The Italian Job (2) - Comments from the Allies

[Barbarigo]

The Nagumo analogy has not much sense here. These variation and chances are included in variables like abilities of TF commanders, chance of critical hits and so on. Nagumo's mistake was a bad operational judgement of the situation.

If GH left vals on training, zeros on naval attack, Float planes left on training, this is a silly mistake, but what would a a parallel in history be [&:]?

Nagumo leaving the planes in training all day while under heavy attack? Nagumo asleep with no order of being awakened, like Hitler in Normandy, while his carriers were hammered [:-] ? Please....

Mc, it's your game and so it's clearly your decision. If you say it's your fault, GH, so blame yourself, you've a point. I don't like re-do myself as they spoil the game and it's a slippery slope. But when you say the outcome would have not changed much...I disagree. With 3-4 times increased zero cap and many more zeros in escort the results would have probably been very different and there's a high chance the allies would have lost the engagement. I think this will tilt the balance of the game.

So, in conclusion, I am a bit disappointed as I've enjoyed the AAR and I think it was going to be a interesting challenge[8|]. Saying a silly mistake is a mistake is perfectly fine and it's your pick, but contributes in increasing the "game" feeling at the expense of the "simulation" one.

B.

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Barbarigo

If GH left vals on training, zeros on naval attack, Float planes left on training, this is a silly mistake, but what would a a parallel in history be [&:]?

But when you say the outcome would have not changed much...I disagree. With 3-4 times increased zero cap and many more zeros in escort the results would have probably been very different and there's a high chance the allies would have lost the engagement. I think this will tilt the balance of the game.

I'm afraid I have to disagree, at least in part.

As far as I know (what GH told me) he had Zero's on Naval and not on Escort.
The cause could be one of three
1) He did set CAP, clicked naval instead of escort and then sett all
2) He had the Zero's intentionally on Naval to hit convoys and forgot to set them to escort
3) He clicked the wrong button for every squadron

If it's 3) (I serioulsy doubt it) it's really a huge mistake, not just a distraction.
If it's 2) it's a rather common mistake. He forgot to switch settings. I did it myself more than once.
If it's 1) it's the silliest. Althought I use the "set all" myself, I then check each squadron one by one, just in case.

However in this last case the CAP would be the one he had decided anyway (wrong order, not wrong CAP. Otherwise it'd be an awful lot of bad clicks). I don't see how he could have had more Zero's on CAP, the CAP was there, the CVs in the TF where 2-3 he couldn't possibly have more Zero's on CAP and then on escort too.
Hence the hits on his carriers wouldn't have changed. What would certainly have changed are the hits on my carriers.

I would gladly exchange 2 of my CVs for Kaga and Ryuho. I get them back, he doesn't.

Last, but not least, I told GH about my thought on the redo, he said that he wouldn't have accepted anyway. [;)]
I told you he's a tough one [8D]

Bottom line, I wish I lost 1 or 2 of my CVs. I'd still consider the engagement a victory.
With a redo I may not hit his carriers and that wouldn't be fair.

[Barbarigo]

In reality, by reading GH AAR, it's none of the 3. And it's not that difficult to guess without peeking in his AAR...have you been attacked by any Val[;)]?

Anyway, when the talking is too much it gets boring. Good luck to you for the game, but now I am definitely a Jap fanboy for this game....Go Hoppy!!!!![8D]

B.

[ChezDaJez]

I agree with your decision not to offer a redo. GH probably wouldn't take it anyways. I've enjoyed reading yours and his AARs and find his mistake regretable but war is hell and I don't believe in redos unless its due to a fault in the game. Don't mean to be harsh, but its up to the player to ensure that when he sends his turn out, he has done everything necessary to ensure he has checked all his options.

I actually think his defence will become even more tenacious as he no longer has KB to fall back on.

Chez

[Arstavidios]

Well, the damage inflicted to the Japanese are not critical. The most frustrating part for the Japanese is that he lost an opportunity to sink three carriers american and gain the edge for several months while instead he goes back home limping and may well lose a couple of carriers.

You've been very lucky but you the IJN is still powerfull enough to inflict a lot of damage.

