Tokyo Rose was a Hussy! Chez (J) vs. Canoe (A)

[Cap Mandrake]

And I think you would be loco to send your carriers to the Western Aleutians without recon. The surface raid seems like a good idea to me.

[bradfordkay]

Hey Dan... did you get my turn? I woke up this morning to find your turn in my inbox...

So where are you planning to go camping? And what's your password?[;)]

I sent Steve a reply saying that he might want to send you your turn...

[Canoerebel]

12/15/42

Devil's Triangle: Japanese subs are just infesting the waters around Pearl Harbor. There were numerous ASW encounteres to little if any effect, but one sub did manage to sink an ASW DD (I researched this once before and to the best of my recollection Japanese subs never managed to sink a single DD acting on ASW patrol or acting as an escort during the war - the DD attending to Yorktown was stationary when she was hit, so that doesn't count. The point being that this is a rather unusual event). Enterprise continues to steam north and will turn east and make for LA tonight. Her damage dropped slightly to 5 SYS/27 FLT, so things seem to be fine at the moment. Northampton is in pretty bad shape and still about four days out of Pearl. Pensacola is in port at Pago Pago and is fine.

NoPac: The five-DD Allied TF made it to Amchitka and tangled with a TF consisting of an xAP, CL Kitikami, and two DDs. One Allied DD was very heavily damaged. I think the Japanese will lose a DD and possibly the xAP. CA Houston didn't arrive in time to get in on the fun. I think the IJ landing team was very badly disrupted as you would expect in the Aleutians in winter. I strongly wish I had a counter-invasion force ready, but I don't have enough political points! Since day one, I've had four units prepping for Amchitka. They are now at Seattle, but I don't have PP to buy them. I did buy the Rocky Mountain Regiment at Prince Rupert - it's cheap - to garrison Adak Island. It should head out tomorrow or the following day. In about a week, transports will be available to tote a Mountain Regiment at Seattle to Attu Island. CVs Lex and Sara refueld and the two will head NW into the Berring Sea to see what might develop.

Rabaul: Four Allied DDs are stationed here, but I expect the enemy to return with a much strong escort next time.

DEI: A Mini KB is about two hexes north of Jolo on a course suggesting the South China Sea is the objective. I think Steve needs carrier cover when he returns to Singkawang. Buying time down here was a very good use of Force Z, despite the damage taken. The AV at Palembang is up to 186. As noted yesterday, some Australian and RN combat ships are heading to the DEI to lend a hand since PoW and Repulse are out of action for awhile. The ships include CA Austalia, CA Exeter, CL Dauntless, CL Perth, CA Louisville, and a few others.

[Cribtop]

This is one fun, action packed game with fighting raging on all fronts, CR. Kudos to you for a well-played hand so far. Very interested to see how NOPAC develops. Your fondness for the region was obviously not lost on Chez.

[JohnDillworth]

Devil's Triangle: Japanese subs are just infesting the waters around Pearl Harbor. There were numerous ASW encounteres to little if any effect, but one sub did manage to sink an ASW DD (I researched this once before and to the best of my recollection Japanese subs never managed to sink a single DD acting on ASW patrol or acting as an escort during the war - the DD attending to Yorktown was stationary when she was hit, so that doesn't count.

Just a reminder that the ASW ships work much better when they have ASW and search aircraft spotting for them. I get much better results when I am using both. At least I usually get the first shot

[stuman]

ORIGINAL: desicat

All this deep double thinking reminds me of something, hopefully CR doesn't fall for one of the 'Classic Blunders' and go all in in China!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNHBUqfLnM

I think that Wesley should have just run Fezinni through with his sword as soon as he had put his knife away. But that is just me [:)]

[Canoerebel]

12/17/41

Cribtop is right, there's alot going on in this game, which means I'm having alot of fun thus far. I think my objective is to make as short as possible the grim period in between the opening of the war, in which the Allies have the ability to strike pretty effectively, and late 1942, when the Allies once again have enough power to go on the offensive a bit.

NoPac: All is quiet here at the moment. I think the IJA force at Amchitka was totally disrupted in landing, as it hasn't even taken the vacant base yet. DD Anderson went under, a victim of the mostly successful engagement against the CL Kitakami-led invasion force yesterday. Houston is now on duty at Amchitka and will be joined by two DD tomorrow. Lex and Sara are west bound from Dutch Island making for the Bering Sea.

