BtS Lite ver. 4.5 - Kitakami (A) vs Falken (J) - IJN AAR

[bristolduke]

ORIGINAL: Falken

OK.. this is weird... Kitakami and I are having a problem again that we had several years ago in another PBEM. I've been trying to find the AAR discussion that we had on this years before, but cannot find it, and i'm sure someone explained to me at one point why it was happening.

Basically, the Combat Replay that gets generated for our Turn doesn't quite line up with what actually happened. Ship sunk or Damaged, A/C lost or damaged, don't line up between the combat replay, and the actual turn results. I'm not sure if this is what you guys call the "sync" bug.

Anyway, it's really annoying because it makes looking at the combat replay useless, and we actually have to use Tracker and other reports to find out what actually happened.

Have you guys ever seen something like this in your PBEM games? I can't look, but i'm sure Kitakami is probably reporting the same thing is his AAR.

I understood the difference between the combat reports and reality to be "fog of war" (assuming that is on). I also thought each side had different combat reports based up the combat details (again fog of war).

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Falken

OK.. this is weird... Kitakami and I are having a problem again that we had several years ago in another PBEM. I've been trying to find the AAR discussion that we had on this years before, but cannot find it, and i'm sure someone explained to me at one point why it was happening.

Basically, the Combat Replay that gets generated for our Turn doesn't quite line up with what actually happened. Ship sunk or Damaged, A/C lost or damaged, don't line up between the combat replay, and the actual turn results. I'm not sure if this is what you guys call the "sync" bug.

Anyway, it's really annoying because it makes looking at the combat replay useless, and we actually have to use Tracker and other reports to find out what actually happened.

Have you guys ever seen something like this in your PBEM games? I can't look, but i'm sure Kitakami is probably reporting the same thing is his AAR.

sync bug.

experts here will help out ...

[Lowpe]

Unless you are trying to pull off some accelerated non historical start...going for Pearl for example like Olorin did to mention one, Mersing a second, then most players put too much emphasis on turn one. Normally it is a long war.

My priorities are to damage Pearl, runways where b17s ares, sink the Prince of Wales and Repulse...I think they are so aggravating. Then it is pretty much not making stupid mistakes, like allowing Yusen to be sunk off Sumatra, pulling the tankers out of amphibious invasion forces, not losing a ton of Zeroes strafing at Pearl oh, and trying to find Boise, Houston.

[Falken]

Ok.. Turn 2 completed, and we are officially on Dec 11th

Good turn for the Empire. Successfully invaded Guam, Kota Bharu, Davao, Itbayat, Port Blair, Ocean Island and Tarawa.

Port Blair and Davao were both captured with Para troops, and was really happy to get Port Blair this early in the game. I think Kitakami tried to reinforce with A/C as some A/C were destroyed once invaded.

From an Amph point of view, ongoing is Aparri, Vigan, Naga, Miri, Brunei, Kavieng and Sorong. So should get those next turn.

There was a weird battle. Kitakami attacked Ichang, which I expected, and he had a good ratio (AV1680 to AV389), but not sure if it was the 3-size fort, but according to the replay, he lost 6000 troops to my 0. His adjusted assault went to 0. Very odd. Usually, it's a more even fight. Not quite sure what happened there.

My subs were well placed, as was my BB and CA Task Forces, as was able to hit over 20 independent task forces, including (if I can believe the replay), some AS, AO, DD and TK ships.

Overall, quite happy with the turn, except, don't know where Force Z and Boise are yet. Still looking.

[Falken]

Just sent the next turn to my opponent. Outside of what was mentioned above that was currently in progress, have now also started the HK, San Fernando, Cagayan, Kuching and Kuantan campaign.

Had to move my CVs and BBs to compensate. I'm being more aggressive than normal, but with 2 day turns, you really don't have much of a choice. I know that it's suppose to slow tempo, but I find it actually makes me need to hurry as I have fewer turns to get what I need by Jan 1st and by Feb 1st.

I have so many things going that i'm sure Kitakami will catch me flat footed somewhere, for the simple fact that i've probably forgotten something. Still, loving the scenario.

I've noticed that there is a new version of the BTSL, so i'll need to find out from Kitakami if he wants me to grab the new version and update the DB on next turn.

[John 3rd]

I fixed the stupid upgrade path of ZERO automatically moving to GEORGE. Fixed it in BTS and missed it in BTSL.

[Falken]

Turn 3 completed, and we are now on Dec 13th

Another good turn for the Empire, but I think my sub captains were a little drunk. Compared to last turn where they basically could not miss, all they did in this turn was miss. So odd, and unfortunately, it lost me a couple of prized TKs that I could have sunk. Not good to miss these chances.

Successfully invaded Wake, Aparri, Vigan, Naga, Miri, Brunei, Sorong, Shortlands, Nauru Island, and Hwaiyin. HK almost fell, but at least it reduced the forts from 3 to 1.

From an Amph side, started on Kuantan, San Fernando, Atimoman, Aitape, Wewak and Kavieng.

