Tokyo Rose was a Hussy! Chez (J) vs. Canoe (A)

[JohnDillworth]

On a personal note, we are taking our oldest child (daughter) to college 3.5 hours from home this weekend. This is coming as a huge shock to the system. It's exciting and fun, but daunting and unsettling and (I have to admit) very, very sad. In fact, I think it may be one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with, and I just didn't see it coming in this way. Somebody should have prepared me - perhaps it should be a class in college or lessons you get before you go about conceiving children. For when I left for college many years ago, all I felt was excitement and adventure. I had no idea I was leaving behind parents who were excited and glad and very, very sad.

Doing the same next week with daughter #2. Daughter #1 is coming home to attend graduate school but she when she away it was a lot closer. It's 8 hours away with air travel not an option. That's a long way to be from my little girl. Her and her mom need a little separation at this point to appreciate each other. Tough on me though, but it's time. In this economy away at school is a good place to be. You have done your best with her, it is time, and she will be fine. You have email and Skype and instant messenger and she will be back for Thanksgiving I'm sure. Congratulations to you and the Mrs. for getting her ready for this.

[kfsgo]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: House Stark
Will supply definitely be an issue for him on those roads? I'm just remembering Rader's overland trek to Port Moresby in Greyjoy's AAR. I don't know if your opponent would try any shenanigans like that, but it seems theoretically possible.

That's the million dollar question. I confess I don't know. I watched rader's march across the Owen Stanleys with alarm, but I've also seen situation where it was very difficult to draw supply over bad terrain (Assam and NW Oz being two examples).

I would say there's a grave threat that massive IJ supply stacks at Medan, Sabang, etc. might spread through non-base hexes while leaving base hexes short (this often seems to the be the case in China and NW OZ in games that I've played).

If Steve brings 15 divisions across Sumatra's yellow-road system, it will be a different kind of battle. The advance will take awhile, especially since the Allies will use B-17s for harrassment purposes. Too, the Allies will see it coming and can configure their defenses to make stands at the optimal points. Third, the campaign would of necessity drag out a long time, possibly putting the Allies in the position of strongly reinforcing Sumatra.

If Japan keeps the KB posted around Sumatra, the Allies can take advantage elsewhere. If Japan diverts the KB elsewhere, there's not way Japan can impose a blockade.

So, no matter what happens, Japan faces some very difficult choices now.

What do I take from this? If I'm the Japanese payer, I'm going to attend to Palembang in December 1941 or January 1942.

Supplies...well, this is the supply cost map for Medan, for example:



I forget what the 2 flow/4 flow limits are, but iirc any hex above 30 will draw supply at least once per week. Since there are no supply limits and bases closer than Medan to Southern Sumatra exist, I'd say it'd be perfectly possible, supply-wise. Of course, it'd also take at least two months for an infantry LCU to make the trip from Medan to Palembang, and that's in move mode, which you can bomb'em out of...do you have any small LCUs you can push north of Padang/Pakanbaru? Seems like a situation where it'd be useful to have a small force on the spot, if only to tell you what's coming.

[Canoerebel]

6/21/42
 
Mission Accomplished:  We "delivered' our daughter to college yesterday.  Today, she's with a group hiking in Great Smokey Mountains Naitonal Park and reports making "many new friends already."  That's music to my ears, but I wanna tell you, yesterday was one of the hardest days I've ever gone through.  But I think the patient is now well on his way to making a complete recovery.

The Game: One of the quietest turns of the war.  The only things worth reporting:

KB:  Part or all of the KB remains stationed east of the middle-Malaya peninsula.  I have no idea what it's doing up there, but I'm glad to be able to keep tabs on it.

CenPac:  I-175 put a TT into an xAK carrying part of an EAB to Tarawa.  The Japanese CL/DD force is still cruising in waters where alot of Allied transports TFs want to transit in the short term.  Warspite TF has refueld at Christmas Island and will be back in the area in two days.  Wasp TF will reach Christmas tomorrow or the day after to refuel.  I feel certain a Mini-KB force is on the way to this theater.  All of this suggests that a major clash could happen.  There's risk in moving into an escalating meeting engagement, but I'm willing to take some risk on. In part, that's because the Allies have a very strong grip on Tarawa, meaning we're fighting in waters that are no better than neutral for Japan, and which could actually be hostile.  The Baker Island invasion force is well south of Pearl.  D-Day in about six to eight days.

[Cribtop]

If he split his CVs, you could be headed for a big win in the Gilberts.

