The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Lowpe]

[quote]ORIGINAL: alaviner

[Canoerebel]

Barring something bad happening, there's not much time left. Perhaps 90-100 days. So investing in long-term programs or campaigns isn't cost efficient because it's unlikely to bear fruit before the game ends. The ops currently underway or under serious consideration are design to quickly harvest points or allow the harvesting of points: (1) Taking even one airfield in Korea will open most of the Home Islands to Allied fighter sweeps and bombing raids everywhere by most everything. So if I can take Gunzan, I'll go for it. At last look, it was considerably less defended than Moppo. And I don't have any notion of Death Star ever visiting the Sea of Japan. That would be a big risk, but basically the same things can be accomplished without taking those risks. (2) taking Hainan Island - necessary to protect the big LST TFs set to run supply from Indochina up to China; Hainan Island won't take long and it won't involve much; (3) possibly an invasion of Patani on the Malaya coast, landing behind the front lines and possibly expediting the campaign for Singapore. (At this point, I don't think Singers comes into play before the game ends, but I'm developing the campaign just in case the points are needed; and beating up enemy armies and taking small-points bases has merit of its own.

As for an end game, it's basically impossible to end a game before 1/1/45 by Victory Points. Achieving 3:1 against a relatively experienced opponent by a player of relatively similar experience isn't going to happen very often. And it wasn't within the realm of things that might have happened. The limitations of supply, and an imperfect knowledge of the game, persuaded me to advance carefully. I knew I had John by the short hairs and the only way he could avoid defeat was if I made a major mistake. Had I done so, a lot of readers would be talking about "Victory Disease" and the like.

I've never played Japan. I haven't taken the game apart to study the enemy OOB. I don't Sandbox. I don't have files filled with every rules/engine explanation given. I don't use Tracker of other things. I am not an expert at the workings of the game. I make notes by hand, think through things, enjoy analysis and planning and implementing. And I'm learning how to employ combined massive force late in the game. I've learned a great deal. I'm also aware that some of my experience is tainted by the peculiarities of my opponent's style of play.

And I scratch my head when people are flat rude in criticizing how I've played the game.

[MakeeLearn]

Dropping Paratroopers into Korea.... Division or smaller?

[Canoerebel]

I'm taking a US paratroop division and dividing it into either three or four segments. I'll drop them on bases on the railroad leading to Gunzan. The hope is that they'll knock units in those hexes out of Strat mode into Combat mode. I don't know that it'll work but it's worth a try.

John could flood the beach with last minute reinforcements. If he does so at the same time that my troops land, I'll probably just re-embark them aboard ship and move off elsewhere. I'd really like an airfield in Korea but I don't want to get bogged down in a two-month battle to take one right under the nose of about ten big Japanese airfields five to eight hexes away. So this is designed to be a smash and grab rather than Anzio.

[Canoerebel]

At lunch today, I was reading an autobiography of a young private in a Confederate Maryland regiment. His regiment helped route the Union Army at First Bull Run. With good reason, he expressed the southern soldier's expectation that the Confederate Army would advance on Washington and then free Maryland from Yankees. The path to Washington seemed clear. But we know that, from a bigger picture, such an advance was problematic. Supply and the disarray of battle limited what the victorious army could do, in ways that folks couldn't really understand.

The same applies in this game. In June of 1944, I was winding up the Luzon campaign and looking at Coastal China and Formosa. I had supply limitations that affected what I thought I could achieve. And I felt like Strategic Bombing was the most efficient way to score the points needed to achieve victory. So everything was put into motion to implement that plan - to forego a more risky and supply intensive invasion of the Home Islands in favor of a more supply-friendly ground campaign in China to allow an air campaign against Japan. Contrary to what some folks think, that wasn't an idiotic plan. There was merit to the plan, at least from what I knew or thought I knew.

