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How far south are you planning to go after Noumea?

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

How far south are you planning to go after Noumea?

I will certainly go to Fiji, probably even before capturing Noumea, and press towards Tonga if possible. I don't think an invasion of New Zealand is in the cards.

[font="Arial"]Remoteness is not a certain safeguard against invasion.[/font]
- Jomini: Précis de l’Art de la Guerre, 1838

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5/23/42 – 5/27/42

I am slowly realizing just how harsh the new stacking limits for atolls are. I only have two naval guard units and a JNAF company on Wake. The addition last month of the Wake Coast Gun battalion brought the number of troops there to 6500 – 500 over the limit. I’ve been watching the supply drain and the effect on unit readiness and both are noticeable, though minor. But there is no question of adding more troops. So they have an AV of 150 and some good coast guns. In WITP I would consider that a pathetic defense. In AE, though, that’s as good as it gets.

Over the last four turns Japanese forces have occupied La Foa and taken Tjilitjap, compelling the surrender of 15 Dutch units with about 15,000 men. On Sumatra lead Japanese forces have entered Medan.

China: in China there is an interesting dance going on, with Q-Ball's units trying to isolate my forces attacking Liuchow. I recently won a small but important victory here when four Japanese brigades, left behind as a reserve, sallied out of Kukong and pushed several Chinese units back towards Ichang. These units had been trying to move cross-country onto the Kukong-Liuchow road, and if they had made it they would have been able to cause me some serious difficulty. One unit did make it onto this road, but it seems to be a small unit incapable of doing much damage on its own.

Burma: recon planes at Mandalay have been scouting the India frontier. Q-Ball has substantial forces at Akyab and Imphal, nothing or minor forces elsewhere. Any invasion overland would be so slow that he could easily move sufficient forces to block me. A landing past Akyab at Cox’s Bazaaar or Chittagong would be necessary to press further in this region, I think.

I had started the 33rd Division down the road towards Paoshan across the China frontier but my experience with mountain assaults on Java convinced me this would be a waste of time. The 33rd is thus back at Lashio.

How does that stacking penalty affects the attacker?

Seems like things are cruising along nicely.

Your conservative playstyle suits an opponent like Q-Ball, I think. He's awfully aggressive and talented with those land forces in China. It makes audacity almost not worth the risk.

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

How does that stacking penalty affects the attacker?

Similarily. There are large supply cost and disruption penalties for attacking atolls with too many troops.

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

Seems like things are cruising along nicely.

Your conservative playstyle suits an opponent like Q-Ball, I think. He's awfully aggressive and talented with those land forces in China. It makes audacity almost not worth the risk.

I think you are right. He's very good and mistakes against him are swiftly punished.

Here at Imperial Cuttlefish HQ we get a lot of mail. So this time, instead of the usual recitation of accomplishments and setbacks, I thought we’d open the mailbag and read and answer some of your many letters.

Mr. Cuttlefish,

You describe your play style using words like “defensive” and “conservative.” What are you, some kind of pantywaist sissy? Attack, man, attack! No guts, no glory! Make the other bastard sweat. Make him react, force him to make mistakes. Or else hand your computer to a real man.

Sincerely, G. Patton

Now, I never said I didn’t like to attack. I just like to do it for a purpose and I think that as Japan it is important not to overreach. They did that in real life and look what happened. Sure, unrestrained attack is great if you are America and have unlimited resources at your back. I don’t have that luxury.

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Honorable Cuttlefish,

You speak of defeat as though it were inevitable. What manner of talk is that? It is your destiny to triumph! Crush your foes, drive them before you, and hear the lamentations of their women! Your opponent is an American, decadent and soft. After you win the Decisive Battle he will surely surrender!

Yours, H. Tojo

Um…

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Herr Cuttlefish,

I understand that there has been a mighty panzer battle unfolding on Java. Would you be so kind as to tell us about that?

Regards, H. Guderian

I am glad you asked! I like to call the action you refer to as “Kursk on Java.” My opponent, Q-Ball, had sent the Mobiele Eenheid Battalion on an end run around my forces. It was finally brought to bay along the coast by the 1st Tank Regiment. In a mighty armored clash lasting several days the Dutch armor, some twenty Vickers tanks, was attacked and destroyed by the powerful Japanese force of Type 95 light tanks and Type 97 medium tanks.

