Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

No react setting. No patrol setting. It was set to cruise a few hexes forward, on the possibility that it might bump into any inbound enemy TF. Upon reaching the hex early in it's movement phase it was supposed to retire to Toyohara. But you're right, the sub altercation might've slowed it down.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you have the units, could you appear to threaten Bohiro as well? After all, it is clear terrain and easily bombarded. You might even be able to shut down the airfield some. If any units left there to try and stem your invasion, they would be a little out of position.

Be like Patton and not Monty, appear to threaten everything in sight - just like a good cavalryman.

This is a fine idea. The threat is there, merely by proximity. I might could bolster it by feinting empties that way. But I'm reluctant to deploy any real assets (combat ships) to make the feint legit, as I need every ship on station around Wakkanai right now.

[Canoerebel]

Another aspect of this op is that the Allies can enter (and have done so) the Sea of Japan. For good reason, right now I'm keeping the navy close to Wakkanai. But there may come a time when the carriers so deploy.

If and when Wakkanai falls, the gate is truly open.

Erik has to try to reinforce by sea. He just has to. He can't risk the long, slow slog overland.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

12/23/44

L-Day+2: All of 112th Cavalry Regiment is here, now, and in fine fighting condition.

I'm beginning to think I need to land everything possible at Wakkanai ASAP in order to deal with the siege there and to substantially bolster the blocking hex. I have two divisions at Shikuka that are around 40% prepped. The Amphib Force HQ is about 80% prepped. Disablements would be high. I'll try to coax a few more days of prep - perhaps all the way to 50% - but I'll be antsy now. It seems like this campaign may crescendo sooner rather than later.

Once you have troops in the hex establishing a beachhead, landing lower-prepped troops is not so brutal. Figure about 25-33% disablement with most recovered within two days.

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Be like Patton and not Monty, appear to threaten everything in sight - just like a good cavalryman.

This is a laugh, CR plays so much like Monty, and is generally as successful as well.

Smash hard in 1 place, draw up the tail, smash hard in 1 place and repeat.

Once the Empire collapses you can play like Patton and send small forces swanning around picking up the irrelevant bases.

[Canoerebel]

I've been focusing totally on NoPac in the AAR; with reason, because that's where the war is going to be won or lost.

There are some things going on elsewhere. The Allies have retaken all of Oz, without loss (to either side, but importantly to me, the Allies suffered none).

There's presently a stalement around Rangoon and Burma, which continues to suit me. The air war there was very hot until Erik pulled his fighters out a few days back. Overall, I felt like the air war there was helpful to the Allies by attritioning enemy fighters.

And prep is going on everywhere, as I ponder when and exactly where to move in both of those theaters.

But the cauldron in NoPac continues to draw most resources and attention. It is a consolidated, efficient base to fight from. It is fully supplied (4.75 million at Shikuka, even after the draw-down to fund Wakkanai invasion and the recent draw for Uruppu's invasion). It is convenient to the Home Islands. It offers two vectors of attack (down Japan's east coast or into the Sea of Japan).

Therefore, I continue to direct reinforcements to NoPac, including two CVs and BB Wisconsin currently en route. And CVs Randolph and Bennington just arrived at Balboa and probably will go to NoPac.

The Japanese navy is hurting badly. If I can break the back of the air force eventually, there will be no reason that the Allies can't win the war from NoPac. Of course, that's a long and big if.

[Canoerebel]

Excerpt from yesterday's post about Erik's placement of fighters at Sapporo.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

12/22/44

Planning for L-Day+2: An immensely challenging turn to plan for.

….

I think Erik allowed for the Allies to bombard Sapporo today and thus moved alot of his aircraft out. He'll likely move them back in tonight. Originally, I intended for an all-out attack on that base, as it showed just 100 fighters there. But I'm guessing there will be 400 fighters tomorrow.

Here's the mouseover today.

It was an obvious move but one I might've looked over given the complexity of the map and all that's going on.

[JohnDillworth]

What became of the The Alabama. Did she go down?

[RangerJoe]

Nuke'em till they glow, then shoot them in the dark 'cause it's easier that way.

A nice target for naval bombardments and night bombers. How has the AAA been there lately if you have bombed there recently?

Joe

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

What became of the The Alabama. Did she go down?

Scroll up or back a page or so to find a screenie of Alabama. She's slowed but in no danger, barring future encounters.

[Canoerebel]

Saporro is a beast, with lots of fighters and lots of AA. Some RAF night bombers targeted the base last night, to their misfortunate.

I don't want to chance a bombardment, because Erik has his cruiser TF there and plenty of mines. I don't want to take long chances.

[Canoerebel]

12/23/44

L+3 Plan: Within the context of the mission, L+2 was a good day. There were losses, but the Allies have a real chance to achieve the objective. And the losses, while felt, have been modest, and both sides are losing stuff. Erik, I think, can't afford much in this way.

I feel pretty good about the plan tomorrow - I know where I want my ships and air force and inbound reinforcements. The armor (and paratroops) will attack at Wakkanai. The air force will try to protect. Death Star will take a position that might surprise Erik or, conversely, might put me into the paws of the lion. As always, there is the threat of Erik outguessing me or outthinking me or luck smiling on him. We have so many units in proximity that havoc can break lose at any moment. I think Erik is going to have to throw everything into the fray, probably at relatively modest odds.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Saporro is a beast, with lots of fighters and lots of AA. Some RAF night bombers targeted the base last night, to their misfortunate.

I don't want to chance a bombardment, because Erik has his cruiser TF there and plenty of mines. I don't want to take long chances.

Fletchers.

More Fletchers.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Saporro is a beast, with lots of fighters and lots of AA. Some RAF night bombers targeted the base last night, to their misfortunate.

I don't want to chance a bombardment, because Erik has his cruiser TF there and plenty of mines. I don't want to take long chances.

Fletchers.

More Fletchers.

No Gearings? [:D]

[Canoerebel]

12/24/44

L+3: A (mostly) clean screen at the start of a new day.

[Canoerebel]

12/24/44

L+3: This sub ends up where Death Star is bound. I don't think Erik guessed DS's destination - I think the sub was position to hit any amphibs bringing reinforcements to the key open hex south of Wakkanai.

[Canoerebel]

12/24/44

L+3: The strongest bombardment force gets modest results. Every enemy combat squad disabled today - via bombardments, bombing, enemy counter-bombardment - will be important, because Allied armor is set to attack at day's end.

[RangerJoe]

AM Wa clearing a minefield? Admiral Wa? [;)]

Another nice victim of the minefield.

If you think that you can chance it, couple of Fletchers on a high speed run to clear out the mine sweepers could be just the ticket. Then he might have to have surface ships patrolling there to protect the minesweepers giving the subs targets for torpedoes as well new victims for the minefields. Unless, of course, he decides to clear minefields the Soviet way - sending expendable troops to march through the minefield, the naval equivalent would be using LBs which would give you no victory points.

A nice bombardment as well.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Saporro is a beast, with lots of fighters and lots of AA. Some RAF night bombers targeted the base last night, to their misfortunate.

I don't want to chance a bombardment, because Erik has his cruiser TF there and plenty of mines. I don't want to take long chances.

Fletchers.

More Fletchers.

No Gearings? [:D]

Fletchers perform better in surface engagements, really.

[T Rav]

CR, Just wanted to say how much I like the AAR. Lurkers like to read. Thank you.