In fact, the Strategic Bombing campaign has been tougher than I had expected. I've scored a lot of points. But instead of "a thousand points a day" its been more like (on average) three or four or five thousand points a month. That maybe due to flaws in my strategy or brilliance in John's or a combination of both or a neither. The bombing campaign has gone pretty well but it wasn't enough to drive the Allies to victory in February or March, as I had first hoped. Instead it looks like victory will take place in late April or early May.

According to the game, that will be a decisive Allied victory (if I understand the rules). As I've noted before, the notion of victory is enhanced by certain tangibles like the mod and the House Rules. This feels to me like a pretty decisive Allied victory, as things currently stand.

So when Joh or a Forumite says or implies, "Hey, dumbass, you stink. You should've won six months ago." That's about as offensive a thing to say as I can think of.

[AcePylut]

I’m not criticizing, just asking. I’ve not made it this far in a PBEM and not aware of all the considerations that go into the “end game” thought process – so I ask in effort to learn about those things I will need to consider. The funny thing, in this game, is how your skill can be determined by just a few die rolls. Imagine if J3 had committed the KB to a carrier battle at anything during or after the PI invasions… and imagine if he rolled double 6’s and got the strike in first… and imagine if he had just enough escort and just enough favorable die rolls to punch through cap and aa… and imagine that crippled any return strike on the KB… We’d be talking about “victory disease” as you say. It happened irl at Midway after all

But I think you should nuke Japan, just to make the game go a little longer for victory, and because you can

[Lowpe]

Not my intent. Sorry. Deleted.

[Canoerebel]

Ace, I wasn't thinking of you when writing those last posts. Sorry to have created uncertainty in that regard. There are a few folks (good men, all) who may not be aware that there words can be offensive.

I know John has regrets: losing KB at Wake Island chiefmost, probably.

I have regrets. I wish I'd thought out the House Rules better. I wish I had understood the limited nature of the Fighter Pools. And I wish I'd better understood how far it is to "go back" (clear up rear areas) when the front has moved a thousand to two thousand miles north.

I really though that one day there'd be time to invade Kendari, Balikpapan, Palembang, etc. I had troops prepped. But it just never seemed efficient to recall Death Star for that purpose. It wasn't a total waste, as having those units at key bases in the DEI and Oz provided strong defense in that key area and also gave me a strategic reserve to employ.

And what about the Sumatra invasion of 11/1942? That was early! Waiting two months might've made all the difference. Or bringing another 200k supply. Or not listening to Nemo, going off on tangents I poorly understand and that ended up detracting from the overall offensive rather than strengthening it (due to my ability, not the quality of Nemo's insights).

But it's been a wild, fun ride.

[AcePylut]

My 2 cents: while you “could” have won the war “6 months ago” – I believe that doing so would have put yourself at considerable more risk of losing the game. I believe that what you’ve done has made a victory inevitable, and significantly reduced the odds of the J3 rolling “double-6’s” and smashing the DS. In other words - yes, you “may” have won 6 months earlier, but in doing so you would have also put a resounding Allied defeat into play. Everyone here, who’s only investment is reading the AAR, wants to see “splashy eye-candy naval action” and “dramatic behind the lines invasions that punch at the beating heart of Japan” as opposed to the “inevitable, low risk, march across the Pacific”… One way leads to the inevitable ‘nothing can be done about it, defeat of Japan’ (your way), and one way opens the possibility of an Allied defeat (peanut gallery way).

Lets face it - everyone wants to see Avalon Hill's Flat Top played out on the forum, but this game isn't Flat Top.

[Canoerebel]

You're right. There's really two fun things to read: (1) a novel game with whacky stuff going on (Lowpe's accidental invasion of Russia; Nemo's Fortress Palembang against One-Eyed-Jacks; Lowpe's invasion of California; Mogami's invasion of California); and (2) when the wheels come off in a big way for a player so that he's crashing and burning.

I noticed this "poor guy!" phenomenon years ago. When reading Sports Illustrated magazine, I enjoyed reading about the bad teams (Mets, whatever) and how things had gone so terribly wrong, rather than the good teams (Yankees win again, yawn). Disasters make compelling reading!

