Illinois Yankee in the Showa Emperor's Court (Q-Ball v Canoe)

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Hey Sir. I have been reading both AARs with great interest and find this highly entertaining to read you two side-by-side. Imagine many readers could have said the same thing in Dan and I's long-running AAR over in WitP.

What ARE your plans in the Kuriles? Are simply going to build them up or will you grab some of western Aleutians?

With all the work I've done with Reluctant Admiral I am not sure of the changes within Scenario Two. Questions:

1. Do you get additional CVs and, if so, when and what?
2. What are the major aircraft changes? You are in mid-to-late March so you have to be thinking Tony/Tojo. Do they come in at a different time? What about Zero variants?
3. I know that, unlike RA, you get a TON of starting supply and fuel. What is your state there right now?

Sorry for stupid questions if you've answered these already!

KURILES: I am building Para Jima, and started work on Onnek-Jima, whatever that island is. I have converted both bases to General Defense (R), so I have reserve airpower nearby. I also plan to airlift out an Air HQ to Para Jima, to allow for torps. I will send some Nav Gd, but don't plan a huge ground commit at this point.

RE: Scen 2 Differences:

1. CVs: You don't really get anything extra in CVs, except a) the SHINANO is now a TAIHO-class, so worth building, but still WAY out there, and b) the CVEs have organic airgroups, which is useful. But there are no extra flattops.
2. AIRCRAFT: Some availability dates are moved up; Tojo is 6/42, Jill and Judy come a few months early, etc. The At-start pool had more planes in it, and there are a few more air units available. There is more IJN air in particular.
3. FUEL/SUPPLY: There is a big difference in Fuel, and the economy in general. It seems there are more Resources available, and FUEL all over the place. As a result, I am expanding HI, something I have not done in Scen 1 much.

To JohnDillworth's point, I do have some extra LCUs available as well in Scenario 2 that make India possible, though probably still tough. But you get about another Army (3 Divisions) available the first few months, and lots of extra goodies like an extra Tank Bde, Base Forces, etc.

BTW, I suggested Scenario 1 to Dan, and he preferred #2. I was dubious as I am a stickler for history, but I must say I like it. It allows the Japanese player to really press the Allied more, and though it's not historically realistic, it gives a better overall game. There is no doubt the Japanese have more "Depth" in this scenario.

[KenchiSulla]

Have you thought about the garrison requirements in India? Do we even know req. for the japanese?

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder

Have you thought about the garrison requirements in India? Do we even know req. for the japanese?

See my post #139.

Alfred

[KenchiSulla]

Just saw it, missed it on the scan through... so sorry! I am curious about the outcome

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder

Have you thought about the garrison requirements in India? Do we even know req. for the japanese?

See my post #139.

Alfred

Yeah, it's 3380, which is a HUGE number. Too big that I agree with your assessment on that post Alfred: Even if the Japanese take India, they are completely hamstrung with that garrison requirement.

That 3380, plus the fact that the Allies get something like 5 good divisions if I approach Karachi, means that even in Scen 2, a conquest of India is just about impossible.

So, why am I attempting it you ask?[&:]

Well, a few reasons:

1. It hasn't been attempted before in an AAR, so why not
2. It was either that or Australia
3. There should be some long-term benefit from grinding down the British, who do have limitations in replacements, vs. grinding down the US which is a bottomless pit of replacements. It will be helpful to protect my flank in SE Asia againts a massive British land invasion, which is very possible (see Dan's game vs. Miller)
4. It's only a game, so what the hell.....[8D]

There aren't alot of good options against an experienced opponent, so we have to make-do.

In the end, I don't think I'm attempting a conquest of ALL India. I anticipate stalling or getting stopped at some point short of the "magic line" that activates all those goodies for the Allies, but I hope at that point I have a good chunk of India, have inflicted alot of casualties on the Brits, and maybe have Auto-Victory.

