Dark Waters, Starry Skies

[JanSako]

When I do an AAR I always try to make it as educational as possible. Love great discussions and debate for players to learn from.

Can I do a mouseketeers roll call for who is reading the AAR? Will give me an idea of what to discuss when Posting.

Here is a reader.

A question for you - the 2 major 'beef's" I have with allied air (these are both addressed in LST's mod & I have to say it works great!):
- aimbots for the defense gunners in Allied heavies - reduced accuracy makes fighters shot down outright quite rare, but keeps OPS losses and damaged planes high enough to still make it hard to defend against them. They are just not as good sweepers any more

- changing individual bombs to 'clusters', meaning when heavies bomb a land target, because of the algo, instead of 12 separate chances for them to hit 'something' (if they carry 12 bombs), they are set to carry 'sticks' of 3-4 'larger' devices. Basically there will be less absolute number of hits, while the individual hits can be more powerful. I do not remember if DBB-C or any other have this also.

Other than that, agreeing with the post above, Japan needs any CD it can get, I know this mod already have some extra, owning to 'Yamamoto's foresight', and variants players like to switch some of the SNLF units' guns to heavier DP's too.

[RangerJoe]

Here is something else for the Allies. Admiral Phillips had already conversed with Admiral Hart in Manila. He wanted part of the US Asiatic fleet, such as it was, joining with Force Z. Some ships were already moving south thinking that they were going to Batavia for shore leave but were actually heading for Singapore. How about moving the cruisers and some of the destroyers there? The four leading 4 piper destroyers at least. Also, two thirds the submarine force was already at sea on patrol and not in the harbor.

http://www.ww2pacific.com/admhart.html

Also, Admiral Hart became the head of ABDAfloat so maybe the Asiatic Fleet should morph into that?

http://microworks.net/pacific/biographi ... s_hart.htm

[John 3rd]

That is some serious thinking and good proposals.

The American CL thought is a keeper. Will change.

I broadened the CVE possibilities with Japan allowing for conversions of most of the super-large APs (the 5,000+ man carriers). Total ends up at eight or nine I believe. Left them all as conversion to use points as well as provide choices for the Japanese player. I am all about choices.

I bring the 40MM AA as an upgrade in mid-to-late 1944. The Japanese were so wedded to the damned 25MM that I figured this change/addition was fair for balance in BTS. Moving the BB upgrades up slightly for the AA refit works. Already have them converting from 5" to 3.9" to bolster their AA capabilities. Use those very 5" (and others) guns for the additional CD units in the Mod.

The AA upgrades are in order of priority for practical carrier escorts. The Kongos are first, then all the CA, then some of the CLs and all of the BBs. The only issue is that the upgrade is a long one and it is hard to take those important warships out of action for several months.

The SS changes are an interesting idea. Will think on that.

[John 3rd]

Here is something else for the Allies. Admiral Phillips had already conversed with Admiral Hart in Manila. He wanted part of the US Asiatic fleet, such as it was, joining with Force Z. Some ships were already moving south thinking that they were going to Batavia for shore leave but were actually heading for Singapore. How about moving the cruisers and some of the destroyers there? The four leading 4 piper destroyers at least. Also, two thirds the submarine force was already at sea on patrol and not in the harbor.

http://www.ww2pacific.com/admhart.html

Also, Admiral Hart became the head of ABDAfloat so maybe the Asiatic Fleet should morph into that?

http://microworks.net/pacific/biographi ... s_hart.htm

That is a sound idea. Moving four American DD to Singers would be easy.

The Asiatic Fleet starts off quite a bit stronger with 2 CA, 3 CL, and 19 DDs (13 4-Pipers and 6 modern). Add the wayward Pensacola TF (CLV and CA) and it does have some punch within it. I follow Hart's thinking and have Cebu starting up as a base on Dec 7th. An AS and a 3rd of the SS begin their to lesson the chances of disaster at Manila.

[John 3rd]

Originally had the Pensacola TF at Manila but that simply guarantees their destruction. In this update I move them to Del Monte on northern Mindanao. This still leaves them hugely vulnerable and I got a few of them as they fled the opening attacks.

Perhaps having them at Zamboanga or Jolo and heading south makes better sense? It would give CLV Charlotte, CA Pensacola, 2 DD and their convoy a much better chance to get out of the trap. Heck--even Tarakan might work. The Mod postulates an acceleration of 2-3 weeks of the reinforcement schedule that is detailed in the excellent book RACING THE SUNRISE. This is why their are additional fighters as well as the 3 A-24 units in Manila at the start of the war.

[RangerJoe]

That change for the submarines would mean that more players would produce those instead of stopping them to use the naval shipyard points to accelerate CVs and other vessels. Looking at a submarine in total tonnage, they are mostly lighter than the newer prewar destroyers. They have fewer torpedo tubes and no need for the oxygen plants, diesels instead of high speed gas turbines, fewer guns, and less crew so fewer amenities for them. It is also probably much less steel and other metals as well, although probably more complicated for the most part so the crew training is important so they don't sink the submarine when they flush the toilet!

