Notes from a Small Island

[Chickenboy]

Went back to post #391 (from December 2017) that detailed your OOB for Kurile invasions in more detail. I assume that they're 100% prepped now? [:D]

Questions:

1. Do you have other assault LCUs earmarked for the Kurile invasion that *aren't* on Shikaku / Sakhalin currently?

2. Will you replace the Sakhalin defensive LCUs with others from outside of this theater when you remove them for the Kurile operation(s)?

[Canoerebel]

At the time DS departed to escort the empties part way home, the Kuriles troops were about 40% prepped. I would've considered triggering the invasions at 50%+, mainly because the force to be applied was overwhelming (huge numbers of troops, plus DS and combat TFs to handle security and bombardments). I had a general notion that the invasions of the upper bases would take place in July. At that point, I had divisions prepping for targets from Paramushiro down to Etorofu. I changed those for the lower bases about a month or six weeks ago, boosting the commitment to the upper bases (Uruppu to Paramushiro) in light of Erik's reinforcements of the islands.

The Kuriles are strongly defended now, but cannot withstand the Allied attack if the Allies have control of air and sea. Erik will have to defend, though he'll pick and choose his spots. It should be bloody. The fact that his spear has been somewhat blunted should be helpful. He has considerably less subs, DDs, CLs, riff-raff, and planes. I lost plenty, too, but most of my first team hasn't been on the field. It is big and strong and nearly ready for action.

A lot of my assault shipping and most of my assault troops are on Sikhalin, except for one target. For that target, about 75% of the assault troops are in the Aluetians.

I won't replace troops drawn from Sikhalin to invade the Kuriles. I'll tackle a base or two at a time, leaving plenty to guard Sikhalin. More importantly, Death Star will be on station. If there is a carrier battle, it becomes essential that I prevail (if not, I have problems beyond measure). If Erik doesn't seek battle, then the Allies control the seas as Death Star can provide security for Sikhalin, if needed.

This is why the possibility of a carrier battle is paramount. Win it, and tackling the Kuriles becomes pretty straightforward. Lose it and I cannot hold Sikhalin.

[Canoerebel]

9/9/44

Size Matters: When it comes to foreshadowing, the size of the CR scroll bar means something.

[Canoerebel]

9/9/44

NoPac: The nighttime part of the combat replay showed all kinds of enemy TF icons - that ugly bright red - nearing Shikuka. I blanched and figured, "Well, here it comes." But by daylight, all the unsightly icons had vanished. Apparently it was a bluff run or something, possibly to spook me (it worked, but not enough to trigger rash action) or evaluate my response, if any.

[Canoerebel]

Uh oh. Erik is online and has already made four posts in quick succession. That probably means the whirlwind was unleashed. Blanch.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

range zero still has me confused. I am given to thinking the range of zero will only
work over that airfield only on defense, ergo will not CAP the port etc.. On offense
I am completely confused on this. Lokasenna, you sure on that??

Positive.

Furthermore, the range setting applies when a target isn't set. You can have strike units set at range 0, but with the "Select Target" button (or whatever it's called) you can select a hex with enemy ground units or an enemy base in it that is some number of hexes distant. Your strike units will still strike that hex as directed... unless the enemy ground units shift hexes. The range setting being at 0 is actually crucial if that happens, as it can otherwise cause your bombers to fly to hexes you don't intend and potentially cause a disaster in terms of unanticipated losses.

CAP (or escort) at range 0 will still occur at range 0. It is 0 hexes from the port to the airfield because they are the same hex. Air combat occurs within a given hex. CAP at range 0 will protect the entire base (same with LRCAP some hexes distant but set at range 0 with the target set for the base...) and while I can't remember the last time the specific case came up for me (how often will you fly escorts from your own base against enemy LRCAP?) escorts at range 0 should fly if the target is in the same hex.

[Chickenboy]

Reb-have you seen any kamikazes this game? I'm really surprised that he hasn't mixed those in the works. [&:]

[Canoerebel]

No sign of kamikazes yet. That's no surprise, as the environment hasn't been right. He didn't want to use them against the fleet at Shikuka, since 900 fighters protected the base.

He might use them now or soon, but I suspect he'd prefer to save those for juicier targets. The largest ship I have left at Shikuka are CAs.