Glad to hear you got through Operation Dropoff. Not to panic you again, but do remember that statistically speaking about half of those "many many new friends" are college boys. [X(]

[Fishbed]

Well, even split down to a couple CVs, a Japanese CarDiv could very well overwhelm tiny Wasp, even backed up with some Marine planes on an airstrip, and chew up a BB force. I wouldn't intervene without better knowledge of where it is. Canoerebel, I kinda fear you may be feeling the first signs of addiction to victory disease too, even if these are only fumes so far [;)]

Best wishes of success for Mademoiselle Canoerebel at College! Hope everything will be fine for her!

[Cribtop]

Wow, Fishbed. Me too. You know, I forgot CR only had Wasp there. Keeping CVs together is such an article of faith sometimes that I forgot he only had one. [Smacks own head].

[Canoerebel]

Don't forget, I also have Long Island there.  The pair should be nigh unto unstoppable.
 
 

[Fishbed]

Yeah USS Long "16 knot Redshirt" Island. I just hope that SigInt will not sell too early to Chez the dreadful fact that the "unstoppable" lady is sailing into Tokyo Bay just as we speak [:D] [;)]

[String]

[Reply to Message] All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! Page: << < prev 45 46 47 48 [49]

IIRC Long Island doesn't fly combat mission as it doesn't have any ordnance load?

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: String

[Reply to Message] All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Das darf nicht var sein! Page: << < prev 45 46 47 48 [49]

IIRC Long Island doesn't fly combat mission as it doesn't have any ordnance load?

My Tracker says it has 90 sorties. Not much but capacity is only 16 too... In comparison, the smallest IJN CVE has Capacity of 20 (later 18), 6 torpedoes and 220 sorties.

How many non-CV carriers does he have left after the Java Sea incident? If hes coming he might send the slow Junyo and Hiyo too. They only carry 39 planes a ship now... What the KB could possibly do at Georgetown: waiting for its 7/42 air group expansions. He will be able to use the full CV capacities then, and some of the originally land-based D3A units(ie. Saeki Ku T-1) also resize in June to 27 planes, Taiyo class' capacity. His CV air arm will expand by over a hundred planes if he uses all of the allowed 109% of capacity, especially with 4 reserve planes in each group that only take 0.25 planes of capacity each...

[steamboateng]

Conoerbel, spent 3 full days to get thru your AAR. Quite a good read. Especially enjoyed the various 'Nemo Tomes' iterjected here and there. Your quite a good player, so his comments add another layer of thought to the game. I must admit that 'culminating point', used as a noun, defining a point of conflict was quite surprising, as the only recent usage of the term I've noticed is as a verb/adverb phrase in KY his 'n hers commercials!

Sending a child off to College is, indeed, a heartfelt event, not to be trifled with. I sent two, while still shipping out, and was very much more concerned with Mom's empy nest. Hearty lass that she is, she weathered the seas.

[Canoerebel]

6/22/42 and 6/23/42

DEI: No sign of the KB at the moment. A big TF carrying a stout Aussie CD force arrives at Oosthaven tomorrow or the day after. The port is protected by three BB TFs plus 500+ fighters, so I think the TF is in good shape. The advance IJ army on Java finally made it to Batavia and should take the base (garrisoned by 30 AV) tomorrow. So the noose continues to close, but too slowly and inneffectively it seems. A detachment of USA tanks that got cut off on Sumatra's south coast after retreating from Sabang months ago finally made it through the jungles and then along yellow roads to join the Allied garrison at besieged Sibolga.

Burma: CL Hobart and some DDs really messed up a loaded IJ transport TF near Tavoy, sinking an E, SC, probably an AK and three our four xAP, and damaging a few other xAP. This TF seemed to be carrying an armored unit somewhere. The Japanese are moving in force up the parallel Burma roads to Toungoo and Magwe. I'm debating whether to stand or slowly retire. For now, I'll stand.

China: Quiet, though a Chinese army will move out tonight to try to catch an solitary IJ division that shouldn't be left where it is, but probably will be judging from previous experience.

NoPac: Still no move on the Allied bases in the Kuriles. If the status quo lasts another month, the Allies should be ready for the reinforcement/re-supply mission that would actually be a major operation if successful.