[BBfanboy]

Originally had the Pensacola TF at Manila but that simply guarantees their destruction. In this update I move them to Del Monte on northern Mindanao. This still leaves them hugely vulnerable and I got a few of them as they fled the opening attacks.

Perhaps having them at Zamboanga or Jolo and heading south makes better sense? It would give CLV Charlotte, CA Pensacola, 2 DD and their convoy a much better chance to get out of the trap. Heck--even Tarakan might work. The Mod postulates an acceleration of 2-3 weeks of the reinforcement schedule that is detailed in the excellent book RACING THE SUNRISE. This is why their are additional fighters as well as the 3 A-24 units in Manila at the start of the war.

I know Japanese 'tourists' were part of the Intel effort before the war began. Do you have any idea if the Japanese would have had intel on the movements of US and British/Dutch fleet units just before the war started?

[RangerJoe]

Originally had the Pensacola TF at Manila but that simply guarantees their destruction. In this update I move them to Del Monte on northern Mindanao. This still leaves them hugely vulnerable and I got a few of them as they fled the opening attacks.

Perhaps having them at Zamboanga or Jolo and heading south makes better sense? It would give CLV Charlotte, CA Pensacola, 2 DD and their convoy a much better chance to get out of the trap. Heck--even Tarakan might work. The Mod postulates an acceleration of 2-3 weeks of the reinforcement schedule that is detailed in the excellent book RACING THE SUNRISE. This is why their are additional fighters as well as the 3 A-24 units in Manila at the start of the war.

I know Japanese 'tourists' were part of the Intel effort before the war began. Do you have any idea if the Japanese would have had intel on the movements of US and British/Dutch fleet units just before the war started?

I know that there was a Japanese spy who was in the British military in Malaya, he was at an RAF airfield giving information to the Japanese. He was discovered and arrested. He thought that the Japanese would liberate him but I think that a British Sergeant Major ensured that he would never be liberated.

As far as ports go, there probably were spies that as some locals believed in the Japanese propaganda - at least until they were under Japanese control!

[John 3rd]

December 14, 1941

In any new game against a new opponent, one has to 'learn' their opponent to get an idea of how they react, move, and come at you. Once you get to know the person, there is the chance of pulling a Robert E. Lee and be able to get into an opponent's head. I don't know Thomas. He is a complete unknown to me.

That changed with this turn.

As said earlier, the entire Scouting Force of the Pacific Fleet was near Pago Pago when the war started. This includes CV Enterprise, Lexington, CVL King's Mountain, and a CLV. There are the massive BCs Constellation and Chesapeake as well as three major sets of escorts.

Evidently Admiral Kimmel is not rattled by the attack on his main base. He orders the Scouting Force to consolidate and advance towards the great unknown of Truk in the Central Pacific...

More details coming when I get back...

[RangerJoe]

Instead of Bobby Lee, would the WITP:AE player named Nemo be a better example? Especially since he was a professional head shrinker?

[John 3rd]

The enemy approached from the SE. I imagine that the Americans re-arranged TFs and move NW for the balance of the week to get within strike range of Truk. With the Wake and Midway Invasion Forces moving steadily towards their targets, my carriers were all accounted for. Thomas can count ships as well and knew he would be dealing with just LBA. Very smart!

Evening
His BCs try to move in on Truk but run into a STF of 5 CL and 8 DDs who were returning from a Fast Transport mission dropping off troops at Lae. In a pleasant surprise, the plucky TF holds off 2 BC, 2 CA, and 6 DD without taking too much damage. Unfortunately a bunch of Long Lances did not find any of their targets.

Day
Daylight brings abject disaster as strikes of 26 F, 75 DB, and 27 TBD (morning) and 26 F, 98 DB and 14 TBD (afternoon) sink FIVE CL and 3 DDs. OUCH! Not fun whatsoever but absolutely gutsy, bold, and brilliant by my new opponent. Absolute kudos to him and his boldness.

Lessons
1. He is bold and aggressive.
2. He will take the risk and strike when my CVs are known to be elsewhere.

There is a lot more to it then that but I'll know more with the next turn. It would be a mistake to stay and try to bag more shipping. I transferred nearly 60 ZERO and 36 BETTY to Truk. Staying around means I can strike. If ANYTHING gets thru then he is a long, long way from a friendly, safe port. Smart money is to bug out and be able to justifiably brag about his success. If he moves NE (towards Wake and/or Midway), he will run into trouble. That said, the TF he has put together can easily raise havoc with one of my CARDIVs. I will be careful and see what happens.

Next turn will be all about observations...