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Dear Cuttlefish-san,

What kind of stupid AAR is this? You talk about campaigns and supplies and the disposition of forces and boring stuff like that. Where is that sequel to your other AAR that you keep talking about? Let us see some real writing!

Sincerely, H. Ishii

Patience, old friend. We’ll get there.

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My Dear Cuttlefish,

I appreciate the fact that you take the time to describe your situation regarding fuel, supplies, and production. When you find the time could you give us a high-level view of Japan’s current industrial situation?

Yours, A. Speer

Certainly. In general the situation is very good. Supply levels are very high and adequate levels of fuel are now available at the Home Islands and at key bases further afield, notably Rangoon, Singapore, Truk, and Rabaul. Honshu is currently being supplied with sufficient resources, and within the last few weeks a small reserve has begun to develop. Heavy industry reserves are at about 150,000 and slowly rising.

I have been careful in expanding facilities on Honshu. There are some things that simply can’t be avoided, such as increasing production of certain engines and aircraft and expanding vehicle production, but I have spread out these changes as much as possible.


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Cuttlefish,

Tell us about your opponent. We wish to know…everything.

J.E. Hoover

Q-Ball, quite simply, is a joy to have as an opponent. He is trustworthy, fair, and cranks out the turns fast enough to really keep the game moving along. On top of that he is intelligent and skillful. He plays an aggressive but not reckless game. More than once he has shared tips with me about playing the Japanese side, which says a lot about his quality.

I think that the later stages of this game, featuring a skilled attacker against a solid defender, are going to be really interesting.

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Darling,

I know you are trying to conquer the Pacific and all, but do you remember that I asked you to chop some more firewood?

Mrs. Cuttlefish

Of course, sweetheart, just as soon as I run one more turn…ow!

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

Crush your foes, drive them before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!

Good to see Conan[:)], though I think I prefer Genghis better[&o].

ORIGINAL: Genghis Khan

The Greatest Happiness is to scatter your enemy and drive him before you. To see his cities reduced to ashes. To see those who love him shrouded and in tears. And to gather to your bosom his wives and daughters.

[:D][:D][:D]

[&o]

Tojo the Barbarian FTW!

[&o]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish


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Darling,

I know you are trying to conquer the Pacific and all, but do you remember that I asked you to chop some more firewood?

Mrs. Cuttlefish

Of course, sweetheart, just as soon as I run one more turn…ow!

Every great General has their weak point [:D]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

[font="Arial"]The large ground organization of a modern air force is its Achilles’ heel.[/font]
- B.H. Liddell Hart: Thoughts on War, 1943

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4/27/1942 – 4/30/1942


New Arrivals: Junyo will arrive in two turns. The accelerated Hiyo is only be a week behind and Yamato will be along on schedule. This will give me timely extra firepower for the campaign in the South Pacific. I know a lot of people are fond of postponing or cancelling Yamato, but I never do. To the people of Japan that battleship was a powerful symbol. In the game it might be just a poor use of shipyard space and a big floating bag of points for the Allied player but to me it somehow feels wrong not to complete it.




[

I concur with this. In fact Japanese players should be assessed PP for not completeing certain captial ships by certain dates just as the Allies are penalized for not withdrawing capital ships. No way in heck that the IJN brass would have stood for the cancelation of these two big BBs. It was a big a political issue as any aspect of the game. PPs should be involved.

Hai. One cannot have Imperial Navy without Yamato.

On related not, I just saw Otoko-tachi no Yamato. Although the movie doesn't do credit to neither Yamato or her crew, it did made me wonder how much pride they felt serving the most powerful battleship in the world. [/spam]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

Here at Imperial Cuttlefish HQ we get a lot of mail. So this time, instead of the usual recitation of accomplishments and setbacks, I thought we’d open the mailbag and read and answer some of your many letters.

Looks like CF keeps company with some unsavory characters.... [:D]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish


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Darling,

I know you are trying to conquer the Pacific and all, but do you remember that I asked you to chop some more firewood?

Mrs. Cuttlefish

Of course, sweetheart, just as soon as I run one more turn…ow!

Every great General has their weak point [:D]

CF's appears to be the back of his head. [:D]

Ah, I get it now!
[:D]

The "Ow" is from the Mrs whacking him on the back of his head!!!
[:-]

She probably did a Gibbs on him[:D]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

She probably did a Gibbs on him[:D]

It's no coincidence that NCIS is one of her favorite shows...