PS, I have noticed that Dan's AAR is blowing up these days, with alot of comments

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Q-Ball,

Back in classical WITP, a co-ordinated paradrop and sea landing onthe same turn, effectively reduced the defenders AV. If you have any paras available (you wouldn't have to even drop an entire para unit, just a few squads would suffice), dropping them on Chittagong simultaneously with your sea landing might pay off handsomely.

Alfred

I did not know this....REALLY? Is this still true in AE?

That's good to know. YES, I have paras at Mandalay; I planned to drop them on Dot bases in NE India. I will use them if this works....

[Nemo121]

Yes, if you drop paras on the enemy on the same turn as you attack it should halve base AV ( which should halve adjusted AV ) and makes assaults which would be impossible suddenly successful. Some people find it an exploit though. I tend not to use it BUT it was the way things worked in WiTP and should still work in AE.


As to Ceylon... I think that this is going to be the speedbump which makes the invasion of India impractical. I really think you'd have been better to bypass if you were seriously going for India proper. It is a side effort which is not absolutely essential to the capture of mainland India and which takes time which will allow the defenders in India to be boosted in terms of strength and preparation.

What efforts are you making to utterly prevent reinforcements from Aden and Capetown while the battle for Ceylon rages? Right now whatever reinforcements are in either place won't be being sent to Oz, they'll all be heading for India. Are you going to prevent their entry into the region over the next fortnight while Ceylon ties your troops up?

[BrucePowers]

Evil Smile. I like it..............

[witpqs]

I think the para thing is OK if you drop a unit (or attempt to, sometimes transports are interdicted). Of course if it's a huge battle maybe you should drop a big para unit or multiple small ones.

It's an exploit if you just use a few squads to get the effect.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121
As to Ceylon... I think that this is going to be the speedbump which makes the invasion of India impractical. I really think you'd have been better to bypass if you were seriously going for India proper. It is a side effort which is not absolutely essential to the capture of mainland India and which takes time which will allow the defenders in India to be boosted in terms of strength and preparation.

What efforts are you making to utterly prevent reinforcements from Aden and Capetown while the battle for Ceylon rages? Right now whatever reinforcements are in either place won't be being sent to Oz, they'll all be heading for India. Are you going to prevent their entry into the region over the next fortnight while Ceylon ties your troops up?

I don't disagree that Ceylon takes away from the impact of a whole India invasion. But I don't think taking all of India was ever practical; though I thought of it, it's not really my goal. My goal is to attrite the British, and sieze enough territory to possibly get Auto-Victory; NE India might do it.

The reason I don't think taking India is practical:

1. The garrison requirement of 3380 AV is extreme, and right there will use up more and more divisions the deeper I get

2. Once I approach Karachi, the Allies get about 2000 quality AV in instant reinforcements, some of them on the continent.

So, the Allies gain 2000 AV while I lose 3380 AV....that's bad math.


In order to absolutely prevent the reinforcement of India, I would need to occupy an airbase close to Karachi....which triggers the 2000 AV Allied reinforcement, thereby negating any benefit I would gain by isolating Karachi. Not to mention that isolating Karachi by air is dicey; convoys can enter from off-map and unload quickly, and that assumes your Bettys launch in a nice neat package, which you can't count on 100%. Even if you do hit the transports, as long as a good chunk of troops unload, you don't win that battle.

The only way to for sure keep Karachi closed without triggering a massive Allied Army is to park Combined Fleet off Karachi. That would work, but also create mucho problems elsewhere, not to mention exposing those ships to attack from the Allied Fleet eventually.

I am sending KB up the coast to threaten Karachi, but this has to be more of a raid than a real long-term attempt; I am just hoping to buy a few days.

So, to attain my primary goals of A) Attrition of the British, and B) Securing points for possible auto-victory, Ceylon does fit. There is nowhere to retreat, so although Dan will undoubtedly take out cadres to rebuild, I should destroy the equivalent of 2 good divisions in the process (the 18th UK, plus 2-3 quality Indian Bdes, and other odds and ends), not to mention the 100+ RAF planes I have shot down for minimal loss.

