Sailing in harms way: InHarmsWay (J) vs Andav (A) Scen2

[PaxMondo]

update?

[CaptBeefheart]

Wow, great AAR. I spent about the last week reading it. On the plus side, there's no waiting to find out what happens next. On the negative side, there's no way to give advice or ask questions regarding a post that's a year old.

Now that I've caught up, I'm wondering how he supplies Gove (the base east of Darwin). Do you still have Horn Island? Also, I'm kind of mystified that he spent so much effort fighting in Northern Oz. To me, Darwin is worse than an island, as you're blocked from approaching it from the south. I never could figure out how to get enough supplies there by land.

It would be great to see how the situation in the Coral Sea/Solomons/Bismarck Archipelago is shaping up. To me, that's the normal Allied offensive vector at this stage of the war. Have you detected large troop concentrations in the region? Do you have a proper survey of where his IDs are?

Also, I see he still has Wake. To me, CenPac is a great vector once the Allies have CV superiority. Something to think about.

One more thing: This is very minor, but it might be helpful to put the turn date at the top of some of your posts (obviously not when you have a map screencap).

Thanks and keep up the great work!

Cheers,
CB

[InHarmsWay]

Welcome CaptBeefheart! Quick update for all the gentle readers out there! Currently it is Jan 8, 1943 and Sian fell on Jan 5th. The victorious IJA is currently repositioning throughout the interior to mop up the remaining Chinese holdouts. Most of the units are on their way to open up the burma road. The allies are busy pushing south from India into Burma, however I am hoping the slow supplies will limit his advance. The most recent recon had the 2nd British, 19th Indian, and 25th US divisions with 4 tank Bdes and 2 US tank Btns attacking in Burma NE of Shwebo. Air skirmishes in this area continue some.

I have allowed the allies to spot the KB in the indian ocean, as I want to fix him with the thoughts the IJN are strong in the area before I move on my last big push (more to come)!

I think his supplies into Gove are difficult. I have intercepted several AKLs with subs moving there, and periodically bombard it with a TF out of Soerabaja. He has made two pushes with the Australian army but both have been stopped with losses to the allies, including lost units. I am sensitive to a counterattack so do not want to over position myself.

From a much higher level, and looking back, I should have been more aggressive after being stopped at Calcutta, and should have pivoted elsewhere... water under the bridge. My goal now is to keep the allies off balance as long as possible, and then make him pay with an elastic defense once the juggernaut starts steamrolling.

[InHarmsWay]

Darn Adm Wa for getting in my head for several months! Looking back, I should have been more aggressive in Sept-Dec of '42. I was too worried about losing the KB or the allies counterattacking. Well, better late than never??? Here is my plan I have been thinking of the past few months, and I should have the LCUs prepped enough to launch in several weeks. I have allowed the KB and mini KB to be spotted in the Ariabian Sea, and have been getting a bit more frisky bombarding bases in India with Surface TFs. Hope is to have Adm Wa fixate on another attack on India. KB and mini KB will move back to the Home Islands, combine with several strong surface TFs and land in the Aleutions - at Amchitka. That seem to be his main base outside of Adak. Hopefully he will only have a rgmt or two at the base. I have done zero recon in the area the entire war. The last war, he moved into the northern Home Islands so I am trying to nip that in the bud before he tries that again.

Current status as of Jan 9th, 1943. It will take ~3 weeks for the KB and team to assemble in the Home Islands. I expect the landing will occur in about a month or so. I will bring pretty much the entire IJN to support here, and will be looking for a fight...

The flipside is I am allowing him to strike at Ceylon while I am away...

Jan 09 1943 strategic plan.jpg (337.03 KiB) Viewed 522 times

[PaxMondo]

The last war, he moved into the northern Home Islands so I am trying to nip that in the bud before he tries that again.

Definitely. The northern axis is the most dangerous to Japan. Any successful allied landing in Hokkaido is an end game scenario. This is why many JFB's prioritize taking Adak very early.

[CaptBeefheart]

I'd say you should at least have some reserves ready to take Adak. That's a fantastic base, and let's face it, operations in the Aleutians in this game are not as deadly as real life. It wasn't a good Allied attack vector in WW2 due to horrible flying weather. In the game, the IJ player has to take it seriously, as you know.

