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

[jeffk3510]

That has to feel good with that result in China... I hate China.. Can really be a thorn in either's side if one is good at it, but it annoys me [:D]

[paullus99]

You destroyed pretty much a complete division there - this is nuts.

What the heck is Chaz doing with this ships, planes & troops? There doesn't seem to be any activity, anywhere.

[SqzMyLemon]

What is happening in China is inexplicable.

Is there any chance he's simply marshalling his forces for an all out strike...somewhere? Or have you accounted for most of his strength and find it unlikely he's able to move against you?

Your patience is amazing, but I can tell how frustrated you are becoming. I would think seriously upon your desire to start a new game, as this one seems to only be played by one person...yourself.

[Canoerebel]

That's exactly right, paullus!  I was just mulling over at lunch, and over the past few days, the remarkable lack of offensive activity on the part of Japan.  Here's a summary:
 
Ground:  Nothing.  Anywhere.  Zero.  The last commitment of a ground unit to an attack was about 20 or 30 AV to a failed invasion of Ndeni about two months ago.  The last commitment of any kind of major ground force anywhere would have been many months ago when there were two-division advances on Padang and Magwe, both of which ended up with the Japanese forces isolated.
 
Sea:  CA Atago in Java Sea this week was the first commitment of a capital ship in an active front in months.
 
Air:  There are regular though modest commitments of Japanese bombers in the Kuriles, China, and Burma.  There was a sustained and larger commitment in Sumatra for awhile, but a few setbacks discouraged that so that we haven't seen a bomber or fighter there in several weeks.
 
Offensives:  The last offensive by Japan was the 30-AV invasion of Ndeni two months ago.  Other than that it has been four months or longer since Japan has tried any kind of offensive.  Well, you might consider the commitment of two divisions to Malaybaylay in the Philippines, but since that base was 1,000 miles behind the front lines, I don't. 
 
I think Chez is concentrating on building a strong MLR well inside the current front lines.  Why he's doing that I don't know.  If I were him, I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory than sit back and slowly die.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Your patience is amazing, but I can tell how frustrated you are becoming. I would think seriously upon your desire to start a new game, as this one seems to only be played by one person...yourself.

+ 1

unfortunately as i said long time ago i simply think Chez is playing this game only because it would not be honourable to quit...but he probably has lost any interest in it so far...[:(]

[vettim89]

Dan,

One of two things has happened here. Either Chez is losing interest in this game himself or he is just sitting back waiting for you to overextend yourself in one area of the map. He would then bring all his forces to bear for one symbolic vitory before the Empire collapses from the lack of fuel. So if you want a little "juice" back in this game, it is going to come from you not your opponent regardless of which of the two states I described exists.

C'mon, Man! Where is the guy who tried to take Hokkaido in 1943?

I double dare you to try something bold. No, I double dog dare you.

[Canoerebel]

Nope.  Nothing bold in the works.  The Allies have charted a course to victory and don't plan to deviate.  That course leads through Borneo and possibly western Java.  And, since the Allies are already strongly established, they can methodically advance under cover of LBA, take new bases, build new airfields, rinse and repeat.
 
To do anything else would entail unnecessary risk and probably would play into Steve's hands (or a symptom of victory disease) for the reasons you state.
 
This isn't an exciting way to prosecute an end game, but the game will end in 1943 (unless Japan can do without Palembang for an entire game and also do without - or without the ability to use - Balikpapan, Samarinda, Brunei, and Miri beginning in early 1943.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Nope.  Nothing bold in the works.  The Allies have charted a course to victory and don't plan to deviate.  That course leads through Borneo and possibly western Java.  And, since the Allies are already strongly established, they can methodically advance under cover of LBA, take new bases, build new airfields, rinse and repeat.

To do anything else would entail unnecessary risk and probably would play into Steve's hands (or a symptom of victory disease) for the reasons you state.

This isn't an exciting way to prosecute an end game, but the game will end in 1943 (unless Japan can do without Palembang for an entire game and also do without - or without the ability to use - Balikpapan, Samarinda, Brunei, and Miri beginning in early 1943.

I am calling the FBI. The real Canoerebel has obviously been abducted and replaced with a shoddy fascimile. Dan, go back and read your Forlorn Hopes AAR from beginning to end and then reread that last paragraph.

Nemo, where"s Nemo? We need a lecture on how to get into your opponents OODA loop and fast.

I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Just joking (mostly). That said I fear this game has grown stale for both sides. Nomad and I had a 2x2 game going where we had executed the Fortress Palembang strategy. That game ended in May of 1942 so you have done well to press into October

[Canoerebel]

Yeah, Nemo's successful Fortress Palembang against 1 Eyed Jacks ended early (June 1942 I think).  It appears that a successful Fortress Palembang, which Japan shouldn't allow to happen in the first place, is a good way to bring a game to a screeching halt.
 