Against a good opponent, there are not a ton of great options. Australia presents many of the same problems as India, save for the garrison requirements are smaller, but you are more likely to bump into the US Army there, which is why I chose India.

PS on the PARAS: I agree that sounds like a cheap exploit. I won't be doing that. Not unless I want Dan doing the same thing to me later on, which I don't. What's good for the goose as they say.....

For the same reason I am not doing "Cheap" PP buys using the 25% exploit and flooding troops into India, just buying "The Old Fashioned Way". Even so, I almost have enough PP to buy another Division from Manchukuo or Home Islands. (I have already bought the 1st Div, and 52nd)

[crsutton]

I might add that as an Allied player it is virtually impossible to take Northern OZ back via the overland route if Japan keeps a strong force there. The supply will just not flow. One of the patches did this. So, in scen #2 N. Oz can be held much longer than in scen 1. I suppose that is pretty much the whole idea of scen #2 [;)]

[JohnDillworth]

From here it looks like Bombay does not trigger the re-enforcements. Is that within sweep range of Karachi? you can go 2 ways supress Karachi from the air and guard the exit chutes with surface forces. Or keep the KB based at Bombay. Split it (yes, split it)and keep 1/2 it within striking distance of the exit chutes. Block all re-enforcements and go for the auto victory. Also, line every hex from the chute to Karachi with subs and have good search.

[Nemo121]

Well, why garrison? You only need garrisons if you want to preserve the LOCs and means of production.

Personally I would suggest that preserving one LOC to Karachi and allowing the other cities to all lose their means of supply is the optimum solution. Why?
1. It allows you to supply the drive to Karachi.
2. It avoids tieing down many IJA troops in meaningless garrisons and thus preserves the strength of your main drive.
3. Since the recapture of India is impossible to avoid you might as well focus on letting the Allies recapture an empty husk which has no supply production and which thus necessitates the committment of more of their AKs to hauling supplies and making an overland attack into Burma even less promising than ever.


So, why commit those garrison troops? Only a small fraction are actually essential. Perhaps it would be better to simply garrison the Calcutta region so as to gain some HI benefits from India but leave the rest of the country ( except for one inland supply route to Karachi ) to whither away and die in terms of HI, LI and resources. If necessary a temporary garrison of the port nearest Karachi could allow 150,000 tons to be brought in there once Karachi was besieged, enough to take Karachi and then a additional supply drops could be made to coastal bases to allow their defences to build up. Inland regions can be left whither.


Certainly that was my analysis of the most effective means of utilising troops during the invasion of India.


As to closing Karachi... If you are committing 10+ divisions then you shouldn't be chary of committing KB. India is a strategically vital objective. As such it warrants the committment of your primary strategic decider - KB. IMO you have got to commit fully to this sort of thing or don't do it at all. Right now I think it is time for you to begin thinking about parking KB off Karachi with some elements at Ceylon to oppose raiding of your SLOCs/ allow shuttle replenishment etc.

That's just my take of course.

[Mistmatz]

If the idea is to conquer all of India to achieve autovictory he has to garrison. Otherwise he would loose VPs every turn for ungarrisoned bases messing up the 4:1 quota.

[Nemo121]

Indeed... Sorry, I don't think about autovictory conditions. Others do, of course, justifiably differ. That;s just my personal preference.

So, yes, that changes the equation a bit. Thanks for reminding me of that. Best to disregard my non-garrisoning plan then.

[Q-Ball]

'Tis a problem, isn't it, on how to get Auto-victory, and get the Allies? This is why I think it's harder to play Japan. And I've played both.

Combat Report, Mar 16-17, 1942:

Ceylon: At Trincomalee, back to back attacks dropped the forts to 1, both attacks at 1-1 odds. I am shock attacking tommorow to hopefully topple the place; if that doesn't work, I have more troops coming up, so should be able to clear it in a couple more days.

