Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: irrelevant
That is excessively pessimistic, I'd say. He has barely gotten on the ground on Ceylon. He still has many ops in front of him before India could be considered to be in the bag. Unless of course, he is just much better at WitP than you are....[;)]

Have you read the AAR? Singapore and Java are already gone. That means he has 7 divisions plus tons of other troops from Singapore and then whatever troops he wants to bring from Java already on the way to India. Plus he already landed 20,000+ troops on Ceylon.

So within a week or so, Japan will have in excess of 6 divisions landed on the mainland of India. He’ll only be limited by what his naval lift capacity is, if he can bring more than 6 divisions I bet he will.

There is absolutely no way the allies can make a fight of it in India against this kind of Japanese force in Jan. 42. If it were March 42, I’d say it would still be almost impossible, but Jan. 42, forget it, no chance. It takes weeks to march to Karachi from northeastern India, if G.H. doesn't react now, it'll be too late if Japan sails up the west coast and lands at bombay.

He can make a redoubt defense at Karachi and probably do quite well, but if he tries to defend the entire country, he’ll face Japanese columns of 2-3 divisions plus other troops zooming along each rail line, and he’ll swiftly be outflanked and isolated.

Unless you know of a way to magically create another 4 allied divisions in India right now, I’d love to hear your plan for defending the entire country with just four 1/3rd strength divisions (basically each weaker than a brigade right now) and 7 brigades. All of which are very low experienced units as well. I doubt any of his armor units have more than 5 tanks in them right now.

Jim

It is always possible for an IJ player to skewer himself. If after he he takes Ceylon, he carefully proceeds to make successful landings in sensible locations, then you give up and head for the hills. But in the meantime I always look for ways to slow my opponent down and make him pay for his gains.

So sue me[;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/16/42

Tricomale finally fell. He brought in 2 divisions, 2 eng regiments and 2 Arty units...nearly 1000 AVs...no way to hold Cylon. Now at Tricomale there are already hordes of enemy planes.Probably fighters for the moment, as the AF is still at level 3..but very soon this damned place will be full of betties and nells...gotta move my ships more carefully from now on.
However, today, despite the loss of Tricomale, wasn't a totally bad day.
Our subs finally scored some good hits. But the price is high: Truant is almost sunk and another ducth sub is ready to go beneath the waves...
However we're starting to hit back,and that's a good thing. A jap sub got some hits in 300 miles far from Bombay and another one is hit by my air ASW forces...not bad. These bastards should pay a bit[;)]
Trollelite complained about the inefficiency of his ASW forces and about how easy is to play as allies...he's willing to turn allied sub doctrine on if he could (that's what he said)...well, i really think he's exagerating here. His subs has sunk more than 30 ships of mine till now...if i score some lucky hits doesn't sound unfair imho.




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Sub attack at 14,26

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *hope she sinks fast but Tricomale is just 1 hex away and it's level 9 port*
DD Kasumi
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranuhi

Allied Ships
SS Truant

You're lost Truant, but you've done a good job!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 12,12

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 2[8D]

Allied Ships
MSW Cromarty
MSW Cromer
MSW Lismore
SC Hollyhock
SC Aster
SC Nigella


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 14,26

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Uzuki
DD Arare
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Truant, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage[:(][:(]


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Sub attack near Trincomalee at 13,25

Japanese Ships
AK Fujikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Buenos Aires Maru
AP Mikage Maru #2
PC Ch 8
PG Fukui Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXVI[;)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 15,28

Japanese Ships
AP Kasui Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tatsumiya Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXIII

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Good boy!!![;)][:D]
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Ground combat at Trincomalee

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 40681 troops, 76 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 943

Defending force 4230 troops, 40 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 1266 - adjusted assault: 584

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 116 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Trincomalee base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
414 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/17/42
 
I tried to bomb with a single group (12 planes) of B-17 the port of Tricomale from 33,000 ft... Trollelite calls it gamey, so no more max ceiling.
Another thing he complained about and called gamey is to place single ship TFs.
I tend not to exploit the system, but i tend also to use "common sense"...all these HRs are a pain, just because you have to read them every time you play a turn...
 
However, more than 400 planes are already based at Tricomale...at least 250 fighters...better to call back my air forces...no way to stand against these numbers.
We've sunk 1 jap sub and managed to damage another one...retribution!
 
