Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[T Rav]

Best of luck!
 
T Rav
Not a Texan, but my great-grandfather considered it back in the day
 
 
 
 

[Cuttlefish]

I thought I'd drop by while I still can and wish Cribtop good luck in the game ahead. I'm really looking forward to it. And to say that I enjoyed the opening entry of his AAR and I'm sad I won't be able to read any of the others.

I am a Yankee, born and bred, but in honor of Cribtop one of the protagonists in my AAR is from Texas.

I sure hope that patch doesn't take too long...

[Cribtop]

I noticed the inclusion of the Texan and appreciate it, CF.

Like you, I'm dying for the patch. I feel like I have a new corvette convertible with no gas in the tank right now. Still, it gives me more time to plot your demise. [;)]

[kaleun]

like a whispering breeze in a summer garden

This simile is so Japanese.

Subscribed and anxiously waiting.

[Cribtop]

Thanks, Kaleun! It will be a challenge to write from another culture's perspective but it's good to see my first effort has hit the mark.

The primary reason for this post is to note that I have updated the house rules post above. Cuttlefish, please review and confirm I got everything from our e-mails.

[Cuttlefish]

Confirmed! The list looks good to me. We are ready for battle. May the Emperor's reign last 1000 years!

No, wait, that's wrong. After all those games as Japan old habits may be hard to break. Remember Pearl Harbor! Charge!

[Cribtop]

Hehe. CF, that reminds me of the movie Charge of the Light Brigade. When the British generals learn war has been declared they pull out a huge map of France and begin to plan the usual strategies. Then a younger officer interrupts and says "Excuse me, sir, but we're at war with Russia. The French are our allies this time."

[nashvillen]

Cribtop: Thanks for the compliment on the Sig Art. I will pass it along to the person that put it together for me! (Helps to work on the same floor as a great graphic designer)

As for the HI to build the B-10, There were so many upgrades she spent more time in the Shipyards at Kobe instead of on the ocean killing Allied CV TFs that what was spent making her was wasted... [;)]

I look forward to watching you and Cuttlefish go at it! I wish I could discipline myself enough to do an AAR. I have two great games going right now vs. rjopel (Scen #1, me-Japan, just ending Sep 42), and vs. javnavy (Guadalcanal, me-Japan, just ending Aug 42). I am starting another Scen #1 with Rusty1961 with myself being Japan.

I find the non-combat side of Japan to be intriguing and addictive!

[nashvillen]

Have you ever heard of "Federation & Empire"? It is the strategic side of the SFU and would be right down your ally if you like WITP:AE, which I assume you do.

More information here: http://www.starfleetgames.com/federationandempire.shtml

Myself or rjopel can give you more information, if you are interested.

[Cribtop]

Played two campaigns cover to cover, my friend! Attacked the Gorn on game turn one 'cause, well, they're the Gorn!

[nashvillen]

[&o][&o][&o] [:D]

Ever think about going to Origins?

If you haven't figured it out yet, I am the current FEAR and rjopel is also a staff member. Hence, the shameless plug! [:D]

[Cribtop]

Cool. I just might - brings back memories of my dreaded War Eagle Triangle tactics in SFB! Long time ago...

[Nemo121]

Hmm, is there any sort of pbem matchmaking structure available for F&E? Or an ADC module?

Colour me interested .

Cribtop: Quick question. What are your strategic goals? Are you seeking to win or not to lose? (they are entirely different goals and the first area most Japanese players fall down IMO.)

Next, how psychological and mean and nasty do you want to get? Are you a " play what's on the map" only type of player or is email and the forum all part and parcel of the game too?

Once we know those two answers it should pretty much define your strategic options for us.

[Cribtop]

Nemo,

Per our PM, I'll be answering your questions offline as the discussion could get lengthy. Really appreciate your willingness to share insights.

[Cribtop]

I began working on Turn 1 Sunday night. I have a few weeknight commitments, but hope to get the turn to CF by Thursday or Friday night.

Given these developments, I have removed myself from Cuttlefish's AAR and will regretfully and respectfully ask that he exclude himself from this thread as of now (other than one more farewell post if he so chooses).

In short, GAME ON! [&o]

[Phanatikk]

I am the current FEAR and rjopel is also a staff member...

I saw in a different post that you were into trains, and wondered if you knew...yourself. But when I saw FEAR...

Small world, ain't it?

- Jeff

[nashvillen]

Hey Jeff!

Good to see you here! Maybe we can get a game going sometime. I currently occupied with 2xCampain games and one Guadalcanal scenario, but someday I should have some more time... [:D]

[Cribtop]

Gentlemen (and Lady if Grafin Zeppelin is reading),

Turn 1 is away! We embark together on a journey of both literary and military interest.

