WitP mod v903 Ngineer(Japan) vs. Feinder(Allies)

[Feinder]

December 24th, 1943

Solomons

Nothing exciting. Another air raid on Port Moresby. More interceptions. I've got several transport convoys inbound, that I'm looking to "shoot" the gauntlet at Horn Island in a turn or so. Have gathered The Fleet in ports on East Oz. I think the last ships took refits that were otherwise waiting on ports. Glad that's done.

Really, I'm kinda "done" with Solomons. If his fleet shows, or some other interesting opportunity, then fine. But otherwise, having finally gotten the chance to pummel his fleet; I don't the point of battering against his concentrated Fighters and LBA in New Britain. If his LBA is concentrated in New Britain, it's not facing me elsewhere.

[Feinder]

December 24th, 1943

Tarawa

So I had 2x CV and 1x CVL passing "near" the Marshalls. So I thought I'd pay his bombers a visit. No fighter interceptions, which was nice. My CVL took 2x SP damage. I think I say probably 8 steps of damage to his Mari-Bmbr (which was a little disappointing that it wasn't more, but oh well). Anyway, not dead, but badly Damaged. I've also got two more CVs that were just out of strike range, but could provide CAP over my lead TF if necessary.

Frankly, I don't THINK he's got anything significant in the Marshalls (thus the opportunity for the strike, and only 2x DD escorts). But, he think I'm going for Tara, and shift fleet units towards Marshalls, which is farther away from Timor Sea. Next turn, if I'm not otherwise surprised in Marshalls, I'm just going to bug-out and continue on their way to Oz.

[Feinder]

December 24th, 1943

National Morale and Strategic Map.

National Morale - So. I figured for this one, I calculated an average of -620nm for USA per turn (since I've been keeping track starting March-43. This means...

12-31-1945 : Date at which NM dips below 40% (thus the next hit to combat effectiveness)
07-01-1949 : Date at which NM dips at 0%, US surrenders and game is "hard-over".
This is actually "better" than the last time I calculated (or possibly my math was wrong), of US surrender in Dec-1946. So that's good.

For Strat-Map, I noted the positions of my convoys. You can see some progress into DEI. I'm actually out of (regular) transports at this point, because I have so many troops in motion.

Given that basic procedure is to:
1. AVLs hit base with Assault Troops.
2. Rebuild the base.
3. Evac Assault Troops.
4. Replace with Garrison or other asset if needed.

Given that I've run out of "regular" transports, and I can see constant use of them in the future, I might end up researching Logistics to "buy" me some more transports this way.

[Feinder]

December 24th, 1943

Admin Stuff

Research, Production, Losses, and Economy

Research - Nothing new spent on Research, but I did get the notification that Chinese InfWeaps went to "2". Sweet.

Production - Bought my 2nd Strategic Bomber, and two USA Garrison units. I'll need them as anchors on reclaimed territory in DEI.

Losses - No losses this turn. Previously, I'd say "no losses" was a win for me. Soon enough (hopefully), "no losses" will be we a minor victory for him.

Economy - Looks like the MPP thing has flattened out, back to usual.

[Feinder]

Have you hit up against any build limits in ground units and planes yet? [We discussed naval builds a couple of months ago] As the designer I am disappointed (from a design perspective understand) that you haven't put a single chit into any of the mobilization techs, so guess I'll have to greatly dial down the base build limits for the next version. Based on your future build screen (where I am yes a bit shocked at how empty it is) looks like you simply have decided to not go with a massive buildup (the historical one) and simply flood him with units everywhere, instead taking a pragmatic approach, carefully husbanding what units you do have and prudently optimizing your targets.

My feed-back, having now played the game into 1944, is that I would strongly recommend against this. There's a very long conversation that I would/will submit about this, but it's more for something in the "post-game" suggestion box. I don't really want to have what (in my mind) is some very critical comments in the middle of the thread. I think the idea of expanding build limits is a good one. Ngineer has shared with me that, he has in-fact used it because he needs garrisons. But as you can see from my build queues, yes, I've (recently) built out my ground units. But I still have plenty of LBA and Naval things that need building.

Why? The short answer is that I've spent a LOT of MPPs on much needed Reinforcements, Research, Upgrades, and don't forget that replacements for upgraded units are more expensive.

