Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: fcharton

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
I will take the opposing view here; I think you are in grave danger. He has isolated the Gilberts, Marshall's, and Solomons.

Is this really so? Those areas are only isolated if you consider holding Yap (0 SPS airfield), Wake (same) and Eniwetok (a bit larger, but atoll), block all communications between the Marshalls and the Mariannas or Japan. I think the bottleneck drawn on the map above is a bit of an exageration.

Of course, Jocke should try and close the pocket, but this means several invasions on well built bases, and usually on atolls. This should take time, be costly, and delay his advance in the Philippines (and it is late 1944 already...). And if he doesn't, his logisitical tail is very long and vulnerable.

My impression is the Erik is in a perfect position to delay the Allied advance, and force Jocke to move in the Celebes or in the Carolines, which may take a while. I would try to be naughty in the south pacific...

Francois

We think a bit alike here! [;)]

After the Saipan invasion I took advantage of the confusion to throw some radar equipped Bettys into the deep Pacific and try to see what might be moving out here. I've still got bases with supply and I've got limited air support I can fly around from base to base as needed. he has effectively no bombing forces out here to close anything and only a few bases in range anyway. I just bombed and sank the few small ships in the Eniweitok port and I'm reconning Wake which seems a hub, hosting about 240+ fighters and some bombers, with ships daily.

Graces are amazing with their 13 hex DB range, so they are the weapon of choice here. I've got two small groups and I'll move them wherever something shows up.

Jocke has been simply letting ships sail between the Solomons and Truk, the Gilberts and Truk for months, but now suddenly seems to want to cut this off. He's moved one single sub to ply the waters between Truk and the Marianas. There is not much left to bring back now though, as I mentioned. (He's also lost ~110-15 subs and can't afford to use them often or in numbers away from the front to support naval operations).

[veji1]

Wow Obvert, letting Night attacks by B29 on oil centers happen is a sure way of getting shredded. I would have HRd those as there is simply nothing you can do, or to be fairer, limited them to a tiny amount of planes.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: veji1

Wow Obvert, letting Night attacks by B29 on oil centers happen is a sure way of getting shredded. I would have HRd those as there is simply nothing you can do, or to be fairer, limited them to a tiny amount of planes.

The Allies used night attacks, and to be fair I can't really say they are not allowed. What I've done is to stress that if manpower is an available target that this is a more fair method of using the B-29 night bombing capability.

Jocke has been very fair about this, targeting manpower always if it's an option. If not he does target oil, which has dire consequences, like 185 oil points destroyed in one night with 3% moon and NF and flak contesting. So very unrealistic results.

Anywya, he's about to get the night bombing version of the B-29 and he can't really bomb in daylight with that anyway. It should also be more gentle on our NF when it comes in at night I'm hoping. [;)]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: veji1

Wow Obvert, letting Night attacks by B29 on oil centers happen is a sure way of getting shredded. I would have HRd those as there is simply nothing you can do, or to be fairer, limited them to a tiny amount of planes.

The Allies used night attacks, and to be fair I can't really say they are not allowed. What I've done is to stress that if manpower is an available target that this is a more fair method of using the B-29 night bombing capability.

Jocke has been very fair about this, targeting manpower always if it's an option. If not he does target oil, which has dire consequences, like 185 oil points destroyed in one night with 3% moon and NF and flak contesting. So very unrealistic results.

Anywya, he's about to get the night bombing version of the B-29 and he can't really bomb in daylight with that anyway. It should also be more gentle on our NF when it comes in at night I'm hoping. [;)]

If he bombs Manpower and uses Fires the industry is gone. Cannot be repaired. You might not care, but he might. I think it's the attacker's call. You had the same option to Manpower bomb Seattle and wipe out a bunch of the Allies' aircraft manufacturing forever.

B-29s carried incendiaries and oil fields burn real good. They're not hard to hit either.

[obvert]

If he bombs Manpower and uses Fires the industry is gone. Cannot be repaired. You might not care, but he might. I think it's the attacker's call. You had the same option to Manpower bomb Seattle and wipe out a bunch of the Allies' aircraft manufacturing forever.

B-29s carried incendiaries and oil fields burn real good. They're not hard to hit either.

Are you saying industry burned by fires is irrepairable or just that I likely won't use the supply to repair it?

