The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Canoerebel]

9/17/44

See map for details.

[Lowpe]

Sometimes those rolls are relative, and need only show up in one unit for the malus to appear.

So, perhaps only one unit of Japan was low on supply...or perhaps one unit has a super great leader that outdiced your guy.

I have no idea if leadership land dice rolls are influenced by disruption levels. Maybe.

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Combat report (see two posts above) showed 33rd Div. adjusted downwards for leaders, fatigue and experience. Why? This division looks pretty good to me. And the leader is outstanding. What's going on underneath the hood?

Leader experience - A Forrest serving under the command of a Hood?

The Unit fatigue and experience are conundrums? Compared to the Japanese? Yet they got no bonuses.

Did the 33rd have high disruption before the attack?

You show a supply lack, before combat?

» Command - Helps in several ways. They help in giving a bonus to ground combat. If no Corps HQ is in range of a ground unit, the Command HQ can give a bonus like a Corps HQ if it is in range of a ground unit. If there is a Corps HQ within range of the battle, and the Command HQ is within 2 times its command range of the battle, it can add up to an additional 90% bonus to the Assault Value of an attacking force for odds calculations. The bonuses are impacted by the leaderships rating of the commander of the HQs. .

[MakeeLearn]

No opsmode(-) showing but was the 33rd in move or combat mode when attacked?




Maybe it's just fate.... well led, well rested, experienced troops still do bad things.... SHOCKING!

[Canoerebel]

Combat mode.

Combat should be unpredictable, but under all the circumstances here, I felt sure this unit would stand up well against the enemy. Let's see if I can extract it before it hemorrhages.

[Xilana]

Looking back at my post from July 1st, it still looks a lot like 6th Army at Stalingrad. I do appreciate one thing though about the Pacific strategy in the real war, an invasion of China would have been a blood bath due to the numbers of Japanese troops that might have been engaged. While people speak about Army
force compositions at this stage of the war, I think the overlooked portion of the equation is numbers. If you throw enough experienced troops at a good unit with better equipment, you may see some wrecked divisions. I would consider some of the marine divisions during the island campaigns - fixed enemy forces battered the marines pretty hard.

As to the aircraft buildup on your flanks, kamikazes perhaps? I'd say good move on pulling back the big boys, they probably would have walked into an ambush.

OT1: Allied intel was very good at this stage of the war. Does the game portray this well would be my question?

OT2: I'd hazard a guess that your esteemed opponent is busy pulling out troops on the perimeter. I would be doing this if it were me at this stage of the game. What I don't understand is why you'd dump them in backwater theaters like SE Asia. Obviously in a real conflict, one could say for what purpose while here I'd surmise VP generation and perhaps preservation of coastal bases. Why? In the real war, the Kaigun was to a degree wasted in useless and defiant acts. In a game where VP exists, force preservation matters. You need places to hide those ships.

I think I see your end game based on a statement or two...the question becomes with the altered history allowing Japan to focus research on bomber killer aircraft, do you think your 4E bombers have the ability to incinerate Japan. If not, you may be in for a grind on land.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: venividivici10044a

Looking back at my post from July 1st, it still looks a lot like 6th Army at Stalingrad. I do appreciate one thing though about the Pacific strategy in the real war, an invasion of China would have been a blood bath due to the numbers of Japanese troops that might have been engaged. While people speak about Army
force compositions at this stage of the war, I think the overlooked portion of the equation is numbers. If you throw enough experienced troops at a good unit with better equipment, you may see some wrecked divisions. I would consider some of the marine divisions during the island campaigns - fixed enemy forces battered the marines pretty hard.

As to the aircraft buildup on your flanks, kamikazes perhaps? I'd say good move on pulling back the big boys, they probably would have walked into an ambush.

OT1: Allied intel was very good at this stage of the war. Does the game portray this well would be my question?

OT2: I'd hazard a guess that your esteemed opponent is busy pulling out troops on the perimeter. I would be doing this if it were me at this stage of the game. What I don't understand is why you'd dump them in backwater theaters like SE Asia. Obviously in a real conflict, one could say for what purpose while here I'd surmise VP generation and perhaps preservation of coastal bases. Why? In the real war, the Kaigun was to a degree wasted in useless and defiant acts. In a game where VP exists, force preservation matters. You need places to hide those ships.