CenPac: Lots of subs around Pearl. Enterprise's damage dropped again (now 5/24) and she is on her way to Los Angeles. Northampton is making slow progress for Pearl. At 11/72/30 and with lots of subs between her and the yards, I'm worried. I'm also worried that Steve has ringed Pearl with subs to pick off or discourage me from sending cripples to the West Coast...and that he plans a follow up carrier raid. But that can't happen for awhile, yet, so I'll deal with that possibility later.

SoPac: Pensacola is looking much better as she sits at Pago Pago after taking a torp. I've detached a DMS from the nearby Louisville TF to act as an escort when Pensacola is ready to steam for a yard. The Japanese returned to Rabaul with much more power - CAs Aoba, Kinugasa, Furutaka, and Kako. They treated a four-DD Allied TF roughly, with two taking damage, but they should make it home to fight another day. I've been air lifting an Aussie battalion from Port Moresby to Rabaul, thus boosting my defensive AV. Steve has something like four or five Naval Guard units ashore now, but I'm not sure if it's enough to take the base (some of his units took heavy losses in landing).

DEI: The Mini KBs are stationed either side of the Puerto Princessa island, picking off forlorn hopes ships (small stuff still fleeing the area). Right now, there are no enemy ships approaching the northern DEI (Celebes and vicinity) area, which is great. Also, Japan postponed the Singkawang invasion, so there's very little going on in the southern South China Sea. The Allied AV at Palembang is at 217 and will reach something like 285 tomorrow. I want to "buy" one of the Aussie brigades in Malaya, but I only have 85 PP at the moment.

Political Points: Those things are PRECIOUS. The Allies just don't have nearly enough. Some of the things I've paid for thus far: two B-17 squadrons in the Philippines (sent to Soerabaja); two AVG fighter squadrons (one now at Palembang, the other at Singapore); I bought the Rocky Mountain Battalion, now aboard transports and bound for Adak Island, I've replaced a few TF commanders (that paid big dividends for the Louisville TF when she went into battle at Rabaul a week ago); and one or two other units here and there.

Philippines: A USN PT TF and the British MTB TF went into action at Iba, tangling with at least two Japanese amphibious TFs, sinking at least one big xAP (actually it was very heavily damaged and then finished off by a sub) and two xAK. I think two other xAP were heavily damaged. I lost at least three MTB.

Burma/India: I diverted an Indian brigade on a TF named "Burma Relief Force" that was inbound to Rangoon. Instead, this brigade goes to Socatra. I've already landed a good Indian unit (AV of about 85) at Diego Garcia. Also, there is an Indian brigade at each of Colombo and Trincomalee. That will probably be the entire garrisons for those four destinations. Over at Port Blair, a two-plane transport squadron is bringing in part of an Indian brigade cut off in Malaya. Port Blair's AV is up to about 30, which is nearly enough to prevent seizure by paratroops.

Force Z and DEI Naval Assets: Prince of Wales escorted by a destroyer is well into the Indian Ocean and, barring sub attack, in the clear for the yards at Colombo. Repulse escorted by a destroyer leaves Soerabaja tonight bound for Ceylon. CLs Boise and Mauritius depart Soerabaja tonight bound for Perth and then Melbourne. Replacement combat ships (mainly RN and RAN CAs and CLs) will begin arriving in theater in three or four days. Until then the Allied navy in the DEI is essentially a few Dutch CLs, a scattering of DDs, and subs. While I am sorry to see Forze Z in such a weakened state, she played a key role in turning back the enemy at Singkawang. Instead of the enemy having a big airbase with Netties operating deeply in Allied territory, the Allies remain free to roam from the southern South China Sea all the way to Darwin (except for the sub meance).

[paullus99]

You've really managed to put a crimp in the Japanese expansion plans - he'll certainly try to make up for lost time, but you are in a good position to reinforce areas that probably would have fallen much faster - and make it much more expensive (and time consuming) once he does get rolling again.

I understand about the PPs - early on, you never have enough - especially to take advantage of situations like you find yourself in currently. I'd also make sure Port Moresby is reinforced as well - given the hard time he's having at Rabaul, you have more time to get units in place to make it defensible (or at least very expensive). Your actions up north will also give him pause & probably cause the diversion of additional units to the Kuriles, et. al.