This game lacks some of the tautness that brings the most pleasure to readers. I really did think the Allied advance into the enemy Heartland would goad John into committing KB. I mean, he had to, didn't he? Bushido Code, right? You can't hang back while the enemy is at your doorstep. This is Japan! But he didn't commit KB, for better or worse. But there's still some time left.

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You're right. There's really two fun things to read: (1) a novel game with whacky stuff going on (Lowpe's accidental invasion of Russia; Nemo's Fortress Palembang against One-Eyed-Jacks; Lowpe's invasion of California; Mogami's invasion of California); and (2) when the wheels come off in a big way for a player so that he's crashing and burning.

I noticed this "poor guy!" phenomenon years ago. When reading Sports Illustrated magazine, I enjoyed reading about the bad teams (Mets, whatever) and how things had gone so terribly wrong, rather than the good teams (Yankees win again, yawn). Disasters make compelling reading!

This game lacks some of the tautness that brings the most pleasure to readers. I really did think the Allied advance into the enemy Heartland would goad John into committing KB. I mean, he had to, didn't he? Bushido Code, right? You can't hang back while the enemy is at your doorstep. This is Japan! But he didn't commit KB, for better or worse. But there's still some time left.

Japan may fall, but J3 is going "Joe Shelby". Filming of "I Love Lucy" episodes will be occasionally interrupted by bombardments and air attacks.

[Zecke]

to--------Acepylut[&:]

ya ya ya..(means I GOT YOU)¡¡

so....

I know why this game is unfriendly; but the japans have fun until 43; then there are six crucial months where I GET really for playing this game; and then my game is finish and start another game called ADMIRAL EDITION where the allys have fun, but we dont;

then..you dont want to continue and understood; me too; why?

Because you only have to do, is play until 43, we see how you have fun. and the allys recognise your victory on how good are you played¡..maybe.

THEN ME..as japan continue your game; because am Spanish so if you want an AAR-PBME i will play what you have left; navy (dont sink too much) play until 43 and i continue until 46..and we compare what have you done and what have i done.

so start a PBME and i will take japan rest; just one favor build as much as you can JACKs about 3000. ACEPYLUT, 3000 jaks please. and go with the KBs TO HELL.

[Canoerebel]

Our discussion of the USS Gambier Bay last week got me to thinking about all the stories my magazine has done on the Greatest Generation, both at the Front and on the Home Front. With that in mind, I did another YouTube video for the class I taught this morning. This includes photos of the Gambier Bay under fire and many photos of the Marines in action on Iwo Jima. Two songs provide background music. Do you recognize them?

https://youtu.be/ywDYWP1zhA8

[dave sindel]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Our discussion of the USS Gambier Bay last week got me to thinking about all the stories my magazine has done on the Greatest Generation, both at the Front and on the Home Front. With that in mind, I did another YouTube video for the class I taught this morning. This includes photos of the Gambier Bay under fire and many photos of the Marines in action on Iwo Jima. Two songs provide background music. Do you recognize them?

https://youtu.be/ywDYWP1zhA8

That video is very nicely done Dan

[JohnnieX]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You're right. There's really two fun things to read: (1) a novel game with whacky stuff going on (Lowpe's accidental invasion of Russia; Nemo's Fortress Palembang against One-Eyed-Jacks; Lowpe's invasion of California; Mogami's invasion of California); and (2) when the wheels come off in a big way for a player so that he's crashing and burning.

I noticed this "poor guy!" phenomenon years ago. When reading Sports Illustrated magazine, I enjoyed reading about the bad teams (Mets, whatever) and how things had gone so terribly wrong, rather than the good teams (Yankees win again, yawn). Disasters make compelling reading!

This game lacks some of the tautness that brings the most pleasure to readers. I really did think the Allied advance into the enemy Heartland would goad John into committing KB. I mean, he had to, didn't he? Bushido Code, right? You can't hang back while the enemy is at your doorstep. This is Japan! But he didn't commit KB, for better or worse. But there's still some time left.