Mind you, Steve hasn't given the slightest indication he's going to throw in the towel.  But if he hasn't done something by the end of 1942, I may approach him myself to inquire about his intentions and the utility of continuing.

[witpqs]

I have two 1x1 PBMs going that each began about the beginning of December. Each of my opponents was impressed enough with this game that they made certain to not allow it to happen in the first place.

[vettim89]

I will say, I likely will never do the Fortress Palembang thing again. Yes, it was fun to watch the AV and Fort level rise knowing that southern Sumatra was quickly becoming unasailable, but the effect on the game is too much. I think this is especialy true in Scen 2. The Japanese have the capability to produce more and better airframes but without Palembang's fuel, the extra capacity ends up sitting idle.

In one sense, its a good gambit becuase it forces the Japan player to make a major commitment to the DEI before headign off to places hinder and yon. On the other hand, if the Japan player fails to deal with it early, it becomes a game breaker

[Canoerebel]

I wouldn't expect Fortress Palembang to succeed against anybody but a newb, and it would be an abuse to employ it against a newb.  Against competent players it will fail.  Against very good players it can be used against the Allied player in a big way.

So, I doubt I'll ever use it again either.  It has been fun, and I love not having to fight tooth-and-nail to get a lodgement in the DEI, but to see Japan pull into a shell and do a Not-So-Brave Sir Robin in mid 1942 takes allot of the excitement out of the game.

[witpqs]

Yeah, I agree. I resolved to only reinforce (as allowed by enemy activity) but not go for FP even if I could force it.

[Andav]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Yeah, I agree. I resolved to only reinforce (as allowed by enemy activity) but not go for FP even if I could force it.

As one of the aforementioned 1x1s all I can say is, "Phew"! I will just happily ignore Sumatra and concentrate on Nome!

Wa

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Andav

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Yeah, I agree. I resolved to only reinforce (as allowed by enemy activity) but not go for FP even if I could force it.

As one of the aforementioned 1x1s all I can say is, "Phew"! I will just happily ignore Sumatra and concentrate on Nome!

Wa

You did allow the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions in...

[obvert]

Your patience is admirable. Maybe Chez has realized he CAN'T dislodge you without breaking his own rules for historically viable play, and therefore has chosen a strategy that Japan itself may have adopted if they hadn't gotten the oil in 42. I think they actually might have sued for peace, and that would be his best option.

He most likely can't sail around with much now as the fuel doesn't allow it. Why he's allowing you to rule the air and ground as well without opposition is beyond me.

[Barb]

You managed perfectly to throw your opponent completly off-track, spoiled his plans, make his southeast conquests worthless, kicked his ass in China and you are holding him around his neck tightly in Sumatra and poke at his eyes at Paramushiro. While it is a great strategy - and you deserve the glory for succesfully employing it - in the same time you caused that this game is no more enjoyable to your opponent (at least i feel it from his gameplay).

My advice to anyone planning to employ Fortress Sumatra strategy is to be carefull - you might won the game but loose the fun.

CR: I would ask your opponent if he would like to quit - or probably start a new game. I would see no shame in his position to accept the offer.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Barb

You managed perfectly to throw your opponent completly off-track, spoiled his plans, make his southeast conquests worthless, kicked his ass in China and you are holding him around his neck tightly in Sumatra and poke at his eyes at Paramushiro. While it is a great strategy - and you deserve the glory for succesfully employing it - in the same time you caused that this game is no more enjoyable to your opponent (at least i feel it from his gameplay).

My advice to anyone planning to employ Fortress Sumatra strategy is to be carefull - you might won the game but loose the fun.

CR: I would ask your opponent if he would like to quit - or probably start a new game. I would see no shame in his position to accept the offer.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^ +1

[JeffroK]

I see no problem in trying to emply a FP gambit, as mentioned it isnt perfect and can be foiled. It seems to be some excuse for bailing out of the game.
 
You dont see JFB  players being generous when at the gates of Karachi or Melbourne, no, its a great plan and probably poor Allied play.
 
IMVHO, and maybe why I dont play against real peoples, Chez should have reviewed the position some months back and if unwinnable surrendered.
 
Instead his reputation is suffering anf CR is not enjoying the lack of contest, maybe enjoying winning though.

[Canoerebel]

I won't approach Chez until the end of 1942.  That will give him some more time just in case he's up to something big (which is certainly possible).  If he hasn't addressed the situation by the end of the year, though, it will be pretty clear that the game is over.