The luckiest man alive!!!

[pauk]

greetings...

Well, then all is ok. I did not think that you and your opponent could start with this option.

So i supposed that you give your carriers orders to intercept KB ond turn 1 (this would be gamey).

I guess that mc should be banned from playing Japan. He just make our Emperor mad [:D]

Mc, stay with Allies and keep good woork with Gen. Hoeppner[:)]

[Erik Rutins]

Didn't think anything was "smelly", but I think perhaps less variability might help you both get past Turn 1. [8D]

I have to say, the most amazing run of bad luck I've heard of for the IJN in these two starts.

[Tom Hunter]

This is an example of why I don't like the variants, and think its good to have a fair amount of agreement on how the first turn will be run.

Its certainly interesting to see what might have happened if the US CVs had been close to Pearl, but it is unlikely to make for a good game.

It seems to me that a lot of the game is designed around the idea that there will be a success (of some sort) by the Japanese at Pearl, not a defeat. If you do blow up the Japanese on turn 1 it can wreck the game. It won't always, but it can, and I don't really want that for myself.

Of course this is just one man's opinion, play how you like and have fun.

[Praetorian]

Well, we did play with house rules, no new TF and such...
I just had the rare occasion to have the carriers close to PH due to a random event and I said "what the hell...”

I just agreed with mc3744 to keep my nuclear carriers away and not mess things up. [8D]

So I will send the F14F4 to do some sightseeing...

Praetorian

[pauk]

greetings....

As i mentioned before, wasn't stated that they play with variants (operation, Infield, Outfield, etc). My conclusion was that those allied CV's were moved on turn 1 toward KB (that why I asked for KB cordinates).

To me, this is not a proper way of playing, same as Japan plot US carriers on turn 1 instead PH.

Anyway, Praetorian said that they play with variants so everything is clear now and more than fair.

[Praetorian]

Hello

And the actual results:

Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 112,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 82
D3A Val x 134
B5N Kate x 143

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
P-26A x 6
P-36A Mohawk x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A Val: 9 destroyed, 51 damaged
B5N Kate: 8 destroyed, 35 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
P-26A: 4 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 11 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 32 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 9 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 6 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 4 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Sunk
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AV Wright, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Cassin, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ward, Bomb hits 1
DD Reid, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AR Vestal, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shaw, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AVD Hulbert, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Worden, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 75

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
26 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
25 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
16 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
17 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
17 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
18 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
26 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
25 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
24 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
24 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 113,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 16
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
SBD Dauntless x 63
TBD Devastator x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 13 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 12 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 14 destroyed, 25 damaged
TBD Devastator: 5 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Kirishima
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kasumi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A nice 29% hit ratio by the SDB. The devastators are close to useless when attacking a fast moving target.

Praetorian

[pfnognoff]

Well, I guess if you play with Vary Setup - ON, you should allways put at least some Vals and Kates on Naval primary and a bit more Zeros on CAP. It can very well hurt if you don't as this example shows [:)]

[Mr.Frag]

If you choose to play with Vary On, you need to assume that you might get your head handed to you. It is not an option for the faint at heart.

The types translate to (a) Japan sinks 2 starting Allied CV's or (b) Japan gets creamed right out of the gate. Based on the options, it is about a 50/50 split as to how it will work out.

The *perfect* situation is Japan gets both cv's and some bb's while loosing nothing which really puts the allies on their heals until at least 1943.

The *worst* situation is Japan gets nothing and looses a good chunk of KB in the process meaning the starting 3 USN CV's can deal with the remains right from the game start. This is effectively a "Midway" result on Dec 7th. There is no recovery from this version.

Sounds like you got the *worst* case scenario ... One thing to think of though ... playing under extreme hardship is generally more rewarding then playing a normal game. You obviously can not win, but it would be interesting to see what you can manage to do given the extreme challenge you face. The school of hard knocks is a great teacher. [;)]

[Mike Solli]

Well, the Japanese expected to lose 1/3 of the force attacking PH....

[Praetorian]

Somehow, i doubt that mc3744 expected that [:D]

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, that would suck. I'm usually upset when I lose more than the 29 planes they actually lost.

[mc3744]

Back on line.

In the first match I did set vary off.
When making the setup for the second I thought that it would have been a bit gamey for me to be able to know exactely what forces he had and where. That's why I chose vary on.
I totally forgot - as it showed [;)] - about the carriers variant. If I did remember I'd be now celebrating the sinking of two US CVs [:D]
As we all know you just set port and airfield attack as secondary and naval as primary.

I may agree on the opinion that a hard game could be even better than a 'normal' one.
My problem however is that I'm no expert with Japan. All I played is six months vs. General Billy.
I know little about production, HI management and so on. If I also have to deal from the start with 5 carriers down ... I'm just not good enough.

I cam withstand punishment with the Allies, not just because they grow stronger and stronger but also because I've played several games and I know my way around.
Maybe I shoukd just give up trying with Japan.

Now let me say this: if - for whatsoever reason (the godlike luck of Preatorian being one [;)]) - I manage to loose 3 CV within Decemebr '41 I promise I'll never paly Japan again [:'(]

[pfnognoff]

ORIGINAL: mc3744

Now let me say this: if - for whatsoever reason (the godlike luck of Preatorian being one [;)]) - I manage to loose 3 CV within Decemebr '41 I promise I'll never paly Japan again [:'(]

Advice for Praetorian: Disband all fleets until Jan 1st 1942. Then create a fleet, any fleet, sail arround a bit, sooner or later you will find KB and sink it. You will have an enjoyable and long campaign ahead of you. You have witnesses that will quote mc3744's promise [8D][:D][:D][:'(]

[witpqs]

Hey Praetorian, mc3744

Is this series best of 5 or best of 7?

[Nomad]

You know mc3744, it might be wise to try the Manila Port attack instead. [:D]

*** nomad makes note to never play a pbem against Praetorian *** [:)][8D]

[Praetorian]

Hello,

He is busy bombing PH, two attacks so far.
Yet I got the first kill of the war, one of his subs.

I am afraid to send the PT boats after him, who knows what might happen...
They fire 4 torpedoes , score 5 hits and sink 6 carriers[:D]. And then restart all over again..[8D]