The Shattered Sword: John 3rd vs. Anachro--BTS

[RangerJoe]

I think that in the long run for the Allied players, it would be a good thing to see a smackdown when an Allied player overextends. It is just a game but it will also teach caution, beware of the coiled snake . . .

[John 3rd]

June 20, 1943

Action is pretty fierce this turn as the Japanese move on Lae in a big way.

Lae
The 64th ID finishes unloading at the contested base. As the Troop convoy moves away, they are attacked by two waves of 12 American PT Boats. Sean LOVES to operate PTs in packs of 12! [8|] The escorts within the convoy are only 3 PB and the PTs do well sinking 4 EMPTY AKs. IN exchange, 4 PTs are sunk. The good news here is that the PTs went after the empty convoy and not to fully loaded TF carrying the 67th ID that will land at Lae tomorrow.

Lae is then bombarded by a CB and 6 CAs in two TFs. The attacks goes reasonably well causing 498 Cas, 12 Guns, and 8 Vehicles to be knocked out as well as more damage to all base facilities. NO FOrts can be built and the disruption remains high. BOTH are needed combinations for the coming attack.

The days sees, as expected, the Allies turn to their most useful weapon--the 4EB. A CAP of 56 Jack and George meet two waves of Liberators totaling 39 of the big, bad boys. Each waves is escorted by P-38s, Wildcats, and P-40s. Serious furballs erupt each time with the enemy losing nearly 50 planes and the Japanese losing 60. Most importantly the 4EB cause little damage.

The Allies bombard in the ground phase and see that they are facing a serious threat. It will be far more serious tomorrow when the 67th begins landing!

PLANS: AS an old player once said, shooting down 4EB is not always about quality. IT is about FIRING PASSES. Sean will come back tomorrow with everything he has. Since the Allied Fleet has deserted the ground troops--does that sound familiar my former Noble Opponent??!! [8D]--I decide to pull the Fleet out of the Madang area and bring them directly to the Lae hex. Kido Butai and three STF move to Lae. This will provide a CAP of nearly 200 Fighters to intercept those Allied Fighters and Bombers. Change tactics and shift the three George units over to Sweep. Those bad boys are murder when it comes to Sweeping at 25,000 Ft! I plan to butcher the Allied aircraft next turn.

We will offload the 67th tomorrow. Three BC are embedded in the TF and they shall bombard the base and troops. The 22nd is planned to be the day of attack where two groups of BBs shall bombard and then the two IDs and Assault Brigade will Shock Attack the base, retake it, and seriously cripple five enemy ground units.

Other Action
Manus
This base is hit by two CA and DDs doing decent damage. It is hit during the day by 51 Betty--Nell further adding to the rubble.

Hansa Bay
My Liz nail the base hex and the Aussie Brigade that has moved between Hansa and Madang. Hansa comes next after we retake Lae.

Cape Gloucester
42 Fighter and 45 TB fight their way through a spirited LRCAP of 25 Fighters to hit this hex.

Namantanai
A Fast TF drops off another 500 infantry and we'll begin attacking the two units there.


Enemy SS
There are over 20 SS operating around the area where the action is. I've shifted my DB and TB on the CV--CVL to 60% ASW, 20% Search and 20% Rest. There is a real danger lurking beneath the waves but also opportunity if I can pound them...

[HansBolter]

PTs deploy from the pool in TFs of 12.

Using them in groups of 12 is what the game designers intended.

This isn't some abuse of the system that deserves an eye rolling emoji. [8|]

p.s. putting your CV fleet in a port hex reduces its flight ops by 50%. Better to stand off one hex.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

... Since the Allied Fleet has deserted the ground troops--does that sound familiar my former Noble Opponent??!! [8D]…

Sometimes you sacrifice your queen to accomplish checkmate....as in, Date of Surrender: May 11, 1945. [8D]

[Canoerebel]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

PTs deploy from the pool in TFs of 12.

Using them in groups of 12 is what the game designers intended.

This isn't some abuse of the system that deserves an eye rolling emoji. [8|]

p.s. putting your CV fleet in a port hex reduces its flight ops by 50%. Better to stand off one hex.

Am aware. This is why CAP should be around 200 and not more.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

... Since the Allied Fleet has deserted the ground troops--does that sound familiar my former Noble Opponent??!! [8D]…

Sometimes you sacrifice your queen to accomplish checkmate....as in, Date of Surrender: May 11, 1945. [8D]

When Sean launched this Operation I warned him to not let this become a Sumatra Operation like in our earlier game Sir. He could come back and turn this into a real battle but for some reason has chosen not to. I only need two days to get my shot at destroying five major combat Infantry units. When he bombarded last turn they showed a big, fat ZERO for AV. Am not counting chickens yet but it looks real promising...best yet, he has nowhere to retreat...

[Canoerebel]

You're a darned good player. You have a lot of experience and you keep coming and keep coming and keep coming. It's fun to watch.

[John 3rd]

Way of the Warrior: BANZAI BABY!!!

