ENLIST TODAY (Docup (A) vs Koniu (J) No Koniu

[DOCUP]

19th Dec 43
 
Down and dirty report here.
 
Burma
ID in the open gets hammered by Jap air.  Over 500 KIA from Jap bombing missions.
 
N. Oz
My CA bombardment group doesn't go as far as I'd like.  So I recall them.  Next turn a bunch of LB TFs with 1 to 9 ships pop up around Ambon.  The 9 ship TF I don't know the composition of.  My Amphib TF for some reason only travels a few hexs on the 18 so we aren't in a good postion.  We might have to take 3 more days to be able to land troops.  I feel the KB is close but out of range of my search planes.  I do have them at dot bases and such (3 different bases).  I'm hoping to make Koniu show his cards to soon.  I have put all CVE fighters on 0 hex CAP (50%) from 20k down to 5k.  CVs are on 50% CAP out to a range of 7 with one on 0 range.  20k down to 5k spaced out every 5K feet.  Bombers are at range of 7 all at 15k feet.   Subs are close to position or at patrol zones. 
 
Wotje
3BB Jap bombardment group moves into town.  They sink CL Detroit, 3 DEs and a bunch of xAKs and maybe a DD. We don't do much to the Jap TF. They plaster the AF closeing it down today.  It should be open by tomorrow day phase.  14 planes are lost in the bombardment. I did have a 1 PT TF get into the mess.  I tried to create a PT TF but only one ship was produced.  Don't know why but I have seen it before in an AI game.  Almost 40k worth of supply has been dropped off.  I brought in more Cats for NavS.  I didn't see this Jap TF coming.  They got out of range of my DBs.  1 more day and I will be able to have TBs in this area.

[JocMeister]

You have a finite pool of PT boats that can run dry. Its hidden in "ship availability" tab. [:)]

[DOCUP]

Joc: I have them in the pool.  I think it has something to do with supplies and fuel.

[JocMeister]

Then I have no clue! [:)]

[DOCUP]

21st Dec 43
 
Burma
Japs bomb my units in the open south of Prome and find one of the big AA units.  We damage a bunch of Helens.
 
N. Oz
My ships are ready to unload troops and supplies on the next turn.  No signs of the KB or anything else besides what's been around the area.
 
Marshalls
Wotje AF damage has only been repaired by 1 point each day.  Not for sure why. I have 10 eng vehicles and 35 engs with 40k supplies. No bombing missions of Roi Namur.
 
In other new we both sink xAKs and I also put a TT into a PB.

[JocMeister]

Good luck! [:)]

[DOCUP]

Thanks Joc.  This seems to easy.  I think I will regret saying that.  I'm looking over the turn and I can't find anything to do.  I have been so focused on my last 2 ops that I can't see anything else to do.
 
Also Saumlaki has an IR and a BF of some type.  So I hope my ID, 2 tank units and combat Engs can do the job.   I need to get the ball rolling and start fighting.

[JocMeister]

Get in and get out fast and fingers crossed KB isn´t ready to strike at the landing. [:)]

[JocMeister]

I read konius AAR, hang in there! In the big scheme of things its just a small setback. Keep fighting and you will get there!

[DOCUP]

22nd Dec 43
 
I loose another CV battle.  I have yet to win one. 
 
N. Oz
Japs send all their CVs into battle.  They end up a few hexs north of Saumlaki.  Weather protects the invasion TFs but not my CVs.  I had 2 CV TFs.  They were suppose to have stayed together but they didn't.  One went to a new patrol zone another just stayed put even thought they were both suppose to follow a SAG.   It happens.  So I lose 4 CVs, 3 CVLs, and a few other ships.  I have 2 CVs and a CVL left.  One CV is on fire but can travel a few hexs.  The other CV is lightly damaged but can only go 1 hex due to op points. The CVL can make it also.  I landed just about all my troops on Saumlaki with 13k of supply.   I figure I'll lose the other 2 CVs.  I don't know how to protect the one that can't move without losing more ships.  I might send some DDs to try and cover it, but that won't do much.
 
I am leaving some of the supply ships at Saumlaki to drop off supply.  PT TF one will head north towards the Jap CVs, PT TF 2 will hang around Saumlaki.  I don't think I sank anything, I did damage a few ships.  I suck. Koniu said I shot down 450 planes.  Oh well. The anger is coming back as I type this. 
 
I will fight on but its going to be a boring game for awhile.  I will get like 16 CVs or so and some CVLs with a bunch of CVEs.  I am thinking What I can do later.  I have ideas now but have to focus on getting out of Saumlaki. 
 
I'm not quitting the game.  I just suck at it.

[obvert]

I admire your grit! Keep it going DOCUP.

Also, don't just shovel this under the rug. Make sure you understand what led to this disaster. Your opponent is playing well of course, but there are a few things that seem like they could have been avoided. Pick this apart and make sure you learn from it.

[zuluhour]

Still here with you as well, can you send some kind of small SCTFs at the KB, force him to retire?

[veji1]

You are a great player Docup, just to be playing a PBEM at this date is being a great player anyway ! Keep up the fight and I admire your grit.

