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 330 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 ...