I'm having a little hard time with Manila, and hitting the airfield. Need to recheck my settings again, but they never seem to actually attack the airfield. Not quite sure what's off, but i'm sure it's a simple setting that I just didn't set right.

We are now upgrading from BTSL 4.5 to BTSL 4.6, with the database update. Should be able to give Kitakami the next turn by Monday morning.

[Falken]

Turn 4 completed, and date is now Dec 15th

Good turn for my side.

Successfully invaded Kuantan, Catanduanes, San Fernando, Atimonan, Calayan, Kavieng and Wewak.
HK forts went to 0, and I thought I would of had it this 2-day turn, but alas, have to wait till next turn again.

From an Amph side, started on Surigao, Kuching and Aitape (again). For Aitape, stupid me put a 0AV force on it, so can't invade. Other troops are coming to clean up the Emperor's stupidity.

Kitakami has already started his revenge on Port Blair.

Night Naval bombardment of Port Blair at 46,58
Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
CL Belfast
CL Glasgow
CL Ceres
CL Enterprise
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 20
Port hits 21
Port supply hits 1

I don't think he enjoyed me taking the island so quickly. He's definitely going to make me pay for that one.

Both empires had some key misses on Sub hits, mine was the CL Jean de Vienne near Vava'u. 6 torpedoes, and they either missed or hit with no explosion. Ugh.. so close.

[John 3rd]

Regarding SS: I let the initial few turns play out then recall all of my badly Captained subs and REPLACE the leaders. Your attacks/hits will go up FAST!

[Bif1961]

Remember the Japanese sub fleet got the least capable naval officers. Just think what might happen if they have gotten much better ones. For hits that don't explode the combat replay will tell you those.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Regarding SS: I let the initial few turns play out then recall all of my badly Captained subs and REPLACE the leaders. Your attacks/hits will go up FAST!

+1

I don't bring them all back at once, but I do start a process that cycles them all back, review the captains, replace Glens, add spare pilot, update their patrol zone, ....

[Falken]

First, thanks for the tip on the Subs. Started to look at that now. I don't normally do this for the Allied side, but as the EMpire, well, now that I've started checking, as per the tips, and yeah... not the greatest naval guys around from Turn 1. Will start the commander rotations as soon as I can.

Ok, Turn 5 completed, and date is now Dec 17th

Good turn for my side even though I made two boneheaded mistakes. Well, mostly, not totally boneheaded, but if it wasn't 1 am in the morning when I finished my move, I might have noticed, but yeah, ok... still boneheaded moves.

Part of my CV group took a hit as I was too close to Singapore when I didn't plan on it. I thought I had calculated the right distance to hit fleeing ships, but didn't check my settings well enough. Second one is that I forgot that my main Mersing Amph TF was at least 1 full day behind, so only the Eng and ART showed up.... Ah well, it's a long war, so it's still ok.

So on this turn, I successfully invaded Alor Star, Legaspi, Tuguegarao, Surigao, Burias, Kweiteh, but my best one was getting Hong Kong this early. That's a relief.

From an Amph side, started on Mersing, Kuching and Aitape (again). So far, happy with my play. Getting good traction on the Amph invasions, and i'm keeping well ahead of my timetable. Losing too many fighters, but that's ok, the whole premise is learning the "other" side.

All in all, having a blast.

[ny59giants]

Pace of Operations: Now you hit a 'learning curve.' How to maintain a brisk pace of operations?? Getting the right ships, mostly transports, to the right bases to pick up troops and some supplies (easy to take too much with ya). I hope you converted or are converting xAKs to xAK -t.

Palembang: How soon do you plan to invade? With what? Don't give Allies time to get any of those three Indian Brigades at sea time to unload at Oosthaven and rail into that base.

Ansyu PBs - Besides being 14 knot escorts, they work well in Fast Transport TFs. Each carries 1000 supplies. I use them a lot to get supplies to forward bases as the war goes on rather than risk xAKs.

[Falken]

Turn 6 completed, and date is now Dec 19th

Things went as expected on this turn. Ok, about game turns. While it is true that 2-day turns do make the game faster, I actually get aggravated because I can't get the right settings in between turns. As an example, at Mersing, I just wanted 1 day of bombardment and then one day of Deliberate attack, but that is not possible. Causes delays that could be avoided.

Oh well, nothing I can do but understand how to live within the limitation.

Successfully invaded Balabac, Lingayen, Lucena, Cotabato, Kuching and Aitape (finally).

From an Amph side, started on Mersing, Kudat, Babo, Manokwari and Lunga.

and Yes, I do have to get on Palembang soon. It's coming. It's in the plans once I get Sinkawang which should be very shortly.

Thanks for all the tips everyone...

[ny59giants]

HQs

If you have read many of my posting over the years, I get on players that are on the offense to team up a Command HQ with an Army or Corp HQ to get the big bonus if both pass a die roll. 90% adjusted Assault Value (AV) from the Command HQ!! One thing that I easily convinced John 3rd to do with these mods many years ago was to increase the number of unrestricted Command HQs. So the easiest pairing is Southern Army Command HQ with 25th Army for Singapore. Have you done so? Are they both in Malaya yet and prepping for Singapore? Next, is the NE Fleet Command HQ that I think starts up at Ominato. I have it start prepping for Manila, but could be Clark or Bataan. Plan on shipping it over there. There are a few more Command HQs like Combined Fleet to find and pair up.

