One last banzai (NJP vs Wagmr) Game Over

[njp72]

Hi all,

I wasn't intending to do an AAR but I will see how I go. Still finishing off my last game with TiemanJ who is a wonderful opponent and a fantastic guy, so I am a little time poor.

Nevertheless, once I made contact with my good friend and long time opponent Mike (wargmr) and proposed a game I found myself strangely excited at the prospect of another adventure.

There is a lot of history here; Mike and I have played two big games previously which were incredible fun right into 45 until he smashed me. Never been a dispute or a harsh word over all those years.

To the game specifics.

Sce 2 DBB

PDU-Off ( I never play on)

Historic start, realistic R&D, +/- 15 days for reinforcements.

Game rules: altitude limits 20K 42/ 25K 43/ 30K 44

PP points crossing borders, after that nothing really. We have played so much we don't need many.

The key question, where am I off to this time???? (happy to hear options)

Been to Oz and that worked quite well, got lost in India by its sheer enormity, Russia was fun and found the Pacific frustrating.

In all my games the preservation of KB has been quite essential at keeping the Allies honest into 45 but I have been vulnerable to deep invasions in early 44. My failure at properly defending the PIs and Formosa have hurt me on a number of occasions and something to be mindful of.

Points- I need them and plenty in 42. Never had a problem trapping and eliminating large amounts of allied ground forces but have really struggled to engage carriers in 42 and 43. In summary, I haven't been sinking enough ships in 42 and 43 to ensure I reach Aug 45 or later. I also want to gt some strat bombing points as well this time. Never had a problem as I recall with fuel, oil or even supply right up to the end. Its points damnit!

Anyway it will be plenty of fun and I will try to provide updates at least once per week.

[njp72]

Whilst I wait for turn 1 to be sent back, happy to discuss China.

The strategy below has never failed against a multitude opponents and knowing Chinese force dispositions very well by now, is very hard to defend against. Add in some armour bought in from Manchuria and the critical oil/ hex Sian should be mine in less than 30 days.

After that the Chinese defences start to unravel fairly quickly though taking Chungking is always a monster.

[njp72]

My other critical early move is making the Allied position in the DEI untenable.

I have never allowed Palembang be fortified in previous games and I don't intend to start now. [:)]

To me the critically enabling base is Singkawang- take that and things get hard for the allies very quickly. Need to have it secured in the first 5 days.

[njp72]

The key theatre objective is Batavia and I need to have it or at least be laying siege before Christmas.

Once it is secured, India, Ceylon and Perth can then be threatened.

[njp72]

First strike results at Pearl

Someone forgot to get the memo about using torpedoes in the shallow harbour [8|]

I have heard it happening in other games but this is the first it has occurred to me. Initially I was a little annoyed but I suspect the overall results might not be too bad. I note a few Kingfishers destroyed on the field so I suspect probably 2 BBs may have gone under.

- Repulse and Prince of Wales suffered minor torpedo hits but nothing major. Judging from the combat replay they may still be operational. Quite a few dud torpedo hits [8|]

[Lowpe]

Off to the races in a scenario two game. Good luck.[:)]

[dennishe]

Good Luck! I'll be following this one...

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: njp72

My other critical early move is making the Allied position in the DEI untenable.

I have never allowed Palembang be fortified in previous games and I don't intend to start now. [:)]

To me the critically enabling base is Singkawang- take that and things get hard for the allies very quickly. Need to have it secured in the first 5 days.

Yep!

I agree completely.

Looking forward to seeing this one develop.

[Bif1961]

Looking forward to watching your AAR you are about 5 weeks behind me and yes I hit PH for 2 days and only one Kate squadron ever used torpedeos and I sank ZRERO BBs.

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: dennishe

Good Luck! I'll be following this one...

Thanks Dennishe great to see you back. Look forward to your thoughts.

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: njp72

My other critical early move is making the Allied position in the DEI untenable.

I have never allowed Palembang be fortified in previous games and I don't intend to start now. [:)]

To me the critically enabling base is Singkawang- take that and things get hard for the allies very quickly. Need to have it secured in the first 5 days.

Yep!

I agree completely.

Looking forward to seeing this one develop.

Also great to have Obvert and Lowpe onboard, both of whom I have learnt so much from over the years. Gents, your comments and observations are always welcomed and appreciated.

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Looking forward to watching your AAR you are about 5 weeks behind me and yes I hit PH for 2 days and only one Kate squadron ever used torpedeos and I sank ZRERO BBs.

Thanks Bif, initially I was disappointed too with no torpedoes but after closely examining the combat report and looking at the Kingfishers destroyed on the ground, I am fairly sure 2 x BBs went down.

Normally I only ever get one even with torpedoes so all may be not lost. Still the BBs that weren't destroyed are likely to be serviceable a lot quicker due to the lack of flotation damage.

It all evens itself out like most things in this game. [:)]

[Bif1961]

My last game as the Allies I lost 3 at PH to a typical attack. So it does vary, the big difference in this game if they are sunk at PH they stay at PH.

[ny59giants]

As to your overall objectives for conquest, I look at what benefits you the most economically. So that may mean a short hook into SE India and maybe all of western Australia. If really want to get bold, then plan for ALL out conquest of Australia.

[Lowpe]

Take New Zealand and Alaska. Leave Oz alone.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: njp72

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Looking forward to watching your AAR you are about 5 weeks behind me and yes I hit PH for 2 days and only one Kate squadron ever used torpedeos and I sank ZRERO BBs.

Thanks Bif, initially I was disappointed too with no torpedoes but after closely examining the combat report and looking at the Kingfishers destroyed on the ground, I am fairly sure 2 x BBs went down.

Normally I only ever get one even with torpedoes so all may be not lost. Still the BBs that weren't destroyed are likely to be serviceable a lot quicker due to the lack of flotation damage.

It all evens itself out like most things in this game. [:)]

Torpedoes are nerfed and very disappointing. If you indeed sank 2 BB that is a very decent result. But you need to set your Zeroes on AF strike at 8-9K and save some of them.

[njp72]

Thanks guys, love some of the ideas. Something different would be good.

Turn 3 and having to make some decisions reference KB. Situation below with his 2 CVs fleeing southward after smashing up a small amphib tf.

Subs nearly nailed him. One hit is all I require to slow him down and then KB will feast on the cripple.

[njp72]

Pearl continued

[njp72]

Singapore

Mike knows me pretty well these days so instead of deception/feints (which I usually employ) I have massed my combat power to smash my way through.

Next turn should be a pretty big battle [:D]

If I fail next turn there is still plenty of ships and men to try again. There is no way I am going to let him reinforce the DEI or Singapore.

[GetAssista]

Is it Mersing or am I heading further south

Without carrier cover in sight it is really easy to guess correctly [:D] Wonder if Mike would identify some ships as CVs though, this can throw him out of track