USA avail builds on 12-24-1943:

[Elessar2]

He's said that he's not collecting any MPPs from China, which would indeed suck, and make the whole adventure somewhat pointless. That being case, would a "solve" be to extend the borders of Nanning to include that town on coast East of it. Then a convoy route to Japan. Would the Chinese MPPs flow into Nanning, and then thru route? Or maybe add a route at Shanghai or something?

I've tried to disambiguate him on that point, to no avail. Again, the game will not show you, as a separate entry, any income from controlled but unconquered territory, nor can you make a convoy for it (hope this is changed for the next game engine). Then since I dialed down the global income for everyone down to 32%, a resource will show say 10 for a mine, but only give you 3 MPP per turn. Then you deliberately camped on two sides of two of his mines, so they couldn't get above zero as it was. Occupational efficiency is 80% as well, which takes another small chunk out.

I thought about that Nanning convoy after Bill suggested it, but it would only apply to the resources inside the dashed border.

Thank you for the build queue screenie. I'll await your more detailed comments there, but I am still amazed at how much the historical naval build up dwarfs yours; in my AAR I planned out my naval buildup for 2+ years and had a whole bunch of stuff coming on the water in '44, with the fleet build tech maxed out at 3 chits from the first turn on. I simply knew I had to fight OCB's quality with quantity and out-attrition him, such that after a big clash, even if he won, he'd have to sail back to the HI's to repair, while I'd just send in a second fleet in pristine and optimized condition to keep the tempo of operations constant. [which was historical note]

Obviously you also decided based on the limitations of the sub code in this game engine to not go with the full-throated unrestricted submarine warfare option, which is understandable (my attempt quickly went balls-up). I am also not sure of the viability of destroyer escorts when you have oodles of fleet DDs you can spring for (and he as well).

You both have raised the issue of how Japan can win (as in actually win, not squeak across some imaginary finish line somewhere with key hexes still controlled but with the actual fighting forces in shambles), but maybe the NM countdown would be a viable one; at some point after continual reverses and glacial place the American people would tire of the war and demand a peace settlement. Note I still plan to give NM back to the Allies/US when they retake said objectives. I am dismayed by your report of double penalties on both your own and your opponent's turn-is that really how it works for you?

[Feinder]

January 11th, 1944

India

My Australian Mari-Bmbr put to good use. You can see he's got a CVL and (at least) 3x DDs near Ceylon. I guess he's expecting me to invade it. Maybe. Not really on the priority list though.

Indian ground formations, moving towards the border. Indian Inf-Corps moved into Chittagong. The oil-field across the border will be the objective.

I did hit that CVL off Ceylon pretty hard. Three fighters and the Mari-Bmbr. I'm pretty sure I mauled his air-group and 6-damage to his hull. That one will be going back to the yards. I also believe he's transferred the rest of his naval units from India theater, save that CVL and probably 4-5 DDs.

I loaded 2x Oz Inf-Corps onto transports, and now moving south along the west map-edge. Two more Oz/Kiwi formations at port, will load next turn. And 3x USA Inf-Divs will make their way to the coast to return to Oz. The UK-Canadian troops will remain in India for now.

[Feinder]

January 11th, 1944

China

He made additional LBA strikes vs Comm-Chi HQ. No damage tho. I suppose upgrading his AAA and the town's AAA helped.

For me, having InfWeap(2), I'll be going around making upgrades. Nothing else of note.

[Feinder]

January 11th, 1944

Timor Sea

The plan here is really to, "invade everywhere that he isn't", until such time as I can mount a decisive invasion of Java and Davao/Manilla.

Recon mission over that base in Arafure Sea, showed that he's move up a Garrison onto the island. That's fine. I invaded W Timor instead. I had a thought of DoW vs. Portuguese Timor, but decided that was rather "un-Allied" and I'll let them remain neutral.

You can see the build-up along N-Oz continues. I've got 2x Inf-Corps ready to load AVLs next turn. We'll find somewhere for them to land. I've also got 3x Inf-Corps on transports off Townsville, which will pass The Horn next turn, and disembark at Wyndham (then to re-embark on AVLs for invasion).

Also of note, I moved my Strat-Bmbrs to Broome. That puts them in range of the oil fields of Java next turn. Should be fun.

