Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[tarkalak]

I think that Yamato and Musashi were unavailable in this mode. Yamamoto was not fan of them so he used the steel for something else.

Awesome game John. I am sad that it is near it's end.

I started reading it from around the time of your last restart and it was a great read.

[Chickenboy]

Great job seeing this through to the end, John. A well-fought contest. [&o]

[Chickenboy]

In addition to implementation of the many helpful pieces of advice given you by the peanut gallery over the years, do you know what else would improve your next game?

Chickenboy Maru. That's what. [:D]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

In addition to implementation of the many helpful pieces of advice given you by the peanut gallery over the years, do you know what else would improve your next game?

Chickenboy Maru. That's what. [:D]

Nonsense...the Type B4 Chikinboi armed with Kaitens. Your Kaitens![:D]

[John 3rd]

The Imperial Army has been whipped by the Allied forces in the Philippines, Formosa, China, Korea, and Manchuria. It is an organization that did see the necessary reforms needed of it once the war opened in Europe in 1939. This day sees a similar thing occur.


As the Emperor makes his surprise request of the Naval Minister, all HELL breaks lose near the Imperial Palace.

The 'parade' approaches the main gate to the Imperial Palace when suddenly shots ring out from next to the gate. Five to six men, dressed the uniform of the Imperial Guards, open fire on the column and race towards the gates. These 'provocateurs' start a planned and choreographed action by the lead two squads of the 88th Ind Mix Brigade. Shouts rise up that the Emperor is in danger. We MUST protect the Emperor!! Follow me! Whistles follow, commands are given, and radios go into high gear.

It is nothing but a farce. Vc-Adm Tanaka calmly studies the development from his squad's location. The 'real' Imperial Guards have been warned by him and know what is coming. Though with only 10-12 minutes to prepare it is enough time for some adjustments to be made. The initial rush towards the gates is met with a small storm of fire supported by Tanaka's small contingent. The 88th sorts itself out and begins to move into its attack mode just as fire erupts from several building on the other side of the street. It is only small arms but it does catch the Army troops facing the wrong direction. Confusion follows.

Tanaka raises his the microphone to his mouth and and utters words not heard since just prior to the war "Climb Mount Niitaka."

At the Fleet's anchorage a single 8" barrel fires. The round lands long by about 150 Yards. A small geyser of water, muck and dead fish erupts from the destroyed decorative Koi Pond it lands in. Tanaka has handed the microphone over to the pair of spotters who semi-calmly simple say "Down 100. Fire!" If the single artillery round didn't catch the Army's attention, TEN falling near or in their ranks does. "On Target. Fire two salvos." The effect of these high explosive rounds falling is terrifying to watch. The 88th disintegrates under the increasing fire of the naval troops in the buildings and the naval artillery from the Bay.

As the Army has all war, instead of quick deliberation or thought for a different approach, they simply stick to the plan. The 1st Tank Regiment breaks formation and moves into the kill box. It is quickly followed by the inexperienced, barely trained 112th. Down the blocks more emplaced Naval Troops open fire spreading the fight down six full blocks. Seeing this, Vc-Adm Tanaka shakes his head and sadly nods at his spotters. "Do it!"

Being the most experienced gunners in the Fleet, the five Heavy Cruisers now fully open fire with over FIFTY 8" barrels. To say that there is collateral damage would be a VAST understatement. The effects of all this massed artillery landing in such a confined location is--well--horrific. Within five minutes the Army 'assault' is crushed and broken. Fully 75% of the troops and equipment are killed, wounded, or destroyed. Many in the 112th simply break and run.

In the weeks that follow the tally of 277 Sailors and nearly 1,200 civilians killed/wounded will be added to the new shrine built on the corner of the Imperial Palace grounds.

It is over.

Well...

The body of the snake has been killed and not the head. By this point, Minister Yamamoto has joined Tanaka and sadly watched the end of the 'fight/massacre.' He asks the radiomen, "Have the radio stations been closed down?"

"HAI! It was done at 215pm Sir."

"Good. Finish this. Is he still at the Army Ministry?" A nod follows the question. "Are as many of our people as possible pulled out?" Another nod. "On my authority as the incoming Prime Minister of Japan, Ikoma may fire."

The 8" shell is a compact but powerful weapon when used against the enemy. The landing of SIX 14" shells on a single building is simply breath-taking. Don't get this wrong. The massive but sunken 18" guns of Yamato or Musashi would have been bigger but Army Minister Tojo Hidecki would have been just as dead...

[Drakanel]

Thanks a lot for the AAR. Was a very entertaining read. And hats off to you for seeing it through the end. Never easy to do that...

[John 3rd]

May 11, 1945
0800 Hours Tokyo Time

TO: Admiral Chester Nimitz (Daniel Roper)
FROM: Prime Minister Yamamoto (John R. Cochran, III)

As the leading representative of the Empire of Japan we, hereby, surrender unconditionally to the Allied air, sea, and land forces arrayed against us.