Good work all around - don't get sloppy, stay on plan & I think you'll be a in a great position.

[Cribtop]

I concur. The ambush in NOPAC probably has Chez thinking "he's everywhere!" This is good for you as Chez will start spooking at shadows. Remember Grant chastising his Generals? "You seem to think Lee will end up on both our flanks and in our rear at the same time!" A paraphrase, but you get the idea.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

Devil's Triangle: Japanese subs are just infesting the waters around Pearl Harbor. There were numerous ASW encounteres to little if any effect, but one sub did manage to sink an ASW DD (I researched this once before and to the best of my recollection Japanese subs never managed to sink a single DD acting on ASW patrol or acting as an escort during the war - the DD attending to Yorktown was stationary when she was hit, so that doesn't count.

Just a reminder that the ASW ships work much better when they have ASW and search aircraft spotting for them. I get much better results when I am using both. At least I usually get the first shot

Problem is that at this early stage the Allied player is critially short of patrol and ASW capable aircraft. Skills are low, so the question is do you put lousy squadrons to work on ASW or start to train them up? I found that in my game that I was so in need of air search aircraft that I could not devote many planes at all to ASW in 1942. Then after that it did not matter so much as the real killer of Japanese subs are Allied DDs and escorts. Not to say that Air asw is not worth it but spotting with air search and leaving the killing to ASW ships seems to be the way to go.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

12/17/41

Political Points: Those things are PRECIOUS. The Allies just don't have nearly enough. Some of the things I've paid for thus far: two B-17 squadrons in the Philippines (sent to Soerabaja); two AVG fighter squadrons (one now at Palembang, the other at Singapore); I bought the Rocky Mountain Battalion, now aboard transports and bound for Adak Island, I've replaced a few TF commanders (that paid big dividends for the Louisville TF when she went into battle at Rabaul a week ago); and one or two other units here and there.

I believe in paying retail and in 9/43 of my campaign, I still am looking for Political Points. Don't know how fine it is for the Japanese side but they have got it just about right as far as the Allies go. I still got plenty of units in Canada, India and Oz that I would like to buy out.... but will have to wait.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

12/17/41

Political Points: Those things are PRECIOUS. The Allies just don't have nearly enough. Some of the things I've paid for thus far: two B-17 squadrons in the Philippines (sent to Soerabaja); two AVG fighter squadrons (one now at Palembang, the other at Singapore); I bought the Rocky Mountain Battalion, now aboard transports and bound for Adak Island, I've replaced a few TF commanders (that paid big dividends for the Louisville TF when she went into battle at Rabaul a week ago); and one or two other units here and there.

I believe in paying retail and in 9/43 of my campaign, I still am looking for Political Points. Don't know how fine it is for the Japanese side but they have got it just about right as far as the Allies go. I still got plenty of units in Canada, India and Oz that I would like to buy out.... but will have to wait.

I'll second that - in one PBM in mid February '44 I am still looking at needing a few months worth of PP's. And for the whole game I've done as little changing of leaders as possible. Some is needed to get poorly skilled fighter group leaders replaced, get Nimitz in place, etc. but I sit with most commanders I get just to save the points. Honestly I think they are too tight and should be loosened.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Honestly I think they are too tight and should be loosened.

I went with 70 per turn in my current game, and it's too loose. I have 1500 in the bank and no real needs for them in Dec. 1943. I think 60 per turn might be a sweet spot. I didn't like 50 per in my first game.

[Canoerebel]

12/18/41

This was an unpleasant little turn. Only one bad thing happened, but nothing really good happened either. I've become an adrenaline junkey.

Luzon: The Allies were quietly withdrawing from Iba back to Clark. I even had them set to combat mode just in case the enemy got frisky. The enemy got frisky, shock attacked, and destroyed something like 214 combat squads in the resulting 2:1 victory. Ouch! Ouch, ouch! My units are back at Clark, where I have 1,000+ AV, with another 300 at Manila. So the Allies aren't in danger of crumbling, but that hurt. Japan doesn't have anything particularly strong - one mixed brigade, a few regiments, some armored units, etc. Steve hasn't brought enough (yet) to do more than bottle me up at Clark and Bataan.