So far manpower attacks have been useful for the Allies but not immediately devastating if well contested. This will change of course once he gets in range of the HI and decides to bomb industry there, as I can't really get enough NF on all points to contest well. Certain bases though will be a bit painful with the amount of flak there. Some have 100+ 12.7cm DP guns. Ouch. [:)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]8 October 1944[/font]
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While I still remember a little of what I was thinking I thought I should write up the October 8 turn.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] One subs gets a straggling xAK near Saipan after the escorts are shot out of the water around it. They'll keep hunting around here for the near future in decent numbers.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] No further movement in the South. Ams nearing Lomblen and should sweep mines as of tomorrow.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] In an attempt to take advantage of the continuing vulnerability of the Allied LOC I sent in 20 Jakes to Hollandia and managed to locate the tanker TF that was noticed yesterday moving up the New Guinea coast. They engaged and avoided several Corsairs in the area that showed up to plate to make a difference, and put bombs on four tankers and a DE. Two tankers got 3 x 60kg bombs, enough to get 'heavy fires' and possibly be in danger. The Corsairs did their job as the Jakes moved out, downing 8. Well worth it though.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] A few big strikes on troops moving and flak downs around 15 Allied bombers. [8D]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] Quite a few interactions resulting from the high speed runs of several torpedo Es and small DDs around the Marianas. The most interesting was two ships moving in and taking out several tankers 1-2 hexes from Tinian and many Allied TFs. Many Allied SAGs that accompanied the invasions seem to have retired though, possibly getting re-supplied. The big roving Fletcher groups were not around and our small ships were able to get in and out without a problem. Lost one small DD to a DE torpedo. Later air-strikes took their toll though, too. My CAP at Pagan is nearly worn to nothing and can't really extend protection to these ships any longer.

Still interested in how all of the Allied support and transport TFs are over the 15 ship 'safe' size for escort and to better avoid collisions. Two more happen in the tanker engagement. [:)]

Also just for pure entertainment and annoyance value, I attacked the undefended Eniweitok port with 20 Jakes, sinking four YMS and an AVP. Every little bit!

The Allies attack at Saipan and take the forts down a level. They get some heavy disablements, but we take more lasses, which of course is the trend late in game and should mean we can't hold unless something unforeseen happens here.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 8, 44
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Tinian at 108,94, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Momi, Shell hits 3, on fire
E Yanagi

Allied Ships
TK Alfred Clegg, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
TK Arethusa
SC PC-787
SC PC-1083
SC PC-1087, Shell hits 6, on fire
SC PC-1088, Shell hits 3, on fire
TK Cathwood
TK Deroche
TK L.P. St. Clair
TK La Brea
TK La Placentia
TK Paul M Gregg, Shell hits 1 COLLISION
TK Santa Maria
TK S.C.T. Todd
TK California Standard, Shell hits 8, heavy fires COLLISION
TK Chilbar, heavy damage COLLISION
TK Dannedaike, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Dilworth, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage COLLISION
TK Aristophanes
TK Pan Europa
TK Erling Brovig

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 27,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 12,000 yards
E Yanagi fires at SC PC-1088 at 12,000 yards
DD Momi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at TK Dannedaike at 12,000 yards HIT!!!
Range closes to 10,000 yards
TK Dilworth collides with TK California Standard at 108 , 94
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Momi engages TK Dilworth at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
E Yanagi engages TK Dannedaike at 2,000 yards
TK Paul M Gregg collides with TK Chilbar at 108 , 94
SC PC-1087 engages E Yanagi at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Saipan at 114,95, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yukaze, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 1
E Yugao, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DE Abercrombie
DE Stafford
DE Hemminger, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DE Elden, Shell hits 1, on fire


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DE Elden at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
E Yugao engages DE Abercrombie at 3,000 yards
Cohen, B.M. orders Allied TF to disengage
DE Abercrombie engages E Yugao at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Saipan at 114,95, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Tachikaze
E Yugao

Allied Ships
DD Brush
DD Lyman K. Swenson
DE Damon M. Cummings
DE Lawrence C. Taylor
DE LeRay Wilson
AE Mount Baker, Shell hits 1, on fire
AE Ranier

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Brush engages DD Tachikaze at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages DE LeRay Wilson at 6,000 yards
DD Yakaze engages DD Lyman K. Swenson at 9,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Saipan at 110,94, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Oite