All Imperial Forces shall stand down immediately.

Please listen to Radio Tokyo at 1200 Hours Tokyo time for a message from the Emperor of Japan.





It is done my readers.

[jwolf]

Cool ending. It's kind of easy to tell you're a fan of the IJN and not the IJA. [:D] Kudos for a great game and AAR!

[John 3rd]

This is from Dan last night:

Well, well. Here we are at the end of all things.

That was unexpected. The turn was wrapping up. The screen was scrolling through the usual messages. Suddenly there was the rather lame sound of trumpets. And then the AV screen popped up.

I clicked the "View End of Game Stats" button and the file closed out. So I'm unable to view the next turn file to see what's going on where.

We haven't discussed AV lately, but I would guess that Japan is ready to surrender? I'm glad to continue on if you want to see what would happen over the next few months, although there may not be a great deal of purpose in it. Japan still has a navy and an air force, but Asia is a disaster and the ability to bomb from nearby Korea is just a death grip.

If you want to continue on, say the word. If not, my password is Coral42.

Send me your password if this is the end, but hold onto it if you want to continue a bit further.

Much more to say later. Bottom line: Thanks for soldiering on gamely until the very, very end. Many/most would have quit long ago. Others might've been tempted to get silly or negligent at the end on the idea of "what's the use." But here at the end, KB is raiding and weird TFs are bombarding Singapore and massive CAPs appear over Osaka and surface clashes take place and I always know that you're paying the game the homage of taking it completely seriously right up until the moment that lame trumpets sound. You are a trooper.

[Kitakami]

<bows 60 degrees, from the waist, and holds it for a moment more than customary>

John,

To say that I learned tons from this AAR would be an understatement. I, and I am sure many others, thank you for sticking with this to the bitter end. It is very fitting that Yamamoto Isoroku-san ended it.

Now, take a break, start planning your next game, and...

Tenno heika banzai!!!

[pws1225]

Nice going John, and thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[John 3rd]

I am really, really sad/morose about this. Though there have been long breaks when we thought the game was done, I cannot imagine waking up every morning without a turn from Dan along with some tidbits of his life and activities.

[John 3rd]

We did, however, sink a CVE on our last turn. How about that!!!

[pws1225]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

We did, however, sink a CVE on our last turn. How about that!!!

A raider to the last! [:)]

[John 3rd]

Damned straight BABY!

[DanSez]

Congratulations.
Well Played.
Thanks for all your efforts to share this adventure.
[&o][&o][&o]

[Mike McCreery]

Good Game John. I didnt think you would finish it but I was wrong.

[MBF]

Nice job sir - hanging in there that long is a testament to fortitude !

[CaptHaggard]

John—

Thank you for the AAR—always exciting and full of intrigue and very well written. Great game!

Hag/Robert

[John 3rd]

Dan sent this Post from his AAR:

Here's my post from this a.m. Perhaps you'll relate to this?


I'm afraid it's going to be very hard to come off the high of playing the game. Pretty much every day, I could count on an intense injection of fun (endorphins? adrenaline?) as a new turn arrived. First I'd view the written combat report. Then I'd watch the replay. Then I'd begin entering orders, always following the same general routine as I worked my way around the map. Turns often took three to six hours. None of that was gazing - all of it was clicking. Going through Death Star and land-based air to attend to all the details for the day was overwhelmingly time-consuming and often not very much fun.

But over the past year, as the Allies gained so much power and achieved the position from which to engage in serious raids, missions and attacks every day - lots and lots of them everywhere - the excitement and sense of fulfillment was intense. I was experiencing the rare thrill of seeing to fruition a plan set in motion in late 1942. Every turn - from receipt in the inbox to return through the outbox promised hours and hours of fun.

Suddenly that's gone from each day. No longer can I wake up and expect at some point during the day to have something that fun to look forward to.

It's going to be a real adjustment. Partly, my game with Erik will begin to assert priority and contribute that much fun, but early on I'm likely to spend alot more time outdoors, running, hiking and mountain biking. March, April and May in Georgia are (usually) superb months for outdoors activities. And I'll continue to read, which has always been my main source of relaxation.

I don't think I'll consider starting another game anytime soon. I need this to settle. I want to take some time to adjust to a more non-game routine to measure it against the intense game routine. IE, I'll be doing what Bullwinkle expressed not long ago in another thread, where he noted he'd celebrated a landmark birthday and just needed time to prioritize life.

This game? Crack. Cocaine. Fun. Challenging. Exciting.

Best game ever.


Think I stated this above. As normal, my partner and I are together in our feelings.

He invited me to read his AAR but I declined. Last time was way too rough to go back in only to read comments made by players that were---shall I say---unpleasant.

Have invited him to open a joint thread so we can discuss, comment, evaluate, and talk about game observations--issues--possible solutions.