The Ne(i)lson touch

[Roger Neilson]

and....

[Roger Neilson]

The overall picture, note the points gap developing and also the number of ships sunk in 3 days activity.

[steveh11Matrix]

Yes, but you only need to engage his BC - Hood, Renow, Repulse - and get a critical, and that points gap is closed.
Courageous and Glorious have only bacofoil armour [:)]

Remember, Despair is a sin![:-]

Besides, this is too good an AAR.....

Steve.

[steveh11Matrix]

Ooh, yes, while I think about it - I normally say that the graphics only have to be functional to please me, but these screen are pretty, too. Well done Tanker!

Steve.

[Roger Neilson]

Thats some encouragment, I was beginning to think even his tugboats were invincible!

Roger

[Terminus]

Oh yeah, the Glorious and Courageous (two of Fisher's Follies) are, to use a technical term, crap.

[Roger Neilson]

Day 4

Well it couldn’t get much worse I suppose, but it sure hasn’t got any better. Some combat reports dropped as they are boring…….

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Hong Kong at 43,42
Round 1.
Japanese Ships
BB Katori
BB Shikishima, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Asahi
BB Fuji
BB Mishishima
CA Asama
CA Tokiwa
CA Yakumo
DD No. 6
DD No. 8
DD No. 12
DD No. 16

Allied Ships
BB Iron Duke, Shell hits 2
BB Benbow
BB Marlborough, Shell hits 2
BB Empress of India
BB Erin
BB Canada
BB Ajax
DD Vega
DD Vendetta
DD Vivacious
DD Vivien

Round 2

Japanese Ships
BB Katori
BB Shikishima, Shell hits 14, and is sunk – magazine exploded
BB Asahi, Shell hits 1
BB Fuji, Shell hits 1
BB Mishishima, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Asama, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tokiwa, Shell hits 1
CA Yakumo
DD No. 6
DD No. 8, Shell hits 1
DD No. 12, Shell hits 2
DD No. 16

Allied Ships
BB Iron Duke, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage – some consolation
BB Benbow, Shell hits 1
BB Marlborough, Shell hits 7
BB Empress of India, Torpedo hits 1 – scratched her paint I bet!
BB Erin
BB Canada
BB Ajax
DD Vega
DD Vendetta, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Vivacious, Shell hits 1
DD Vivien, Shell hits 1

Round 3

Japanese Ships
BB Katori, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Asahi, Shell hits 1
BB Fuji
BB Mishishima, on fire, heavy damage
CA Asama, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tokiwa, Shell hits 1
CA Yakumo
DD No. 6
DD No. 8
DD No. 12
DD No. 16

Allied Ships
BB Agincourt
BB King George V
BB Centurion
BB Orion, Shell hits 1
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 2
BB Monarch, Shell hits 1
DD Yarra
DD Verdun
DD Vidette
DD Vimy
DD Violent

Round 4

Japanese Ships
BB Katori, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Asahi
BB Fuji
BB Mishishima, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk – oh more joy!
CA Asama, and is sunk
CA Tokiwa, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Yakumo
DD No. 6
DD No. 8
DD No. 12, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD No. 16, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Agincourt
BB King George V
BB Centurion
BB Orion
BB Thunderer, Shell hits 1 – hey one whole hit in that round!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BB Monarch
DD Yarra
DD Verdun
DD Vidette
DD Vimy
DD Violent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 45,43

Japanese Ships
BB Fuji, Torpedo hits 1, on fire as it limps back to base……
DD No. 8
DD No. 6

Allied Ships
SS K-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 43,43

Japanese Ships
BB Katori, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage also limping back to base

Allied Ships
SS L-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,51
Hey guys them funny plane things are attacking us! Whoever thought they’d be any use?
Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF1 x 3

Allied aircraft
Sopwith 2F1 Camel x 6
Sopwith Cuckoo x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Sopwith 2F1 Camel: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Hosho

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 4000 feet
4 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 4000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Taytay at 39,53


Allied aircraft
Fairey IIID x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Fairey IIID: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yuru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Fairey IIID bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,51

Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF1 x 3

Allied aircraft
Sopwith 2F1 Camel x 5
Sopwith Cuckoo x 5
Fairey IIID x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Iwate
CV Hosho

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 4000 feet
3 x Fairey IIID bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Sopwith Cuckoo bombing at 4000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat at 35,46

Japanese Ships
CL Yahagi
CL Tsushima
CL Tsugaru
DD Tsubaki
DD Kuwa
DD Nowaki
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
DD Valkyrie
DD Vanisttart
DD Venomous
DD Verity, Shell hits 1
DD Veteran
DD Volunteer
DD Wanderer
DD Whitehall
DD Whitshed
DD Wild Swan
DD Witherington

Just from interest I counted up how many hits each side got this turn on the other’s ships…..

