I don't think I want to withdraw. I still intend to take L'ville. I just meant that the siege could have been conducted without the ground troops needing to invade. I could have cut it off by taking Koumac and Port Vila and then invaded later. Instead my troops will spend 2 months ashore to no good purpose.
The supply situation was a problem but has now been sorted out with the arrival of the convoy.
I saved the game prior to the invastion so I may go back and see how the Cooktown option would have played out.
New AAR - but not as good as Snigbert's
1. So what is the status of the boys on the ground? Are you attriting the enemy, doing some limited offensive action, or nothing at all? Your guys in Gili Gili got kicked out in one turn. Do you think you're capable of pulling the same stunt in L'ville? What factors allowed the Allies to boot you out of Gili Gili so quickly?
2. I wouldn't be too happy about the Avengers. If you look at the New Questions thread, the game allows for skip bombing. I don't know if the Avengers are doing that or not, but it could be effective.
3. Don't be pessimistic! We've got these guys licked!
2. I wouldn't be too happy about the Avengers. If you look at the New Questions thread, the game allows for skip bombing. I don't know if the Avengers are doing that or not, but it could be effective.
3. Don't be pessimistic! We've got these guys licked!
News from the front
Another weird wild and wonderful couple of weeks in the south pacific.
13 Oct LBA from Port Vila bomb the HMAS(?) Australia again as she limps into Noumea harbour without getting any hits this time.
Acting on the interesting suggestion from the general staff I start the 2nd Recon reg't down the track from Koumac to Basse Poya in the hopes of sowing more disruption in the enemy rear areas. There is a track, we'll have to see how quickly they march down it.
Things are finally starting to look up at Port Vila (hereafter known as PV). The fast tpt's arrive and deposit a full base force. Av support is now up over 100 and there is half a chance of getting a/c repaired in the same week they get damaged
I switch tactics with the bombardment forces and have them go north after bombardment instead of over to PV. This will likely cost more fuel, but it keeps them out of range of LBA from Noumea. Yamato & co. are on their way to Nevea to RV with the tankers. One set of tankers is almost dry, I send them to Lunga to off load the rest of their fuel before heading to Truk for a refill. The BIG (29K) replenishment convoy is now on station so I should be OK for a while. I also have a CA TF (2CA's, 1CL, 5DD) which has been making the L'ville run.
14 Oct A US convoy is spotted coming up to L'ville from Noumea. The BB's are still in Nevea refueling as are my CA's. The CA's fuel up but spend enough operations points that they won't get down to L'ville tonight. I desperately want some surface units on station to greet the convoy so I quickly scramble the CL force at anchor in
PV and move them across to L'ville with orders to stay put and react to the enemy.
After a quiet day yesterday when the weather closed Noumea down the bombers get active again today, pounding Koumac and going after ships at PV and L'ville. One raid of B-17's gets through to the convoy at L'ville and severely damages one of the transports. The transports are almost empty so I think it's time to get the convoy out while the getting is good.
Another wave of 26(!) Avengers has a go at the CL's in PV as they prepare to make the run to L'ville. It does not look like they are skip bombing (usually accompanied by strafing, which is absent) and their aim is atrocious. They do not cause any damage.
My CAP intercepts another air supply attempt.
15 Oct Morning finds the CL's in L'ville. The US convoy is stopped and appears to be loitering off PV. Perhaps they are on "retirement allowed" and so will not enter harbour with an enemey TF there. Yamato & co. are also on their way back to L'ville so life their situation is not going to get any easier.
A/C at PV are up to about 70% strength. Weather kept them mostly on the ground yesterday but I am looking forward to great carnage on the convoy which now sits just 3 hexes off shore.
My convoy sails from L'ville harbour leaving all LCU's with about 10x supplies. They have been lying low until now, but with supplies brimming I start bombardment attacks. Their strength is down to about 35K, while the enemy still has around 45K. The tide should start to turn soon as supplies must be getting tight over there by now.
