Always with them negative waves... Aaffins/Cheesesteak v. RADM Yamaguchi

[Cheesesteak]

Question for people who have done AARs - how did you get over the mental hurdle of sharing valuable intel on the forum?? We're getting into the part of the game where it starts presenting unique circumstances worth fully explaining.

[Gridley380]

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

Question for people who have done AARs - how did you get over the mental hurdle of sharing valuable intel on the forum?? We're getting into the part of the game where it starts presenting unique circumstances worth fully explaining.

I've seen players have a lag between the game and the AAR - so the AAR is on January 10th and the game is at January 20th, say. But in a big enough buffer and you're unlikely to give away anything major.

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: Gridley380

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

Question for people who have done AARs - how did you get over the mental hurdle of sharing valuable intel on the forum?? We're getting into the part of the game where it starts presenting unique circumstances worth fully explaining.

I've seen players have a lag between the game and the AAR - so the AAR is on January 10th and the game is at January 20th, say. But in a big enough buffer and you're unlikely to give away anything major.

Thanks Gridley.

Your Amazon package of: "Interesting AAR Updates" and "Potentially Moronic Ideas" is expected to arrive in 5-10 turn days.

[aaffins]

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

ORIGINAL: Gridley380

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

Question for people who have done AARs - how did you get over the mental hurdle of sharing valuable intel on the forum?? We're getting into the part of the game where it starts presenting unique circumstances worth fully explaining.

I've seen players have a lag between the game and the AAR - so the AAR is on January 10th and the game is at January 20th, say. But in a big enough buffer and you're unlikely to give away anything major.

Thanks Gridley.

Your Amazon package of: "Interesting AAR Updates" and "Potentially Moronic Ideas" is expected to arrive in 5-10 turn days.

We have deprived our dear readers of "excitement" far too long, can't be cutting them off now! I, for one, have complete and utter trust in the integrity of WITP forumites.

2/22/42:

Here come the big boys for Brisbane, our ABDA P-40s rise in defense:

Afternoon Air attack on Brisbane , at 96,160

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
B5N2 Kate x 17
D3A1 Val x 63

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 85

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 11 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Not so bad, methinks, should sting at least a little.

[CaptBeefheart]

There are pros and cons to doing a lag in your AAR. If you do a lag, then you won't get real-time advice from astute gentlemen such as myself. [;)]

I don't comment on anything except game mechanics if I'm reading both AARs. I would hope others would be the same. In your case, I'm not reading the esteemed admiral's AAR so there's no chance of an opsec breach.

Cheers,
CB

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

There are pros and cons to doing a lag in your AAR. If you do a lag, then you won't get real-time advice from astute gentlemen such as myself. [;)]

I don't comment on anything except game mechanics if I'm reading both AARs. I would hope others would be the same. In your case, I'm not reading the esteemed admiral's AAR so there's no chance of an opsec breach.

Cheers,
CB

good point! in that case, we will solicit advice. What on earth to do now?! Pulling directly from our 4-person mini-war council email thread:

FAF:
Not a great turn. Our RN CLs which had been ordered to retreat I guess
didn't get going fast enough got ripped by some IJN CAs. I think two
got Long Lanced, all four are sunk without doing much in return. Old
ships, so not huge losses, but losing cruisers is never a good thing.

KB is pulling back as anticipated.

Large CV force detected 12 hexes NW of Canton I. in the Central
Pacific...raid, move on one of our CentPac bases? Guess would be this
is the Kaga and friends group coming down from the Aleutians, timing
is about right with a fuel stop at Truk or from AOs around Wake.

USN CVBG is detected two hexes NE of Port Hedland, Aus. We are 19
hexes from Darwin, so we can get to the edge of strike range next
turn. There is a large TF unloading there. It's probably a fair
assumption they were unloading, so it would difficult for them to get
moving quickly. However that would leave us 7 hexes from Koepang,
where he has an air HQ. Tempted as I am, I don't think operating
within range of torpedo planes and zeroes is wise at this point in the
war. We're risking a massive setback for a relatively limited prize -
some nice transports and maybe parts of support units.

[Cheesesteak]

My thought is that Darwin no longer comes out in the green on a CBA. He has enough lead time to take swipes at us, and we would just barely be hitting whatever is still there.

I've not loaded the turn, so will be looking to Fins to update on weather conditions. I believe they are clear-partly cloudy in the area.

What do you gentlemen think?

1) Go in full steam
2) Turn tail
3) Move just out of Zero range and hope he sends his Bettys on a suicide run
4) ?

I like 3, because we likely caught him with his pants down in the area. If we retain a presence in this (relatively) vulnerable area, my hope it that he would, by necessity, divert from his current plan. Really isn't much of an operational success, but gotta try to at least make lemonade out of this. Does anyone have better recommendations? I'll be able to provide screenshots around 5pm EST if that helps.

[aaffins]

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

My thought is that Darwin no longer comes out in the green on a CBA. He has enough lead time to take swipes at us, and we would just barely be hitting whatever is still there.

I've not loaded the turn, so will be looking to Fins to update on weather conditions. I believe they are clear-partly cloudy in the area.

