Allied Player vs Japan AI

[tsimmonds]

My question was unclear. Can LCUs move across a river anywhere, or only where there is already a bridge?

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

Just to explain Mandalay ... you really need to understand what is in their way: Here are the 3 killer air groups holding the line. To top it off, they also have Radar so there is no chance of a surprise raid catching them with their pants down.

1/3

OK, this helps to explain the high Japanese plane kills. Your "Mandalay Boys" have accounted for almost half of all Japanese downed planes - almost 700 Japanese planes destroyed [&o]

Did you pull those planes out of PI just before it fell? Or did you do this some time prior to the battle for PI?

I ask this because I wonder if the commander in the PI would have tolerated having some of his experienced fighters being used at Mandalay? This does seem to be a bit gamey to me: the player has perfect 20-20 hindsight, so he moves all his forces accordingly.

Would this be doable in situations where the player opts to control just a single theatre in the Pacific?

I definitely think Japanese pilot experience should be increased to help off-set player moves of this nature [:'(]

I would also like to see some other ways to help hamper a player from doing things like this early in the war. . .

Cheers!

[Von Rom]

March, 1942

While the Allied ground forces prepared their defensive plans, what little friendly air support existed in Burma was for all intents eliminated from the theater. The fall of Rangoon had limited the RAF and AVG to Magwe, an airfield located in the Irrawaddy Valley about halfway between Rangoon and Mandalay. On 21 March the RAF conducted a successful raid on an airfield near Rangoon, destroying a number of Japanese aircraft on the ground with the loss of only one RAF Hurricane.

But the Japanese had increased their air strength in the theater during March. On the day following the British strike, the Japanese conducted a massive raid on the inadequately protected Magwe airfield and destroyed many of the Allied aircraft on the ground. To prevent further losses, the RAF moved its planes west to Akyab on the coast and the AVG went north to Lashio and Loiwing. Further raids followed, ultimately forcing the Allied air forces completely out of Burma. Without opposition in the air, the Japanese enjoyed virtually unlimited air reconnaissance which, when coupled with a growing number of sympathetic Burmese on the ground, provided them with detailed information on Allied troop dispositions and movements.




By May 15th, 1942:

THE FIRST BRITISH TROOPS reach India in the retreat from Burma. British casualties from the campaign have been about 30,000 from a force of 45,000. Many of these casualties have been Burmese deserters. The Chinese losses cannot be computed but must have been enormous. There were about 95,000 Chinese engaged but only one formation, the 38th, remained a viable fighting unit. The Japanese losses of LESS THAN 8,000 reflect their superior training, tactics, equipment and air power. With the monsoon season beginning, the Japanese can be well satisfied with having so rapidly overrun Burma, and with the cutting off of China from surface communications.



I also think perhaps having level 9 fortifications may be too high.

The Japanese took Burma in 4 1/2 months, forcing all Allied planes and most troops to evacuate.

[Jonny_B]

[&o][font="Times New Roman"][/font]

To all allied fan boys:

Is it me, or is it, that the Japanese AI tactics are hard coded.
There tactics are predicable, without caution and without any variation.
Even a game beginner could beat this game, playing as the allies.
So all you ally fan boys get ready to brag about so little.

[Jonny_B]

Mr. Frag:

327 G4M1 Betty's lost.
242 lost in air to air.

And I thought this was the best Japanese naval bomber.

Something stinks, when Hudson I and Martin 139 rule the sky.

[Von Rom]

Burma

I would also suggest decreasing the experience levels of all Allied pilots in the Burma theatre.

[Mr.Frag]

327 G4M1 Betty's lost. 242 lost in air to air.

The Betty & Nell stink! what ever gave you the idea that it was any good? It's only value is that of sticking torpedoes into ships. Since I have gotten my ships the heck out of their range, they become cannon fodder.

Reality: The Nell and Betty were both widthdrawn to rear areas after the opening blitz when it was discovered just how frail they really were.

A large number of those aircraft were lost at Mandalay, so really, if you discount that part, Japan is doing quite well. I have stripped all of India to be able to pull off Mandalay. It is an all or nothing fight and I happen to be winning it. There really were not enough troops committed to Burma to win in reality, don't know why you would expect the game to be any different then what really happened.

[Mr.Frag]

I also think perhaps having level 9 fortifications may be too high.

I built it that high, it does not start that high. Had I not pulled out every engineer from as far south of Victoria Point, it would be about a 4 and I would have lost already. This is were hindsight is at play. I knew what was coming and I prepared for it.

There are 701 engineers there!!! [X(]

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Jonny_B

[&o][font="Times New Roman"][/font]

To all allied fan boys:

Is it me, or is it, that the Japanese AI tactics are hard coded.
There tactics are predicable, without caution and without any variation.
Even a game beginner could beat this game, playing as the allies.
So all you ally fan boys get ready to brag about so little.

Well, I think perhaps this may be a bit too harsh.

This is a HUGE, complex game. No doubt it will need tweaks, etc as more people play it and provide input.

Fortunately, Matrix and 2By3 are very responsive [:)]

[jhdeerslayer]

My understanding is that the Betty had of course great range but was a fragile and easy to shoot down plane.

[Mr.Frag]

I would also suggest decreasing the experience levels of all Allied pilots in the Burma theatre.

They started fairly low, without the 2 groups that I moved from PI through China to Mandalay, it would not have been a good thing. I pulled them out simply because at that point in time, China was the *only* airbase still in range. It was not actually a deliberate choice on my part. They simply could not go south any longer.

[Mr.Frag]

My question was unclear. Can LCUs move across a river anywhere, or only where there is already a bridge?

Yep, they can move anywhere, it just takes a lot longer to go off roading. Fighting over a river is extremely costly though.

[tsimmonds]

Fighting over a river is extremely costly though.

Only if there's something there to fight. Can you draw supply across an unbridged river?

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Jonny_B

[&o][font="Times New Roman"][/font]

To all allied fan boys:

Is it me, or is it, that the Japanese AI tactics are hard coded.
There tactics are predicable, without caution and without any variation.
Even a game beginner could beat this game, playing as the allies.
So all you ally fan boys get ready to brag about so little.

LOL I do believe that some form of restriction could be in place that requires key areas maintain some form of defense. These restrictions exist for Japan in Manchuria and to some degree in China vs Partisans. As in Frag's example, I don't think the British would have stripped India of all LCUs to through into Burma.

When I play the AI, I do not strip any area to simulate the real need to defend key areas against attack, even in backwater areas.

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

I also think perhaps having level 9 fortifications may be too high.

I built it that high, it does not start that high. Had I not pulled out every engineer from as far south of Victoria Point, it would be about a 4 and I would have lost already. This is were hindsight is at play. I knew what was coming and I prepared for it.

There are 701 engineers there!!! [X(]

heheh

The other commanders must be screaming bloody murder:

MacArthur: "So, Mr. Frag is FDR's favourite, is he? Just give me half the forces he has been given and I'd be marching down Tokyo Avenue by June!"

Stillwell: "Hey! I thought I was running the show in Burma."

Chiang Kai Shek: "I no give-e Chinese troops. Me command Chinese troops. Me need lend-lease supplies. Did I mention that me no give-e Chinese troops. . .?"

[tsimmonds]

MacArthur: "So, Mr. Frag is FDR's favourite, is he? Just give me half the forces he has been given and I'd be marching down Tokyo Avenue by June!"

Right, at bayonet-point.

[Mr.Frag]

Only if there's something there to fight. Can you draw supply across an unbridged river?

Supply flows very poorly over hexes with no trail. You really need to calculate it.

[Mr.Frag]

ORIGINAL: irrelevant

MacArthur: "So, Mr. Frag is FDR's favourite, is he? Just give me half the forces he has been given and I'd be marching down Tokyo Avenue by June!"

Right, at bayonet-point.

[:D]

[Mr.Frag]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/08/42

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Coastal Guns at Iloilo, 42,56, firing at TF 9
TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Iloilo, 42,56


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Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 21
Ki-21 Sally x 15
Ki-48 Lily x 9
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hengchow , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6

no losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N Kate bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 43

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 13000 feet
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 13000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 13000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 17000 feet
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Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
G4M1 Betty x 24

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 13000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 19000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 12000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 13000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 19000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 12

no losses


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
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Day Air attack on 61st PA Division, at 42,56

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 15

no losses


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 14000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th UK Division, at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Armoured Tank Brigade, at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 12000 feet
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Sub attack at 49,69

Japanese Ships
AP Fukkai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish


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Ground combat at Batavia

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22521 troops, 242 guns, 1 vehicles

Defending force 27049 troops, 212 guns, 25 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Guns lost 19

Allied ground losses:
726 casualties reported
Guns lost 23


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Ground combat at Mandalay

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 62386 troops, 385 guns, 110 vehicles

Defending force 114968 troops, 1166 guns, 1371 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


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Ground combat at Mandalay

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 98785 troops, 1087 guns, 1252 vehicles

Defending force 62386 troops, 385 guns, 110 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


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Ground combat at Batavia

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11110 troops, 110 guns, 14 vehicles

Defending force 21887 troops, 218 guns, 1 vehicles



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Ground combat at Iloilo

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2067 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2943 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported


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Ground combat at Iloilo

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2943 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2333 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Iloilo base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
4976 casualties reported
Guns lost 30

[Mr.Frag]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/09/42

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Day Air attack on TF at 22,58


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2
Hawk 75A x 6
Martin 139 x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Hawk 75A bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Medan , at 20,45

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18

no losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M Nell bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 42

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 12 destroyed, 4 damaged
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
B5N Kate x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
24 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th UK Division, at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
G3M Nell x 8
G4M1 Betty x 22
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 20 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 19,59


Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 2


no losses

Japanese Ships
PC Shonan Maru #2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hawk 75A bombing at 2000 feet

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Ground combat at Batavia

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21761 troops, 221 guns, 1 vehicles

Defending force 26102 troops, 177 guns, 25 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


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Ground combat at Mandalay

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 62509 troops, 394 guns, 110 vehicles

Defending force 115484 troops, 1179 guns, 1374 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


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Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4739 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 752 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tjilitjap base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1156 casualties reported
Guns lost 10


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Ground combat at Mandalay

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 103426 troops, 1112 guns, 1361 vehicles

Defending force 62509 troops, 394 guns, 110 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1404 casualties reported
Guns lost 32
Vehicles lost 9

Allied ground losses:
1681 casualties reported
Guns lost 63
Vehicles lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batavia

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11210 troops, 108 guns, 14 vehicles

Defending force 22266 troops, 222 guns, 1 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
252 casualties reported
Guns lost 5