The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Mike McCreery]

John isnt happy about the comparative popularity of your AAR... LOL!!!

Man, I feel you with the large convoy.... It could have been loaded troop ships so it could always be worse ;]

[Canoerebel]

John Dillworth once called me a "verbose SOB." (John also had the most hilarious AE quote of all time, I think. Something to this effect: "Somebody said I misspelled a word. I checked with GreyJoy and he said it was okay.")

I like writing an AAR, and I usually post pretty prolifically. John III is a bit more irregular due to his work and family life. I think he also tends to post much more when he's excited, the rascal.

As many of you know, John and I have a long and cordial history. Well, cordial outside the gaming environment. We've been playing since UV days. We had one long and memorable match in WitP. This match is doing a credible job of giving that one a run. So we know each other well. We also occasionally correspond or talk via telephone about real life matters.

John used to drive me absolutely nuts by telling me how a turn went before I got to watch it. That was tantamount to telling somebody five weeks ago, "Hey, Han dies." I couldn't get him to stop no matter how many times I asked, no matter how politely. But he's done a much, much better job during this game. I appreciate it, because I know it goes against the grain.

John is flamboyantly aggressive and verges sometimes into taunting. Not because he's mean spirited. The guy is simply a glorious extrovert who revels in the game. Sometimes that stings - Oh, how I remember some of his "Banzai! I sank all your carriers today!" comments of days long gone. He doesn't do that via email any more, but I still catch the occasional whiff from the titles of his AAR posts. Those are publicly visible in the forum, and I watch them closely. Last night I noticed he posted one titled "Lovely." I knew I was in for a bad movie-watching experience.

John and I are like two lawyers. We can tangle and get highly irritated in the AE courtroom But when the trial (turn) is over, we're good friends who laugh, slap each other on the back, and recount the crazy things we've done together.

John told me he's not sleeping well at night. Me neither! I haven't had a good night's sleep in about two weeks. The game consumes me, as it always has. But I'm having a blast, even in the darker moments like last turn.

John is giving me a right hard time in Sumatra and Burma right now. But to me it seems like it's an awfully good situation if the Allies are fighting forward in late '42 and '43 and the Japanese have conquered little if anything outside the norm. I'm even more pleased when I consider just how hamstrung I've been by fighter pools and by House Rules. With respect to the latter, the Allies could have given John fits by bombing Palembang, but I can't. But it's the fighter pools that are just outrageously weird. Had I a reasonable (by my reckoning) number of fighters, I could have held Sumatra and expanded and things would be considerably different. I think the fighter pools are an artifact of this mod or this scenario or something. Or perhaps all Allied players are in this position. I've learned that it's very, very hard for the Allies to fight forward in late '42 even with total surprise and a massive commitment of men and supplies. Next time I'll know to check replacement rates and pools far more closely. Also to consider House Rules more carefully. But for this match, I think the Allies have done pretty well.

[witpqs]

I think the fighter pools for the Allies in this mod are from Babes, which are by and large from Stock. They made them as true to history as they could. But with games mostly not going according to history and the Allied aircraft replacements always staying with history, it's a game artifact that the Allies have a hard time with various aircraft pools. Most especially fighters during the period you're discussing.

[Canoerebel]

Yeah, I keep putting it poorly. The Allies are strapped by historic numbers while Japan can produce seemingly at will. So we end up with Japan losing 50% more aircraft in this game, but in effect controlling the air.

Is it PDU On that creates the problem? Or does any configuration cause it? If two players wanted a match where there wasn't such a great disparity in the air, what settings should they choose? (To make it clear: I like Japan being strong, and I want the game competitive and fun in '44 and '45. But I don't want silliness in '42 and '43 such that Japan doesn't have to watch it's back doors because most Allied invasions would be doomed do to the aircraft pools. In other words, I want the ability to strike deep if I catch an opponent napping.)

[ny59giants]

Some changes with RA from stock/DBB are a slight increase in American fighters produced. Don't know if your numbers are the same Dan. Latest version has...
F4F-4...45/month (unchanged)
F4U-1 Corsair...35/month (5 increase)
P39D...25/month (unchanged)
P40E...45/month (10 increase)
P40K...75/month (10 increase)
P38F...30/month (10 less)
P38G...40/month (20 increase)
P38H...60/month (20 increase)

So, you would have more P-38s right now. Like you asked, RA has more large warships for Japan coming out in 43 and 44 that should allow Japan to be more competitive in late 43 and beyond. That was John's idea when he first came out with these mods. Add in the small bump in daily PP from 50 to 60 and it does help. The other significant change has been JuanG's Allied Aircraft Purchase option. Right now 24 P-40K or 24 P-38G cost 240 PP. I only have one P-38 and three P-40K groups available to buy.