What do you gentlemen think?

1) Go in full steam
2) Turn tail
3) Move just out of Zero range and hope he sends his Bettys on a suicide run
4) ?

I like 3, because we likely caught him with his pants down in the area. If we retain a presence in this (relatively) vulnerable area, my hope it that he would, by necessity, divert from his current plan. Really isn't much of an operational success, but gotta try to at least make lemonade out of this. Does anyone have better recommendations? I'll be able to provide screenshots around 5pm EST if that helps.

Light rain, forecast partly cloudy

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

My thought is that Darwin no longer comes out in the green on a CBA. He has enough lead time to take swipes at us, and we would just barely be hitting whatever is still there.

I've not loaded the turn, so will be looking to Fins to update on weather conditions. I believe they are clear-partly cloudy in the area.

What do you gentlemen think?

1) Go in full steam
2) Turn tail
3) Move just out of Zero range and hope he sends his Bettys on a suicide run
4) ?

I like 3, because we likely caught him with his pants down in the area. If we retain a presence in this (relatively) vulnerable area, my hope it that he would, by necessity, divert from his current plan. Really isn't much of an operational success, but gotta try to at least make lemonade out of this. Does anyone have better recommendations? I'll be able to provide screenshots around 5pm EST if that helps.

Option 3 sounds good, anything to make him lose those highly experienced Nettie pilots at sea. It will not work if he restricts their range to the 14 hexes of a Zeke with drop tanks, but chances are he has them set for full torpedo carrying range because carriers are a juicy target. So move to 15-16 hexes of Ambon and have good Nav Search/Nav Attack set in case he sends some SCTFs your way.

[aaffins]

The turn VAC posted my thoughts on above was 2/23

On 2/24 we did pick 'Option 3' as suggested, but the Netties from Koepang stayed home. The opponent had landed an SNLF Co. at Derby from 2 APDs, which a small Dutch SCTF we had in the area sank as they tried to retreat. Our CVs flew a strike mission against it and basically destroyed - 522 casualties. The ensuing attack against our base force got 1:99 odds.

The DD Thanet was damaged in the first week of the war and has been repairing for the last several months at Cebu. Although not fully repaired she was good enough to fight so we attacked a small TF landing troops to mop up bases in the central PI, sinking 3 PBs.

Enemy captured Toungoo with Paras, unfortunately our RAF Hurricane Recce unit was flying out of there so we've lost it. Buying back of course but that leaves us without recon in that theater.

Temuloh fell, ending Allied resistance in Malaysia.

The KB and presumed mini-KB seen in the Central Pacific a few days ago both disappeared.

2/25 - Large enemy force arrived at Singyang to try to reopen the railroad link between Hankow and the north. We've got nearly 1,600 AV there...keeping that LOC closed is valuable and it's a wooded hex so good defensive terrain. He suffers over 5,000 casualties (432 squads disabled/destroyed). He'll undoubtedly reinforce, so we're pushing some units forward from Nanyang to cut off his supply line from Chengchow/Loyang and possibly even threaten those bases if he's lightly garrisoned with Chinese puppet units.

He captured Prome by airdrop, which does cut us off at Rangoon. More problematically the BFF Brigade was there in Strat mode and got hammered. Our main units are pulling out of Rangoon already.

2/26 - Thanet hits another convoy, sinking 3 more PBs and damaging some other shipping.

Our CVs are moving back towards Perth, hammering the subs he has off NW Oz. We want him to see us heading that way as the plan is to now divert West, link up with Yorktown (just arrived at Perth) and then circle back to hit Palembang. Hope to catch a tanker convoy there and ideally damage the oil refinery.

CL Raleigh was badly damaged by a sub off NZ.

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: aaffins

The turn VAC posted my thoughts on above was 2/23

On 2/24 we did pick 'Option 3' as suggested, but the Netties from Koepang stayed home. The opponent had landed an SNLF Co. at Derby from 2 APDs, which a small Dutch SCTF we had in the area sank as they tried to retreat. Our CVs flew a strike mission against it and basically destroyed - 522 casualties. The ensuing attack against our base force got 1:99 odds.

The DD Thanet was damaged in the first week of the war and has been repairing for the last several months at Cebu. Although not fully repaired she was good enough to fight so we attacked a small TF landing troops to mop up bases in the central PI, sinking 3 PBs.

Enemy captured Toungoo with Paras, unfortunately our RAF Hurricane Recce unit was flying out of there so we've lost it. Buying back of course but that leaves us without recon in that theater.

Temuloh fell, ending Allied resistance in Malaysia.

The KB and presumed mini-KB seen in the Central Pacific a few days ago both disappeared.

2/25 - Large enemy force arrived at Singyang to try to reopen the railroad link between Hankow and the north. We've got nearly 1,600 AV there...keeping that LOC closed is valuable and it's a wooded hex so good defensive terrain. He suffers over 5,000 casualties (432 squads disabled/destroyed). He'll undoubtedly reinforce, so we're pushing some units forward from Nanyang to cut off his supply line from Chengchow/Loyang and possibly even threaten those bases if he's lightly garrisoned with Chinese puppet units.

