Looking forward canoerebel as always for another great AAR, finally getting my GC against AI to may 42, so far allies doing good. Your AARs are always very informative and great to read. Cant wait for this one to start.
P.S. to Cribtop and Whipple, another Texan here, dont want to leave rebel all by his lonesome
The place is lousy with us, xnavytc!
CR, just as a thought experiment, in your estimation is there any target or combination of targets other than India, Oz or Hawaii that could result in Japanese auto-victory in Scenario 2? I can't really think of any other avenues except for Fiji and then New Zealand, but that seems much more effort than Oz due to immediate activation of NZ reserves and fewer VPs as well. I guess what I'm wondering is whether there is anything you aren't worrying about yet that you should be... [;)]
For the record I don't think there is such a beast but it's worth contemplating.
Important Question Number One: What the heck does "ChezDaJez" mean anyway?
It's is nick name from the Navy. He posted where it came from waaayyyyy back and while I remember the big picture, it's the details that make a good "sea-story". You could always ask him and then post his response in this AAR for the pleasure of everyone. Some of us military types take a bit of pride on how we recieved it, so I don't want to get it wrong.
Whipple
MMCS(SW/AW) 1981-2001
1981 RTC, SD
81-82 NPS, Orlando
82-85 NPTU, Idaho Falls
85-90 USS Truxtun (CGN-35)
90-93 USS George Washington (CVN-73)
93-96 NFAS Orlando
96-01 Navsea-08/Naval Reactors
6. If Steve doesn't go all-out for either of the "continents," the Allies might throw an overwhelmingly large army into Burma in late '42 or '43, including American divisions, seeking a massive air/land campaign.
Are you paying PP to move Indian units out of India into Burma? If so, this might be a problem for the Allies if they are paying retail. There just is not enough PPs to go around.
Second, I caution you than an overland attack is now very difficult as supply overland from India is not good. In scen 2 the Japanese can easily commit enough ground units in N. Burma to prevent much in the way of Allied mischief. I had some units one hex out of the newly captured Akayb that were low on supply. Of course, monsoon is a factor as well.
Invasions of course will work but good amphib shipping is just not there if you have major operations going elsewhere. It is a tough decision as if they Japanese hold N. Oz (and they should) a commitment of carriers and landing ships to SE Asia really limits your options in the Pacific, until very late in 43.
I don't think the Japanese need to get too adventurous in OZ but taking and holding N. Oz is so easy now (it is a must for Japan) and as long as they hold it, communication with SE Asia is a bitch.
"After this opening post, this AAR is off limits to Steve. Also, is it okay to request that Q-Ball stay out? I'm afraid it will be too easy for information about my match with him to leak into this game. So I do hereby make that request of Brad."
Dan, I just last night told Steve that I had mixed feelings about whether I should look at your AAR and today I opened it for the first time. I will acquiesce to your wishes on this after reading that first post. Good luck!
Another PDU off matchup. I wonder why these are becoming more common [&:]. I certainly am no expert, but considering the small window of Japanese air superiority I feel this is a disadvantage to the Japanese. The sheer number of air units restricted to the use of Nate's and Sonia's throughout all of 42 and half of 43 is debilitating. The only positive I can see is the larger number of training Sentai's. Having never played the Allies I can't comment on how it affects them.
Either way Canoerebel, I wish you and your new opponent good luck and a fun game.
Chez and I are playing PDU off in our PBEM as well, so apparently he likes it. It will mean that he can't build thousands of second generation fighters and equip all squadrons with them. It also means that the allies can't bring any of the P38Es into the battle (I have yet to find any non-permanently restricted West Coast Command squadron that uses them).
I was referring to Brad "Q-Ball" when I stated in my AAR "I hereby make that request of Brad."
I have no problem with you visiting and writing in my AAR. In fact, I'd love for you to.
Dan
Thanks, Dan... I will hold anything I learn here as Top Secret:Eyes Only and not communicate it to Steve (ChezDaJe). And, yes, I know the story of his nom de guerre but I will let him tell you...
I know that Sanchez (his last name) is very common in Spain, but it is also my GGGF's family name as well...
1. I will not decide on my main vector of attack two years ahead of time. This time I want to see how things develop and then make my plans accordingly.
Good idea. Steve is a smart player and his actions will largely dictate where you can start your comeback.
Edit: now I'm off for a bike ride. I'll read more (and maybe comment when I return).
Cribtop, in my estimation, only Oz and India offer Japan a likely route to auto-victory. In addition to those two, Hawaii might be a possibility, but I suspect it would require some major contributions from other high-value point sources.
It would also be possible to pair up partial conquests of India or Oz with other high-value point sources like New Zealand and Fiji.
I have no idea how viable a route Russia would offer, but probably not very high. A focus on Russia might well leave the Western Allies too free to wreak havoc.
I think it will be necessary for an Allied player to employ his carriers to fight for India or Oz if an experienced, aggressive IJ player goes for either one in a Scenario Two match.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Chez has sent the turn one file. I have limited time this afternoon, so this is what I accomplished:
1. Opened the file and confirmed that we are using the same version (Yay! - that's a big relief as computers intimidate me).
2. Issue orders to Force Z to make for Java (Yay! - I probably won't suffer the same fate I suffered with Q-Ball in forgetting to issue orders to Force Z).
3. Issued orders to about half the Russian bases: (1) to build forts, airbases and, where applicable ports; and (2) to each aircraft squadron to train at 100% and zero range, and to draw max number of pilots from replacement pool. I set most of them to "general traning."