My first attack on Colombo was 1-1, and dropped the forts to 3; we need to wait a bit before another attack however.

We should have Ceylon cleared relatively soon though with those results.

Soerbaya: Soerbaya, and the remnants of the KNIL, fell on the 16th. All units surrendered.

That took a little longer than anticipated; then again, I was only using 1 division plus a few odds and ends, so if I wanted it sooner, I would have used more.

These units are all now either a) prepping for India, or b) the most banged-up ones are resting, and will constitue a strategic reserve in case Dan tries something in the DEI.

With the fall of Soerbaya, 78 Allied aircraft were destroyed on the ground; that was a little surprising, particularly since the flying boats could have flown to Menado or Dili, the last Dutch bases with any kind of support. But they didn't; they just died. So much for the Dutch airforce.

So, the SRA is completely conquered.

Australia: I pulled the single unit off Palm Island; with India underway, no sense attempting to sell Dan anymore on an Australian adventure. I do still occupy Cooktown, but the unit there is scheduled to withdraw in 60 days anyway, so no harm, no foul.

Troops are approaching Daly Waters; I have kicked the Aussies down south. I am having trouble drawing supplies, though, from Darwin; I think this is courtesy of the latest patches, seems to cut both ways, though that hurts the Allies more. That's OK.

China: I should pay more attention to China, but for the most part, I have halted operations there. Dan basically ceded control of any clear terrain and outlying cities I wanted and fled to high-ground, where I don't really have the strength to kick him out. Looks like we are both settling into a stalemate, for now there.

I am scraping up enough troops to attack Nanning in the south, but other than that, I am positioning troops and building trenches to build a defense line against the Chinese.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

PS on the PARAS: I agree that sounds like a cheap exploit. I won't be doing that. Not unless I want Dan doing the same thing to me later on, which I don't. What's good for the goose as they say.....

For the same reason I am not doing "Cheap" PP buys using the 25% exploit and flooding troops into India, just buying "The Old Fashioned Way". Even so, I almost have enough PP to buy another Division from Manchukuo or Home Islands. (I have already bought the 1st Div, and 52nd)

In his previous games, your opponent has demonstrated a great willingness to use paradrops (think of 50th Indian in CBI in particular). I would therefore strongly urge you to get him to agree to a HR to prevent paradopping simultaneously with sealanding attack.

Same also re "cheap" buys. When you want to achieve a MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) environment, it is best to establish the agreed parameters in advance rather than stumbling into a potentional Cuban Missile crisis. It would be a shame if you so restricted yourself now only to find out later that your opponent, for whatever reason, did not demonstrate the same self control.

Alfred

[witpqs]

Q-Ball,

My comment was meant to convey that IMO para drops can be used in a gamey way, not that combined sea+para ops are always gamey. IMO sea+para are fine unless done in a gamey way.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

'Tis a problem, isn't it, on how to get Auto-victory, and get the Allies? This is why I think it's harder to play Japan. And I've played both...

...China: I should pay more attention to China, but for the most part, I have halted operations there. Dan basically ceded control of any clear terrain and outlying cities I wanted and fled to high-ground, where I don't really have the strength to kick him out. Looks like we are both settling into a stalemate, for now there.

I am scraping up enough troops to attack Nanning in the south, but other than that, I am positioning troops and building trenches to build a defense line against the Chinese.

Shameless plug for my earlier posts #84 (re VPs in India) and #110 (re China)[:)]

There are a lot of VPs which can be garnered by destroying Chinese army units. IMHO as you are trying to achieve an Auto Victory, it is wrong to halt operations in China. A single thrust against Nanning alone is probably insufficient to place enough pressure to crack open the Allied position.

I would be looking at creating the conditions leading to breaking the Chinese position in the summer. That entails maneouvering now to find weak spots and turning positions but above all creating a consumption of supply through the autumn to spring period to result in Chinese starvation come summer.

Alfred

[witpqs]

Allied supply IS the big deal in China.