Allied Ships
xAK Dakotan
xAK Steel Ranger
xAK San Vincente
xAK Admiral Halstead, Shell hits 2
xAK West Cape
xAK West Ira
xAK West Ivis
xAK City of Rayville
xAK Crown City
xAK Sawokla
xAK Sea Flasher
xAK Fairland
xAK Copper State
xAK Sea Barb, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage COLLISION
xAK Titan
xAK Unicoi
xAK Arcata COLLISION
xAK Brastagi
xAK Clevedon
xAK Coast Trader
xAK Cold Brook
xAK Day Star
xAK Dorothy Philips
xAK Florence D.
xAK Fusto Arosemena
xAK General Fleisher
xAK Laida
xAK Santa Anna
xAK Scotia, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK William S. Colley, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
PF Albuquerque, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
PF Ogden, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 28,000 yards
CL Sakawa engages PF Ogden at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CL Sakawa engages PF Ogden at 14,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages PF Albuquerque at 8,000 yards
xAK Sea Barb collides with xAK Arcata at 110 , 94
CL Sakawa engages PF Albuquerque at 8,000 yards
PF Albuquerque sunk by CL Sakawa at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
PF Ogden sunk by CL Sakawa at 9,000 yards
DD Oite engages xAK Scotia at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Submarine attack near Saipan at 109,94

Japanese Ships
SS RO-55

Allied Ships
xAK Florence D., Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ESCORTS SUNK EARLIER

xAK Florence D. is sighted by SS RO-55
SS RO-55 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Florence D.

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Morning Air attack on Pagan , at 110,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 45,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 5
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 9
Ki-102b Randy x 5

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Eniwetok , at 127,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AVP Turkey, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
YMS-277, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-221, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-99, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
YMS-278, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port fuel hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Massive explosion on YMS-278

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 93,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 16

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
TK Matinicock, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
TK Ardmore, Bomb hits 1
TK Hugoton, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
TK Imlay, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
DE Eisele, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-223 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Davao , at 79,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 15
B-24J Liberator x 72
B-25C Mitchell x 13
B-25D1 Mitchell x 36
B-25G Mitchell x 3
B-25H Mitchell x 6
B-25J1 Mitchell x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 50
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 11
PBJ-1D Mitchell x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 80

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x PBJ-1D Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 55th Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-25H Mitchell x 40
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
PBJ-1D Mitchell x 15

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington B.X: 7 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25H Mitchell: 9 damaged
B-25H Mitchell: 2 destroyed by flak
PBJ-1D Mitchell: 5 damaged
PBJ-1D Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x PBJ-1D Mitchell bombing from 18000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 111,90

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 40
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
E Yugao, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 110,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 65
F6F-5 Hellcat x 39
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 26

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Momi, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
E Yanagi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
17 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Momi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Yanagi

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Saipan at 109,95

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 20
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 2
TBM-1C Avenger x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Matsukaze

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
11 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
S-312 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Saipan (108,93)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40594 troops, 895 guns, 917 vehicles, Assault Value = 1628

Defending force 31432 troops, 401 guns, 358 vehicles, Assault Value = 641

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 2015

Japanese adjusted defense: 2053

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1606 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 60 (6 destroyed, 54 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2260 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 256 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Guns lost 72 (3 destroyed, 69 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (2 destroyed, 33 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Junyo-3 arrives at Tokyo
Zuiho-1 arrives at Tokyo[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of DD Momi on Oct 08, 1944 is admitted
Loss of DD Yukaze on Oct 08, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]xAK Florence D. is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on Oct 08, 1944
PF Albuquerque is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on Oct 08, 1944
PF Ogden is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on Oct 08, 1944
Previous report of sinking of CVE Casablanca incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of DD Buchanan incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Just in one day there are about 7-8 engagements on sea and in the air against transport and other soft targets. This bodes well for our continuing and hopefully annoying targeting of the Allied LOC. It looks like around 4-5 escorts, 5-7 tankers, 4-5 xAK and about 6-7 other support ships are sunk on the day with another 10-15 damaged. This for two DDs sunk and several DDs, Es, and one CL damaged plus some 10 lost Jakes. Not a bad day's work!

The Sakawa should be able to get out of Dodge now and get home for repairs. A real workhorse. I like this ship.[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]HEAVY INDUSTRY[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the first six months after the DEI was secured I built up some HI, totaling maybe an extra 100-150 points. I don't think I'll do this in future due to extra pressure on the finite amount of oil/fuel available, as well as the supply used for this increase.

Most of this extra HI has been destroyed now although a small percentage of the total has been lost so far.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]HI POINTS USED[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I hadn't looked at this screen before until today. It is interesting, but more in a meta-perspective about the game, thinking about what has happened as a whole. I was interested thinking of my pools and what I've got now vs what I might need for the last year of game.

It seems the calculation listed for HI when it goes to large numbers might be off by one digit of decimal placement. I certainly don't have 28.7 M HI stored (!!!) but I do have 2.87, so I'm guessing the others using 'M' are off by the same decimal place. By that reasoning the Naval Shipyard has used 1.5 million HI while the Merchant Shipyard has used just over 580k HI. I'm pretty sure we haven't used 126 M HI during the game, but maybe 12.6 M HI used sounds better. So the ~ 3 M I'll have for the final year by 1/45 or sooner should be sufficient considering I'll not be building Merchant Ships, will be tapering off building Naval Ships, and will likely be able to at least slow Armaments as well.