I think I see your end game based on a statement or two...the question becomes with the altered history allowing Japan to focus research on bomber killer aircraft, do you think your 4E bombers have the ability to incinerate Japan. If not, you may be in for a grind on land.

One of my bomber groups littered over the Home Islands and I nearly got 100VP. It can be done over the land if that is what CR chooses to do.

[JohnDillworth]

"TURKEY TROTS TO WATER. WHERE, REPEAT WHERE, ARE THE UPGRADED CHINESE DIVISIONS? THE WORLD WONDERS"

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth
"TURKEY TROTS TO WATER. WHERE, REPEAT WHERE, ARE THE UPGRADED CHINESE DIVISIONS? THE WORLD WONDERS"

Perhaps 10 corps/divisions have upgraded to '43 squadrons and are moving to the front lines. Another 10 or so are consigned to garrison duty. Much of my Chinese army is on the front lines and not in a base hex, so ineligible to upgrade.

At the moment it suits me to have an MLR situated well inland. It makes it more difficult for John to switch units between there and the coastal area.

There will come a day when the Chinese share in the offensives, but that's still some months away.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: venividivici10044a

Looking back at my post from July 1st, it still looks a lot like 6th Army at Stalingrad. I do appreciate one thing though about the Pacific strategy in the real war, an invasion of China would have been a blood bath due to the numbers of Japanese troops that might have been engaged. While people speak about Army
force compositions at this stage of the war, I think the overlooked portion of the equation is numbers. If you throw enough experienced troops at a good unit with better equipment, you may see some wrecked divisions. I would consider some of the marine divisions during the island campaigns - fixed enemy forces battered the marines pretty hard.

As to the aircraft buildup on your flanks, kamikazes perhaps? I'd say good move on pulling back the big boys, they probably would have walked into an ambush.

OT1: Allied intel was very good at this stage of the war. Does the game portray this well would be my question?

The level/frequency/reliability of SigInt doesn't increase in the late war, as best I can tell. But in this particular game, under these circumstances, I'm getting the info that I need: (a) the most important info is KB's location, and John reveals that so often that it's like the ultimate intelligence coup; and (b) given my very long and narrow salient from Oz to DEI/Borneo to Luzon to Formosa to China/Indochina, many of John's bases are within range of Allied reconnaissance aircraft.

Thus I'm getting a great deal of intel, and nearly all of what I really want.

OT2: I'd hazard a guess that your esteemed opponent is busy pulling out troops on the perimeter. I would be doing this if it were me at this stage of the game. What I don't understand is why you'd dump them in backwater theaters like SE Asia. Obviously in a real conflict, one could say for what purpose while here I'd surmise VP generation and perhaps preservation of coastal bases. Why? In the real war, the Kaigun was to a degree wasted in useless and defiant acts. In a game where VP exists, force preservation matters. You need places to hide those ships.

I think I see your end game based on a statement or two...the question becomes with the altered history allowing Japan to focus research on bomber killer aircraft, do you think your 4E bombers have the ability to incinerate Japan. If not, you may be in for a grind on land.

My 4EB are pretty tough, especially at night. At least to this point.

Long term, though, it's the combination of ship bombardments, fighter sweeps and 4EB that should allow the Allies to devastate the Japanese economy, thus harvesting victory points. Taking a few more bases north of Foochow would allow that kind of mix; or, if KB takes a thumping, I can park Death Star close to Japan, use carrier air and bombardments, and employ 4EB on strategic missions. I don't yet know when and how the right circumstances will come about but they are likely to eventually.

[Canoerebel]

9/18/44

Intelligence Screen: Allied harvesting of victory points is beginning to pick up a little momentum. Formosa - points for bases and points for destroying enemy squads and devices - is primarily responsible.

