No lex or E - and it's 1941!

[Crimguy]

I lost 2 carriers in the first week of the war. I thought KB went West to PI, but it was lurking near Wake, and it trapped Lex and Enterprise. Sunk them and most of the escorts. Its Dec 15, 1941 or so.

My opponent Slobodan is making quick work of my forces. Wake will fall soon, and he's bum-rushing Midway.

I'm strangely optimistic though. He's spreading out real fast. I think he'll be over-extended by Summer of 42. Am I high on something? Have I blown it already? Is Midway within range of B-17's from Honolulu?

[scott64]

Sounds like our little war is the coming along on the same lines, both were sunk near Tarawa. Check out all the details in Our Finest Hour AAR. [:'(][:D][X(]

[Crimguy]

I think my carnage is a bit more severe, but I'm a week ahead of you

I've sunk about a dozen of his AK's and AP's, but he's taken out 8-10 CA's and CL's, plus the flattops. He's also sunk quite a few DD's, AK's and other minor craft.

[rogueusmc]

Wobbly has sunk one of my carriers so far. He has swooped down and taken Noumea, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. He has taken Darwin in northern Oz. It is September '42 and I am just now getting things moving to make him pay. I won't get autovoctory but I will win.

[Crimguy]

When KB is at full force, there is just nothing to do but keep your distance, unless you get lucky. At least, that's been my experience.

[Tom Hunter]

I would take more care with my remaining CVs, but its really too early to say how the war will go.

The biggest question is did you learn anything from the loss of the two CVs? How to tell the answer?

If your hiding the Saratoga the answer may be YES.

If your planning to use Sara on a really clever raid to get revenge on the Japanese the anwer is NO.

[fabertong]

Listen to Tom, you know he's right.

[boba]

I'm that evil Japanese player [:D] I hope I can read this Matt?
Anyway, he did loose quite of bit ships so far (more than 50 if I remeber) but it's very far from over for Allies in my opinion. I suppose that intel screen should give correct number and type of ships sunk for both of us?

You did make couple of mistakes, but since we are only in second week of war I won't tell you what they were [;)] You already know that commiting your CVs at Wake was one of them.

[Speedysteve]

Yes. I really believe that the key thing as Allied in 42 is to RESIST the temptation to strike back willy nilly or on something you THINK is a great plan without controlling the area. More times that not you will get spanked.

[saj42]

RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO MOVE TOO SOON.
I went for Wake in June 42 (very stupid I now know[:(]) - got my a$$ kicked bad. Its now Feb 43 and Lunga is building up nicely - AS A JAP AIRBASE [:@] - still haven't got the strength to defend an invasion from the KB (based in Truk I believe)
I got plenty LBA, BBs and LCUs, but not enough operational CVs

Once bitten - twice shy[:-]

[Feinder]

LBA is your sword and shield as Allies. There is no point risking your CVs. Japan will come to you, that is a given. Let your LBA do the work. Yes, it will get pummelled. But mass it, just like Japan can mass her CV-capable fighters on KB. Also, only defend, what can be defended. Don't bother with just a Brigade. Pick some strongpoints, and defend them with 2 - 3 Divisions (making Japan come with 5. Take your time moving naval forces, the short route is usually deadly.

-F-

[Crimguy]

ORIGINAL: boba

I'm that evil Japanese player [:D] I hope I can read this Matt?
Anyway, he did loose quite of bit ships so far (more than 50 if I remeber) but it's very far from over for Allies in my opinion. I suppose that intel screen should give correct number and type of ships sunk for both of us?

You did make couple of mistakes, but since we are only in second week of war I won't tell you what they were [;)] You already know that commiting your CVs at Wake was one of them.

Read away. It's war, but I don't think I've exactly said anything here that you don't already know[:D]

My mistakes are probably not grouping my B17's in the PI, keeping my CV's in harm's way, not upgrading the Buffalo (which seemed I was unable to until a few turns ago for some reason), and generally not just staying the f*** away from you while you go on your rampage.[8D]

It's my first game against a human - I should have been more attentive. I also should have tried a few turns as the Japs to see the full capability of hte IJN, which I've never done.

[Crimguy]

Yes, sir (gets wrists slapped with ruler).

ORIGINAL: Tom Hunter

I would take more care with my remaining CVs, but its really too early to say how the war will go.

The biggest question is did you learn anything from the loss of the two CVs? How to tell the answer?

If your hiding the Saratoga the answer may be YES.

If your planning to use Sara on a really clever raid to get revenge on the Japanese the anwer is NO.

[Sneer]

grouping B-17 in PI is a mistake - there is enough sallys to clear each airfield early in war

[boba]

ORIGINAL: Sneer

grouping B-17 in PI is a mistake - there is enough sallys to clear each airfield early in war

I wish he had made that mistake also [;)]

[Crimguy]

They seem to do a good job of defending themselves from AC. Does the zero bonus just kill that theory?

[kaiser73]

ORIGINAL: Crimguy

I lost 2 carriers in the first week of the war. I thought KB went West to PI, but it was lurking near Wake, and it trapped Lex and Enterprise. Sunk them and most of the escorts. Its Dec 15, 1941 or so.

My opponent Slobodan is making quick work of my forces. Wake will fall soon, and he's bum-rushing Midway.

I'm strangely optimistic though. He's spreading out real fast. I think he'll be over-extended by Summer of 42. Am I high on something? Have I blown it already? Is Midway within range of B-17's from Honolulu?

Never commit what you can't afford to lose.

Keep your CV in ports till '43. and try to hold only what you can't afford to lose: India, southern Australia, NZ, PH.

[Yamato hugger]

An axiom that has served me well:

Always assume the other guy can see everything you have.

If you move as if you KNOW the other guy knows what you have and where it is going you will live longer. I have 4 games going atm. 3 as Japs and 1 as allied. I dont do anything sneaky or clever. I recon every base I can with whatever I can. Emilys, Mavis, Dinahs, Glens from I boats, bombing raids, and fighter sweeps. I pick the area I want to hit based on what the other guy has where. I start bombing before my forces are in range when I can and I move in with overwhelming force. And I never make a move without land based air to cover me unless I absolutely have to, and then only when I am sure where the enemies CVs are.

If you try to sneak in on a base, esp early in the war with allies CVs you are asking for it. Best allied recon plane has a 15 hex range. Mavis is 17, and Emily is 24 hexes. You arent going to sneak up on him!

[BlackDog_slith]

I am Japanese player in a PBeM game and we just played Dec 31, 1941 turn...

I sank Lexington on Dec 19, and Enterprise on Dec 21 (both were in same TF trying a daring attack near PI). Both PoW and Repulse battleships were send to sea bottom in next days, and I just managed to sunk Saratoga today...Altough at a price to KB, with some bombs and torpedoes in 3 carriers, doing medium to heavy damage to two of them... Those US attack planes went through my CAP screen, amazingly...

Oh well, I can now rest a bit and can send the two damaged ships to port for some extended repair time... Got enough power to deliver wrath and punishment near my invading forces...

To answer initial question, I do not think it is end game for US player... Anyway if the CVs are not sunk they must hide until 1943... At best it will delay somewhat the allied counter-offensive, that's all...

[NimitsTexan]

It just means he'll have 9 instead of 12 CVs to hit with come mid-1944 . . .