17 Oct I watch in helpless frustration as the weather once again grounds PV for the 4th STRAIGHT DAY and the Convoy continues to loiter so close off shore that they can smell the latrines. The only consolation is that weather has also kept Noumea LBA on the ground and their has been next to no air activity over the beachead for days
My second set of resupply convoys arrive. The largest one carries 35K tons of supplies. It's all big tpt's as well so it will likely take about week to unload. The smaller convoy is 1000 tonners and should unload more quickly
CAP intercepts another air resupply attempt.
More to come. In the next installment, the "New Hebrides Turkey Shoot" and "Is that a battleship in your TF or are you just glad to see me"
13 Oct LBA from Port Vila bomb the HMAS(?) Australia again as she limps into Noumea harbour without getting any hits this time.
Acting on the interesting suggestion from the general staff I start the 2nd Recon reg't down the track from Koumac to Basse Poya in the hopes of sowing more disruption in the enemy rear areas. There is a track, we'll have to see how quickly they march down it.
Things are finally starting to look up at Port Vila (hereafter known as PV). The fast tpt's arrive and deposit a full base force. Av support is now up over 100 and there is half a chance of getting a/c repaired in the same week they get damaged
I switch tactics with the bombardment forces and have them go north after bombardment instead of over to PV. This will likely cost more fuel, but it keeps them out of range of LBA from Noumea. Yamato & co. are on their way to Nevea to RV with the tankers. One set of tankers is almost dry, I send them to Lunga to off load the rest of their fuel before heading to Truk for a refill. The BIG (29K) replenishment convoy is now on station so I should be OK for a while. I also have a CA TF (2CA's, 1CL, 5DD) which has been making the L'ville run.
14 Oct A US convoy is spotted coming up to L'ville from Noumea. The BB's are still in Nevea refueling as are my CA's. The CA's fuel up but spend enough operations points that they won't get down to L'ville tonight. I desperately want some surface units on station to greet the convoy so I quickly scramble the CL force at anchor in
PV and move them across to L'ville with orders to stay put and react to the enemy.
After a quiet day yesterday when the weather closed Noumea down the bombers get active again today, pounding Koumac and going after ships at PV and L'ville. One raid of B-17's gets through to the convoy at L'ville and severely damages one of the transports. The transports are almost empty so I think it's time to get the convoy out while the getting is good.
Another wave of 26(!) Avengers has a go at the CL's in PV as they prepare to make the run to L'ville. It does not look like they are skip bombing (usually accompanied by strafing, which is absent) and their aim is atrocious. They do not cause any damage.
My CAP intercepts another air supply attempt.
15 Oct Morning finds the CL's in L'ville. The US convoy is stopped and appears to be loitering off PV. Perhaps they are on "retirement allowed" and so will not enter harbour with an enemey TF there. Yamato & co. are also on their way back to L'ville so life their situation is not going to get any easier.
A/C at PV are up to about 70% strength. Weather kept them mostly on the ground yesterday but I am looking forward to great carnage on the convoy which now sits just 3 hexes off shore.
My convoy sails from L'ville harbour leaving all LCU's with about 10x supplies. They have been lying low until now, but with supplies brimming I start bombardment attacks. Their strength is down to about 35K, while the enemy still has around 45K. The tide should start to turn soon as supplies must be getting tight over there by now.
17 Oct I watch in helpless frustration as the weather once again grounds PV for the 4th STRAIGHT DAY and the Convoy continues to loiter so close off shore that they can smell the latrines. The only consolation is that weather has also kept Noumea LBA on the ground and their has been next to no air activity over the beachead for days
My second set of resupply convoys arrive. The largest one carries 35K tons of supplies. It's all big tpt's as well so it will likely take about week to unload. The smaller convoy is 1000 tonners and should unload more quickly
CAP intercepts another air resupply attempt.