For the entire game I've used 250k HI for armament. So I'm guessing that very soon (possibly in around 1/45) I could turn off most of the Armaments industry and that the near 100k I will have soon should be enough for the final year of the war. The vehicles still seem low and I don't feel comfortable even considering turning them off yet.

Am I thinking in the right area on these things? First time here so feedback is very welcome.

Does anyone see anything else useful here that I haven't mentioned?

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]OIL PRODUCTION[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is where it's at now. I'm repairing where I think it'll make a difference and have a chance to stay repaired for a bit, except for Miri, and that is simply because the place has some supply and I'd rather entice him to continue bombing this rather than aiming at Palembang. I'm contemplating dropping 100k supply into China and repairing Lanchow as well. Every bit helps and he'd have to send the B-29s back to India to deal with this if he even notices it going back up again.

Now that I know what to do to make it very painful to hit Palembang I imagine he won't concentrate there but will hit Soerabaja, Balikpapan and Miri first. That gives me reason to keep repairing the oil at Palembang while I can use it.

What do you all think? Is even another 89 oil centers worth the supply to bring them back at this point and possibly have them at least for another 6-12 months?

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: obvert

If he bombs Manpower and uses Fires the industry is gone. Cannot be repaired. You might not care, but he might. I think it's the attacker's call. You had the same option to Manpower bomb Seattle and wipe out a bunch of the Allies' aircraft manufacturing forever.

B-29s carried incendiaries and oil fields burn real good. They're not hard to hit either.

Are you saying industry burned by fires is irrepairable or just that I likely won't use the supply to repair it?

So far manpower attacks have been useful for the Allies but not immediately devastating if well contested. This will change of course once he gets in range of the HI and decides to bomb industry there, as I can't really get enough NF on all points to contest well. Certain bases though will be a bit painful with the amount of flak there. Some have 100+ 12.7cm DP guns. Ouch. [:)]

The manual is directional but not decisive due to weak definitions.

There are two main places this issue is addressed:

1) "»» City Attack. This option the player gets a pop up with a list of all cities within
range. When the city is selected, the specific industry items are listed on the
right. One of each must be picked. If the player selects commander’s discretion
for the target city, they still must select a general type of industry to bomb.

When a city is attacked, there is a chance that a fire can be started. A fire level shows up
when the mouse cursor is rolled over a base, just above the list of enemy industry. City attacks
on Manpower have a chance of creating high fire levels that will cause damage to any and
all industry. The fire level can get as high as 40 million, and is divided by 10 each 12 hours
as the fire is put out. Very high levels will continue to cause damage. The greater the target
manpower, the easier it is to get a fire storm going."

Section 7.1

2) "Industry damage – Two VPs per point damaged, 20 VPs per point destroyed (an item destroyed
when damaged will yield 18 more VPs). Industry can only be destroyed by firestorms and
A-bombs, but can be damaged by any type of attack (including firestorms and A-bombs). VPs
scored by damaging industry is cumulative; if an industry hex is bombed, damaged, repaired,
then bombed again, the player keeps earning VPs as long as the industry hex keeps generating
value by repairing itself.

This is true for all industry types including manpower.

Points will only be scored by the Allies for bombing industry in mainland Japan, and by the
Japanese for bombing industry in North America, Australia, and/or Hawaii."

Section 17.0 Victory Conditions

Clearly there is a distinction between damaged (can be repaired) and destroyed. The implication caused by there being two classes is that destroyed cannot be repaired. But the manual does not say this explicitly.

It also says that destruction can only be achieved in two ways: A-bomb or firestorm. But it does not define "firestorm" anywhere. It also says that industry MAY be only damaged by firestorms and A-bombs. Since I don't play Japan I don't see the other side of this mechanism. I have never gotten Fires to a level where I get a message that a Firestorm has begun. There may not be such a message.

I suspect the only way a player knows his industry is destroyed and not damaged is either by noting the jump in Strat damage in the VP total, or by the industry not having repair available (grayed out?) on that industry when other base parameters are met (10k supply, 1k per point.)

In your game with Jocke you should have some bases which have been Manpower attacked and experienced Fires. Maybe you could look and offer the results here. I have been operating on the assumption that anytime I do Manpower and start Fires I risk losing the industry forever should I re-take the base. In 1942 though I have not started Fires above the low thousands. Certainly nothing that would be considered a firestorm. But I don't know the boundary in the code.