[John 3rd]

I felt the same way about you Sir!

This turn will tell the tale. We'll see if Recon picks up anything...

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel



You're a darned good player. You have a lot of experience and you keep coming and keep coming and keep coming. It's fun to watch.

You taught each other a lot!

[John 3rd]

There is great truth to that Ranger Joe. Dan---How many years have we played against each other? Do we include Uncommon Valor??? How dated did I just make us??!!



PS Thank you for a recent mailing. Paula loved your Fine Southern Lady cat story...

[John 3rd]

His Imperial Majesty is NOT pleased right now. A fireworks show was planned for his entertainment this evening and news just arrived that the entertainment is delayed until tomorrow mid-afternoon. How can one watch fireworks in the afternoon?

(Sean said I have to wait. Very inconsiderate young man...)

[Canoerebel]

We first faced off in Uncommon Valor around 2003. About two years later, we had a match going when WitP was released. You dipped your toes in those waters, promising to finish that game....but the siren-song of the Pacific won your heart. We never finished that UV match. I followed you to WitP about a year later. By then you were experienced. We played a game. Early on, I had a big carrier TF hugging the map edge SE of New Zealand. You found it and crushed it. You were happy. I was not happy. Later, I had that crazy massive invasion that sailed in circles, driving you nuts, and eventually landed and took Iwo/Chichi, disbanding 8,619 ships in port, which really drove you nuts. Then I invaded Sikhalin Island in November 1943, and all records for nuttiness fell. You and I both migrated to AE immediately, but we didn't square off until 2012 - the beloved match that ended about two years ago.

It's been fun. Lord willing and the Yankees don't take over the world, we'll square off again, one o' these days.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

We first faced off in Uncommon Valor around 2003. About two years later, we had a match going when WitP was released. You dipped your toes in those waters, promising to finish that game....but the siren-song of the Pacific won your heart. We never finished that UV match. I followed you to WitP about a year later. By then you were experienced. We played a game. Early on, I had a big carrier TF hugging the map edge SE of New Zealand. You found it and crushed it. You were happy. I was not happy. Later, I had that crazy massive invasion that sailed in circles, driving you nuts, and eventually landed and took Iwo/Chichi, disbanding 8,619 ships in port, which really drove you nuts. Then I invaded Sikhalin Island in November 1943, and all records for nuttiness fell. You and I both migrated to AE immediately, but we didn't square off until 2012 - the beloved match that ended about two years ago.

It's been fun. Lord willing and the Yankees don't take over the world, we'll square off again, one o' these days.

I'll fly my Stars-and-Bars tomorrow just to promote that idea!

Darned. LOTS of water under the bridge in SIXTEEN years of matches and playing time!

One of the best things I have tried to assimilate into my playing is not giving away the action of a turn. Don't think Sean has seen a single BANZAI! to open an email with a turn in it. Really tried to work on that Dan. Know it drove you NUTS!

Do remember that CTF hugging the edge of the board. Didn't it run out of fuel or something? I remember Sakhalin, that damned Iwo Jima invasion and 1,234,476 ships disbanded there, Sumatra, Celebes, and a host of other battles and brawls we went through. You and I have both walked away from our matches only to come back and say---do you want to pick that up again? Want to start a new one??

I always say to the readers, GET TO KNOW your opponent. It has been an honor and pleasure getting to know this classy gentleman. We have--literally--gone through some horrible experiences and been there for each other. This game has given me Dan and Michael. I've now met and spent good time with Michael. Have to do the same with Dan.

Warm fuzzies right now remembering...

[Canoerebel]

Yer makin' me moist.

That carrier TF departed New Zealand, hugging map's edge, and ran out of fuel. So it made only two hexes per turn. You had a cruiser TF operating down there. A Jake or some other search plane found my woebegone carriers. It was a terrible feeling. There was no way to fix it. I had skewered myself.

[John 3rd]

Don't think I ever said but I picked up the 'Heavy Radio Transmissions at **,***' three or four days in a row and that is what tipped me that something was happening. Sent down some scouts and then the carriers. Those CVs also launched at max range so the Americans couldn't launch back. Very rude and GREAT! [:D]

[Canoerebel]

That makes sense - you getting the helpful SigInt tip.

I was new to the game. I either didn't look at the fuel before issuing orders or figured it was something that could be managed en route. As the TFs were nearing or at bingo, I tried to refuel from DDs but it didn't work. All light and happiness departed the world and we entered a new age of darkness and despair.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

That makes sense - you getting the helpful SigInt tip.

I was new to the game. I either didn't look at the fuel before issuing orders or figured it was something that could be managed en route. As the TFs were nearing or at bingo, I tried to refuel from DDs but it didn't work. All light and happiness departed the world and we entered a new age of darkness and despair.

I bet that you learned a very important lesson that has stayed with you.

[John 3rd]

June 21, 1943
Lae

The 67th ID lands and gets about 60% ashore at end of day. This is the prize we are actively hunting: