A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod

[CaptBeefheart]

Hahahahaha. Good stuff.

Years ago I worked for an aircraft manufacturer of which products happen to be prominently featured in this game. The go-to response to someone trying to blame you for a FUBAR'd situation was called the "Douglas Salute," which was crossed arms in front of your chest with index fingers pointed up.

Cheers,
CB

I'm intrigued; why was it called the Douglas Salute?

At the risk of explaining too much, it was Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California, and like most large organizations, if not all, a lot of people tried to avoid responsibility. Pointing in different directions (more like 45 degrees up to the left and 45 degrees up to the right) was the "salute" if someone tried to pin something on you (like "don't look at me, it's someone else's responsibility"). When I was there, highly appropriate Dilbert cuttings starting appearing on cubicle walls. Large organizations can be soul-crushing places to work, but it helps if you hit up plenty of happy hours with the lads after work, or do three-pitcher lunches on Friday when you're in a lull.

Cheers,
CB

[M Peaston]

You did drop a very heavy hint earlier on why it might have been called the ‘Douglas’ salute - a hint which I failed miserably to pick up on…

I’m 100% with you on working for large organisations - Dilbert had it nailed right on.

[M Peaston]

April 28th 1942


CHINA

The Japanese force that moved SE of Ningsia appears to be the 13th Independent Infantry Rgt. If so, and if it it is the only unit there (as it appears to be) then I think it may be a defensive rather than an offensive move. The Japanese airfield at Ningsia has increased to level 2 - this may be to facilitate supply, or to support an offensive. One to watch, I think.

At Anyang the Chinese are suffering heavy losses now.


INDIA/BURMA

Oscars swept over Magwe, and Sallys bombed the retreating 45th Indian Bde. The Allied air forces weren’t in action over Burma today.


ABDA

There was no repeat attempt to bomb Allied shipping at Soerabaja today; Junyo appears to have retired north. Tojos swept Soerabaja and were met by Hurricanes, Demons and P400 Airacobras. Three Airacobras and 2 Demons were shot down in return for 6 Tojos claimed. There’s only 11 combat-ready fighters left among the 3 Squadrons now so things might be a bit tight tomorrow. Once the evacuation convoy is clear the fighter squadrons will be withdrawn.

A squadron of Liberators by night and Mitchells by day bombed the airfield at Kendari causing minor damaged. The Dutch Mitchells tussled with Hosho’s Zeros over Kendari, but managed to return safely, if not unscathed.


SWPAC

Wave after wave of B17s from Australia bombed Milne Bay. There wasn’t much left of the port. The pilots didn’t think there was much there to start with, and wondered why they’re wasting so much high explosive on what isn’t very much at all. Little do they know that the Milne Bay invasion force has been ordered to sail from T’ville tomorrow.

RMS Queen Mary arrives at Melbourne with 147th Sep. Rgt. 147th Rgt will go to Port Hedland via Perth.


OPERATION NEPTUNE

His carriers now fully refuelled, it is with that mixture of excitement and trepidation that Vice-Admiral Mitscher signals his oilers to head northeast, and orders his carrier group west at full speed. By tomorrow he will have brought Doolittle’s B25s within range of their target - the shipyards at Yokohama.

[M Peaston]

Doolittle.png (1.83 MiB) Viewed 401 times

The oilers will hang back and be available as needed. There are also reserve oilers available at Adak.

After the raid Mitscher can head either for Adak, Midway or directly east back to the USA as the situation demands.

[M Peaston]

The Exeter Cruiser Group also hopes to be in action tomorrow.

Phuket Patrol.png (1.74 MiB) Viewed 374 times

The Japanese patrol is believed to consist of the Light Cruisers Kinu, Kuma and Sendari, the Destroyers Amagiri, Isonami and Murakumo, plus the Torpedo Boat Kiji. The Japanese are known to have a submarine operating here too.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day.

[CaptBeefheart]

Ah, the Doolittle Raid. I vaguely recall this mod covers it. What I don't remember is how it works and how it benefits the Allies. A brief explanation would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
CB

[LargeSlowTarget]

Well, it requires a house rule and some willing suspension of disbelief. Basically it is just a squadron of carrier-capable B-25 (without armour and less guns) which becomes available in April and withdraws after a couple weeks. Use it or lose it.The Allied player is allowed to use it exactly once. Since all air missions except transfer return to their starting point in the game, the surviving B-25s will return to their carrier after the attack instead of continuing on to China (or Wladivostok). Upon return, the Doolittle Raider unit must be disbanded.

[CaptBeefheart]

Well, it requires a house rule and some willing suspension of disbelief. Basically it is just a squadron of carrier-capable B-25 (without armour and less guns) which becomes available in April and withdraws after a couple weeks. Use it or lose it.The Allied player is allowed to use it exactly once. Since all air missions except transfer return to their starting point in the game, the surviving B-25s will return to their carrier after the attack instead of continuing on to China (or Wladivostok). Upon return, the Doolittle Raider unit must be disbanded.

Thanks, LST. So more of a flavor kind of thing.

Cheers,
CB

[M Peaston]

Thanks LST - you beat me to it.

Here’s the ‘Doolittle’ squadron:

Tokyo Special.png (1.03 MiB) Viewed 324 times

I didn't notice the lack of armour

As to what the Allies get out of it, well…. in return for putting two carriers at great risk as well as missing crucial operations in the Coral Sea while they, their escorts and support units are frolicking around in the North Pacific, having half-a-dozen or so subs pulled from normal duties to provide pickets for the said carriers, and the shed load of Political Points I’m going to lose by not having the Doolittle Raiders disbanded on time, I get to drop a few bombs on Japan.

That said, it has been great fun, good experience in planning such an operation, and above all: I get the smug satisfaction of having found such a gaping hole in the Japanese picket line


Now Blackadder, Nimitz and I are all anxiously waiting for news…..

[SierraJuliet]

Thanks LST - you beat me to it.

Here’s the ‘Doolittle’ squadron:


Tokyo Special.png

I didn't notice the lack of armour

As to what the Allies get out of it, well…. in return for putting two carriers at great risk as well as missing crucial operations in the Coral Sea while they, their escorts and support units are frolicking around in the North Pacific, having half-a-dozen or so subs pulled from normal duties to provide pickets for the said carriers, and the shed load of Political Points I’m going to lose by not having the Doolittle Raiders disbanded on time, I get to drop a few bombs on Japan.

That said, it has been great fun, good experience in planning such an operation, and above all: I get the smug satisfaction of having found such a gaping hole in the Japanese picket line


Now Blackadder, Nimitz and I are all anxiously waiting for news…..

Great to see you giving this try out. So close without tripping any wires! The other thing about this is the IJ player has to make some decisions on what to do about the possibility of this happening. It might, it might not. Does one go for the real life approach of basically leave the Home Islands wide open to this incursion or have something available to respond. If having someting available for defence how much and where. It's early days for Japan and all the focus is many places elsewhere. Whilst the raid may not achieve much it certainly adds extra layers of decision making for both players.

[M Peaston]

Thanks SierraJuliet, it certainly makes one think.



29th April 1942


INDIA/BURMA

B17Es bombed the airfield at Chang Mai and run into heavy flak. All returned to Dacca but two were lost in landing accidents.

Two squadrons of Blenheims made a rare appearance alongside a squadron of Wellingtons, interdicting Japanese troop movements at Prome and returning without loss.

The Exeter cruiser group is sitting of off Phuket having failed to make any contact with the Japanese cruiser/dd group. Exeter has no wish to pursue the Japanese down the Straits of Malaca and become a magnet for every Nell and Betty in South-East Asia, and will retire to Colombo. Two Oilers, Aase Maersk and Pearleaf, had sailed from Cochin with a light escort to support the Phuket foray. Two destroyers from Colombo met up with them, but not before SS I-166 did, putting two torpedoes into Aase Maersk, sinking her. This little operation isn’t going how I planned it.

Strait of Malacca.png (1.31 MiB) Viewed 261 times

ABDA

Forty-one Oscars swept Soerabaja again and were met by 7 Hurricanes and 3 Airacobras. Two Airacobras and 2 Hurricanes were lost in exchange for one Oscar claimed. The final evacuation convoy has now left Soerabaja, and xAP van Overstraten, fires now out, has also sneaked out. There is no need therefore for the Allies to continue contesting the skies over Soerabaja, so the fighters still capable of flying have been sent out, and hopefully more can be evacuated as they are repaired. Two transport squadrons (14 aircraft in total) are at Makassar to fly out what they can from Soerabaja and then on to Koepang, otherwise anyone else on Java has to remain there. With the Japanese now established at Kendari the Makassar route may not be open for much longer.

Dutch B25s from Koepang again bombed Kendari airfield and returned without loss.


SWPAC

B17Es from Australia bombed Milne Bay, tangling with several Zeros. One B17 crashed on landing at Townsville, making 3 lost for the day in total across all theatres.


SUBMARINE WARFARE

As mentioned, I-166 sank AO Aase Maersk off of Colombo

Silversides sank xAK Sanuki Maru 2 off Yokohama.


OPERATION NEPTUNE

Blackadder, Nimitz and the rest are still waiting for the reports to come in, but that doesn’t mean that all of us have to be kept in suspense.

Doolittle’s raiders managed to get airborne off Hornet’s flight deck and reached Yokohama, coming in at 2,000ft during a thunderstorm. There was no fighter opposition, but heavy flak and barrage balloons (ugh, I had forgotten about those things). The shipyard was hit (the intel screen shows 12 vps, so I think that is 6 hits?). One B25 was confirmed shot down, another one is missing. Hornet and Yorktown are now exiting the area at full speed. They have been detected now, but it seems that the Doolittle Raid took the Japanese by surprise, so I think the carriers should be able to make their escape okay.

Doolittle Raid.png (1.71 MiB) Viewed 261 times

[SierraJuliet]

Doolittle’s raiders managed to get airborne off Hornet’s flight deck and reached Yokohama, coming in at 2,000ft during a thunderstorm. There was no fighter opposition, but heavy flak and barrage balloons (ugh, I had forgotten about those things). The shipyard was hit (the intel screen shows 12 vps, so I think that is 6 hits?). One B25 was confirmed shot down, another one is missing. Hornet and Yorktown are now exiting the area at full speed. They have been detected now, but it seems that the Doolittle Raid took the Japanese by surprise, so I think the carriers should be able to make their escape okay.



Hitting the shipyards is a great result for you.

[M Peaston]

Hitting the shipyards is a great result for you.

Gosh! Has it really been this long since I last updated my AAR? Apologies to all, and especially apologies to SierraJuliet for ignoring your comment for so long.

Both my opponent and I have been busy recently, but for once we managed to get our busy periods to more-or-less coincide. The war has continued, however - there are some updates to follow.

On the subject of hitting the shipyards, what effect does this actually have? I know the VP gain, and that some supply needs to be used for repair, but are there any other effects?

[M Peaston]

30th April 1942



CHINA

The Japanese assault at Anyang continues and the Chinese again suffer heavy losses.



INDIA/BURMA

Having given up and turned for home, the Exeter group encountered the Japanese CLs they were looking for off of Great Nicobar. Copious amounts of torpedoes were launched by both sides, seemingly in random directions. It was the Allies who had the better of things:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 44,67, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
CL Kinu, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
CL Kuma
DD Isonami, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 1
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 2
TB Otori, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
TB Kiji

Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
CL Hobart
CL Mauritius~, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle~, Shell hits 1
DD Nestor~
DD Napier~, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nizam~, Shell hits 1
DD Norman, Shell hits 1

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 100% moonlight: 3,000 yards



Admiral Leyton has been calling for, and expecting to receive, reinforcements, so he was mildly surprised to receive orders to release RHS Ierax for Mediterranean duties. He assumes this will be in exchange for some more modern British or Australian destroyers, although this hasn’t been made explicit.


ABDA

The Japanese are extending their area of operations - Mini KB sortied into the Banda sea and carrier aircraft attacked a small convoy at Koepang. xAKL Nias was sunk while picking up a small group of civilians, the last to be evacuated, who got held up at Koepang. Several Hurricanes and Warhawks were lost attempting to intercept the strike; two Kates and two Zeros were claimed as shot down.


SWPAC

B17s again hit the port at Milne Bay, with no fighter opposition this time.

The Milne Bay operation isn’t going to plan - USS Pensacola took a torpedo from I-19 some 200 miles east of Cairns. The damage could be worse but she needs to return to port. Of course, it isn’t just Pensacola that has to return - she’ll need an escort. The original plan was for USS San Francisco, HMAS Perth and 3 DDs to form part of the amphibious group while Pensacola, Honolulu and 3 DDs formed a separate SAG, but now they are formed into just one group.



SUBMARINE WARFARE

As mentioned, I-19 torpedoed USS Pensacola off of Cairns.

At Keijo Barracuda shot up xAKL Sasasgo Maru and put a torpedo into xAKL Shozan Maru.

Sinking sounds were heard at the end of the turn - my best guess is Shozan Maru, these smaller xAKLs rarely seem to survive torpedoes.

[RangerJoe]

Hitting the shipyards is a great result for you.

Gosh! Has it really been this long since I last updated my AAR? Apologies to all, and especially apologies to SierraJuliet for ignoring your comment for so long.

Both my opponent and I have been busy recently, but for once we managed to get our busy periods to more-or-less coincide. The war has continued, however - there are some updates to follow.

On the subject of hitting the shipyards, what effect does this actually have? I know the VP gain, and that some supply needs to be used for repair, but are there any other effects?

The opponent doesn't get the shipyard points for the building of ships.

[BBfanboy]

Hitting the shipyards is a great result for you.

Gosh! Has it really been this long since I last updated my AAR? Apologies to all, and especially apologies to SierraJuliet for ignoring your comment for so long.

Both my opponent and I have been busy recently, but for once we managed to get our busy periods to more-or-less coincide. The war has continued, however - there are some updates to follow.