If I understand this game, I think it may be more efficient to engage in strategic bombing of Home Island industry rather than invading and taking bases. The latter seems like a more expensive and risky method of scoring points. So the long term plan is to close on Japan and hammer it from the air even while turning my military focus on the DEI for the rest of '44. But I'll continually reevaluate options.

[Canoerebel]

9/18/44

See map for details.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

9/18/44

If I understand this game, I think it may be more efficient to engage in strategic bombing of Home Island industry rather than invading and taking bases. The latter seems like a more expensive and risky method of scoring points. So the long term plan is to close on Japan and hammer it from the air even while turning my military focus on the DEI for the rest of '44. But I'll continually reevaluate options.

Correct.

Every amphibious invasion you mount offers the possibility to lose ship VP's to kami's. The nature of the VP game means that it doesn't take heavy losses to make large-scale kami strikes a VP gain for Japan.

It doesn't even need to be the larger warships, either. A trio of CVE's (and they'll die in bunches to kami's) is worth around 150 planes, while the amphib ships are around 30 VP's a pop (not including the troops aboard).

You have the positions on China and Formosa to effectively prosecute an extensive strategic bombing campaign. The Shanghai region will provide you the fighter bases to control Kyushu and you can take your time to push through the Ryukyu islands if you want closer bases.

This game is effectively over - the Japanese are beaten. The only question is what the victory level will be.

[Canoerebel]

I went back a few days to take another look at 33rd U.S. Division just before she underwent attack.

She looked like a fine division ready to dish it out.

The only possibilities I can come up with: (1) bad luck on dice roles? (2) perhaps those 37mm AT guns screwed the pooch vs. 2nd Tank Div. (3) Perhaps 2nd Tank Div. has elite experience - 20 points or so higher than the Americans?

Well, time to move on; but I'll be a bit antsy the next time an American division goes into combat in China.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I went back a few days to take another look at 33rd U.S. Division just before she underwent attack.

She looked like a fine division ready to dish it out.

The only possibilities I can come up with: (1) bad luck on dice roles? (2) perhaps those 37mm AT guns screwed the pooch vs. 2nd Tank Div. (3) Perhaps 2nd Tank Div. has elite experience - 20 points or so higher than the Americans?

Well, time to move on; but I'll be a bit antsy the next time an American division goes into combat in China.

Infantry are not great against tanks even 44 American infantry.

[MakeeLearn]

Does moving even in combat mode give penalties?

"» Combat – The unit is in optimal formation for fighting – but has its movement reduced because the unit is moving tactically anticipating a battle. "


May have done better if in an Attack mode instead of Defend. That was a lot of Jap vehicles. It's not that you did bad but that you suffered penalties.

[traskott]

Good to see the 33rd could escape. Now it's time of R&R, although supplies looks like a bit low....

[Lowpe]

Japan should be using the fantastically overpowered Type 3 Medium tank...which in history Japan only made 2-300 of, and they all stayed on Honshu.

Obviously a late game boon to Japan from the developers. One of many. Those 37mm wouldn't do much.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

Does moving even in combat mode give penalties?

"» Combat – The unit is in optimal formation for fighting – but has its movement reduced because the unit is moving tactically anticipating a battle. "


May have done better if in an Attack mode instead of Defend. That was a lot of Jap vehicles. It's not that you did bad but that you suffered penalties.

I believe that it does. I am sure that it means any fortifications are not counted (and field fortifications are reset to 0); I suspect terrain benefits might be lessened; and I suspect a penalty of some kind is applied.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

Does moving even in combat mode give penalties?

"» Combat – The unit is in optimal formation for fighting – but has its movement reduced because the unit is moving tactically anticipating a battle. "


May have done better if in an Attack mode instead of Defend. That was a lot of Jap vehicles. It's not that you did bad but that you suffered penalties.

I believe that it does. I am sure that it means any fortifications are not counted (and field fortifications are reset to 0); I suspect terrain benefits might be lessened; and I suspect a penalty of some kind is applied.

If you even begin a march with an LCU, it clears any field fortifications that it had built.

Aside from the indirect effect, moving in Combat mode does not have any direct affect combat (your 2nd and 3rd points).