Also, have you checked whether those Aleutian bases have been improved? That should give you a hint on garrison size.

Cheers,
CB

[InHarmsWay]

Yes, Admiral Wa has been improving the Aleutian islands. This is what really got me worried! Currently he has several large bases....

Attu Island - Port 1 (1), Airfield 3 (1)
Agattu - Port 3 (0), Airfield 4 (3)
Amchitka - Port 4 (1), Airfield 6 (4)
Adak - Port 8 (5), Airfield 7 (4)

Note that a while lot of effort was made here. Hence I think I will be in for a fight when I go all in up north. Have I waited too long? I worry I have but there is nothing to be done but try anyway!

In a bit of good news, the First Frank factory is now at 30 and has begun researching with the engine bonus! The second one is at 29 (1)!

Finally, this is the last update for ~4 weeks. I have a couple vacations lined up back to back so will not be back until mid March! No fear, the war will resume after this short(ish) hiatus.

[PaxMondo]

With Adak built as it is, your opponent has clearly created the necessary base to launch a Hokkaido attack with the DeathStar in support, meaning you won't be able to prevent the attack. You will need to be able to defeat the landing, there is a difference.

Get your Hokkaido defenses in place. Several ID's in place, with a reaction force of at least 2K. Mines, PT's at all bases, particularly the North and East facing ones. Lots'a air able to arrive within 2 days. Heavy NavSearch to get you your warning.

THEN, go all in to take Adak. Don't be shy here. KB, BB shore bombardments, all of your ASW defenses, and ARM to attack with. bring 250K supply minimum to keep your troops in supply (don't unload all at once, just keep them in supply.) Without Adak, the allied forces will be at least 4 more days in route to Hokkaido. 4 days of morale/fatigue build up. It isn't huge, but you want/need every little gain you can get. You having Adak means you have NavSearch/ASW/Sub base in his backyard. He will also likely try to nuetralize it B4 Hokkaido, thus giving you more warning ...

It cannot be over-emphasized: the Northern route is by far the most dangerous to Japan. The very famous Greyjoy v rader AAR taught us all that long ago. If you haven't read it, do so. it is both informative, but also one of the most entertaining reads. GJ's (ab)use of the english language is legendary.

[PaxMondo]

update?

[PaxMondo]

bump for update ...

[zebrazwo]

bump for update ...

Hi Pax,

He wrote:

Finally, this is the last update for ~4 weeks. I have a couple vacations lined up back to back so will not be back until mid March! No fear, the war will resume after this short(ish) hiatus.

in the last post above yours.

[PaxMondo]

Hi Pax,

He wrote:

Finally, this is the last update for ~4 weeks. I have a couple vacations lined up back to back so will not be back until mid March! No fear, the war will resume after this short(ish) hiatus.

in the last post above yours.

Missed that ... no surprise, I miss a LOT of things these days.

Thanks for being eyes for me ....

[RangerJoe]

Hi Pax,

He wrote:

Finally, this is the last update for ~4 weeks. I have a couple vacations lined up back to back so will not be back until mid March! No fear, the war will resume after this short(ish) hiatus.

in the last post above yours.

Missed that ... no surprise, I miss a LOT of things these days.

Thanks for being eyes for me ....

Maybe because you are comfortably numb? Or are you . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CytJvXbFlKU

[PaxMondo]

Maybe because you are comfortably numb? Or are you . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CytJvXbFlKU

Prolly both, all, no idea. But, yeah, Led Zep ...

[PaxMondo]

OK, Mid-March now, anxiously awaiting an update on the game. Vacay update too if possible?

[InHarmsWay]

Ah Gentle readers, Adm Harmasaki is back at Combined fleet HQ. A trip around the US Southwest, and helping family with woodworking projects has been completed. On with the war! A quick update as the brain gets befuddled over the years.

In China The Glorious Japanese Army is slowly reducing the remaining Chinese holdouts, significant forces are on the move to open the Burma Road for Japanese benefit.