I don't post very often as you can see. This is one of only three AARs I keep up to date with. JIIIs opposition view is another.

The game is gripping. It does not lack 'tautness'. It is compelling reading and it is a fascinating game - I wait for your updates eagerly.

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: Zecke

to--------Acepylut[&:]

ya ya ya..(means I GOT YOU)¡¡

so....

I know why this game is unfriendly; but the japans have fun until 43; then there are six crucial months where I GET really for playing this game; and then my game is finish and start another game called ADMIRAL EDITION where the allys have fun, but we dont;

then..you dont want to continue and understood; me too; why?

Because you only have to do, is play until 43, we see how you have fun. and the allys recognise your victory on how good are you played¡..maybe.

THEN ME..as japan continue your game; because am Spanish so if you want an AAR-PBME i will play what you have left; navy (dont sink too much) play until 43 and i continue until 46..and we compare what have you done and what have i done.

so start a PBME and i will take japan rest; just one favor build as much as you can JACKs about 3000. ACEPYLUT, 3000 jaks please. and go with the KBs TO HELL.

The reason I haven't made it to "end game" is because the Japanese player has always "disappeared" once the "Japanese fun time" is over (late '42).

I've got a game going on right now that looks promising. We're in Jan '42 (still early) but there's been good give and take. I've learned enough from my 5-7 previous short pbem's that I'm not going to, and don't have to, "Sir Robin".

If for some reason that game ends, I'll take you up on your offer. Unfortunately, as it is, due to real life commitments I can only really afford the time for 1 game at any given time.

[AcePylut]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You're right. There's really two fun things to read: (1) a novel game with whacky stuff going on (Lowpe's accidental invasion of Russia; Nemo's Fortress Palembang against One-Eyed-Jacks; Lowpe's invasion of California; Mogami's invasion of California); and (2) when the wheels come off in a big way for a player so that he's crashing and burning.

and 3) A well written, easy to follow, AAR... which yours is.

[Zecke]

ORIGINAL: AcePylut

ORIGINAL: Zecke

to--------Acepylut[&:]

ya ya ya..(means I GOT YOU)¡¡

so....

I know why this game is unfriendly; but the japans have fun until 43; then there are six crucial months where I GET really for playing this game; and then my game is finish and start another game called ADMIRAL EDITION where the allys have fun, but we dont;

then..you dont want to continue and understood; me too; why?

Because you only have to do, is play until 43, we see how you have fun. and the allys recognise your victory on how good are you played¡..maybe.

THEN ME..as japan continue your game; because am Spanish so if you want an AAR-PBME i will play what you have left; navy (dont sink too much) play until 43 and i continue until 46..and we compare what have you done and what have i done.

so start a PBME and i will take japan rest; just one favor build as much as you can JACKs about 3000. ACEPYLUT, 3000 jaks please. and go with the KBs TO HELL.

The reason I haven't made it to "end game" is because the Japanese player has always "disappeared" once the "Japanese fun time" is over (late '42).

I've got a game going on right now that looks promising. We're in Jan '42 (still early) but there's been good give and take. I've learned enough from my 5-7 previous short pbem's that I'm not going to, and don't have to, "Sir Robin".

If for some reason that game ends, I'll take you up on your offer. Unfortunately, as it is, due to real life commitments I can only really afford the time for 1 game at any given time.

sounds good, whenever you consider start our PBME-game will be great; JUST choosee an INTREPID ooponent/s

thx a lot¡

[RangerJoe]

Thank you for another nice video.

I did not mean anything derogatory in any of my comments to you on how you play your game. I am still learning the game and I have only played against the computer which plays stupidly. I read a few AARs to improve my game but I will not be able to play against a human at this time.

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

Nah.....Stalin was busy elsewhere in January 45. Now Chinese on Chinese violence? yup, that there would have been a problem

We were busy elsewhere and it didn't stop us. It's a proven fact that Stalin was having US intentions leaked to the Japanese in order to keep the war going on in the Pacific. At the least, if known by the Russians a Korean invasion would be leaked to Japan.