CenPac: Much going on here. The Baker Island amphibious force is perhas three days out. Lots of small, unescorted transport TFs carrying Sea Bees, EAB, and other things are closing on Tarawa, Ocean, and Tabituea. The IJN CL force has retired to Majuero or vicinity to refuel. The Warspite TF is closing on Tarawa from the east (three days out), and the Wasp TF is trailing Warspite by a day. I'd like to hammer the IJ CL force when it sorties against the Allied transport shipping, then retire Wasp to NoPac to handle the aforementioned operation there...all the while keeping an eye out for Japanese carriers.

SoPac: Quiet. No indication that Japan is going to try to bring in enough troops to take the island from the recently-reinforced Allied garrison.

[Canoerebel]

6/24/42
&nbsp;
Java:&nbsp; Using three divisions (4, 52, Imperial Guards), Japan takes nearly vacant&nbsp;Batavia.&nbsp; All three divisions are somewhat weakened through campaigning (part of 4th was lost while landing on Java), with AVs showing in the 300s.&nbsp; No IJ base force unit is present, so it should be a bit before the Allies contend with a major IJ airfield in proximity to Sumatra.
&nbsp;
Sumatra:&nbsp; 6th Aussie CD force will unload at Oosthaven tonight under the protection of three big combat TFs and 600+ fighters.&nbsp; A big enemy TF showing some CVs (but I'm not sure about that) is north of Batavai, but I've got to protect the port for a few more turns.&nbsp; Another enemy CV force (this one I'm more confident about) is east of Malaya, the same position in which IJN carriers have been seen before.&nbsp; Palembang forts are 6.90.&nbsp; Reinforcements and engineers are on the final run in to Cocos Island.
&nbsp;
China:&nbsp; That exposed IJA division has pulled into Chengchow, where there are 15 IJ units reported.&nbsp; So I'll scrub the mission to move in that direction.
&nbsp;
CenPac:&nbsp; A goodly part of 5th Marine CD came ashore at Tarawa (not including the big guns, yet), with one xAK taking a TT.&nbsp; Lots of small TFs are nearing the various Allied-held ports, with Warspite and Wasp TFs trailing in succession as noted in yesterday's post.&nbsp; I expect to take some losses here (I think Steve will be springing an ambush), but no matter what happens that Allies can take advantage of the situation or knowledge gained.&nbsp; D-Day at Baker Island is no more than three days away, and all the activity to the west should screen it from the enemy (and that's the biggest&nbsp;consideration at the moment).
&nbsp;
NoPac:&nbsp; CAs Ashigara and Nachi are still up here.
&nbsp;
Summary:&nbsp;&nbsp;With the fall of Batavia and the&nbsp;impending fall of Merak, the noose will have closed fairly tightly around Sumatra (the Allied hold on Cocos Island prevents the noose from being what I would consider tight).&nbsp; The Allies seem to be in pretty good position now to weather the seige months ahead.

[Canoerebel]

6/25/42
&nbsp;
CenPac:&nbsp; Most of 5th Marine CD force is ashore on Tarawa.&nbsp;&nbsp;Patrols didn't catch sight of the enemy combat TF, but my ships have been in place for two days - long enough for Steve to send in a combat TF.&nbsp; Therefore, I'm going to pull my ships&nbsp;back&nbsp;for a few days, allowing the Warpsite TF to come into port while the Wasp/Long Island TFs remain posted to the east.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, a Sea Bee-toting TF will begin unloading at Tabituea tomorrow.&nbsp; I'm also weighing whether&nbsp;to D-Day Baker Island tomorrow or the next day (the TF is four hexes away, but I want to be sure I have both morning and afternoon&nbsp;for maximum unloading).
&nbsp;
SoPac:&nbsp;&nbsp;Enemy TF of unknown type between Pago&nbsp;Pago and Suva.&nbsp; I'm intereted&nbsp;in seeing what it might be.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the moment, the Allies have three&nbsp;supply xAKL unloading in port, the only shippnig in the area.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
DEI:&nbsp; 6th Aussie CD unit unloads successfully at Oosthaven and will entrain for the trip to Benkolen (the Allies have tons of naval support at Oosthaven - mainly from the Java Dutch units that were moved here - that make unloading a snap).&nbsp; Many less experienced Allied units have had months to train at Oosthaven and Palembang.&nbsp; For instance, the Zuid unit's experienced has increased from 38 to 48 during the interval.&nbsp; This is yet another cost to Japan's delay in dealing with Sumatra expeditiously.&nbsp; Palembang forts to 6.93.
&nbsp;
Burma:&nbsp; 33rd Div. has arrived at Toungoo, while 6th Guards Div. is on the parallel road.&nbsp; Steve would undoubtedly like to flank, isolate and destroy.&nbsp; I'm still undecided between making a stand at Toungoo and withdrawing to the Mandalay/Schwebo regions where the MLR would be more continuguous and less susceptible to isolation.
&nbsp;
China:&nbsp; Quiet.&nbsp; The Japanese seem to be concentrating at Chengchow.&nbsp; The Chinese will monitor for opportunities or problems.&nbsp; With 9,000+ AV in the immediate area, the Chinese can handle whatever Japan might try.
&nbsp;
NoPac:&nbsp; Quiet.&nbsp; CL Trenton TF will try to intercept small enemy TF at Amchitka tonight.