More to come. In the next installment, the "New Hebrides Turkey Shoot" and "Is that a battleship in your TF or are you just glad to see me"
Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
Don't worry
Hey, Its is no big deal. If the weather grounds the planes the pilots get a little rest and the ground crew gets to catch up a little mre on repair. It will make them more effective.
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
I think the point he was trying to make was that the pilots' beach volleyball game and luau has been cancelled for four consecutive days. As a result, their morale is dropping fast and, not having anything else to do, they are fatiguing themselves working on the aircraft.
Tried any skip bombing yourself with the Bettys?
Tried any skip bombing yourself with the Bettys?
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Toro
- Posts: 577
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 6:33 pm
- Location: 16 miles southeast of Hell (Michigan, i.e.), US
Just where were those map images?
Hey guys, recently someone (Iain?) had posted a series of map views depicting the island groups Iain is dealing with. Unfortunately, I can't remember which post it was. Anyone have the file names for these? Thanks.
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Toro
- Posts: 577
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 6:33 pm
- Location: 16 miles southeast of Hell (Michigan, i.e.), US
Maps, pt 2
Hi Mogami,
Actually, there was another series of maps which showed the main island groups, not the Iain battles. I think there were five or six maps of different parts of the greater map.
Actually, there was another series of maps which showed the main island groups, not the Iain battles. I think there were five or six maps of different parts of the greater map.
OK
I think I know the 2 your refering to I'll e-mail them to you
well you know it does not actually show an e-mail address or allow attachments. Just answer my empty e-mail and I will attach the, (one is whole map other is area around Lunga)
well you know it does not actually show an e-mail address or allow attachments. Just answer my empty e-mail and I will attach the, (one is whole map other is area around Lunga)
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
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Toro
- Posts: 577
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 6:33 pm
- Location: 16 miles southeast of Hell (Michigan, i.e.), US
Maps, finale
Mogami: done. Thanks.
The Plot Thickens
18 Oct - PV airforce finally gets busy... and I mean busy! They score torpedo hits on 2 AK's and one SC escort. Nothing left but the bubbles on that one. In addition 1 AK and 1 escort take and extra 250kg of on board the hard way. And the best part... Noumea is socked in so I don't even have to weather any airstrikes on the convoys.
The 2nd Recon finally manages to advance one hex. Hmmm... at this rate it's going to be 1 Nov before they get to Basse Poya.
I realize that PV is getting short in supplies so I revector the smaller of the two convoys at L'ville on to PV.
Yamato & co. are staying on station so I send the CL's north to refuel.
19 Oct - The AI sends the undamaged part of the convoy on to L'Ville. They are attacked from PV and one AP is damaged, an AK is sunk as is an escort. Then the PV turkey shooters take aim at the stragglers still off shore and finishes off two more AK's. We're not finished with his convoy yet, the Yamato and coy use them for target practice and make short work of the remaining two transports and one SC escort.
Noumea grounded again. It's been an easy week on the beach at L'ville. Supplies are up past 15x required.
21 Oct- A quiet couple of days. Yamato & co. head north for fuel and are replaced by both the CA's and CL's.
Noumea finally manages to get airborne and a big raid heads for L'ville. Despite a solid CAP of 35 fighters, several B-17's and Hudsons get through and manage to get a couple bombs into a transport.
The AI runs another convoy to L'ville. They get past the patrol planes and right into the harbour before they are picked up. The boys on PV, haul themselves into the air with hangovers intact and have another go. Their aim is obviously suffering as they manage just a couple bomb hits. This convoy fares no better than the last, however. They end up as target practice for my CL's three more AP's and a CL head for the bottom of Luganville sound.
And what this? Another bombardment TF headed for Lunga. And this one has 2 BB's! The radio waves start humming as a plan comes together in a hurry. By the time they are spotted, they are up by Rennell again so they can't be intercepted prior to getting to Lunga. so:
- The Lunga harbour is cleared of shipping
- The CV's at Shortland are ordered to take up a position of New Georgia
- A fast CA force scrambles down the slot to see if they can intercept
- I bring a few extra Kates over to Lunga from Rabaul
- Yamato & co (now in Nevea) are ordered west to cut off the retreat route.