Let's just hope I didn't forget anything too important. Turn 1 is a bear.

I'll post a summary of first turn moves and a grand strategic analysis soon.

You might want to re-check the first page of the thread as I have now filled in the placeholder post with my commonly used acronyms. This will greatly assist you in reading my AAR and may be added to over time as doctrine evolves.

Finally, as in previous games, I will post a strategic analysis on the 15th of each month and an economic analysis on the 1st of each month.

BANZAI! BANZAI! BANZAI!

[Cribtop]

Well, well. Much to my surprise, Cuttlefish has already sent back the turn (he probably only had it in his inbox 30 - 40 minutes). There is little for the Allies to do on Turn 1 of course, but wow. In addition, he informed me by e-mail that he has decided to send Force Z on her glory ride. This has led to some discomfort at Cribtop HQ as our dispositions presumed he would not go this route. Still, assuming he heads for Kota Bharu, we will have the Kongo TF and a lot of Netties waiting for him. Someone will be crying in their beer when I run the turn!

This points out an interesting but obvious truth. Often, CF will choose the more historical path. Sometimes (perhaps often) he will choose the option that leads to a more interesting story. In the case of Force Z, these tendencies combined were enough for him to risk two major capital ships, and it just might pay off for him. We will keep this in mind. FYI, the vast majority of our invasion is landing farther up the coast at Singora, covered by four CAs and a DesDiv. The CAs have enough reaction move allowed for them to intervene at Kota. We also set up a sub cordon near Kuantan and two subs in the Kota hex itself. Lots of things to hit the enemy before they get to our juicy transports, but stranger things have happened.

Disgusted that family is in town so I can't run the turn until later tonight. [:@]

[Cribtop]

Cribtop HQ Grand Strategy

National War Aims

The Emperor has commanded that we prosecute war against the Western Imperialists. The ultimate war aim is a favorable peace in the Pacific leaving Japan in possession of an expanded and self-sustaining Empire.

Grand Strategic Considerations

We have learned much in our prior games and feel more experienced and ready for the challenge of taking on a major Board personality such as Cuttlefish. That said, this should be our most difficult game yet. We have spent time corresponding with Nemo and jrcar concerning Japanese strategic goals, as these should drive operations and tactical moves.

Vital Considerations

1) CF is doing this as a story AAR. This means that he will be concerned with survival of the Gridley (although he has plans to continue of course if she sinks). How this will impact the broader game is as yet unknown, but it introduces an interesting element. In addition, the story nature of the game means that we are both fully committed to playing until an ultimate resolution. Auto victory, already probably impossible in Scenario 1, is thus rather irrelevant unless I choose to view it as a yardstick on the path to moral victory.

2) In AE, Japan has an attritional edge in planes and pilots (at least through '43), while the Allies, due to superior reinforcement rates, have an attritional edge in naval assets. LCUs are relatively even, with an initial edge for Japan eroding with time.

3) Economics and logistics are critical to sustaining the Japanese war machine.

4) Territorial gains are useful insofar as they advance strategic aims such as seizure of economic centers, but it is impossible for Japan to "march into Washington" and thus win by seizing territory.

Strategic Objectives

I subscribe to the Q-Ball theory (at least Q was the first I heard to assert it) that the two main objectives of the Allies are: 1) to cut the flow of raw materials from the SRA to Japan; and 2) to seize bases within range of the Home Islands to allow for a strategic bombing campaign.

Conversely, the strategic objectives of Japan are, at a minimum, 1) seizure of the Oil bases in the SRA; and 2) capture of a defensible perimeter ensuring that convoys can move from the SRA to the industry of the Home Islands.

As we all know, this is not really enough for Japan to survive the Allied hammer blows of 1944 and 1945 in a military sense. However, careful work during the expansion phase and a determined, aggressive defense can prevent an Allied victory on points, and that is probably the best we can do.

How best can these goals be achieved? Successful & rapid Phase 1 expansion is essential. Many players opt for larger than historical perimeters across the board, but Cribtop HQ is not interested in seizing territory just because we like to see the cool Japanese flag on a larger number of bases. We will expand to a relatively historical perimeter and then, conditions allowing, execute a carefully aimed Phase 2 offensive at a target to be revealed later (PS - I'm pretty set on this target but would love to hear arguments for the various options as my mind isn't closed to other possibilities). Target deadline for completion of Phase 1 is April 1, 1942. We would like to be finished with the Phase 2 offensive by July 1, 1942, although there is no magic to that date. Thereafter, we will maintain an active and aggressive defense, meaning that local and even operational counteroffensives and spoiling attacks will be used extensively.

Our august advisors are of the opinion, and Cribtop HQ agrees, that the enemy's center of gravity is the ability to carry out multi-divisional amphibious assaults. Therefore, depriving him of LCUs, 4E bombers, assault shipping, a well trained CV air arm and other tools of this trade will be a focus.