KB is repositioning to the Home islands in preparation for the upcoming Aleution operation. Other detachments are also on their way to the HI. Admiral Wa has commented about avoiding the KB in the Indian ocean now for the past week of turns. I let him "see" the KB very briefly and by devious and misleading comments, lamented that my latest fishing expedition was a bust. Hopefully he will continue to think the KB will be hanging out at Singapore for a while... I have become more convinced I bagged two American Fleet CVs back in June so he still may be nervous of a fleet CV action in Jan '43

In Burma, the Allies continue to push south. I would rather fight closer to my airbases, and in supply, with him being extended. Also cognizant of him landing behind me like his last game.

All quiet in the SW pacific, and central Pacific. Australia has slowed down after Adm Wa began to retreat again away from Darwin. Twice now he has pushed forward and taken significant (for that region) losses in his land units.

[PaxMondo]

KB is repositioning to the Home islands in preparation for the upcoming Aleution operation. Other detachments are also on their way to the HI. Admiral Wa has commented about avoiding the KB in the Indian ocean now for the past week of turns. I let him "see" the KB very briefly and by devious and misleading comments, lamented that my latest fishing expedition was a bust. Hopefully he will continue to think the KB will be hanging out at Singapore for a while... I have become more convinced I bagged two American Fleet CVs back in June so he still may be nervous of a fleet CV action in Jan '43

Welcome Back!!! I reside in the SW .... PHX area. If you get in this area, let me know and we can have a beverage.

Game: Not too many allies try much in the way of CV actions until they get F6F's ... to fully equip all of their groups that is like May 43 ... At that point, they have the advantage in aircraft quality and depending upon CV losses, aircraft numbers.

OTOH, IJ players generally want to push for a clash any time prior as they have the distinct advantage. Once the allies have the F6F, IJ tend to avoid CV clashes until they have the A7M, at which point while the allies still have a range advantage, it is about as good as it will get for the IJ.

In Burma, the Allies continue to push south. I would rather fight closer to my airbases, and in supply, with him being extended. Also cognizant of him landing behind me like his last game.

So, early in '43, the allies don't have the ground power yet to out muscle you anywhere. If he is heading down the Burma peninsula, Land north of him, cut him off and kill all of those units. Brit replacements are dismally slow and Indian replacements come back at even more dismal EXP. Both are VERY good for you. You should have air supremacy, so you wouldn't even need the KB to do this ...
(I might fly several of the KB fighter groups over to lend a hand. Equipped with N1K's, they should be way better than anything the allies have in early '43 (not sure of the game date, you always want to start with that at the top of all updates.))

[InHarmsWay]

PaxMondo, good to be back! Around for another month or so, until the next trip to the SW area. Grand Canyon, and parts closer to NM and CO. Daughter lives in Northern NM, beautiful area and thinking about retiring out in that area in a few years.

I have really tried to kill as much Brit units as I could, hence the early push into India. Literally missed taking Calcutta by about 2-3 Days as Adm Wa Railroaded in just enough! Drat, he is a wily Admiral.... I am hoping to lure him into over extending in the Burma area over the next few months, we will see. I have quite a few Georges now patrolling.

Here is the latest in China, slow going but hopefully progress once the main body of the China army reaches his front lines east of Kumming.

Jan 18 1943 China.jpg (826.99 KiB) Viewed 54 times

[PaxMondo]

...

Here is the latest in China, slow going but hopefully progress once the main body of the China army reaches his front lines east of Kumming.

You don't have to be fast in your mop-up, just thorough. I use this time for training bomber pilots. All of my Ida/Sonia and then the rest of the 1E bombers get used. 2k-6k and then 1K. Get the pilot skill up and their exp and then rotate them out. Just use a small unit to "pin" the chi units in place. The bombing hits not only will deplete devices, but use up CHI supply as well. Then, with a force, move around and mop everything up. As your ground units gain EXP, rotate them out for low EXP units.

Done correctly you can train 1000's of ground bomber pilots AND get 10 - 20 ID's up to ~70 exp. High exp ID's are amazing in terms of improved fighting ability. It may seem like a lot of pilots, but after '44 your pilot losses are staggering ... you need to have huge pools to stay in the fight ...

2 things that kill the IJ in '45:

• Lack of supply

• Lack of experience