[obvert]

Thanks Bullwinkle!

We've chosen not to play for VPs as a goal in the game, but of course they are an interesting indication of how things are going. I think as the game nears the later stages we'll both have more interest in checking the VPs to see where we are. I won't let this influence my decisions to either rebuild or not rebuild oil centers though. That is the one resource that if I can get even a bit more, I can potentially set myself up to be dangerous longer.

As for damaged vs destroyed industry, I haven't seen any firestorms that I know of yet. The industry has not been destroyed but only damaged. Soerabaja probably had the biggest fires so far, and they took 50 points off damaged, but didn't destroy any oil centers completely. Once his second generation B-29s start rolling in and he gets more groups he will undoubtedly be able to put 200-300 planes over a base, which will be more likely to start a firestorm I imagine. That will not be fun.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Thanks Bullwinkle!

We've chosen not to play for VPs as a goal in the game, but of course they are an interesting indication of how things are going. I think as the game nears the later stages we'll both have more interest in checking the VPs to see where we are. I won't let this influence my decisions to either rebuild or not rebuild oil centers though. That is the one resource that if I can get even a bit more, I can potentially set myself up to be dangerous longer.

As for damaged vs destroyed industry, I haven't seen any firestorms that I know of yet. The industry has not been destroyed but only damaged. Soerabaja probably had the biggest fires so far, and they took 50 points off damaged, but didn't destroy any oil centers completely. Once his second generation B-29s start rolling in and he gets more groups he will undoubtedly be able to put 200-300 planes over a base, which will be more likely to start a firestorm I imagine. That will not be fun.

Remember, he doesn't get any VPs for strat bombing industry out side the HI. All the oil bombing gets him is a reduction in your capabilities, not VPs.

I can't recall the biggest Fires I ever got in an AI. I think it was in the million range. But I didn't flip sides and lok at what Japan (the AI) saw. Wish I had now.

[MrBlizzard]

Hi Obvert! I'm wondering if the decision to rebuilt oil centers at this point is usefull for you. You're planning to invest 100k supplies to to rebuild just 100 oil centers. It is worth? I can see that you have left more or less 3 millions of supplies. I do believe that they're more important for you than oil. supplies allow your planes to take-off you Aa to fire, your troops to fire. A stronghold well supplied can resist for months. If I were you I'll start sending lot of supplies in your planned strongholds okinawa, bonins an d formosa.
I guess than when your opponent will have new bases to start bombing Japan he'll begin destroying your Heavy and Light industry; your supplies production will drop and so your fighting capability. If you haven't forecast it.
100 oil centers will be destroyed in few raids, 100.000 supplies will feed your burma army for some months. For HI points you've done a wonderrfull job, you could try also for supplies
IMVHO.
Sometimes I've the impression to be a little too direct in writing my thoutghs because of my not perfect english, if so I apologize even if I know you're very good tempered and you don't mind.[;)]
Always nice to follow your AAR, even more now that times are hard!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: MrBlizzard

Hi Obvert! I'm wondering if the decision to rebuilt oil centers at this point is usefull for you. You're planning to invest 100k supplies to to rebuild just 100 oil centers. It is worth? I can see that you have left more or less 3 millions of supplies. I do believe that they're more important for you than oil. supplies allow your planes to take-off you Aa to fire, your troops to fire. A stronghold well supplied can resist for months. If I were you I'll start sending lot of supplies in your planned strongholds okinawa, bonins an d formosa.
I guess than when your opponent will have new bases to start bombing Japan he'll begin destroying your Heavy and Light industry; your supplies production will drop and so your fighting capability. If you haven't forecast it.
100 oil centers will be destroyed in few raids, 100.000 supplies will feed your burma army for some months. For HI points you've done a wonderrfull job, you could try also for supplies
IMVHO.
Sometimes I've the impression to be a little too direct in writing my thoutghs because of my not perfect english, if so I apologize even if I know you're very good tempered and you don't mind.[;)]
Always nice to follow your AAR, even more now that times are hard!

Thanks for the thoughts.

One of the issues about stock-piling supply is that this can be destroyed once the fire-bombing of the HI begins. It's always a balance as Japan, but I'm not sure trying to save supply at this point is viable. I've reduced outbound shipments and still there is a limited amount in the HI even now. I suppose that is as it should be considering historically Japan was much more strapped than they are in game. Also though if I have more oil I can produce more supply both in refining and in keeping HI running longer. That is the thinking.