[mc3744]

Thanks guys for all your suggestion [&o]

Anyway the damaged carriers did not sink. [:(] Hence it has ended mainly in a lost opportunity for GH.
Not much has changed after all.

Next report, tomorrow or Monday [:)]

[String]

I think the worst damage done was the loss of his precious zero pilots, especially in this very significant timeframe where they still enjoy the last bits of their advantage, the corsair not having arrived yet. It will take him a month or two to train them up.

[mc3744]

December 21st, 1942

IBC
Maybe GH has changed his mind, a few units now appear to be headed North.
Hundreds of Allied bombers are trying to dissuade them [;)]. The 6th Tank Rgt has been heavily hit in the past two days.
Meanwhile my LCU’s continue the long and difficult journey into Burma.
Myitkyina’s flow of reinforcements by air is steady, I’m confident the base will soon able to withstand an unlikely counter-attack.

AUSTRALIA
I’m trying to eat some Jap supplies with a continuous airfield bombing of Daly.
I know it worked in China!
Fighter’s training proceed nicely from Coen, which is now at airfield size (3).

PACIFIC
The CVL Ryuho eventually sank, not exactly a crippling blow to the IJN. But hey, better than nothing! [:)]
I’m sending the Enterprise and two more CVs to PH. The Enterprise needs some repairs (sys dmg 23) and they all need the 10/42 upgrade.

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

Burma situation

[mc3744]

My dear readers [:D]

Sorry guys I'm kind of busy and I'd rather play than write [;)]. Anyway later today a new post.

Right now I, once gaian, need your input.

Since I’m getting, quite unexpectedly, all the China Command units back in Karachi and since GH is not allowed - by house rules - to take China units or Kwantung units out of their respective areas, I thought to propose GH the following house rule.

China Command units can only stay in India, if I want to move them out I have to spend PPs to reassign them to other HQ’s.

What do you guys think? Should I make the proposal?

[Speedysteve]

I think thats a fair suggestion MC. That way you are both restricted with the same limitations.

[Taglia]

Anyway I still wonder to know what is the reason for a chinese unit to respawn in Karachi?? [&:] I think the proposal is fine

[Andy Mac]

To be honest restricting them to India is probably not enough IMO

It either has to be both sides free from restraint or no Chinese unit leaves Karachi unless PP's are paid or else you can strip India to the bone and use Chinese units to garrison India.

Andy

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

To be honest restricting them to India is probably not enough IMO

It either has to be both sides free from restraint or no Chinese unit leaves Karachi unless PP's are paid or else you can strip India to the bone and use Chinese units to garrison India.

Andy

I can do that too. I'm counting on RAF and RN to keep China safe.
Anyway right now I'm already keeping the China Command units in Karachi [;)]

However I do believe that this bug-like compensates somehow the Australia's situation. I still feel bad about that: both about the impossibility of defending it in the first place and then of not being able counter attack by land. It's not a minor disadvantage I've suffered, exclusively due to game mechanics. It has cost me several months. [:o]

Right now I've already offered to GH the restriction to India. I'll think about this additional binding.

Thanks guys [:)]

[mc3744]

December 28th, 1942

IBC
At the first lights of the new day LGEN Alexander lead the Burma Liberation Force across the Irrawadi, just NW of Mandalay.
Over 100 thousands men, fully equipped and supported by tanks, heavy artillery and pioneers are pouring into Northern Burma.
They are joining the 15k men spearhead that captured Myitkyina a few weeks ago.
Very soon another 50k troops will also cross the Irrawadi around Magwe.
More are already on their way from Imphal.
Tomorrow a Chindit Bde will reclaim Mandalay. Just by the end of ’42 Northern Burma will return into British hands. The liberation has begun. It’s a great day for the Allied forces!
The Japanese troops fled with their tail between their legs. [:-] They didn’t even dare face the brave and proud Commonwealth warriors. They made sure to be several hundreds miles away. [:'(]
Myitkyina airfield is now 100% operational and some (70) AS are already there.
“Operation Toilet Paper” will soon be declared a complete success.
The question now is: where to stop?
Japan seems to have an overwhelming fear of our air force. Hence I believe that I should be able to go as far as Rangoon and Moulmein relatively fast.
Meanwhile the sub force docked at DH has been ordered to begin heavy mining operations around the ports of Rangoon and Moulmein.
Part of the bombers force is daily hitting any Japanese unit that dares move North of Rangoon and Moulmein. The 21st Division has been spotted and hit severely.
Due to the complete lack of air attrition the P-38’s pool keeps growing (60+ in pool). I may even upgrade a forth squadron in the IBC area, but I feel pretty much safe as it is.
It looks like 1943 will be fun. [:D]