Japan – 33 plus 1 torp
Allied – 52 plus 1 torp

Okay how would you handle the situation… this is my response


TF57 formed at TayTay under Yamata. 4xCA 4xCL 8xDD. Looks like a force approaching from North West.

TF1 is retiring to rearm and refuel, at least it hasn’t been badly damaged.

I am relying on my subs now to spot and damage him as he inevitably senses a major strategic victory.

DD Tfs are readied at all Formosan ports to resist what is likely to be raids by his ships.

A shame TayTay doesn’t have an airfield yet, I could deploy my torpedo bombers there and cause his advancing fleet some problems.

All in all its about how confident String is now, he knows that my ships have been badly damaged – he probably has a pretty low opinion of my ability (he’s not the only one) but he just may be wary as he’s seen how the combats can be quite unpredicatable.

So, a waiting game?

Ps I got really annoyed with all the html stuff to colour the text - so I thought if I did it in Word and copied it across it might keep its formatting - it didn't. Anyone know a way of doing this other than coding each line.... snore. I hate straight text combat reports copied... but life's too short to code everything.


As usual a map for those like me who prefer visuals.

Roger [8|][8|][8|]

[Erik Rutins]

Roger,

My sympathies on those sunk ships. Keep up the fight though, you never know when the dice will break your way!

[Roger Neilson]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

My sympathies on those sunk ships. Keep up the fight though, you never know when the dice will break your way!

That will always be my hope.... even if its the last sub afloat!

Its very interesting, if very frustrating. I have learned many things this way - reading manuals the words just go in one eye and out again.

I think I rushed in too quickly, I should have assembled my fleet more carefully and put the best possible commander in charge.

I also see that CLs, unlike in WITP cannot just charge around and cause mayhem.

Subs can be lethal!

Roger

[Fishbed]

he probably has a pretty low opinion of my ability (he’s not the only one)

Do not say that, Sting and us know perfectly that we have absolutely no control over how things are going in any naval battles... We can't reproach you with having crappy ships or captains, can we?

But it worries me a little about the Kaigun efficiency in this game... Is the japanese player starting the Jutland scenario with little experience for his ships? Shouldn't it be raised a little and be over the british ships' one because of the prior invasion of Philippines and the probable fights that occured with the US Navy?

btw I was surprised by your last screenshot. I needed a second to realize that the colour of the flag at Cam Ranh Bay was because of your colored layer - thought it had been invaded by Belgium.

[Roger Neilson]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

he probably has a pretty low opinion of my ability (he’s not the only one)

Do not say that, Sting and us know perfectly that we have absolutely no control over how things are going in any naval battles... We can't reproach you with having crappy ships or captains, can we?

But it worries me a little about the Kaigun efficiency in this game... Is the japanese player starting the Jutland scenario with little experience for his ships? Shouldn't it be raised a little and be over the british ships' one because of the prior invasion of Philippines and the probable fights that occured with the US Navy?

btw I was surprised by your last screenshot. I needed a second to realize that the colour of the flag at Cam Ranh Bay was because of your colored layer - thought it had been invaded by Belgium.

I don't know about their experience, I would think it should be rather battle hardened after wiping out the USA according to the scenario notes. Thier gunfire doesn't appear to be any good at all though.

Belgium are our secret ally in this game, don't tell Sting!

Seriously I'm still trying to work out where i went wrong, I applied, or tried to apply maximum force against what is a portion of his fleet.... and the results are consistently poor.

Cheers

Roger[&:]

[Roger Neilson]

Okay guys Day 6 and we are really motoring - not even 24 real hours passes and we are 6 days gone in the campaign. That may have a lot to do with the weather here being really awful and there is every incentive to stay warm and cosy.

Apologies in advance, this turn is frankly very boring..... but then it had to happen at some time. I'll post the whole combat report its so brief!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/06/24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 45,43

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS K-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 45,43

Allied Ships
SS K-2

Impressed aren't you?

Residents of Pescadores have noticed a bit of a messy scene in the docks today, you may be interested to see the contents (or part of the contents) of the harbour.









So, what is going on? Well my lads are generally thanking the gods that they are more or less back in harbours, apart from some BBs still limping back from Hong Kong....and they are nervously looking around for any periscopes! The pursuit of my ships has not happened, so perhps String is either licking his wounds, or thinks as he's ahead on points he can wait for me to sacrfice some more of my ships. One thought that has occurred to me is that the guy beside his base has an advantage in being able to quickly rearm and refuel compared to the fleet that is a long way away. Map included as always, but there's not much on there. The only thing of interest is that CA TF that is sailing down near Manila - it was north of TayTay yesterday.... what is it up to?

Map maybe not included, can't put more than one graphic on a post..... see mnext post for map.

Grrrrrrr

Roger [:@]

[Roger Neilson]

Oka, here's the map..... not all the area is shown as there's nothing out there at present to the West.

