Rising Sun, Falling Skies: BTSL Bigred vs John 3rd

[John 3rd]

It has been interesting fighting on the multiple fronts right now.

I have commented on the 'opportunity' in the Kuriles.

The Australia fight has been pretty good. Have fought here many times in many campaigns. Love drawing the enemy out into the wilderness where supply gets more-and-more tenuous for an attacking army. More surprises coming there!

Burma-Thailand is horrific. Am simply being slowly pushed back by HORDES of Allied troops. The biggest advantage here is the terrain forces the enemy to move very slowly and I am using that to the utmost of my ability. Have a number of ID getting severely damaged but have managed to withdraw them and then rebuild them in Bangkok or Singapore. Doesn't take too long as long as there is supply present...

It is the refurbishment in Singapore that has proven to be an unexpected bonus. When the enemy moved on Sumatra, I had three ID nearly rebuilt and ready to move back to Burma-Thailand. Sumatra invaded??!! Perfect. Got the troops here and a very short supply line to move them on. NICE! More coming here. Finding that ID at Langsa is just the beginning of using this 'opportunity' in the late-Spring of 1944.

NOTE:
For a period of three months, my Fighter production was totally outstripped by events. Currently we have the second version of George for the IJN ground fighters, FRANK and third model of TONY serves the IJA, and the A7M2 SAM just really went into production. The extreme fighting in Burma (back in Jan-Feb took my IJA stocks to zero and then came the massive carrier loss in the Pacific. That event took out the IJN fighters. Three months later, production is finally getting slightly ahead where I can deploy and restore frontline fighters to my units. This fix has already been noted in the Kuriles and it about to be noted elsewhere...

[John 3rd]

May 13-14, 1944
North Pacific

It appears that the Allied Fleet has moved away from their lodgment in the Kuriles. There is a great amount of movement on the Japanese side during these two days. Convoys are moving bringing supplies and reinforcements as well as LOTS of air deployment. As can be seen, the Allies are based on two fairly useless bits of Japanese territory. They will be digging and building as fast as possible. We cannot allow this to occur and so...

Only real action is a well done bombardment on Paramushiro Jima. Somehow an Allied TF avoids nearly 1200 mines and pummels the AF in very impressive manner.

Guaranteed serious action coming and quickly up here.

5-15-44 NP.jpg (314.1 KiB) Viewed 757 times

[RangerJoe]

May 13-14, 1944
North Pacific

It appears that the Allied Fleet has moved away from their lodgment in the Kuriles. There is a great amount of movement on the Japanese side during these two days. Convoys are moving bringing supplies and reinforcements as well as LOTS of air deployment. As can be seen, the Allies are based on two fairly useless bits of Japanese territory. They will be digging and building as fast as possible. We cannot allow this to occur and so...

Only real action is a well done bombardment on Paramushiro Jima. Somehow an Allied TF avoids nearly 1200 mines and pummels the AF in very impressive manner.

Guaranteed serious action coming and quickly up here.5-15-44 NP.jpg

If he is causing you to react, then it is not worthless territory! Of course, if you do not react and try to contain him then he can expand is area of control and then you may have more difficulties.

Also, every unit going there while also using more supplies and fuel is also a unit that is not going elsewhere.

[John 3rd]

May 13-14, 1944
Central Pacific

No Japanese warship has been seen in the Marshalls since the war was lost back in February. Therefore, Imperial Command decides to take a shot in the area. A powerful cruiser--destroyed TF (4 CA (Atago as Flagship), 1 CL, and 5 DD slip into Kwajalein on the 11th-12th and draw a number of Allied air attacks that are met by 50-65 Japanese fighters. Surprisingly, this warning does not go out to the surrounding area and, thus, the plan is ordered to move ahead.

The TF, with LR CAP assigned to it, moves out heading for Abemama. The 13th passes without incident and the TF pounces during the morning of the 14th. The group smashes a SC and 2 AKL before running into two Allied STF of CLs and DDs. The first TF has CLs Nashville (3 Shells-On Fire), St Louis (7 Shells-Hv Fires, Richmond--SUNK!, and HMS Belfast (7 Sh--1TT-Heavy Damage) with DDs Monssen and Baldwin SUNK! is roughly handled. Only CA Ashigara takes much damage. The second TF of CLs Miami, Illustrious (3 Sh) and Yorktown (10 Sh-Hv Dam) fight better sinking DD Arashi and putting hits on nearly every Japanese cruiser. Nearly out of AMMO, the Japanese disengage and sink another SC on their way back to Kwajalein.

Pretty good risk for a DD sunk. The Japanese sink an old CL, cripple a Brit CL, inflct heavy damage on two modern CLs, damage two more CL, and only one CL gets away unscathed. That should serve to slow the Allies down here for a bit. Pretty nice work!