[John 3rd]

Dec 15, 1941
Off Truk

The Japanese spend a near sleepless night preparing 27 Betty and nearly 60 Zero for possible action. High Command waits to see if the Americans foolishly remain nearby or prudently retire.

Watching the broken CL Kinugasa and 3 damaged DDs limp into port puts the Japanese into a murderous mood.

Dawn and Morning Strike

Mavis search planes depart from Eniwetok, Madang, and Truk. Within 30 minutes the call of ENEMY CARRIERS is heard from one of Truk's scouts. CAP takes off to protect the AF and Port while a Strike Force of 42 Zero and 27 Betty take to the sky. The flight is quick and the Zeros are engaged by over 40 American Fighters. Some are of the obsolete Buffalo type. Though the Zeros do well splashing over a dozen of the enemy, several Americans get into the bombers and six fall to their guns.

The Task Force found closest to Truk is centered upon the distinctive silhouette of the USS Lexington. The Americans ring up flank speed and their AA guns open up. Five more Betty fall prior to completing their drops. A total of 16 torpedoes hit the water. The attack is classic hammer-and-anvil with eight bombers attacking from each side of the big flattop. Lexington successfully combs the attack coming from her starboard side as all miss. Those from the port side have a large, ponderous massive carrier in their sights. The first group of four drop their torps and see one smash into the forward port bow. Slightly correcting their aim, the remaining four close in and drop. TWO torpedoes smash into Lexington's midships area and a large, secondary explosion is seen.

As the bombers depart, the USS Lexington rapidly slows and has a good-sized list.

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Afternoon Strike[/b]

The remaining 11 operational planes are re-armed and gassed up for a second strike. They take off under the escort of 32 Zeros. They are guided to their target by the fuel trailing in her wake. Over 30 Americans rise to fight this strike. A terrific dogfight breaks out with the Japanese shooting down over a dozen planes for none of their own. While good, the enemy still gets in and downs four of the eleven bombers. The exhausted bombers pilots have had enough and break off their attack and head for home.

Lexington takes no more damage THIS DAY.

[RangerJoe]

He should have been happy with his victory and fled into obscurity!

[John 3rd]

He should have been happy with his victory and fled into obscurity!

...and THAT teaches me a far larger lesson then his surprise attack on my task forces at Truk!

[John 3rd]

December 15, 1941
Truk

Though the Zero-Sen pilots are ecstatic over their fighting today, the bomber pilot's morale is terrible. They did succeed in crippling an American aircraft carrier but the cost was exceedingly high. Nearly a third of the pilots are dead. In an effort to boost their morale, a new commander is appointed to takeover from the their fallen leader. A fiery pep-talk helps to bring the pilots up a bit and then the talk shifts what they learned...

...during this discussion the heavy drone of four engine aircraft is clearly heard. Coming in from Kwajalein are 16 huge Mavis seaplanes. They taxi across the water to a nearby pier. The pilots witness nearly 3 dozen torpedoes laying out along the pier. One plane after another approaches the pier and gains two of the deadly missiles. While unconventional, TWO torpedoes is certainly better then ONE when launching at large targets! Right? RIGHT!!

The Mavis command crews come over and get 'crash' courses in torpedo attack methodology. It may just be needed in about 12-14 hours time.

[John 3rd]

When I do an AAR I always try to make it as educational as possible. Love great discussions and debate for players to learn from.

Can I do a mouseketeers roll call for who is reading the AAR? Will give me an idea of what to discuss when Posting.

Here is a reader.

A question for you - the 2 major 'beef's" I have with allied air (these are both addressed in LST's mod & I have to say it works great!):
- aimbots for the defense gunners in Allied heavies - reduced accuracy makes fighters shot down outright quite rare, but keeps OPS losses and damaged planes high enough to still make it hard to defend against them. They are just not as good sweepers any more

- changing individual bombs to 'clusters', meaning when heavies bomb a land target, because of the algo, instead of 12 separate chances for them to hit 'something' (if they carry 12 bombs), they are set to carry 'sticks' of 3-4 'larger' devices. Basically there will be less absolute number of hits, while the individual hits can be more powerful. I do not remember if DBB-C or any other have this also.

Other than that, agreeing with the post above, Japan needs any CD it can get, I know this mod already have some extra, owning to 'Yamamoto's foresight', and variants players like to switch some of the SNLF units' guns to heavier DP's too.

I was unaware of those changes with LST's Mod. Where can I find out more?

[JanSako]

Here is the link to the mod page:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 8&t=309505

The mod creator has an AAR of a game we are playing now:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 5&t=385100

[John 3rd]

Thanks!

[John 3rd]

Dec 17, 1941
Truk Area

SCRATCH ONE FLATTOP!

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[John 3rd]

We have been getting turns done and I need to update today. It is a yard weekend at this house!