[Cribtop]

I vote fall back in Burma. Drag his army out of position in the Burmese interior and land at Moulmein again when PPs allow the next wave of reinforcements to be used offensively. I am also factoring into the equation that risk of losing 27th Div is more than you want to pay for the Burma op. The objective was primarily to delay at Sumatra, and you can continue to achieve that objective so long as those 2 IJA Divisions are in Burma and not available for use elsewhere.

[Canoerebel]

Cribtop:&nbsp; That's good advice, methinks.&nbsp; I'll probably withdraw the troops in a campaign meant to slow Japan and force her to alloocate more aircraft and men.
&nbsp;
To Replace Percival or Not:&nbsp; Question for the peanut gallery - Should I replace A. Percival, the commanding officer of Malaya HQ at Palembang?&nbsp; He's terrible - with a command rating of 35 and an inspiration rating of 25.&nbsp; But it costs 150 political points to replace him, and those are precious points that could be used to good effect for a thousand other purposes.&nbsp;The Allies have more than enough support at Palembang&nbsp;to handle the troops, and&nbsp;there are a variety of other HQ units including ABDA.&nbsp; So, would replacing Percival really help the defense of Palembang?&nbsp; If so, would it make sense to simply keep 150 PP in reserve, only to be spent at the last moment if and when an IJ army arrives there?
&nbsp;
Japanese Aircraft in the Pacific:&nbsp; Recon reports more than 100 IJ aircraft at Suva.&nbsp; This may be a sign that Japan is going to try an all-out push to take Pago Pago.&nbsp; Also, Japan has a number of Netties stationed within striking range of Tarawa.&nbsp; These are good signs since it means less IJ aircraft allocated in the DEI.&nbsp; But I would really love to see Japan spend more time, assets, and resources in Pago Pago aka "Little Vietnam."

[witpqs]

You paid for the HQ and/or tons of troops, you might as well pay to boot Percival. His impact on your forces performance will be quite devastating if you leave him in place. It is possible he is already affecting things like construction time and unit training.

[Canoerebel]

Wow, that's some good "prodding" there.&nbsp; Sounds reasonable.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
I only have 70 PP at the moment after using 600 two days ago to buy a US Marine regiment posted at Capetown (and now on the way to Cocos Island).&nbsp; So I might be able to boot Percival in about two days.
&nbsp;
The political point juggling is really tough on the Allies.&nbsp; There's not nearly enough to do what needs to be done.&nbsp; I get the feeling it affects the Allies much more than Japan.

[ckammp]

re: Percival

A couple things to consider

1) 150 PPs looks high on paper, but it is only 3 days worth of PPs.

2) Where is ABDA HQ? Malaya Army HQ is subordinate to ADBA, so if ABDA HQ is in Palembang it's GOC should be in charge. Of course, Brooke-Popham is little better than Percival (skill-45, inspiration-35), but he only costs 50 PP.

3) If you do sack Percival, who would be his replacement?

4) Lastly, remember withdraw dates - Malaya Army HQ withdraws 421231, ABDA HQ withdraws 421010. I know those are still a few months away, but does it make sense to spend a lot of PPs, then see the unit withdraw anyway?

My opinion - keep Percival for now, but make sure you have the PPs just in case.

[Canoerebel]

More intersting input.  Thanks, ckammp.

I am aware of the withdrawal dates, but I think the Battle of Sumatra will be over by then.  IE, if Japan hasn't taken Palembang by December 31, it's lost the battle no matter what happens from there. So it may be worth swapping out Percival if he would have an affect on the battle or prep for the battle.

So, if Percival can have a negative affect on fighting at Palembang, or hurts Allied efforts to build forts on the performance of AA units, it's worth swapping him out.

So, what do you guys think?  Can the commander of an HQ unit affect the performance of engineer units in the hex?