I wil need a lot of supply, it's true. My perimeter will shrink though and perhaps some of the supply loss due to operating at a distance from supply production will be lessened. It's all new to me as I say. I'm still also upgrading and building some engine and airframe factories which takes a LOT of supply as well. Hopefully after 1/45 I'll not have to do much of that anymore.

[PaxMondo]

I don't re-build oil centers unless I beleive that I can protect them from allied attacks for at least 3 months. That's my balance point .... 90 days oil production.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]READY TO GO![/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Michaelm did some magic in the tech area and has gotten a new beta out with a fix for LR CAP of air transport. [&o][&o][&o]

Looks like it's not overwhelmingly successful at first test by Jocke (not quite as good as the official patch currently), but enough to make him interested in continuing without any new HRs. I was surprised to get about 5 emails before I had a chance to respond today after michaelm set up the new beta.

While I'm excited to move forward, not having another HR also worries me in this situation as I don't know if that means there will still be frustrations if I can move troops by air. So do I self-restrict or take it on faith that Jocke is only interested in having LR CAP work and let the rest sort itself out? Do I insist on another HR to limit troop movement in the interest of playing the game out with good feelings all around?

He seems unconcerned with all of the past situations he brought up in our discussion and the feeling of having lost so much 'time' due to unstoppable air reinforcement and withdrawal. He also declined my offer to go a bit slower and find some life balance here and he seems to be keen to plow through at a fast pace and get this game finished.

This is similar to the reaction after several other discussions we've had that have stopped the game briefly, but each time it's a longer stoppage, more conversation, more issues and the feeling that the interest is less strong to continue, then a sudden exuberance and excitement to get going again. I guess it's normal but I do have a feeling that if something else happens then maybe that will be it.

This makes the Japanese side difficult to play at times. Is it acceptable for the Japanese side to have success, especially late in game? How much success is possible and acceptable before the situation is unhistorical and unfair to the Allied player?

Since I'm hoping to play the Allied side soon I'm also thinking about how I would feel on the other side. This is such a long commitment, and so many things happen in game and life during this time. I guess I should just be glad we're moving forward and not questioning too much for now.

Ok. Now to download the new beta. [:)]

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[fcharton]

Hi Obvert,

ORIGINAL: obvert
While I'm excited to move forward, not having another HR also worries me in this situation as I don't know if that means there will still be frustrations if I can move troops by air. So do I self-restrict or take it on faith that Jocke is only interested in having LR CAP work and let the rest sort itself out? Do I insist on another HR to limit troop movement in the interest of playing the game out with good feelings all around?

For what I understand, your opponent didn't consider air transport was gamey (or he would have asked for a HR), but that it was broken in presence of enemy fighters. Now that this is corrected, I think it is normal that you resume your operations as before, and this includes air transport.

If the fix proves insufficient, you can always adjust in a few weeks, but I suggest you do it via a home rule : home rules cut both ways, self restrictions don't (and if you self restrict, and Jocke resorts to air transport, frustration will be on your side)

ORIGINAL: obvert
This makes the Japanese side difficult to play at times. Is it acceptable for the Japanese side to have success, especially late in game? How much success is possible and acceptable before the situation is unhistorical and unfair to the Allied player?

From an AAR reader point of view, I believe this is the interesting aspect of late games. How long can you think out of the box, and try to prevent history from repeating, before it gets seen as wrong, because history doesn't repeat?

We're back with the definition of "realism" we discussed with witpqs on that other thread. Because it is a game, you are supposed to do better than your historical counterparts, but because it is realistic, outcomes must remain similar (or the game becomes 'fantasy').

Francois

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]9 October 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The LR CAP over Davao is now working and we are moving forward. I lost around 15 transport planes on the day. I still got some more troops out, but I'll suspend these ops now that it's proven the cost is very high. There are still a lot of troops from Mindanao to get back to Luzon from Babeldaob as well.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Most subs invovled in the defense of the Marianas have now been sufficiently damaged they are on the way back to the HI for repairs. I lost a good few subs here as well, but at least got an equal amount of sunk and damaged ships for the price, including two CVE hits (one confirmed sunk) and one CV. The five remaining subs will ply the waters between Wake and the Marianas as this seem his most used LOC for the area. Lost one today for no hits however.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PI:[/font] Mindanao is nearly completely conquered. Troops are still moving toward Davao and my 15k troops there will now face their fate, no hope of relief or retreat since the CAP is now solid over the base.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] No sight of any new convoys to hit moving through the Solomons area, and the Bettys in the Gilberts find nothing either.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Nothing still in No Pac. Looks like the decision long ago to take and hold the Aleutians up to Cold Bay made it at least seem like too much of a chore to move froward up here. I never though the IJ presence here would last this long. Over the winter all troops will move back and the Kuriles will be further fortified. Most are at level 6 forts already.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] At Lomblen my ships are still patrolling nervously as AMs move in to attempt some mine removals. Unfortunately both AMs hit mines while sweeping and are sunk! [:(] They do get 64 mines swept, but there are more still here. Picking up troops from Morotai, Ambon and other bases to Maccassar and Kendari. Once those evacs are complete I'll move back from Kendari as well, and try to stay one step ahead in the retreat. Fuel and oil are still moving from Balikpapan and Soerabaja.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Now for the hard choices. How one do I hold back the 12k AV Army near Moulmein? Can the Allies move enough to their new forward position at Tavoy to threaten to cut off this force and challenge Bangkok and the Malayan peninsula? I've got two divisions moving to Bangkok and some arty and HQs. Another division will move to Prachuap Khiri Khan as it looks like the Allies will make for Mergui as well. not much I can do about that either. At least the ground here is slow going and the defensive territory is good.

