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
YMS-116, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
YMS-129, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
YMS-130, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-131, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-132, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
YMS-133, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

[el lobo]

PACIFIC Jun 22, 1943 Turn 563

Nice try.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Saipan at 111,95

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Barnes

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

And a nail biter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Saipan at 111,95

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

[el lobo]

PACIFIC Jun 22, 1943 Turn 563

Rounds Three and Four.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tinian at 108,95, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Yubari
DD Hibiki
DD Ikazuchi
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Tadeshiwa


Allied Ships
AM Starling, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AM Rail, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AM Robin, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
YMS-96
YMS-99
YMS-383, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
YMS-118, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tinian at 108,95, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CL Yubari
DD Hibiki
DD Ikazuchi
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Tadeshiwa

Allied Ships
DMS Hamilton, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DMS Boggs, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AM Bittern, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AM Tanager, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AM Kingfisher, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AM Penguin, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AM Quail, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
AM Turkey, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
YMS-100, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
YMS-101, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-102, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
YMS-103, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
YMS-135, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
YMS-136, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
YMS-269, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
YMS-270, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
YMS-271, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
YMS-125, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-126, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
YMS-127, Shell hits 3, on fire
YMS-128, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
YMS-216, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

[PaxMondo]

Good start ... keep it going ...

[el lobo]

Thanks.

PACIFIC Jun 22, 1943 Turn 563

I think because of the kind of ships Rio lost above, it is more of a psychological loss for him rather than tactical.

What is more important than what happened, was what did not happen. No landings or Naval Bombardments. This gives me another day to reinforce and get some splinters out.

I have moved another one-hundred fighters in including the first George unit, only nine a/c, but a start. Also two more Nettie units, a Jake unit and two Ann units. The Ann units have good ASW skills. The Jakes are mediocre ASW but I will start trading-out pilots.

[GetAssista]

Why no mines yet in other bases apart from Guam? Moreso when you seem to have wiped out a significant part of Allied minesweeping capacity.

And yes, I want to stress once more what was mentioned before. Keep bringing stuff closer to the theatre from all over the Empire. All floating Kaigun, most subs, all free airgroups. The focus is here and nowhere else. You would need much in the after-landing stage if the Allies are not able to quickly capture the bases.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: el lobo


Thanks.

PACIFIC Jun 22, 1943 Turn 563

.. including the first George unit, only nine a/c, but a start.

Don't move a unit in that doesn't start with full AC ... when you have overloaded airbases, AC don't repair well or fast ... and don't add new aircraft in the groups there, do that in the bonins...

[Lowpe]

Well there was a mistake...shows there is always hope.

What is the weather?

So a short range 2 hex attack would have nailed two of the stray task forces I guess? A maximum range attack would have focused on the Deathstar.

Count hexes and limit attacks...especially true for the KB.