5-15-44 CP.jpg (175.04 KiB) Viewed 750 times

[John 3rd]

May 13-14, 1944
South Pacific

The Allies have been landing--against all forms of real House Rules, but we have none--on the coast of Sumatra. These landings have been on both the east and west side so Sabang is surrounded without actually having to land where troops might be. Imperial HQ immediately senses opportunity due to landings like this being exceedingly slow. It has taken the Japanese a while to get set but a new Operation gets moving on this set of turns. For the first time since the war was lost three months ago, a Japanese CTF appears.

Since everything was sunk in February, pretty much all that is left are CVEs. This pair of TFs moved out from Singapore where it has rested for 4 days. Now it is out and spoiling for a fight. Throughout the numerous airbases in the area, a flood of aircraft slip onto AFs. Nearly 450 Fighters, 100 DB, 250 TB, and a squadron of 4EB occupy bases in Sumatra and Malaya. The Allies have no base in Sumatra and the troops there are highly vulnerable. Time to make the enemy pay.

Troopships weigh anchor (carrying the 3 ID I mentioned in earlier Posts) and other troops on Sumatra are already moving up the east and west coast. The goal is simple: CRUSH the enemy LCU forces. It is time to ROCK! Grab your pit helmuts...

BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

May 13-14, 1944
Sumatra

Action is fairly light to begin with. Several fighter sweeps occur testing the enemy's strength at Sinabang and one main strike flies on the 14th. The Strike consists of 53 Fighters and 29 Judy on a shipping strike that sinks 5 large AK and cripple 2 more. Several 800 Kg bombs will certainly that! The attack brushes aside the LRCAP and takes minimal losses.

There are also several IJA/IJN bombers strikes on the troops at Sabang.

The probing force at Langsa attempts to move away as they have discovered an ID and Brigade waiting for them. Orders are given to move north and drive the enemy from this area.

[John 3rd]

May 13-14, 1944
North Pacific

It appears that the Allied Fleet has moved away from their lodgment in the Kuriles. There is a great amount of movement on the Japanese side during these two days. Convoys are moving bringing supplies and reinforcements as well as LOTS of air deployment. As can be seen, the Allies are based on two fairly useless bits of Japanese territory. They will be digging and building as fast as possible. We cannot allow this to occur and so...

Only real action is a well done bombardment on Paramushiro Jima. Somehow an Allied TF avoids nearly 1200 mines and pummels the AF in very impressive manner.

Guaranteed serious action coming and quickly up here.5-15-44 NP.jpg

If he is causing you to react, then it is not worthless territory! Of course, if you do not react and try to contain him then he can expand is area of control and then you may have more difficulties.

Also, every unit going there while also using more supplies and fuel is also a unit that is not going elsewhere.

Correct in all regards, however, this is my home turf next to major bases and very, VERY close. The fuel expenditure is not bad and the opportunity is excellent for inflicting a serious defeat upon the enemy while at minimal exposure for Japan. Neither base--as yet--has an AF. Heck--one of the bases has no port OR AF.

I PREFER to fight in the SW Pacific where fuel is plentiful but this has to be dealt with.

We shall see how it plays out...

[bigred]

44-5-15: The biggest problem is John has sunk over 700 ship VP in past 6 days(3 turns).

[bigred]

44-5-13: from allied view.

[bigred]

44-5-14:
1. The Parushima Bombardment was a massive success. Look at the AF hits.
2. Note the shell hits on the JAP CA. If John loses a CA because of this raid at Abemama I question the worth of this move.
3. Regarding Johns comment The Allies have been landing--against all forms of real House Rules, but we have none--on the coast of Sumatra. John is a better player then me. Seems to me a no rules game favors the allies. So why should anyone play a house rules game against John, who is a better player against all players except Lowpe.
4. Look at the VP total. Seems fairly balanced so far with me still losing.

[John 3rd]

Want to bring Surface ships and CVE within range of my LBA in the Marshalls? BRING IT SON! I can use more Victory Points.

Sumatra might be a lot of fun. All my pilots from those dead carriers back in March are now flying aboard those CTFs. Average XP for the Fighters is about 76-80 and the bombers come in about 10 lower. Could be highly exciting.

Paul alluded to the Solomons action. All true. I have watched his small TFs move around in the lower and middle Solomons and KNEW (after the para landings) that he would have to come north to Munda, Shortlands, etc... Set my Betty/Frances to that line and brought in some Fighters. Worked pretty well. Looks like I sank 2 AK, an LST, and damaged several more on the 14th.

To say that I have emotionally bounced back from the disaster three months ago is an understatement. It has been fun trying to sting and LEAVE, set ambushes, or take advantage of situations. So far. So good.