Jocke bombs Port Blair but keeps his 4Es at 6k and hits a bunch of balloons. Looks like the Allies lose 18-20 on the day! [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] The wounded CL Sakawa makes Guam and will try for an escape back home tomorrow. Two small DDs looking for the big transport convoys only get a crack at a few YMS, sinking one.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 9, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tavoy at 54,60, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-553

Allied Ships
xAP Talma
xAP Tilawa
xAP Rajula
xAP Rohna
xAK African Prince
xAK Fultala
xAK Shillong
xAK St Essylt
xAK Stanmore
xAP Clan Macquarrie
xAK Cornish City
xAK Elmdale
xAK Empire Glen
xAK Lavington Court
xAP Nova Scotia
xAK Nurani
xAK Ocean Pilgrim
xAK Pardo
xAK Shahzada
xAK Tarantia
xAK Trevaylor
xAK Trevince, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Triona
xAK Uffington Court
xAP Derrymore
xAP Forafric
xAP Talthibius
xAK Annalock
xAK Deslock
xAK Federlock
xAK Hatterlock
xAK Vitorlock, Shell hits 1
xAK Anatina
xAK Gausdal
xAP Marella
xAP Katoomba
AM Konkan
AM Baluchistan
AM Kathiawar
AM Carnatic
DE Jumna
DE Sutlej

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 50% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wake Island at 127,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-11, hits 15, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Sage
xAK Gandara
xAK James M. Goodhue
xAK Edwin Booth

SS I-11 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Sage
AM Sage fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Saipan at 109,94

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 14, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
APD Weber
APA Haskell
APA Fallon
APA Gilliam
APA Dauphin
LSD Shadwell
LCI(G)-408
LCI(G)-405
DE Shelton
DE Samuel B. Roberts

SS I-174 launches 2 torpedoes at APD Weber
I-174 diving deep ....
DE Shelton fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Samuel B. Roberts fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Shelton attacking submerged sub ....
Underwater explosion, debris and oil appear on surface!
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 161 encounters mine field at Lomblen (68,113)

Japanese Ships
AM Wa 106, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
AM Wa 101, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

64 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tinian at 108,95, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Hasu
E Susuki

Allied Ships
YMS-136
YMS-126, Shell hits 1
YMS-217, Shell hits 1
YMS-218, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
E Susuki engages YMS-218 at 17,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pagan , at 110,89

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-102b Randy x 10

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-102b Randy: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 12
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 14
B-24J Liberator x 93
P-38L Lightning x 2
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 5 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 21 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged BALLOONS!!! [:D]

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 68
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 117

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Saipan (108,93)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1170 troops, 98 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 1326

Defending force 30064 troops, 394 guns, 355 vehicles, Assault Value = 554

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: Sucks that nearly all late troops are restricted. What can I move to the islands? Very little, and certainly not the troops that historically defended them.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]T-301 Hikotai arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
958 Ku T-8 arrives on Kiyokawa Maru
119th Division arrives at Tsitsihar
73rd Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Mukden
1st Ind.Tank Brigade arrives at Chiba

Aircraft A7M2 Sam advances R&D (2/45)[/font] [8D] This plane should move to 12/44!!!

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of SS I-174 on Oct 09, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]LCVP 534J is reported to have been sunk near Jolo on Oct 01, 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]This time the interception messages were real and losses high. Now time to let these units rest and then move them to another job.