[DOCUP]

Thanks Guys.
 
Been busy here at home.  With the Chemical spill in the drinking water, working 8 12 hour midnight shifts in a row and some personal things, I haven't been able to do anything.
 
I also want to say.  That I am not angry at Koniu or anything.  He is playing a great game.  Hes a better player than I am.
 
Obvert:  Your right I made mistakes and need to take stock of them. Thanks.
 
Kurt:  I am going to try and do that and send one to cover my lone CV from a SAG. I am thinking about putting my CVEs into the same hex to provide some fighter cover along with LRCAP. Thanks
 
Veji1: Thanks.  When I saw the turn.  I never thought of quitting.  My thought was this is going to be a long boring war.
 
Now I need to spend some time with the wife.

[zuluhour]

Seems I play most of the war carrier-less.[:(]

[JocMeister]

Hang in there DOCUP. It can still be a lot of fun! [:)]

It doesn´t have to be a couple of boring months. But you will have to adjust your play accordingly. Even with all CVs gone you should have some CVEs by now? 10-15 or something? And soon they will start pouring in. Soon your CVE fleet alone will be bigger then the KB. Dump the 9 TBs from them and let the fighter squadron fill out the capacity. That should give you a 300-400 plane CAP for now. Not stellar but enough to withstand a medium sized LBA strike in the BETA. You need Hellcats or Corsairs. Wildkittens won´t do it. Never, ever use Kittens on CV/CVLs/CVEs. That is almost the only benefit an allied player has from PDU ON. Don´t waste it!

The key is to be where the KB isn´t. It will be the same as playing in 42. You have to be where the KB can´t reach in time to intervene. My bet is koniu is going to keep the KB somewhere close enough to the DEI as this is the most dangerous approach for him. This opens up CENTPAC, NOPAC, Sumatra, Adamans and the Burmese coast. You have to feint and deceive to get him to move the KB to where you want to. In this case force him to be honest in the DEI and keep KB there while you do something somewhere else. Or try to fool him with a fake invasion somewhere, wait and see if the KB shows up and then do something in the DEI. You have many, many options still open for you.

Oh, and buy back any destroyed CV fighter squadrons you can. Its expensive as hell but worth every little PP. When they resize to 42 planes in 44 they will be GOLDEN as sweepers. Don´t bother with the DB/TB squadrons. In the BETA they are not worth the price.

Its a cat and mouse game and its fun as hell when it works. [:)]

[DOCUP]

Joc: Good advise. I have bought back all the other CV squadrons and will do so with these. Thanks

I have the itch and the time to play again.

Need some advise guys.

1: I have 2 damaged CVs. Essex has moderate damage and can make only 1 hex distance. I have directed it to head straight to Darwin. Bunker Hill has more damage with some fires and can make 11 Knots. CVL can make it to safety with no problem. I am thinking of detaching it and sending it to Darwin by its self. I will put some LRCAP over the Essex.

2: CVEs they should be able to make it out of harms way. They will head to Darwin at full speed.

3: SAGs they will head to Darwin. I am not worried about them.

Saumlaki: I have my amphib, SAGs, PT TFs here. Amphibs will stop unloading and move at best possible speed to Darwin. My xAKs with supplies will stay and unload. PT boats have be broken down into 6 ship TFs 3 will head towards the KB to delay any SAGs and do what they can to help my ships flee. One PT TF will head west 1 hex and take up a patrol area to delay any SAGs hunting my CVs.

If I can save these 2 CVs it will be a win for me. I am thinking of loading up some troops from Hawaii and landing them on Roi Namur since I know where the KB is.

Let the advice flow guys.

[DOCUP]

Map

[JocMeister]

I would divide Bunker Hill and Essex and set them both to full speed towards Darwin on their own. Each in their own TF. They are 98% lost anyway. No use wasting the CVEs and CVLs in a futile attempt to save them.

You could try and send some SAGs towards the KB. Nothing too valuable though. But some DDs should make it in and back at full speed. This could cause a bit of ruckus among the CVs and perhaps force them to retreat a hex or two eating OPS.

Good luck! [:)]

[DOCUP]

23rd Dec 43
 
I still suck as a player.
 
Burma
I have over 2,500 AV in the hex south of Taung Gyi.  I am going to try a deliberate attack and see what happens.
 
Saumlaki
I won't forget this place.  Our troops take it, Jap troops are still in the hex, I will attack again tomorrow.  My CVs just might make it to Darwin.  By the end of the turn tomorrow they should be 1 hex away.  I did lose 2 CAs and a DD battling a 3 BB Jap SAG while covering the withdraw of the CVs.  No Jap ships were sunk.  That sucked but oh well.
 
Ok guys, time to tell me what all I did wrong.  I know it took me to long to attack.  I should of known that Koniu would of brought every CV in the Jap arsenal.  I should of put all my CVs in one TF.  What else did I do wrong.  Also lets start talking about where I go from here. 
 
Japs need oil. I could prep and send everything to DEI when I get some power back.  Try the N home islands.  Charge down Burma or into China.  These are all options.  I might even be able to go thru CENTPAC later on.   Start talking.  No more lurking in the shadows.  I need help.