[bigred]

I can sense Johns frustration.
44-5-15:
John has reinforced his Sabang garrison with direct transport into Sabang.
He scattered the allied landing force but bagged only 3/4 transporters.
CA Nachi lost to allied reaction to Marshalls raid.
Allied progress at Midway. More on this later.
Kirules get an allied AF base at Shimishuri-Jima.

[bigred]

44-5-15:

[bigred]

44-5-16:

[John 3rd]

Disgusted is EXACTLY how I feel right now. THREE of the last four game days, my carefully rebuilt CV TF COULD have launched crushing, devastating attacks upon helpless enemy shipping. Do they? NOPE!

Will make structured comments after I simmer down...

This is what I wrote Paul when I sent the turn a few minutes ago:

Got more and more disgusted with last turn that I rather flew thru these orders. I mean…what difference does it make? Should have pulverized that TF unloading the ID in Sumatra—Didn’t. Should have sunk 20-40 ships last turn just sailing their merry way in 1 ship TFs—DIDN’T! Just not too happy…

[bigred]

Totals. Instead, the large sinkings of ships goes into allied favor. I figure the Tosa sinking is just a mine hit.

[bigred]

Island invasions with stacking caps. This is the first game I played with stacking caps. The effect is dramatic if u attack over the limit. Playing this game I have learned:
1. Must have uncontested SEALOC. Without DaBabes you can overload a hex, add extra supply, leave the area if you are threatened by the enemy.
2. With Dababes, the allies must stay in area, cover the invasion and use CV air support to wear down the defender.
Normally in a standard senario this is a historical course of events because as time goes by the allied fleet wears down the Japs to allow for a historical outcome.
3. In BWTS Lite, this becomes problematic as the Japs traded off the Yamato class BB for extra CVs. Alot harder to keep CV air cover over contested island hexes.

4. In this game I have had 6 heavily contested landings.

a. Canton is. was a cake walk as the entire 40th div landed w/ 100 prep and swept the IJA in one turn. probably low supply, weak fort, and a smaller defending unit.

B. Line islands mid 43 with loss of 12 APA and 4 CV.

C. Kodiak with 2 divisions 0 prep against a dug in jap division with supply. Mid 43. Total disaster with 2 div 100 percent disabled followed by sinking one CV and 12 APA.

D. Christmas island late 43 . Sand box declared because of allied problems with another organized invasion, Allies can have a rough time with experienced Jap player. Previous experience showed that a failed invasion will result in IJN KB intervention which will result in a push into sea. After the taking of Xmas was a big CV battle.

E. Tarawa early 44 after the Big CV fleet battle.
Landed the 40th div 100 prep. 20k stack limit. fully garrison. 40th div got total disabled and pushed back on the APA by the defensers. never seen that before. I did not suppress the island before the invasion. So I have been bombing Tarawa for 3 months as the 40th reorgs for another try later.

F. Midway, will probably fall but only after sinking the Jap KB and blasting the island with air naval for 2 weeks.
In a stock senario I would land a div and bring up a supply TF. Not in DaBabes with stack cap with the Japs in BWTS.

It appears more historical that the allies have to prep an island. I remember when I played FatR I took Truk with 5 divisions. dont think I can do that in this game.

IIRC John wrote a thesis on the Pacific war, which he has used to help himself mod this senario.

IMHO. BigRed

[John 3rd]

My Masters Thesis is entitled "Between the Storms: The Impact of Naval Disarmament on the United States Navy: 1922-1936" My research into the topic then led me to take the same topics/thoughts into the Royal Navy and Kaigun. Never would I have thought back in 1998 that the work would lead into designing Mods for a game that wasn't even thought of at that point...life is pretty crazy...

Paul's evaluation of atoll invasions is spot on. I think he has taken a long time to get it down but looks like he is now getting there. Got to get that disruption up so high as to render the troops knocked out by the time of a massed landing.

Biggest problem is that it is now mid-44 and EVERY important Japanese base is Lvl-6 Forts (some...7) and had pretty decent supply. The contracting of the perimeter and withdrawal of combat troops has really, really helped. Just lifted two entire Infantry Divisions and two Air HQ out of the Solomons/New Guinea area as Paul had pulled his operating forces back for nearly a month. Ran about 35,000 supply in and pulled out about 30,000+ troops. NICE!

[John 3rd]

Not sure why the Tosa shows on your combat screen. She looks pretty fine and reasonably healthy to me!

[RangerJoe]

Not sure why the Tosa shows on your combat screen. She looks pretty fine and reasonably healthy to me!

Torpedo hits and mine hits on ships usually show the ship as sunk, whether or not the ship sank or even suffered major damage.