28 x L2D2 Tabby transporting 48th Ind.Mixed Brigade to Naga
4 x H8K2 Emily transporting 6th JAAF AF Bn to Sadogashima
25 x Ki-56 Thalia transporting 57th Ind.Mixed Brigade to Naga
9 x Ki-57-II Topsy transporting 6th Division to Legaspi
8 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 16th Garrison Unit to Ambon
11 x H8K2 Emily transporting 2nd Amphibious Brigade from Manokwari
4 x H8K2 Emily transporting 5th Garrison Unit from Manokwari
6 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 57th Ind.Mixed Brigade from Davao
H8K2-L Emily flying to Davao intercepted
8 x H8K1 Emily transporting 48th Naval Guard Unit from Umnak Island
10 x H8K2 Emily transporting 57th Ind.Mixed Brigade from Davao
H8K2 Emily flying to Davao intercepted
10 x H8K2 Emily transporting 57th Ind.Mixed Brigade from Davao
H8K2 Emily flying to Davao intercepted
26 x L2D2 Tabby transporting 216th Naval Construction Battalion from Davao
L2D2 Tabby flying to Davao intercepted
13 x L2D2 Tabby transporting 57th Ind.Mixed Brigade from Davao
L2D2 Tabby flying to Davao intercepted
10 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 1st Mobile Brigade from Manokwari
15 x L2D2 Tabby transporting 7th Base Force from Kendari
10 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 15th Garrison Unit from Port Blair
22 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 6th Garrison Unit from Baybay
9 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 206th Naval Construction Battalion from Davao
Ki-49-II KAI Helen flying to Davao intercepted
3 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 25th Ind. Engineer Regiment from Davao
Ki-49-II KAI Helen flying to Davao intercepted
9 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 16th Garrison Unit from Kendari
9 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 6th Garrison Unit from Baybay
8 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 18th Field AF Construction Battalion from Babo
2 x Ki-56 Thalia transporting 15th Garrison Unit from Port Blair
5 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 248th JAAF AF Bn from Davao
Ki-49-II KAI Helen flying to Davao intercepted
9 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 15th Base Force from Rabaul
4 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 188th JAAF AF Bn from Davao
Ki-49-II KAI Helen flying to Davao intercepted
9 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting Ichiki Det. from Kusaie Island
8 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 58th Construction Battalion from Kendari
2 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 248th JAAF AF Bn from Davao
Ki-49-II KAI Helen flying to Davao intercepted
9 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 248th JAAF AF Bn from Davao
Ki-49-II KAI Helen flying to Davao intercepted[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[MrBlizzard]

Nice that the game restarted and the transports interception now works, so the game is more fair for both! [:)]
You've really the best mind for approaching Japan late war, just enjoy every little victory and look the fights with an historic interest (see your description of Saipan invasion for instance) more than with a competition mind.
Sometimes I think this game is like a journey, the important isn't the destination but the journey itself, that is veeery long indeed [;)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]CURRENT STATUS[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is the info screen right now. Jocke has caught up quite a lot in the VP area, especially with the capitulation of Rangoon. The only thing keeping me barely ahead is his apparent disregard for transport shipping. It's amazing how many ships have been sunk in the last month and I've been astonished at his reactions. Of course I completely understand the Allied OOB at this time, but I also think about what happened in the war and it makes me appreciate so much more what the Allied leaders accomplished. This is a game, and similarly I'm sure he's shocked at some of the air losses I've been on the short end of that in th wear would have been catastrophic if not paralyzing.

This is a different beast than the actual history, and I'm trying as much as I can to think big picture, small victories. Anything that keeps the Allies back for a few days or lets oil flow for a few more is a small reason to keep fighting. Destroying stuff is only a psychological and logistical tool necessary to continue making a good show of a bad position, which is what the Japanese Empire is in October 44.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BALLOONS: [/font]The majority of the ops losses for the Allies the last few turns were 4Es hit by balloons. I'm not sure if Jocke understands or sees the messages because he has never in my memory mentioned this, but it's been a decisive factor in bombing runs twice in the last few days. (I'll write up the other soon). He is coming in low at 6k and if the port/air combination is big enough (I'd have to look up the actual number but as a player of the Japanese side I rarely bomb low enough to worry about that due to flak) the 4Es seem to lose about 10% to balloons alone.

I love this kind of detail in game and try to pay special attention to it. Only 1-2 planes were hit by flak at Port Blair on the 9th and in the next instance where he hit Miri in daylight, wrecking the remainder of the oil, only 16 Tony Id were on CAP and hit 2-3 planes, destroying only one (interestingly since my escape key works only sporadically I've been watching more replays all of the way through, and noticing a lot I'd missed before). The rest of the many ops losses again were caused by balloons.

Maybe he does know about how these function and doesn't care? Either way, unless he mentions it, mum's the word from me!!