Life, as they say, is about to get interesting...
The 2nd Recon finally manages to advance one hex. Hmmm... at this rate it's going to be 1 Nov before they get to Basse Poya.
I realize that PV is getting short in supplies so I revector the smaller of the two convoys at L'ville on to PV.
Yamato & co. are staying on station so I send the CL's north to refuel.
19 Oct - The AI sends the undamaged part of the convoy on to L'Ville. They are attacked from PV and one AP is damaged, an AK is sunk as is an escort. Then the PV turkey shooters take aim at the stragglers still off shore and finishes off two more AK's. We're not finished with his convoy yet, the Yamato and coy use them for target practice and make short work of the remaining two transports and one SC escort.
Noumea grounded again. It's been an easy week on the beach at L'ville. Supplies are up past 15x required.
21 Oct- A quiet couple of days. Yamato & co. head north for fuel and are replaced by both the CA's and CL's.
Noumea finally manages to get airborne and a big raid heads for L'ville. Despite a solid CAP of 35 fighters, several B-17's and Hudsons get through and manage to get a couple bombs into a transport.
The AI runs another convoy to L'ville. They get past the patrol planes and right into the harbour before they are picked up. The boys on PV, haul themselves into the air with hangovers intact and have another go. Their aim is obviously suffering as they manage just a couple bomb hits. This convoy fares no better than the last, however. They end up as target practice for my CL's three more AP's and a CL head for the bottom of Luganville sound.
And what this? Another bombardment TF headed for Lunga. And this one has 2 BB's! The radio waves start humming as a plan comes together in a hurry. By the time they are spotted, they are up by Rennell again so they can't be intercepted prior to getting to Lunga. so:
- The Lunga harbour is cleared of shipping
- The CV's at Shortland are ordered to take up a position of New Georgia
- A fast CA force scrambles down the slot to see if they can intercept
- I bring a few extra Kates over to Lunga from Rabaul
- Yamato & co (now in Nevea) are ordered west to cut off the retreat route.
Life, as they say, is about to get interesting...
Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
Okay, point of discussion about the AI. So far it sound pretty strong. But I've got to question sending in unescorted convoys to L'ville.
In favor of the AI: Iain's brilliant strategic moves are placing the Allies in grave jeopardy of losing the game. The Marines are on half-rations and are on the verge of running out of all supplies. Desperate measures are called for.
Against the AI: Iain has long since established a surface force posted at L'ville, and his LBA's has already proven very effective against naval units at L'ville. The AI has two BB's enroute to a shell a marginal base far from the critical area rather than have them attempt to escort the convoys to L'ville. The convoys attempt to approach L'ville when Noumea is socked in.
The AI showed considerable intelligence in keeping the convoys sailing in circles for awhile off shore. Did the AI decide the situation was too desperate to wait any longer regardless of risk, or did it just have a brain fart?
In favor of the AI: Iain's brilliant strategic moves are placing the Allies in grave jeopardy of losing the game. The Marines are on half-rations and are on the verge of running out of all supplies. Desperate measures are called for.
Against the AI: Iain has long since established a surface force posted at L'ville, and his LBA's has already proven very effective against naval units at L'ville. The AI has two BB's enroute to a shell a marginal base far from the critical area rather than have them attempt to escort the convoys to L'ville. The convoys attempt to approach L'ville when Noumea is socked in.
The AI showed considerable intelligence in keeping the convoys sailing in circles for awhile off shore. Did the AI decide the situation was too desperate to wait any longer regardless of risk, or did it just have a brain fart?
The Next Installment
This would have made a great cliff hanger series. And with pictures too...
