War and Peas - Hortlund (J) vs. Canoe (A)

[paullus99]

If you think it will take him some time to react - since his carriers don't seem to be anywhere close, I would go ahead & do it. At least this way, he won't know exactly what's coming & may suspect that your repositioning your carriers to cover Australia.

[Canoerebel]

Some pretty important things are about to happen:

1. Tomorrow, Steve will discover I have 9th Oz Division and 18th UK Division in India. He will surmise that Oz is under protected. I think, however, that I guessed right - that India and China is his focus rather than Oz. I think it's too late now for him to efficiently shift.

2. He's probably going to find out I have carriers in CenPac. I think the KB is in the Indian Ocean. He's been developing contact in CenPac for weeks now, so he may have called on his NoPac carriers. A clash could develop here. I'm not anxious for battle since I only have York and Sara, but I'll feel my way carefully.

3. If I get cold feet about Tarawa, those troops will probably instead go to places like Luganville, Noumea, Tabituea, and/or possibly Abemama and Fiji. But right now I'm hoping I can still strike Tarawa.

[Canoerebel]

5/21/42

Pretty good day for the Allies:

North America: Quiet.

Pacific: A stout mini-KB (or even roughly half a KB) shows up north of Midway and sinks a TK and a PC. At the same time, Sara and York SBDs sink an AMC near Jarvis Island (that's 27 points = 108 points for auto vic purposes, so it's nothing to sneeze at). So Steve knows where I am. I know where he is.

Tarawa: With those enemy carriers not too far to the north, and with Steve forwarned that I have some power in the Pacific, I will of course cancel the Tarawa invasion, which I had been learning towards anyhow due to the amount of contact over the past week. Instead, my troops will go to the key islands in SoPac. The biggest decision is 32nd Div., which is likely to go to Noumea or possibly even Oz.

India: The Allied army takes Jamdespur and roughs up part of 48th Div. in the process. The Allied army will try to pursue 18th Div., which is one hex to the north. I bet this situation gets Steve's full attention.

China: New MLR looks good, especially north of Chungking. Probably too good. I feel sure Steve is shifting to the south. Sooner or later, a big army is going to press forward towards Chengte or Hengyang, is my guess.

[Canoerebel]

5/22/42 and 5/23/42

Another good spell for the Allies:

North America: Quiet, 'cept an SSX put a sub in a TK at Los Angeles.

Pacific: Stout kB division A is making it's way southeast, passing between Midway and French Frigate. My TFs are far enough to the southeast that danger is almost nonexistent. My troops are bound for several ports, including Luganville, Noumea, and Fiji. Vindicators score three thousand-pound hits on AMC Kongo, which had been previuosly damged in a surface engagement.

Oz: Quiet at the moment. Supply levels look good.

Bay of Bengal: Stout KB divisions B is in the western Bay of Bengal. Possibly, Steve will land at Viz or vicinity. The Allies are pushing to catch up to 18th Div. at Asanol, hoping to work out a 1700 to 500 AV advantage.

China: The Chinese beat up on three weak, isoalted IJA units, destroying 100 squads in the process. I'm trying to figure out if I can afford to shake loose part of my northern MLR to reinforce the center and south. It's a long march between these outposts, so it's tough going.

Battle of Attrition: It is important for the Allies to engage in a positive attrition campaign - attrition is part of the game and unevoidable, so long-term the Allies need to make sure it's under favorable terms so that it helps avoid auto vic. In the past three days, the Allies have scored roughly 60 points in ships sunk (two AMC and a DD), roughly 15 for planes downed, and a net 15 for bases captured. This at a cost of perhaps 10 aircraft and one xAK). On the key 4x auto vic scales, that's a net difference of about 300 points. Of course, not every day will be like thise three, but we'll take 'em when we get 'em.

Now that we're nearing the end of May, here's how the points potential breaks down:

1) Base points: the Japanese juggernaut has slowed considerably. Steve can still pick up some points here and there - mainly in Oz and SoPac - but the Allies are getting in position to push back. India, for inrstance, is no longer ripe for the picking.

2) Aircraft: Japan has less than a 2:1 advantage here, and I think this will continue. The Allies are starting to draw better fighters and many pilots have good experience now. Too, I think the Allies are in good position in the two theaters that might be hottest - India and North America. I don't think the air war is going to prove fruitful for Steve.

3) Army: Steve has a better than 10x advantage here. All the key western bases with big garrisons have fallen. Steve can still pick up some points in China, but overall this ratio should slowly, gradually improve in favor of the Allies.

4) Ships: Steve is hurting here. He's sunk 1900 points but lost at least 1200. That's not a strong ratio and it's been decidely narrowing in the past month or so. Steve is a bit aggressive with his carriers and combat ships, so there is potential to score more points, though a blunder can be likewise costly.

[princep01]

I can tell you are more optimistic,,,,,you're not talking about Socrata in every other post.  Excellent!  Sink his ships, break his planes and burn his tanks and soldiers.  There is no substitute for VICTORY! (end pep talk of the week)

[Canoerebel]

Holding Socatra in late May '42 and knowing the defenses are stout makes life much more pleasant in India. If I had to worry about my back door, I wouldn't have taken the offensive around Jamdespur. India is in really, really good shape now. That's saying something for a game that's this early.

[Capt. Harlock]

North America: Quiet, 'cept an SSX put a sub in a TK at Los Angeles.

Hmm . . . the only way I can think of for an SSX to carry a "sub" makes the thread unsuitable for children! [;)]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

North America: Quiet, 'cept an SSX put a sub in a TK at Los Angeles.