He captured Prome by airdrop, which does cut us off at Rangoon. More problematically the BFF Brigade was there in Strat mode and got hammered. Our main units are pulling out of Rangoon already.

2/26 - Thanet hits another convoy, sinking 3 more PBs and damaging some other shipping.

Our CVs are moving back towards Perth, hammering the subs he has off NW Oz. We want him to see us heading that way as the plan is to now divert West, link up with Yorktown (just arrived at Perth) and then circle back to hit Palembang. Hope to catch a tanker convoy there and ideally damage the oil refinery.

CL Raleigh was badly damaged by a sub off NZ.

Although likely the least relevant to the campaign, the Raleigh hurts me the most. Those out of date USN CLs are my favorite ships on the map as of Dec 7. They aren't good enough for CV escort, but can still inflict massive amounts of pain, have decent range and speed, and aren't worth a ton of VP points. In past games, this has resulted in them being my go to for high risk-high reward sorties.

[Cheesesteak]

march 2, 1942

KB sighting

the other ships are listed as BBs and CAs. Raid in force, or prelude to invasion?

[CaptBeefheart]

Danger, Will Robinson.

Cheers,
CB

[Cheesesteak]

danger, indeed.

At least the Allies have not been idle at the edge of our map. We have 3 ancient BBs and about 9 nice DDs there, in addition to ~75 fighters and several sqdns of bombers. There's enough AV to hold, for now. Units are being repositioned and made ready. klaxons are going off.

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak

far too early for any determinations, but I think China is going rather well so far.

Our CVs are returning from an attempted raid on Darwin TFs, unharmed and unengaged, but far away from the SoPac action. That may be a good thing for us, I'd likely be tempted to do something foolish.

[CaptBeefheart]

What kind of U.S. ground units did you send to NZ?

Cheers,
CB

[aaffins]

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

What kind of U.S. ground units did you send to NZ?

Cheers,
CB

8th Marines, 2 regiments of the Americal Div (3rd en route) and Tank Bn. are the main combat units. Several base forces and an Arty Bn. as well.

[CaptBeefheart]

Let's hope it's enough. Best of luck. On the bright side, the triggered reinforcements are pretty good if he does land on NZ soil (2nd NZD, a Brit ID, two tank brigades, Brit and NZ pool additions, etc.).

EDIT: I found the thread which shows you the emergency reinforcements (many thanks to Bullwinkle, peace be upon him, for doing this work).

Cheers,
CB

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak


far too early for any determinations, but I think China is going rather well so far.

Kind of well.

She of your defensive positions look great, as the troops on the approaches to Sian and Changsha dug in x3 terrain. I question the units in the clear though, since they'll be meat once air raids hit them and if any units approach. Best to get them into rear areas to start digging the next layer or in river crossing hexes with good terrain.

I would never reinforce Nanchang as it's a clear hex, and if the IJA are bringing enough, bombing the troops there, they should blast the Chinese to pieces.

Additionally, you don't need to put blockers in non-road hexes in good terrain. If he starts moving there you have plenty of time to adjust your troops to defend a hex back. You want to encourage the IJA to take time, go offload, lengthen supply lines and make their process as difficult as possible.

I've added white lines for hexes that should have troops digging, some of which you do have already in place, some in which you don't.

[Cheesesteak]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Cheesesteak


far too early for any determinations, but I think China is going rather well so far.

Kind of well.

She of your defensive positions look great, as the troops on the approaches to Sian and Changsha dug in x3 terrain. I question the units in the clear though, since they'll be meat once air raids hit them and if any units approach. Best to get them into rear areas to start digging the next layer or in river crossing hexes with good terrain.

I would never reinforce Nanchang as it's a clear hex, and if the IJA are bringing enough, bombing the troops there, they should blast the Chinese to pieces.

Additionally, you don't need to put blockers in non-road hexes in good terrain. If he starts moving there you have plenty of time to adjust your troops to defend a hex back. You want to encourage the IJA to take time, go offload, lengthen supply lines and make their process as difficult as possible.

I've added white lines for hexes that should have troops digging, some of which you do have already in place, some in which you don't.

Immensely helpful, thx Obvert. I assume this AAR is painful reading for the pros. Pictures of dogs and beer hopefully help.

I was out of the loop on this game for a few weeks while traveling, and Fins did a great job holding down the fort and more. We definitely have different mindsets about some things.

Regarding China, I sent him Alfred's discussion on China, and think we will be following that fairly closely. Your visual cues hammer home the point.

Question: Does anyone here have a passion (read: compulsion) to keep ships together based on national affiliation? I came back to the game and noticed some odd TFs and dispositions. After ranting and raving so much I broke Discord chat, Fins eventually let it slip: he refuses to combine Aussie and USN ships together. The Perth was linked with one of the CAs rather than the Marblehead, etc.

Shamelessly used this opportunity with Fins to point out, while much better at the overall game, this is precisely why I dominated surface engagements.

Also, can someone please finger wag for us letting Pearl have ~220k fuel and ~170k supplies. UGhhhhhh

Cinematic depiction of my rant: