Dude vs. Durrant - War in the Pacific

[WiTP_Dude]

I am currently playing Bill Durrant in the big scenario using the difficult yet interesting 3-day turn format. Durrant is managing the Allies while I control the Japanese. Historical first turn was turned off. The results so far:

December 1941

Durrant attempted to flee Pearl Harbor on the first turn to escape being trapped in port. However I predicated that he might try this so I set a lot of my air units to naval attack. I managed to damage quite a few ships but many escaped unharmed. He lost three or four battleships in total plus a lot of other little ships of various classes.

Also I kept KB on patrol around Hawaii for about ten days and the Enterprise was sent out to put up a fight. I lost one of my carriers after my CAP was penetrated but the Enterprise was also sent to the bottom of the ocean. After hitting Pearl a few more times KB was then sent to attack Midway for a few days before moving on to ****.

The invasion of the DEI has gone well so far. Amboina, Biak, Hollandia, and Tarakan are some of major places seized in the first month. Further actions are forthcoming in January.

Strong Commonwealth forces on Malay have prevented a quick capture of Singapore. The initial invasion force at Kuantan was too small and the city is still under Allied control. To the north things have gone better as George Town has been seized after a short firefight.

The Allies have retreated in Burma, allowing me to seize Tavoy, Moulmein, and Rangoon without a fight. At this point I have no idea where the Allies are or even if the enemy exist in this part of the map. Events are surely unfolding rather quickly in this area and perhaps an invasion of India in the spring isn't out of the question.

In China I've taken Yenan and Changsa in an opening general offensive. The Chinese Army is quite numerous so there won't be much more in the way of advancement unless reinforcements are sent from other areas.

The invasion of the Philippines has gone well so far. Clark Field is under seige and will be taken early in January. The bulk of the Allied Army seems split between Bataan and Manilla. If they can be kept like this it will be easier to eliminate them. The rest of the islands of the Philippines have also been invaded and will be cleared of Allied forces in the next few weeks.

[Bill Durrant]

Some spare time so I thought I'd add my perspective.

My knowledge of the Pacific Theater is very limited though I am now trying to look at some maps and read some the great recommended stuff from this forum. My previous wargaming experience is mainly western front and wholly tactical (lots of ASL). This may cause me to make a few unorthodox decisions or comments but they could work to my advantage.

December 1941

I have withdrawn from some areas of Burma which I felt were just too vulnerable and hope to make a stand further back - Karachi?[;)]

Singapore has been ordered to hold at all costs.

DEI are similar Burma. Hopefully some nasty surprises await the Japs but they appear to be making good use of Recon.

PI have been designated as a 'stand to the last man area'. Just too many troops on different islands with no transport and Political point payment to organise a brilliant defence.

China is a mess to start with. Again, consolidation is the order of the day.

My knowledge of the Pacific did extend to knowing about PH on 7 Dec 1941 [:)] so i tried to flee and got away with it to start with. KB hanging around caught me by surprise. I was happy to swap CVs but I'm not sure if I should be[:(]

I know advice is to hide your CVs for a while but I've set out my stall that if the enemy starts to seriously threaten US soil I will stand up and fight.

Now in the first half of January this mindset has become apparent. I suggest you hang around and await Dude's AAR for January 1942. There has been some major naval combat in the first ten days of the year. Still very much in the balance around Midway and the Line Islands.

[52nd Lowland]

I think its hard as the Allied player not to throw your CVs into combat but after losing 2 at the start of a PBEM its made me realise discretion is the better part of valour.At least until you are reinforced by CVs later in the year and take on any targets of opportunity [:D]