Matrix Games Forums

3/2/45

Battle of Gunzan: With Death Star away, John chooses this day to engage in the Battle of Gunzan. He sends in his big guns against the three Allied combat TFs posted to protect the key port. The Battle of Korea may turn on what happens next. And the Battle of Gunzan opens with this:

3/2/45

Battle of Gunzan Opens: The Japanese TF takes on the strongest Allied TF to open the battle. It's violent and the Japanese prevail. Gulp.

3/2/45

Battle of Gunzan: The Fletcher TF evens the score and more...and the enemy TF includes E-Class ships? The Japanese navy is hurting.

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Battle of Gunzan: Hard fighting at close quarters. Now Nagato is hurting.

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Battle of Gunzan: A PT TF tangled with Nagato to no effect and Narwhal missed a shot at an IJN DD. Then this PT TF tangled with Musashi.

3/2/45

Battle of Gunzan: Bereft of CA Boston, the remaining Allies ships cross the T against Tanaka and finish of Nagato.

Musashi took four torps and should be out of the war, at least as an effective ship. Nagato sunk. Several enemy DDs and Es sunk.

The Allies lose CA Boston and at least one DD with several others heavily damaged.

I think this was John's best remaining naval TF in the Home Islands vicinity. Too much of his fighting power is off raiding the South China Sea (with a purpose - I think his plan was to draw Death Star this way).

This may have been decisive to the Battle of Korea. To win the battle, John has to control the sea and air. This may have been his best shot.

I expect a short lull now. I'm probably going to bring in some big, fast BBs from Ningpo. I'm worried about the air threat, but Gunzan airfield will go to level 8 in a day or two.

Looks like you've had your Leyte Gulf-style engagement for the Korean invasion.

3/2/45

Miri: While the fate of empires is decided at Gunzan, three enemy CAs bombard Miri to minimal effect. I think John was hoping to blunt the newly placed Allied bombers there.

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Raid On Singapore: Just before the IJN CAs bombarded Miri, Allied 4EB based there hit Singers.

Don't those IJN escorts have a top speed of < 20 knots? So John's TF would be limited to the speed of the slowest ship. Fletchers doing 35 knots would have had a field day.

Ryuho out, Mushashi out, Nagato sunk, several DD's sunk, a sub probably done for...not a bad nights work [;)]

Now to hold onto Korea [;)]

Not even a rudimentary Night Fighter defense over a base where one of his damaged Carriers is docked? For shame.

If Musahsi really took 4 torps she is likely done. Does she have float planes? If so check the aircraft screen to confirm she is lost

Those PTs may be unsung heroes - not scoring any hits but soaking off the last of the Nagato's big shells. Each engagement also interferes with enemy damage control efforts so fires grow a bit more.

It is confirmed that Musashi sank. That's a pretty good night's work.

Dan, I'm curious about one thing. With two intense games going on at the same time, how are you doing keeping the details straight between them? Do you have a big notebook for each game on your desk ?

That's a great question, Dave. The games are so utterly different - especially in terms of geography - that to this point I haven't had any trouble keeping things straight. The adrenaline rush has been pretty high the past few days. I probably can't keep up this pace for long. But the game with John is mostly managing logistics as opposed to massive battles, so it's usually not a big drain on time and energy.

3/2/45

All eyes are on Korea now. With Death Star temporarily absent, this is John's window. But today's naval battle went a long way toward's closing the window. It's not shut yet, but it's halfway down.

3/2/45

KB & DS: Where will KB head?