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ASW attack near Trincomalee  at 13,25
 
Japanese Ships
AO Shinkoku Maru
PG Eiko Maru
PG Eifuku Maru
DD Akebono
DD Sagiri
DD Ayanami
DD Shikinami
DD Uranami
 
Allied Ships
SS KXIII, hits 5,  on fire[:(]
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Trincomalee , at 13,25
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 121[X(][X(]
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
 
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4
 
No Japanese losses
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP Hie Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Aircraft Attacking:
 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Colombo , at 11,25
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 87
B5N2 Kate x 74
 
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 5
P-40B Tomahawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 3
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 31 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 5 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
 
 
Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
 
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 36
 
The AVG 1st and the other 2 fighter groups, already badly damaged and fatigued, could not stand a single fight against these monster-numbers...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 10,17 (Always west of Bombay...seems that he's looking for the RN)
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-3, hits 6
 
Allied Ships
DD Panther
DD Paladin
DD Nizam
DD Express
DD Vampire
DD Tenedos
 
 

Interesting that he doesnt find those excessive numbers of aircraft in one base 'gamey'. Surely an aircraft can operate at any hieght it was desgined to. I know about the game mechanics and 4E's below a certain height, but at high altitude. Is it gamey because his Zeroes cant get up there, well good for the bombers, Zeroes can enough benefits as it is. Is this max altitude regarded as gamey by all players or particular to your opponent?
 
but as regards single ship TF's, how can they be considered gamey when convoys scattered when they came under air attack. I wouldnt consider single ship TF's as gamey in any sense.
 
That said GH, im keeping a close eye on your strategy in case i should need to defend the Jewel in the Crown in my game

Hi,
you shoudl ask him if he will honour his own rules and will not use Zeke-Kamikaze flying above your CAP later in the game. Not that I´m expecting you will get so far as your oponent seems as a guy who really hates when everything is not going exactly according to his plan and you can expect just more and more whinning as his losses will grow.. And once he will suffer some really serious defeat, he will quit.. I´m really curious on his reaction if you will succeed in Gilberts/Marshalls. What is the situation there?
 
BTW I have a feeling that if your subs will achieve some more hits, they will be add on the "gamey list" too.. [;)]
 
 

Hi Mate !

Looks like we are playing the same chap !
As far as I can see, your best bet is taking the inniative where he does not expect it.
Go for his lines of communication in the Pacific.

Just an idea.

As to the chap himself: He does have some issues expressing himself properly. Neither his "English" nor his "German" are very good. My best guess is, he is a guy from China - or thereabouts - living as a student in Germany.
Give him some lee way.

On a tactical level, he is quite clever.

Cheers

I wouldn't call it gamey to operate at max ceiling, but it's ridiculous those planes hit an AP from that height. Probably it was already on fire or something which makes it basically a magnet for enemy aircraft but still very lucky hit. [:)]

Hi General,

1. B-17 on 33000 IS NOT gamey and you should use it,japanese had counter measures for that. He can just put Oscars on their max ceiling and those early war B-17 pilots will disperse and go home.

2. One ship TF IS gamey,someone say something about dispersion of convoy[:-]. Yeah,just like PQ-17,they also dispersed but Luftwaffe sunks most of ship in "dispersed" convoy.
In WITP game engine DONT now term of dispersion of convoy and KB or LBA will launch full strike on single ship instead on multiple targets. So,one ship TF is GAMEY.

What others have said. If he calls using one of the great advantages of B17 gamey then tell him to stuff it. Seriously. Yes it was unbelievably lucky that they managed to hit a ship from that height, but it happens every now and then, expect your next 20 attacks to achieve nothing.

1 ship TF's. Against air attacks they are great, but your opponent should know that against surface combat TF's they are the worst possible option. A CL and a few DD's would devastate all of those TF's and it shouldn't be hard to achieve a mid ocean intercept vs such slow targets.

edit: Oh and the ships in PQ-17 were sunk over several days. Direct air attacks on 1 ship TF's over several days and you sink most of them also.

AND!

LBA strikes are divided between 1 ship TF's in WITP. Not always but sometimes they are. You don't hear the japanese commander screaming "Gamey" after they sank the poor old Neosho in the coral sea..