Hmm . . . the only way I can think of for an SSX to carry a "sub" makes the thread unsuitable for children! [;)]

[:D] Really! I just assumed it ran out of torpedoes and substituted one of their lunch sandwiches [bought at the peir, since sandwiches were unknown in Japanese culture].

[DOCUP]

GJ is rubbing off on CR.[8|]

[GreyJoy]

CR vs PzH -> May 23 1942 (started April 9 2012)
GJ vs QBall -> May 28 1942 (started July 11 2012)
 

 
 

[Canoerebel]

Don't think I don't know it. Back when you guys were two months behind us, I could take some comfort in Q-Ball's situation in China. No matter how bad things were for me, his situation was even worse...and he was still 60 days behind me. Now, however, you guys have caught up. He's still in a bit worse situation in China, but he does have the bases in India to fly in supply. I've lost those, so perhaps my situation is even more dire long term.

[Canoerebel]

5/24/42

North America: Quiet.

Pacific: The KB is sliding south and is currently positioned near Johnston Island. The Allied carriers are south of Christmas and vacating the premises. Most of the Allied transports and escorts are well to the southwest and shouldn't have any problem reaching Luganville, Noumea and Fiji to disgorge their cargo and troops. I think the presence of so many Allied ships and the carriers will have the beneficial effect of persuading Steve that these key islands have been reinforced and thus aren't worth his attention. At least I hope that's the case with Palmyra, Christmas and Pago Pago. I don't want to commit troops to these "backwater" outposts, so I'm relying on the appearance of defenses.

Oz: Quiet.

India: The Allies are trying to close on two IJ armies - 18th Div. at Asenol and the little army that just got pushed out of Jamedspur. It'll be at least two more days before I'm in position to attack. The Allies have 3,000 AV in theater now split between the Ranchi and Patna sectors, with more in reserve. We're ready to joust, though I do think Steve is reinforcing. The Allies won't threaten Calcutta anytime soon, but neither will they get pushed around.

China: Still shifting troops around trying to maintain the new MLR and siphon off a reserve force to send to Chungking.

[Canoerebel]

5/25/42

Pacific: The KB moved NE closer to Pearl Harbor. That could be trouble. I have two damaged BBs under repair there with but 30 Buffalos to provide CAP. (The other four damaged BBs are at the East Coast shipyard, which I chose due to the threat of enemy raids against the lower west coast.) Elsewhere, the Allied TFs enroute to the big ports in SoPac are making good progress.

Oz: Hmm, Steve landed a small force at Palm Island, just off Townsville. That's a hostile act that I would expect only if Steve had bigger plans in the region.

India: A bunch of unescorted Helens got chewed alive near Asanol - I think Steve lost 40+. KB Division B is still loitering in the Bay of Bengal.

China: No changes here.

[BBfanboy]

Nice work on those Helens.
What fighters were in on the mayhem? Hurris? P-40s?
Also wondering if you loaded up your front line sqns with your best pilots?

[princep01]

evil laugh, Ser Greyjoy....

[Canoerebel]

I believe all the fighters were American - P-40, P-39 and a handful of P-38s. I haven't "goosed" the pilot roster. These are "regular joes" that have been in these squadrons since the day they arrived on map.

The RAF is present in India in a big way, but I haven't deployed them forward, yet.

[JocMeister]

In my game I have found the only thing that can survive the Tojos are the Hurricanes and P38! So perhaps use them with caution?! [:)]

I have been putting my very best pilots in the P38 with very good results.

[Canoerebel]

The air war is fascinating in the game. Overall, I've found that the Allied airforce does very well in defensive roles - including P-39s. I've likewise found that the Allies do terrible in an offensive role. Hence, I try to fight defensively. I think the Allies are going to be in a good position to wage an effective air war in India, where Steve has to fight, and in North America, where he doesn't have to but may try.

[Canoerebel]

5/26/42

North America: Quiet.

Pacific: Uh oh, KB Division A is nosing around Pearl Harbor. I have two damaged BBs there that are sitting ducks.

Indian Ocean: KB Division B remains in the Bay of Bengal.

India: The Allies will deliberate attack at Asanol tomorrow. Looks like 1,200 AV vs. about 500 AV. If that doesn't turn out too well, the Allies will have an additional 500 AV day after tomorrow. Japanese air got the better of things today. The Allies first messed up a dozen Zeroes, but later came the Tojos, which ripped the P-39s and P-40s.

China: Still awaiting the next vector of attack for Japan. Steve's got a much better road system to get to Kewilin or Chengte, both of which are lighlty protected, so I'm holding my breath to see what happens.

[Canoerebel]

5/27/42

Pacific: Air raid, Pearl Harbor! Vals and Kates equipped with bombs do slight damage to the two BBs in the yards, plus sink a couple of small fry. Steve is alerted that the base is unprotected, so he should return tomorrow with torps. I will lose these two BBs. The equation is much more complicated though. I stripped Pearl of fighters long ago to beef up the West Coast, where raids on industry would score many more points than those battlewagons represent. (One of the BBs was on the way to Balboa months ago, but kept springing leaks, so I sent her back to Pearl.)

Indian Ocean: KB Division B remains in the center of the Bay of Bengal.

India: The Allied attack at Asanol came off at 1:1, dropped forts to 2, and destroyed quite a few vehicles. I now have an additional 550 AV present, but I expect enemy reinforcements. On this turn, a bunch of AA and engineers showed up, so the infantry is probably on the way. We'll try another deliberate attack tomorrow. If the enemy reinforcements don't arrive, the 1770 AV vs. 500 AV should be sufficient.

China: No change.