Roger

[Roger Neilson]

Day 7.... give me more subs, scrap the BBs altogether!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/07/24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 41,51

Japanese Ships
DD No.3
DD No.1
BB Yamashiro
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Isokaze
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS L-52, hits 3
Sinks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 41,52

Japanese Ships
SS No. 47

Allied Ships
DD Vanoc
DD Vanity
DD Winchelsea

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 46,43

Japanese Ships
BB Katori, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS K-2
Sinks [:(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 38,50

Japanese Ships
SS No. 58, hits 2

Allied Ships
BC Inflexible
DD Vanoc
DD Vanity
DD Winchelsea
DD Whitley
DD Whirlwind

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 37,49

Japanese Ships
SS No. 14, hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Carysfort, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Vanoc
DD Vanity
DD Winchelsea
DD Whitley
DD Whirlwind
CL sinks[:D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,49

Japanese Ships
SS No. 14, hits 5, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Vanoc
DD Vanity
CL Comus
DD Winchelsea
DD Whitley

Not sunk yet, but I wouldn't give the crew any life insurance




So, to the map. Looks very quiet again. His fleet in the middle of the South China Sea seems to be CA/CL and CV. That's surely not a lone BB off Lingayen? Where on earth has that 10 CL/DD TF gone that was west of Naga yesterday?

Really just some tidying up of subs now, taking advice I am mining Lingayen approach with the short legged sub that had to pop back for a few chunks of coal!

At least its quiet for a little while to give me a chance to reorganise.



Roger

[Roger Neilson]

Day 8

One possible sub sighting near Manila, otherwise the map is empty. I don't think he's just going to sit in his bases, but that's what it looks like at present.

Not worth even showing the empty map.

Roger

[PzB74]

Very interesting AAR Roger...!

I'm downloading WPO as I'm reading this, gawd it's slow: 63k!-(
Hey, Erik can't you give us more juice than that!?? [8|]

Since this is the first official AAR on the forum I guess there's a lot to learn, so don't despair
too much if the going is tough. Here are a couple of considerations:

The Japs based their Navy on the British - don't expect them to beat their masters in an even engagement yet!
In the 1920's the RN still ruled the oceans and I suggest you take advantage of the strategic situation and enmass
superior force in one are at the time. Hong Kong seems to be the first 'logical' target...

Perhaps it's better to reduce your battle line into several battle divisions of no more than 15 ships? Smaller tf's usually
fight better in WitP, not seen any evidence to the countrary in WPO thus far.

[Roger Neilson]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Very interesting AAR Roger...!

I'm downloading WPO as I'm reading this, gawd it's slow: 63k!-(
Hey, Erik can't you give us more juice than that!?? [8|]

Since this is the first official AAR on the forum I guess there's a lot to learn, so don't despair
too much if the going is tough. Here are a couple of considerations:

The Japs based their Navy on the British - don't expect them to beat their masters in an even engagement yet!
In the 1920's the RN still ruled the oceans and I suggest you take advantage of the strategic situation and enmass
superior force in one are at the time. Hong Kong seems to be the first 'logical' target...

Perhaps it's better to reduce your battle line into several battle divisions of no more than 15 ships? Smaller tf's usually
fight better in WitP, not seen any evidence to the countrary in WPO thus far.

Yes I think back to my larger battle lines where many of the ships did not take part, that could be why. I really am blundering about here but that's the way I prefer to learn anyway. The learning curve is still steep, but at least the games finish sooner than WIPT, because if you make a big mess in that its years before you can try again and get it right the next time.

String has met me with smaller forces each time and they have all or almost all, been able to fire at me.

Hong Kong was where I went for...... but I wasn't organised enough I think. Too hasty and I just threw some BB heavy Tfs together and went hunting.

Others will benefit from my stoopidity.

Cheers

Roger

[Terminus]

WPO isn't really that different from WitP in this respect. Amass crushing local superiority and take your enemy on in one place at a time.

[Roger Neilson]

Okay another day dawns and some unexpected visitors.....

In WITP I couldn't see a force like this sneaking into a harbour like this one did. Guess my recce pilots were still gluing their wings on and letting it dry!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
ML Kurokami Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
ML Kuroshima Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BC Hood
BC Repulse
BC Renown
DD Tumult
DD Tuscan

Now where I come from that counts as bullying!

Then they have the cheek to shell the port!

Naval bombardment of Lingayen, at 44,50 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BC Renown, Shell hits 5
BC Repulse, Shell hits 2
BC Hood, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


Ok, they have sailed in from Hong Kong so I assume they are heading back there, can't see them anchoring and waiting for me to come visit..... I have subs circling their getaway and a BB TF heading down from Pescadores and another one heading up from Manila to try and intercept.

Of course they could be bait in a trap....... [&:]

but if they are, well its all about intercepting at sea.... an almost impossible feat in WITP..... lets see what happens?

Cheers

Roger

[Roger Neilson]

Looking at the respective hits counts at least I'm winning in something!




Roger