4. By this point my wrist was sore from clicking, and my spirit was getting agitated about the pilot training routine, so I saved the file and logged off.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
I agree with you re auto-victory targets. The question now becomes what to do about defense of the targets we do know are game-changers. A big part of your successful defense of India against Q-Ball arose from your correct guess that India was in fact the target and not Oz despite a fairly elaborate feint.
You must assume, IMHO, that Chez read all about this in your AAR and will plan accordingly.
3. Issued orders to about half the Russian bases: (1) to build forts, airbases and, where applicable ports; and (2) to each aircraft squadron to train at 100% and zero range, and to draw max number of pilots from replacement pool. I set most of them to "general traning."
DOH! I didn't know you could do that. Maybe the Japs wont invade Siberia.
You mean there's something I know that another player didn't know?! You made my day, Cap!
Meanwhile, I've spent another hour or so issuing orders. Here's what's been done up to the present:
1. Completed issuing orders to Russian bases - engineers to build forts, airfields, and, where applicable, ports.
2. Completed issuing orders to Russian squadrons - all to train at 100%, zero range. Most to train general, but fighters to train on escort. Drew reinforcements until I ran out. Not sure this was the right thing to do, but it seems appropriate that the Red Air Force "replacement" button is now red.
3. Surveyed Alaska and the Aluetians, the latter I intend to garrison quickly and heavily. Issued orders to Aleutian bases to build forts. Issued orders to mainland Alaska bases to build forts, airfields, and bases.
4. Set Canadian bases to build ports and airfields. Set the two restricted Candadian ground units to prep for Attu and Adak. One is already at Prince Rupert; set the other to move by rail to PR. I will "buy these units and ship them to the Aleutians very soon.
5. Set all American bases to build arifields and ports.
6. Set many of the restricted but "buyable" ground units to prep for Aleutians bases; am sending these to Seattle. Prepping a few Marine units at San Diego for Pago Pago.
7. All non-restricted II and 10th Airforce squadrons at East Coast being shipped to Capetown immediately. Some other restricted squadrons (mainly IV A.F.) will soon follow. From Capetown, these squadrons can be sent to India or Oz, wherever most needed.
Next on my list is the Pacific Islands, which will take some time.
As you can see, the Allies will place a very, very high priority on securing the Aleutians. This will be my highest priority - even over Hawaii - for the next month. As soon as I get troops ashore in the western Aleutians, my next priority will be Hawaii, Midway, and Pago Pago.
Now, back to clicking, clicking, clicking.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
You've no doubt already planned this with the CT moves by the WC flying dogmeat, but recall our discusison about unloading the Devastators and shipping/sneaking them into Karachi. It may be far too early to do this on Turn 1, but OTOH the earlier the better. I can't think of anyplace in Oz they would do as much good as they would holding Karachi open.
In my first game against Chez (a CHS game) I had sent an RCT to Midway. This surprised him and caused the battle for Midway to last about a month before it fell. After that, I pretty much ignored Midway except as a place to practice carrier strikes and naval bombardment missions.
This time he hasn't bothered Midway at all other than the perfunctory bombardments right after the PH attack.
I can't guarantee what he would do either way in his game with you...
I have a question for you Dan: is your fixation on the Aleutians a hope to be able to use those permanently restricted West Coast P38 squadrons? If you keep most of the islands there under the West Coast Command you can use those boys up there.
There seem to be two camps on the importance of Midway. I definately fall into the "Midway is very important" group. I like to make use of it, but even more importantly I don't feel good when the Japanese are making use of it. In this game it may be even more important give my NoPac plans. Given enough time, I like to pull out the Midway base force and pack the island with about 200 AV. I can get there at just a smidgeon over the 6k garrison limit - not enough over to affect supply. With 200 AV, Midway is really bad news for Japan.
Bullwinkle, yes, I recall our conversation. I'm committing alot of forces to Capetown in preparation for seeing to Karachi's defense. I won't send the carrier Devastators yet, but only because they may be busy for a few weeks. I have one carrier heading for Wake. The other will move towards Tarawa. Saratoga I'm not sure yet. I may go ahead and pull her Devastators off and send them to CT via East Coast.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
In the Pacific, orders are given to build forts at all occupied island bases. No building of ports or airfields will take place until much later. At present, the only islands that might get troops will be Pago Pago and the Hawaiin chain. I am diverting the two arty-unit TF from Fiji-bound to PP-bound. One carrier will head for Wake, the other for the Tarawa area. At San Diego, I move the Devastator squadron off Saratoga. I'll ship these to East USA and then on to Capetown.
Oz: Fort building everywhere; base building only at Sydney and Melbourne. Also give base-building orders at PM and Rabaul. Lots of pilot training.
Java/Sumatra/Malaya: Fort building, pilot training, and a general movement of combat TFs to northern Java in preparation for combat disposition in coming days.
Burma and India: Fort building; base building only at Bombay and Karachi. I am diverting the Brit brigade aboard transports bound for Singaprore to Karachi. At some point, I hope to put Indian brigades ashore at Diego Garcia and Socatra - not enough to stop Japan, but enough to force a serious commitment.
What's left to do:
1. China: I have to issue orders here, but first I need to figure out where I want to make my stand and whether I wish to undertake any offensives (unlikely).
2. Review: Review everything to make sure my opening moves are part of a coordinate effort - especially in the Phillipines and DEI.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