[font="Arial"]It's easy to cry "bug" when the truth is that you've got a complex system and sometimes it takes a while to get all the components to co-exist peacefully.[/font]
-Doug Vargas

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5/29/1942 – 6/3/1942

Q-Ball and I have patched out game with the 1.094 beta patch and continued fearlessly on with the game. So far my review of the new patch is almost entirely positive. Thanks much to the Henderson Field boys for their continued dedication and hard work.

The search arc display feature is wonderful. In several cases I was able to see where I had too few planes trying to cover too much space. The solution: add more planes or narrow the arc. I have done both, depending on the air group involved.

Next on my favorite things list is the new flexibility in the “get pilots” feature. Wonderful! This flexibility alone is worth the entire patch. Close behind is the difference the patch makes in training air units. Even after only three turns I can see a dramatic improvement in training air groups with low experience. This is going to make a huge difference to my war effort.

I also really like the “at a glance” map feature that shows which bases are low on supply. Very handy, that. And the industry management screen is terrific.

I am less fond of the fact that partisan attacks are now costing me victory points. But if the developers wanted me to suddenly scramble to cover those bases they have succeeded. Before the patch I couldn’t care less whether partisans tore up the airfield at Tuang Gyi; now I am hustling to put a unit there.

I have also noticed that certain resource stockpiles overseas seem to have moved or gone away. At Sakhalin Island, for instance, they all jumped from the southern port to the northern one. Several hundred thousand resources at Haiphong have wandered off, and so forth. Mostly this has been a matter of re-routing convoys and not a big problem.

Noumea: Two of my infantry divisions have almost reached the base. I am showing five or six units (it varies) around 2600 enemy troops there. Considering that I know one of the enemy units is the 4th Infantry Division my intelligence estimate seems laughably low. Maybe it’s just a small fragment of the division there. Right…

Meanwhile a third Japanese infantry division is about to land at Koumac and three artillery units are already there and heading towards La Foa. Noumea has been isolated for a month now. Are they still sitting on cases of spam and powdered eggs or are they looking under logs for grubs? I’m betting on the spam, but hope springs eternal.

With Junyo and Hiyo now on the scene I have reorganized my carriers into two groups, sending Kaga (easily the slowest member of KB) over to join the two rather slow newcomers. The heavy cruiser force in the area was cannibalized to provide sufficient escorts. I would have created three task forces, maybe even four of two carriers each, if sufficient escort ships were available. But I am keeping the Kongo/Haruna/Yamato and the Mutsu/Yamashiro/Ise/Hyuga groups intact for now.

Java: Four Japanese infantry divisions are now at mountainous Malang, the last Allied stronghold on Java. Once the last of them exits strat mode, next turn, the final attack will begin.

Sumatra: Four Japanese infantry regiments and one armored regiment are at Medan. So far the Dutch are weakening but holding firm.

China: Nothing really new to report here. A Japanese unit wandered down and captured Kwangchowan; Pakhoi is next. Japanese bombardments and attacks continue to inflict lots of casualties at Loyang but so far I haven’t succeeded in dropping the forts below three.

Mines: I have put down a minefield of about 300 mines at Palembang and another at Kushiro. Q-Ball likes to camp his subs in these ports. The loss of Grayling at Tabiteuea showed, though, that even a modest minefield can be dangerous. It’s funny how fast one’s idea of scale changes. In WITP I considered 3000 mines to be the minimum. Now putting down 300 mines requires thought and planning and is an event worthy of mention in the AAR.

Under the Sea: the brave I-5 sank the fuel-laden AO Kanawha west of San Francisco on 1 June. I love those tanker/oiler sinkings! Meanwhile Q-Ball's cowardly undersea lurkers hit and damaged three xAKs in the last week; one near Cam Ranh Bay and two in the Pacific. All three are still afloat, which is unusual. And I-121, on a mission to lay mines at Auckland, hit an enemy mine there and was badly damaged.

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

Under the Sea: the brave I-5 sank the fuel-laden AO Kanawha west of San Francisco on 1 June. I love those tanker/oiler sinkings! Meanwhile Q-Ball's cowardly undersea lurkers hit and damaged three xAKs in the last week; one near Cam Ranh Bay and two in the Pacific. All three are still afloat, which is unusual. And I-121, on a mission to lay mines at Auckland, hit an enemy mine there and was badly damaged.

What do you think is needed to sink a Japanese xAK ? I'm wondering because when my subs put a single torpedo in a freighter, it usually doesn't show up in the sunk list.