NoPac: Amchita fell to a puny little base force wtih 10 AV. I'm assuming things will heat up as Steve won't want to lose this foothold. I have Houston and two DD there, with Lex and Sara a few days away. A US mountain battalion at Seatlle (only 36 AV, but that might be enough) will load aboard transports in about three days.

CenPac: Ent continues to make good progress towards Los Angeles. Northhampton's FLT dropped from 72 to 70, so she may have a chance of making Pearl if she can avoid subs. She's following a good ASW TF and is perhaps three days away.

SoPac: Japanese shock attack at Rabaul dropped forts to one, so my little roadblock won't last much longer.

DEI: Repluse and PoW are both in the Indian Ocean making for distant Ceylon. Mauritius and Boise are likewise in the Indian bound for Oz. The Mini KB is off the radar screen at the moment. SigInt shows a battlion on a Maru bound for Mersing. Allied AV at Palembang is up to 300 and climbing at about 30 per day (excepting yesterday when a 40-AV unit arrived by land). I still have alot of Dutch units all over with AVs ranging from 10 to 30, so I can possibly get the AV up to around 400 or 450 before I need to draw on some of the Indian or Aussie units at Singapore (assuming I have enough AV at the time to buy the). I think I may assign Palembang a higher PP priority than the Aleutians.

[paullus99]

The Aleutians doesn't give you or your opponent really anything at this point - if you are able to create a major stumbling block at Palembang, that's a worthwhile cause.

[Canoerebel]

12/19/41

NoPac: Paullus99 is right - the Aleutians aren't that important to Japan. But they are important to me for two reasons. First, I like to be able to use them to threaten NoPac and, as mentioned early on, I might want to strike west into the Kuriles if Steve really threatens Oz or India. Second, because the Aleutians really aren't that helpful to Japan, any forces Steve diverts up this way are kind of a waste for him. And right now I like the set-up. The Mini-KBs are down around the Philippines, so if Steve wants to cover his forces he has to commit fleet carriers (unlikely, but not impossible) and at least some cruisers. If I play things right, I think I may be able to garrison Attu and Adak, reclaim Amchitka, and use my carriers to pop some IJ ships on the nose.

CenPac: Enterprise is half-way to LA. Northhampton is one or two days out of Pearl and looks good to make it barring sub problems. I have my damaged BBs at pier side working on SYS damage, but at least two are lightly damaged and will be sent to the West Coast in less than ten days. I'm worried about a second KB port strike in coming weeks, so I want to get some ships out of Dodge.

SoPac: Rabaul falls. Tokyo Rose is a hussy.

DEI: No signs of IJ shipping in the southern South China Sea or the Celebes areas at the moment. Very nice, but somewhat surprising. The Allies have two CL/DD groups now - one at Semereng and one at Soerabaja. CA Exeter and CL Daunltess to arrive from the west in two days. CA Australia, CA Louisville, and CL Adelaide to arrive from the east in three days. Palembang AV up to 338. That "Burma Relief Force" I diverted from Rangoon to Socatra a few days ago? Nah. Let's send that Indian brigade to Palembang. The transports are NE of Ceylon, so they have a way to go, but I like that idea.

SigInt: Interesting nugget: 33rd Division on a Maru bound for Truk. This could be manipulated by a clever opponent, but if true that's a division generally sent to Burma or vicinity. Could this be an early sign of a move on Hawaii? I don't know, but I'll keep it in the back of my mind.

[paullus99]

I certainly understand your designs up north - it creates a creditable threat & forces your opponent to react, at least defensively, in case you decide to proceed with any offensive operations up there. I will say, a stand in the DEI may make your opponent think twice about a grab for Hawaii (or even pushing further into SOPAC) - since a lodgement at Palembang & perhaps even a secondary stand on Timor (reinforced out of India - because he can't push into India if you are actively threatening his flank, and holding vital resources that he needs).

I do also understand this is scenario #2, so he does have extra resources to potential do two major operations at once, but I have a feeling that you can really crimp his style. I'm really looking forward to the next couple of months.

[Canoerebel]

12/20/41

NoPac: Yikes, a Mavis patrol from Amchitka "snooped" Saratoga way up on the "Bering Sea" lettering! I'm assuming that was a solid report, so I'll have to be extra careful. I'm sending the carriers south of Dutch Harbor until they are needed to cover landings and until I can get some picket ships in place. At Seattle, a mountain battalion and an army regiment are loading aboard transports bound for Amchitka. They will have low prep and will accrue alot of disruption given winter conditions, but I think I can get enough ashore to take the very lightly held island. I would consider using my dive bombers to assist in this operation when the time comes.