Erik is posting fast and furious. So I'm assuming he triggered an all-out attack. I don't know for certain; nor do I know how long I have to wait to find out.

So I'm going to tackle the hardest mountain bike ride I know - a route I call the Blow Torch that climbs Johns Mountain to Dunaway Gap. It's steep, rocky, and rutted - the perfect environment to blow off some steam.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Reb-have you seen any kamikazes this game? I'm really surprised that he hasn't mixed those in the works. [&:]

Prior to Dan taking over this game air losses were quite low for both sides. Under the circumstances Japan may have better trained pilot pools and more aircraft than normal and it would be a judgement call whether to continue normal air ops or convert some squadrons to kamikaze. I know obvert does not feel kamikazes are a game winning weapon, and that they should be used only in desperation when there are only untrained pilots and obsolete aircraft to draw on.

[BillBrown]

Maybe the USS Nimitz shows up late. [:)]

[Canoerebel]

No turn in from Erik yet. Gracious, it must be bad.

On the flip side, I made it to the top of the Blow Torch without stopping.

[Lokasenna]

I'm not sure kamikazes are even active yet. I don't think Toyohara or Shikuka trigger them. The southernmost Kuriles would - it is 20 seahexes from Tokyo/Takao/Saigon that is the barrier.

[Canoerebel]

More than 12 hours later, Erik continues to post away without having sent the turn. Something big has happened or is about to happened.

[Bearcat2]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

More than 12 hours later, Erik continues to post away without having sent the turn. Something big has happened or is about to happened.

[:D] You sound like John3rd when your thread ran off on a tangent

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
they should be used only in desperation when there are only untrained pilots and obsolete aircraft to draw on.

I guess I have a different opinion. Kamikazes used as a weapon of last resort-by themselves-are probably ineffective. But this isn't at that stage yet. If they have been activated, which I'm not certain, they can serve as part of this complete balanced diet of fire and brimstone.

At this stage of the game, he *should* have trained up at least a small cadre of LovNav modest skilled pilots. At this stage of the game, he *should* have some obsolescent airframes to use-both IJNAF and IJAAF. Even some not-quite-so-obsolescent airframes would do (e.g., D4Y1, Oscar-IIb). If he's willing to throw MTBs, SC, PC and E class vessels and other riff-raff aplenty into the meat grinder to flood the zone, there's a role for the kamikazes now while flooding the zone is practical and attainable.

Of course, with all that said, I don't have much first-hand experience with kamikazes, so I'm mostly relying on others' consolidated POVs.

[Canoerebel]

9/10/44

Size Matters, Part II: All I've seen to this point, as I prepare to look at the just-arrived next turn.

[Lokasenna]

It's probably nothing [:D]

[Canoerebel]

9/10/44

NoPac: Well, it was nothing. A quiet turn. But the storm clouds that were building on the horizon are moving now. Erik took a heckuva lot longer than usual to put together the next turn.

I figured it might take me just as long. But most of my defensive work and clicking had already been done. I've added a few new wrinkles to the defensive look, but it's kinda like calling up the veteran 37-year-old catcher with a lifetime average of .200, hoping he's a good fit for the fifth slot in the batting order.

[Canoerebel]

The crux of the changes made are to try to neutralize Erik's tactic of sending in a host of riff-raff that drains my combat TFs of ammo just before his combat ships come in. It's a long shot but I'm not totally devoid of hope.

[adarbrauner]

Updates regarding the Blow Torch please, that's more valuable... any picture? I have plenty of bicycle climbs too choose from in my country, in Isreal. The season now is still ideal, provided you don't start a climb in the south of the country, in the desertous climate, where you could easily over heat, if start climbibng in the middle of the day. The best option I have is to climb the Carmel Mountain, 500 + m. climb. The top, is the climb of the Hermon Mountain, in the northern tip of the country, from - 20 to 2000 meters - I did it up to to 7-800 meters, and still had steam to climb on for a lot, but the day was turning and was eager to complete the descent in daylight still. Now though I am in Italy, near Venice, by my parents, for a fortnight visit. Terrain here is plain, in the big valley, but mountains are close relatively, and am repairing the old bicycles left in the storage for some good ride, hopefully. weather now here is really ideal and and a plasure. Good you know the limits and don't let high quality wargames to highjack. life. I do not yet.