On the subject of hitting the shipyards, what effect does this actually have? I know the VP gain, and that some supply needs to be used for repair, but are there any other effects?

The opponent doesn't get the shipyard points for the building of ships.

Depends on the SY type. If a repair SY, he doesn't have as many repair points until he fixes it. Each point repaired eats 1000 supply and supply is what Japan never gets enough of.

[PaxMondo]

OPERATION NEPTUNE

Blackadder, Nimitz and the rest are still waiting for the reports to come in, but that doesn’t mean that all of us have to be kept in suspense.

Doolittle’s raiders managed to get airborne off Hornet’s flight deck and reached Yokohama, coming in at 2,000ft during a thunderstorm. There was no fighter opposition, but heavy flak and barrage balloons (ugh, I had forgotten about those things). The shipyard was hit (the intel screen shows 12 vps, so I think that is 6 hits?). One B25 was confirmed shot down, another one is missing. Hornet and Yorktown are now exiting the area at full speed. They have been detected now, but it seems that the Doolittle Raid took the Japanese by surprise, so I think the carriers should be able to make their escape okay.

Kinda cool that he built this into his mod. More impressive is that you were able to get it to work!! Kudos!!

[M Peaston]

Thanks Ranger Joe, BB Fanboy. It was a Naval Yard that was targeted - I think that means it was a construction rather than a repair yard.

[M Peaston]

Kinda cool that he built this into his mod. More impressive is that you were able to get it to work!! Kudos!!

Thanks PaxMondo. Full credit to LST for designing this into his mod; it’s a simple enough concept but planning and implementing the ‘Doolittle Raid’ has been really great fun. Whether I would have still thought so had I lost Yorktown and Hornet is another matter…..

[M Peaston]

1st May 1942


CHINA

The Chinese are down to the last handful of stubborn soldiers near Anyang.


INDIA/BURMA

Off of Sabang, SS-KIX reports the presence of BBs Yamashiro and Nagato, CA Ashigara, plus 3 light cruisers and 5 Destroyers/Destroyer Escorts, all of which were last seen at Semarang. What is this group up to? Looking to attack Colombo? Very unlikely without carrier support (which could be further back in the straits). Covering an invasion of Port Blair? Quite possible - an expected move, and one I cannot realistically counter. Interdict Allied shipping in the Bay of Bengal, and/or attack Akyab/Chittagong? Again quite possible, and a move that could cause much damage. Break into the Indian Ocean proper and interdict the routes to Australia? Probably too big a group for this task, though it’s possible one or two ships might detach for this purpose. What does this mean for the DEI? That’s a sizeable force to detach from operations there. Does this mean the Japanese consider the rest of the DEI to be only lightly defended, or does it mean that they don’t intend to push much farther there? Or are they intending to use KB in the DEI instead? There’’s so much to consider from one sighting. On a tactical level, it means that Exeter et al had a very, very narrow escape!

The RN carriers heading back to Colombo are to reverse course and search for the battleship group. At Colombo, Warspite and the ‘R’s have been ordered to raise steam. Whatever the Japanese are up to, I want to know about it - and be prepared.

India Command.png (1.7 MiB) Viewed 28 times

ABDA

A squadron of Liberators from Darwin attempts a night raid on Kendari, while by day Dutch Mitchells carry out a low-level attack on Kendari airfield.

Japanese carrier aircraft turn their attention to Saumlaki, attempting to bomb allied patrol craft there. The defending Dutch fighters claim 3 Kates and a Zero for the loss of one Hurricane.


SWPAC

Wirraways and Dutch Havocs attack Japanese troops at Milne bay, while B17s bomb the port.

The Japanese land at Los Negros Is. in the Admiralty Islands.

Officers at Combined Fleet HQ are quite bemused at the signal they received, en clair and in English, from Rear-Admiral Callaghan, informing them out of courtesy that he intends to carry out a landing at Milne Bay tomorrow and doesn’t want either side to suffer any nasty shocks.

Okay, perhaps Callaghan didn’t actually send this signal - but he might as well have done:

RADM Callaghan.png (1.12 MiB) Viewed 28 times

CENPAC

USS Saratoga reaches Pearl Harbor to join up with Enterprise. In a few day’s time they’ll head off to Australia, to operate either in the Coral Sea or off Northern Australia, depending on the situation.


SUBMARINE WARFARE

In the Yellow Sea Barracuda hit xAKL Shozan Maru with a dud torpedo. It couldn’t have been Shozan Maru that sunk yesterday then, unless there has been some misidentification.

At the entrance to the strait of Malacca S-41 missed an opportunity to finish of the wounded CL Kinu, striking her with a dud torpedo.