[Feinder]

January 11th, 1944

Coral Sea and Tarawa

Nothing really to report here. No raid on Port Moresby last turn. The port at Buna has repaired to 5, but I'm guessing he's got sub(s) along the route, and I don't feel like running recon missions against his fighter(s) to establish a safe route. If he keeps pounding PM, I'll consider Buna as a secondary evac. But I don't feel like trading the SPs in my own Fighters and Bombers vs. his for now.

You can see the build-up at Townsville. Those 3x Inf-Corps will shoot The Horn to Wyndham next turn. And there's another Inf-Corps and 3x Inf-Div behind them.

I ran a recon of that island south of Tarawa (where his Mari-Bmbrs were), he evac'd them (as expected, I hit them pretty hard). I'm guessing they're pulled back to Japan for replacements, and replaced by a Med-Bmbr and a Fighter on the islands north of Tarawa. That's fine. That means a Fighter and a Med-Bmbr NOT facing me in Timor Sea.

The strike on/near Tarawa was really just "opportunistic". I had those CVs cruising past, and mauling his Mari-Bmbr seemed like a good idea. I didn't have any AVLs loaded, and I'm sure he's got a Inf-Corps at Tarawa, it would take "a real assault" to root him out. Anyway, CVL (who launched the recon mission this turn), has moved south, escorted by 2x DDs. And 2x CVs to provide additional CAP if needed. They should all be out of LBA strike range though.

At this point, he'll have consolidated most of his fleet (at Truk?). That would give him strike into West (DEI), South (Solomons) or East (Tarawa). Maybe drawn a few advance units towards Tarawa.

But at this point, I'm going to assume that he's got a (still sizable) Combined Fleet consisting of

5x CV
5x CVL
2x DN
3x BC
3x CA
4x CL
6x DD

"somewhere", probably in the center to provide greatest flexibility.

[Feinder]

January 11th, 1944

National Morale and Strategic Map

National Morale - The usual decline in National Morale. I'm guessing the loss for UK and Oz, were the step-losses to my Fighters attacking his CVL. Interesting to note that, he does not appear to have lost any NM for the losses that he suffered (I'm certain that I did like 6-7 SP vs. his air-group, and 6 SP vs. his Hull). And yet Japan gained 110 NM this turn. He only hit the Comm-Chi HQ, and did no damage. I wonder if there is a script that is adding NM to Japan? Ugh. I hadn't thought of that. I'll have to check. You can also see that China lost 398 NM for doing nothing, and India -118...?

Strategic Map - Really, you can see for forces moving west, to congregate in N-Oz. Also first USN sub should enter DEI next turn (hopefully).

[Feinder]

January 11th, 1944

Admin Stuff

Research, Production, Losses, and Economy

Research - Nothing additional spent on Research (yet), although yes, I'll be re-prioritizing some soon. I did get the message that Naval Warfare completed (now Level-4, max morale boost, which is good, given that US NM is at 63%). Also got a small refund for the 2nd chit, also reflected in the MPP income.

Production - Next turn, I'll receive 1x Indian Inf-Corps, 2x USA Garrison, 1x New Guinea Inf-Corps. Good timing to evac my USMC-Divs in New Guinea. It's almost like I planned it... Bought 2x USA Fighters. LBA is good.

Losses - Nothing for either side.

Economy - No significant change. Just the refund of the dbl-chit.

[Feinder]

Sorry guys, busy/long week at work. We've played a few turns, and I (mostly) got screen caps. But some of these updates will be brief-ish, until I get us back up to date.

January 29th, 1944

India

Shifting the bulk of the Indian Army units towards the border with Burma. Again, the objective is really to move up on the mines there, to erode them. If I can move into Burma, great. But I'm not really expecting much on that account. We'll see.

The British and Canadian units held in reserve in Center. RAF/RCAF fighters and Oz Mari-Bombers flying patrols over Ceyelon, tracking his naval forces there. He's mostly pulled back his larger fleet units (expected).

US and Oz/Kiwi ground forces moved to the coast, for transport back to Oz.

[Feinder]

January 29th, 1944

China

China is mostly quiet. More LBA attacks against my Comm-Chi HQ. No damage this time.

I'm busy upgrading my Chinese formations along the line with InfWeap(2).