CenPac: Northampton made Pearl (a small but important victory). Enterprise is down to 5/23 and is about three or four days away from Los Angeles. Based upon very little to this point, my early suspicion is that Steve might be interested in a move on Hawaii as opposed to Oz or India. Of course, at this early date I'm not "assuming" or "acting upon" any such hunch.

SoPac: Temporarily quiet here. In about a week, defense of this region will be in the hands of CAs Minneapolis and Indianapolis.

DEI: A large IJ force of some kind - probably combat ships and an invasion force - is approaching the northern waters, perhaps bound for Morotai, Manado, or Ternate. No early plans to contest this as I'm awaiting arrival of some heavy cruisers. Over to the west, I think a large IJ amphibious force is moving on Mersing, but I'm not quite sure yet. BB Kongo and CVE Hosho are present. The Allied AV at Palembang is up to 374. Most of these are "light" troops without any heavy weapons, so the garrison isn't as strong as it might seem.

Fortress Palembang: I've been mulling over this move and whether or not it's gamey as I define it. I don't think so and I'm not requesting input from readers (at least not yet), but here's some of my thinking. Two weeks into the real war, the Allies were in total disarray. They weren't sure what was happening and certainly didn't have the knowledge or ability or desire to drawn down all the various island garrisons to create some major fortress. Certainly Palembang didn't have a magical ability to generate supplies sufficient to serve a huge garrison into perpetuity. On the other hand, Japan didn't have immense foreknowledge that allowed it to do stuff like bypass Luzon (which I think Steve is doing, which is a very good move IMO) or mount early and major amphious operations deep in enemy territory. From a real life standpoint, both sides are operating outside the bounds of what could have been done. But from a game standpoint, both sides are doing things that are sensible and seem reasonable to me. So, I don't think Fortress Palembang is gamey (as I define it).

[Canoerebel]

These are the voyages....

During my game with Miller, I would sometimes post the paths taken by various Allied units throughout the game. It was interesting (to me) to see how an American division that started at San Diego might help garrison Pago Pago, then take part in the invasion of Timor, then would end up in the invasion of Borneo; or how a ship might take part in a clash, end up in the yards for a year, steam back to the front, and promptly get sunk. With that in mind, here are some early units to keep an eye on:

CL Boise: This ship fled Cebu west through the Sulu Sea and broke for safety into the South China Sea. After rendezvouing with Force Z near Pontianak around December 11, she accompanied Forze Z into a major clash just west of Singkawang on December 13, roughing up and turning away the invasion force. Boise took light/moderate damage. She is making for the yards at Melbourne and should arrive in about eight days.

CA Houston: Fleeing Iloilo into the Philippine Sea at the start of the war, Houston's first target was to approach Wake Island to strike any invasion force that might arrive there. When it seemed the KB might be retiring towards Wake, however, Houston turned NE and made for the Aluetians. She was one day too late to participate in the little naval battle that took place when the Japanese invaded Amchitka Island. She is now at Dutch Harbor, paired with two DDs to serve as a rapid deployment force in the event the Japanese bring reinforcements to Amchitka.

6th Indian Brigade: This unit begins the game at Alor Star and somehow got cut-off from Singapore (a failure of a commanding officer, methinks). Currently, a small detachment has been airlifted to Port Blair, part of an ongoing effort to bolster that island's defense. Meanwhile, the bulk of 6th Indian is on the march northeast towards Singore to see if that base has been evacuated by the advancing enemy.

8th Marine Regiment: This units begins the game at San Diego. She loaded aboard troop transports and departed San Diego around December 18, bound for Pago Pago.

xAP Dominican Monarch: Beginning the war at Singapore, this ship joined four other xAP, one xAK, 2 AMC, and an AM in comprising TF 193. The TF loaded fuel and departed for Townsville, Australia, within a day. The TF is currently in the Banda Sea and seems likely to make its destination.

[JohnDillworth]

Fortress Palembang

Are you talking about moving all the units on the peninsula there or everything in the DEI there? If you are moving everything in the DEI there won't you have to pay PP to load them on a boat even though it's just a short hop?
thanks