It is true that the Allies can march through Burma and avoid amphibious assaults, but this is a long slog and frankly we WANT them to attack through our buffer zones. Shaping the battlefield to force the enemy to counterattack via a long axis of our choosing will be a constant theme of this game in the defensive phase. In other words, we hope to create conditions such that the enemy feels compelled to mount his attacks via the long approach of SWPAC, Burma or even SOPAC. Stout defenses in NOPAC and, most importantly, the dreaded and commonly used Darwin-Timor axis will be needed asap to make these "preferred" avenues of approach undesirable.

Dispositions of the Fleet

We will generally divide the IJN as follows (all of these divisions will probably grow as we consolidate after the completion of Phase 1):

1) KB will stay together. In fact, we are very likely to form and maintain MKB as soon as KB has completed initial operations at Pearl Harbor and in the 4th Fleet (Marshalls/Gilberts) and SE Fleet AOs. KB will consist of multiple CV TFs and will incorporate some or all of the Kongo class BBs.

2) South Seas Fleet. Based at Truk, this will consist of at least 2 BatDivs, 1 CruDiv, and 2 DesDivs.

3) Indes Fleet. Eventually based at Singapore & Soerabaja, this fleet will consist of at least 2 BatDivs, 2 CruDivs and 2 or more DesDivs.

4) 4th Fleet. Little more than an augmented LCTF for local defense and use as an FT TF.

5) 5th Fleet. We will pay more attention to NOPAC than in our previous games. Initially, 5th Fleet will consist of two older BBs, 3 CLs and 6 older DDs. The BBs will probably leave once we have secured the Kuriles by land and air and seized at least a few outposts in the Aluetians. Offensive ops in the Aluetians will be limited but will begin asap. As has been seen in Canoerebel's recent AAR, the oddities of winter weather can mean that he who invades the unoccupied island base can take it on the cheap and hold it until the enemy can gather significant forces in summer weather. A first mover advantage if you will. That said, NOPAC is strictly envisioned as a defensive sideshow rather than an opportunity for decisive action.

Air HQs

11th Fleet and one of the Air Flotillas starting at Takao will move as quickly as possible to Jolo and Manado so as to extend the Netty umbrella and allow for rapid advance in the Eastern DEI.

The remaining Air Flotilla at Takao is eventually destined for the SE Fleet AO.

The Air Flotilla at Saigon will be shipped to Sinkawang asap to dominate the approaches to Palembang. Cribtop HQ has its eye on the possibility of the recently popular "Fortress Palembang" strategy and will not hesitate to move early on Sumatra if CF appears to be heading in this direction.

5th Air Division will focus on Luzon, augmented by a Sally Sentai bought out of Manchukuo. The HQ iself will move on once the enemy is bottled up at Clark Field with a final destination near Kendari or Timor even if the IJAAF planes stay on to pound the defenders of Clark and Bataan.

3rd Air Division began moving on Dec 7 towards Bangkok and will get into a position (perhaps Victoria Point?) to torp enable a base to interdict enemy naval movements into and out of Singapore and Rangoon.

LCUs

We will aim for a siege in Luzon. Cribtop HQ has decided to forgo the usual Atimonan invasion and pour forces instead into Aparri. This base can be covered by LBA and is harder for enemy PTs to reach effectively while being close to Takao for crippled IJN vessels. We considered what the enemy gets out of this and it's all to our favor. Either he stands pat, in which case we lose nothing; or he moves in force in some way toward the Aparri bridgehead or even into southern Luzon. Either of these courses of action divide his forces and play into our hands. In return, we avoid the unfortunate torpedoing of IJN assets by American Catalinas that Lone Gunman used against us in our prior game. Fortunately, nothing sank, but a BB and a CA were put on ice for a month each.

We will try to seize Luzon with the historical 14th Army units. 38th Division will be available as an emergency reserve, but we prefer to deploy this unit, along with 21st Div, to the 16th Army AO to effect a rapid but well covered descent on the eastern DEI and Timor.

We will not try the Mersing gambit as losses to enemy aircraft could be unacceptable. Just about every available reinforcement (2nd Div, etc) will be sent to Malaya to make short work of Singers.

4th Div and 90th Infantry Regt (to be bought out of Korea) will be committed to SE Fleet AO.

Acknowledgement

My sincere thanks to both Nemo and jrcar for their willingness to engage in strategic and operational discussions via e-mail. If I screw this game up, it won't be because I got bad advice! [&o]

I would also like to thank Canoerebel. The game's house rules require me to be reasonable regarding turn one invasions and CR served as my third party reality check since obviously I can't run my targets past Cuttlefish for approval. [:D]