Air HQs have been moved around instead of too many starting at Takao. Can you list where yours are at or being moved to? Since the Allied navy is a little more potent its a good idea to have Ms Nell and Ms Betty cover your advance.


American DBs: There are three groups of A-24 Banshee at Darwin at start and I got John to move the old, but still Nasty Vindicator group from Eastern USA to somewhere in Pacific. So, there are two of them now (the other was at Pago Pago). So, five possible air groups operating out of a few scattered size 2 AFs raining 500 or 1000 lb bombs on your helpless transports. [:-] Just a friendly word of caution here, especially with two day turns.

[Falken]

Hi NY59,

Yes, I have both Southern Army and 25th in Malaya already, and yes, both have been prepped for Singapore since the opening moves. Northeast is still in Ominato though. Was planning to send to Parashumiro for some Aleutian activity. So you are recommending to send to PI instead?

For Air HQs, I have 21st in Babeldoag, 22nd in Saigon, 23rd in Truk, 24th in Roi-Namur. 3rd Air is in Kompong but now that i've taken Alor Star, will move on the next turn. 5th is still in Takao, and was just about to start moving it to PI now that i've taken San Fernando and Lingayen.

[Falken]

Turn 7 completed, and date is now Dec 21th

One thing that I don't like about 2 day turns is that LCUs go from deliberate to bombardment on second turns when you don't want them to. Very aggravating. I would of had Mersing last turn if it hadn't switched to bmb.

Successfully invaded Bayonbong, Masbate, Kudat, Babo, Manokwari and Pucheng

Working on Mersing, Puerto Princesa, Manado, Ternate and Lunga. Also have troops at Georgetown, and should be able to hit Iba on next turn.

I'm prepping for Palembang as soon as I get Singkawang next turn (hopefully). Will have 4th mixed, and 4th div ready for Palembang in the next couple of days. Already have CVEs, BBs, DMS, and a few other things ready to go once all assembled.

Getting there.

[ny59giants]

Yes, I have both Southern Army and 25th in Malaya already, and yes, both have been prepped for Singapore since the opening moves. Northeast is still in Ominato though. Was planning to send to Parashumiro for some Aleutian activity. So you are recommending to send to PI instead?

IF you don't pair up a Command HQ with another lower HQ, you miss out on the 'potential' of that huge AV bonus. So, sending NE Command to Aleutians means it acts just like am Army/Corps HQ, only 10% bonus. You have 14th, 15th, and 16th Army HQs to use. The 14th is for Luzon, the 15th is for Burma, but I would use the 16th for Batavia, Java with a Command HQ. It is easy to land somewhere on Java and just march everywhere overland. That takes time you don't have unless your expansion goals are going to be very basis (NO India, western Australia, deep SoPac, most of Aleutians).

For Air HQs, I have 21st in Babeldoab, 22nd in Saigon, 23rd in Truk, 24th in Roi-Namur. 3rd Air is in Kompong but now that i've taken Alor Star, will move on the next turn. 5th is still in Takao, and was just about to start moving it to PI now that i've taken San Fernando and Lingayen.

As soon as 3rd is at Alor Star, move 22nd from Saigon to Singkawang. 21st at Babeldoab should go to Manado. Check Japan to see if you have any others that you can move out.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Falken
One thing that I don't like about 2 day turns is that LCUs go from deliberate to bombardment on second turns when you don't want them to. Very aggravating. I would of had Mersing last turn if it hadn't switched to bmb.

So, it is switching based upon the outcome of the 1st day attack. Your final odds were below 1:1 which will move your units out of attack mission.

2 Day turns require that you, as the attacker, increase your attack strengths across the board to ensure your result doesn't happen. This is one of the many subtle effects of 2day(or higher) turns that slows down the tempo of the game to more historical rates ...

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Falken

Turn 7 completed, and date is now Dec 21th

One thing that I don't like about 2 day turns is that LCUs go from deliberate to bombardment on second turns when you don't want them to. Very aggravating. I would of had Mersing last turn if it hadn't switched to bmb.

Successfully invaded Bayonbong, Masbate, Kudat, Babo, Manokwari and Pucheng

Working on Mersing, Puerto Princesa, Manado, Ternate and Lunga. Also have troops at Georgetown, and should be able to hit Iba on next turn.

I'm prepping for Palembang as soon as I get Singkawang next turn (hopefully). Will have 4th mixed, and 4th div ready for Palembang in the next couple of days. Already have CVEs, BBs, DMS, and a few other things ready to go once all assembled.

Getting there.

Like Pax said and also if you were at 1:1 odds but had a bad attack with losses and lots of disruption, day two would have had another DA with poorly prepared troops and likely a nasty outcome. Those can really hurt....