PACIFIC
Fiji, Noumea and Luganville are now fully developed, all are equipped with dozens of AR’s, AD’s, AS’s, MLE’s and hundreds of ships and planes on training.
Nukufetau build up continues. The base is at airfield size (1), (4) LCU’s are already on station, more on their way as well as (24) PT’s with additional fuel and an AGP. As protection from naval attacks. Patrol planes and fighters are also there.
Mining operations are intense, both offensive and defensive. Japan is fighting the mine war with lots of MSW’s.
I’ll soon have to pay some attention to those gentlemen. [;)]

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

The Burma Liberation

[mc3744]

December 29th, 1942

IBC
I’m bringing additional Base Forces to Ramree Island, as it is the most advanced airfield to provide tactical air support to the advancing units.

AUSTRALIA – NG
Heavy bombings over Daly. I hope he’ll soon start needing additional supplies.
Soon PM will start feeling the wrath of my heavies too.
A new major operation is being set up: “Operation Rise and Shine” . It’s time to get serious.

PACIFIC
A minor night naval engagement occurred in the waters surrounding Nanumea. A light surface combat TF (1 CA + 2 CL’s and some DD’s) engaged and easily sank (2) AK's and (1) AP. [:)]
Not an important victory, but it’s the first time I can venture out with my surface fleet without risking a slaughter and I actually achieved some results.
The TF was under the protective cover of P-38’s based at Nukufetau.
Next step Nanumea.

[Tom Hunter]

I would feel kind of cheap if I won by sending in a huge army of Chinese from Karachi.

It is probabley better and more fun to win with the Americans.

Just my opinion.

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Tom Hunter

I would feel kind of cheap if I won by sending in a huge army of Chinese from Karachi.

It is probabley better and more fun to win with the Americans.

Just my opinion.

Ho Tom [:)] Always a pleasure to have you here. [8D]

Do you mean that you wouldn't even use reassigned Chinese units? [X(]

I don't think I have enough troops to face HIS reassigned units, unless I use Chinese troops.
He will be getting approx. 2 (very tough and experienced) divisions every 3 months. I need 6-8 divisions to kick out 2 good Jap div from a base. British and Indian troops are just not enough once the 'Chinese' and 'Kwantung' divisions start coming in.

I've been looking at the reinforcements. Air and ship wise the Allies are just overwhelming, but very few INF units are due to arrive (even far in the future). And most of them are small ones: 100-200 AV.

[Bliztk]

You don´t need that many Divisions. The Allied idea is to hop from atoll to atoll with the cover of the Guns of your BBs and the bombs from your B24s.

The nature of the offense vs defense in WitP is that you can concentrate against him if you achieve air superiority. It`s the same that Japan does against Java or PM is if well defended.

Bomb disrupt, continue bombing, 5-6 days of BB shore bombardemt and land with 3xDivs with plenty of ENG and support.

Base taken [:'(]

Take note that if he is using that China Comm units to stop the British in Burma, he is not using them to garrison atolls or islands.

[mc3744]

Hey Bliztk [:)]

I don't disagree with you. But I have to recover at least 3-4 lost months due to the Australian disadventure.
I have to try to make advances on more than one front at a time. Or the game is lost already. It's '43 and everywhere but in Burma I'm way behind 'schedule'.

And by land (i.e. IBC) the atoll jumping doens't work that well [;)]
That's where I need the reassigned Chinese units.

[Bliztk]

Well, until July of 1944 you don´t have to be in much hurry. Then the Hellcat/Corsair combo will pave your way to victory.

Burma is important, but not decisive, if you want to advance here you will have to make him divert his units to other fronts, but fighting in Burma while pinning his China/KW units here is better for the overall Allied Strategy IMHO.

Your goal is to conquer the Marianas for April 1944, then his industry is toasted by B-29.