22 Oct - The BB's bombard Lunga successfully. The CA's from Shortland arrive in time to watch the fires. This time however the Birds of Paradise are still able to get airborne in the morning.
In the morning the US BB's are well to the East of the coast of San Cristobal. They are out of range of the carriers but LBA catches them... and learns, the hard way, about how much flak a brand new battleship can throw up. They have a couple runs at both BB's without scoring a single hit. A/C losses are high.
The BB's mad dash to the East has led them almost into the waiting arms of Yamato & co. At dawn the two BB forces are a less them 100 miles apart with the IJN forces between the US BB's and safety...
To the west, the IJN carriers move south and east to head the US BB's off should they double back to avoid Yamato & co.
22 Oct - The BB's bombard Lunga successfully. The CA's from Shortland arrive in time to watch the fires. This time however the Birds of Paradise are still able to get airborne in the morning.
In the morning the US BB's are well to the East of the coast of San Cristobal. They are out of range of the carriers but LBA catches them... and learns, the hard way, about how much flak a brand new battleship can throw up. They have a couple runs at both BB's without scoring a single hit. A/C losses are high.
The BB's mad dash to the East has led them almost into the waiting arms of Yamato & co. At dawn the two BB forces are a less them 100 miles apart with the IJN forces between the US BB's and safety...
To the west, the IJN carriers move south and east to head the US BB's off should they double back to avoid Yamato & co.
- Attachments
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- chasingbb-1.jpg (116.57 KiB) Viewed 400 times
Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
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Ron Saueracker
- Posts: 10967
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2002 10:00 am
- Location: Ottawa, Canada OR Zakynthos Island, Greece
AI
Good point.
Yammas from The Apo-Tiki Lounge. Future site of WITP AE benders! And then the s--t hit the fan
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Ron Saueracker
- Posts: 10967
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2002 10:00 am
- Location: Ottawa, Canada OR Zakynthos Island, Greece
AARs
Beta test team
Yammas from The Apo-Tiki Lounge. Future site of WITP AE benders! And then the s--t hit the fan
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Toro
- Posts: 577
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 6:33 pm
- Location: 16 miles southeast of Hell (Michigan, i.e.), US
Re: AI
My thoughts: I'm thinking the AI's sending of the unescorted convoy was more desperation than anything. From Iain's AARs, we've seen that approximately 40% of the Allied LCU forces are in L'ville and required supply. As to the BB TF being sent north to Lunga rather than escorting the supply TF, my only thoughts are that the AI is attempting to both resupply L'ville while doing all it could to interrupt IJN's supply line.
Let's hope that the AI considered that only resupply of L'ville would have little long-term results, but that offensive action further north was also required to alleviate the Allied forces in the mid-term.
Let's hope that the AI considered that only resupply of L'ville would have little long-term results, but that offensive action further north was also required to alleviate the Allied forces in the mid-term.
Wow - I'm certainly happy that I wandered over here from occasionally browsing the PacWar forum. This is a great AAR for this game. I'm all ready to step up to the "counter" and put down my plastic for a copy of the game when it comes out.
However, since I am an incorrigible non-pbem player, I do have some questions about the AI - would any of you continued with the AI's strategy of throwing piecemeil bombardment TF's at Lunga? It seems very similar to the Pacwar AI's habit of throwing forces at bases that have overwhelming LBA until it loses its CV's, at which point it goes into "hide" mode.
( Now I should check around the H/W & S/W requirements to see how much I will need to spend on a new computer to be able to play UV... )
Dave Baranyi
However, since I am an incorrigible non-pbem player, I do have some questions about the AI - would any of you continued with the AI's strategy of throwing piecemeil bombardment TF's at Lunga? It seems very similar to the Pacwar AI's habit of throwing forces at bases that have overwhelming LBA until it loses its CV's, at which point it goes into "hide" mode.
( Now I should check around the H/W & S/W requirements to see how much I will need to spend on a new computer to be able to play UV... )
Dave Baranyi