[Feinder]

January 29th, 1944

Timor Sea

Interesting conundrum on amphibious embarkation points in North Australia.
I had excluded Darwin, since it's port is only attached to the city itself = only one amphib unit each turn.
I thought Wyndham would best, because 5 hexes surround it's port = 5 ground units can board at the port. Except not actually true. The channel is narrow, only hex, so you can only board 2 units per turn (one that boards, and moves 1 hex out), and another that remains in the port hex.
Thus, I am not shifting my amphib marshaling to Broome-Derby and Port Hedland. Each port has 3 land hexes, and 3 sea hexes, (both) allowing a total of six embarkations per turn. I can use Wyndham as a tertiary port.

I've gone ahead and loaded the Inf-Corps that I had at Wyndham, they'll land at "islands of opportunity" next turn.

Meanwhile, Strategic bombers from Broome, hit Ledoc Oil in Java, and the field in Southern Borneo, un-opposed. I expect there will be fighters to meet me next turn.

[Feinder]

January 29th, 1944

National Morale and Strategic Map

National Morale - He's got to have some objective(s) that are adding to his National Morale, because he basically did nothing this turn, and as you can see, he gained almost 400 points. * shakes head *
John 3:30 - "He must increase. I must decrease."

Strategic Map - Just posted this, because I thought it was interesting.

[Feinder]

January 11th, 1944

Admin Stuff

Research, Production, Losses, and Economy

Research - I actually missed getting a screen cap this turn. I did decide however to triple-chit Land and Air production, just for giggles (as frankly, I don't expect long enough before the US surrenders). But we'll see how far we can push it. I also put a chit into Logistics, because what I'm really short on is "regular" transports (I've used them all for the US at this point).

Production - Nothing produced this turn, because I blew my allowance on booze and Research.

Losses - No losses, either side (which makes his 400pt NM increase, and my 260pt NM decrease, net US/Jpn net diff of 656 somewhat galling = that's like losing an upgraded Fleet-CV every turn when nothing happens.

Economy - The -45 points is just the refund from prior turn equalizing. Nothing changing on income to speak of.

[No Research Pic]

[Feinder]

February 16th, 1944

India

India Army units begin to occupy the mountain the range at the Burma border. A Thai HQ is there, might be nice to get a crack at it.

Meanwhile, Oz Mari-Bmbrs attacked and Damaged an IJN Destroyer off Ceylon. I also sent a few fighter sweeps over to try to kill his Mari-Bmbr unit there. While I did damage it, I was unable to destroy it.

Also of note, combined with some Intel, you can see that he's got a pretty fan/line of ships of what I presume is to intercept an seaborne invasion of Burma or Malaya. That's fine. It's ties down some of his ships. That's not the plan.

[Feinder]

February 16th, 1944

China

This a little exciting at least. he opened with some LBA attacks against my HQ at Changde (west of Hangkow); again the presumption of high value target. But then sent a Mech-Div and Tank-Div across the marshes, attacked without success. The HQ held, and I was able to shift some troops into the fortifications, then counter-attacked his Tank-Div, inflicting 4xSPs of damage. I'm guess that was "opportunistic", like my failed attack in the north to the mines there. His attack not really any more successful than mine.

Meanwhile, I continue to upgrade Chinese Infantry units with InfWeap(2).

[Feinder]

February 16th, 1944

Timor Sea

His turn opened by his sortie of a CVL to recon(?) my unit in West Timor. His strike was intercepted by one of my CVs, and it was somewhat gratifying to see him running back to his port of Watampo in Celebes. I imagined an "Oh crap. Gotta go." moment for him. Probably not, but did amuse me.

Another mission against the Ladoc Oil fields in Java, was intercepted by fighters now. I managed to reduce the fields to zero, and evaded damage. Cool.

So this is what it feels like to nuke something!
You can see from the screen cap that, I used a bunch of BBs to nuke his garrison on Taberfane (island north of Darwin). It took 8 of my heavies, but it felt good to nuke something! It also left them exposed, so I moved up 2 fighter squadrons and bunch of CVs to fly CAP.

I then also invaded Soemba and Flores. Again, I'm just moving into any bases that I can grab at the moment. I'm less inhibited by AVLs, as I am by regular transports (I need to get the troops to North Oz first, then board the AVLs).