Ok guys, let me explain.
5 ships anchored alone in Colombo harbour cannot be called gamey Imho. I did not put 50 single ship TFs in a single hex. To supply front-line bases i tend to use lonely ships to be sure that the DL remains quite low.
However, doesn't matter much. B-17 below 30,000 ft. won't change the course of the war and i usually never do it just because it's not so effective as a tactic.
 
Anyway, in the Marshalls, to answer at your question, the situation is still the same. No fighters or bombers spotted at kwalajein, nor at Maloep. Just some aux planes. However, only a base force at Maloep, while 11 units for 33.000 men at Kwalajein...quite a lot! We'll need to bomb back to stoneage the place before landing in...4 divisions and 2 brigades will be used for this operation (i'm already putting togheder the transport fleet...is HUGE!)
Still a month to come however....

So for the operation in the Marshalls i'm committing:
 
Infantry: 24th,25th, 2nd USMC and Americal Divisions (as soon as the latest will arrive); 1 RCT and 1 NZ Bde.
Eng: 2 US Combat Eng units, 2 base forces, 2 normal eng units
Arty: 5 arty regiments
AA: 4 AA units
Tank: 1 US Tank regiment
 
These troops should be able to put an important foot hold in the marshalls and, with the US Air force and USN, should be able to isolate Kwalajein and so threating the whole southern japanese perimeter
 

What is your plan to supply Maloep when KB comes back?
With his foothold in India getting stronger he might not need KB there unless he wants to invade indian west coast.

Well GH,

I am not sure, but the way I see this is simple.
Troll got you by the balls - in India. So what.

He keeps calling each an every of your moves a "foul". So what.
You have HR ? Tell him - and tell the forum you did so - that HR are for the duration.

From my end it works with him.

Well, if you have issues with attacking the Marshalls - take the short cut.
Go for the Marianas - If you have the carriers - and scare him shitless.

If you are not prepared for contingencies. Well - different story.
Start a new game - AI perhaps ?

Cheers

ORIGINAL: Mistmatz

What is your plan to supply Maloep when KB comes back?
With his foothold in India getting stronger he might not need KB there unless he wants to invade indian west coast.

With 4 US CVs around and maybe more 250 fighter and bombers at Maloaep, i really hope he comes down with the KB... No, seriously, if he comes back with the KB everything changes obviously. The trick will be to take Maloap before KB is around. With Maloap in my hands, my CVs around, i really think i can take my chances. If these timings are satisfied, the operation will have to be changed.

ORIGINAL: Snip


If you are not prepared for contingencies. Well - different story.
Start a new game - AI perhaps ?

Hi Snip.
What do you mean exactly? i'm not a native english speaker, so please explain this sentence better.
Thx.

GH, think Snip is being sarcastic in a nice way
 
My offer for a Rhs game is still on the table once your agenda clears up.

Any plans of taking Wotje and/or Majuro in addition to Maleolap? If he does counter-attack strongly it might be nice to have an additional offensive airfield or two. IIRC Wotje starts at size 3 & Majuro can quickly be built to size 2. And they're also probably not heavily defended.

ORIGINAL: ctangus

Any plans of taking Wotje and/or Majuro in addition to Maleolap? If he does counter-attack strongly it might be nice to have an additional offensive airfield or two. IIRC Wotje starts at size 3 & Majuro can quickly be built to size 2. And they're also probably not heavily defended.

Yes, it will be surely interesting. As soon as Wake will arrive at level 4 AF we'll start softing the targets with the 4Es and we'll see how he'll react.
The Mariannas is another interesting option...even if very risky...

Cantona2, yes, in December i'll be glad to start an RHS game.

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Anyway, in the Marshalls, to answer at your question, the situation is still the same. No fighters or bombers spotted at kwalajein, nor at Maloep. Just some aux planes. However, only a base force at Maloep, while 11 units for 33.000 men at Kwalajein...quite a lot! We'll need to bomb back to stoneage the place before landing in...4 divisions and 2 brigades will be used for this operation (i'm already putting togheder the transport fleet...is HUGE!)
Still a month to come however....

If there is a static device (load cost 9999) at Kwajalein this could explain the high number of men identified. And many Axis players happily divide units and employ unit fragments to confuse Allied sigint/intelligence in the game.