[Encircled]

Wait?!? Han DIES?

[Canoerebel]

1/27/43

Circadian Rhythms: John asked for a turn yesterday afternoon. Then I didn't hear from him again. Nor did he post in his AAR. That's sometimes an indication that he got called into work. But this was Sunday evening, so very unlikely. I thought there was a decent chance something bad had happened. He doesn't post nearly as frequently when he's ticked off. This time, the hunch was right, so watching the replay was much more enjoyable than yesterday, and I wasn't tempted to click the "Done" button.

Battle of Sumatra: An IJN cruiser bombardment TF targeted the Allied army stack a hex south of Langsa, lingering there all day without bombarding. CAs Furutaka and Mogami are hit multiple times and go under. Mikuma was also targeted, but unsecessfully. Lots of Avengers downed (I can afford those losses) but also lots of irreplaceable F4Fs. Even the P-38Gs suffered! I had all my TBFs and SBDs (about 100 of the former, about 45 of the latter) set at range 5, one hex short of Medan (meaning the bombardment hex was just within range). The settings were so that they wouldn't try for any shipping at Medan but might get shots at any TFs that bombarded Langsa and lingered or got divided by damage (I have lots of subs at Langsa). I also set alot of my fighter corps to range 5 and 50% CAP. That gave the strike aircraft escorts. The Beauforts, set at range seven, took a shot at Hiei at Medan and missed - a shame, because I think the big fighting a hex to the north drew in most of John's CAP, leaving nearly nothing to protect all those juicy ships at Medan).

John has an impressive concentration of subs in the hexes WNW of Sabang. I think they picked off two or three supply xAKs. But the surviving merchants and the escorting combat ships made it to Sabang safely. There's 40K suppy, a modest number of reinforcing troops, and some combat ships to protect the port.

In the past two days, though, I've lost 50 F4Fs in important engagements in Burma and today's strike missions. I can't afford this. So I'll have to make adjustments. The Allies can't afford an air war in Burma, even though it divides John's attention a bit. I'm like Lee at Chancellorsville. Each of my two-part (air) army is facing more than 2x enemy forces. Probably more like 3x or 4x. I've got to marshall what's left to defend Sumatra. Very tough going here.

The enemy combat ships that tore into the merchants yesterday are retiring EAST towards Rangoon or vicinity. Not sure why they're going that way - probably John intends to keep them closer to the front. If so, I wonder if he has carriers coming back to the theater.

I think John is devoting a fair bit of resources to Burma. He's doing so effectively and that is an important theater...but - Dang! - thank goodness. Every troop and plane and ship focused there is one less I'm facing in Sumatra. Still, he probably has plenty and more to deal with Sumatra.

I'm fighting one day at a time.

Battle of Burma: Either due to weather or fatigue, John's airforce stands down today, allowing the Allied army south of Magwe to make a good distance (about 10 miles each unit) towards extracting themselves from the jaws of the pincer movement. Importantly, the Japanese division trying to close the trap didn't succeed in taking the Allied unit guarding the friendly hex to the west. This means John can't yet set that division to close the remaining hexside. Meaning the Allied army may well be able to make it to the key "friendly hex" before that hexside can be closed. Very tense. Very exctiign.

Ramilles: Off the map at the NW corner (near Mombasa box) and it will take her 51 days to make it to Capetown! She has 51 major FLT damage. Fortunately, she's not scheduled to withdraw until December. I'll fix her up a few points and withdraw her.

Elsewhere: Small steps being taken in many places, but I'll leave it at that.

[Canoerebel]

This and that:

Sumatra: The Allied stack (1375 AV) a hex south of Langsa faces three IJA divisions of equal strength. John will have a hard time busting through give 2x jungle terrain. Langsa, just to the rear, has about 300 AV with some forts and 2x terrain. This hex is subject to invasion that might cut off the Allied stack a hex away. Accordingly, I've set most of the units in the hex-away stack to a staggered and revolving march towards Langsa. That way there is always a division just a turn or two away from Langsa, should it be needed. If that division gets 40 miles or so towards Langsa without any proximate threat of invasion, I reset it to 0 miles. Fortunately, this doesn't have any effect on fatigue or disruption. There is one drawback - keeping units in motion eliminates their "forts." But I sleep alot better this way.

India: John is pretty amped up right now. He has reason to be, of course. He's bringing force to bear in Sumatra and Burma. He controls the skies everywhere but Sabang. And he has lots of ships, which he loves above all else. There is a 10% chance he might be looking at India, with a plan of cutting behind the Allied army to isolate it. (Hey, John invaded India in 1944 during our WitP match, so it's not beyond possibility.) I don't think such a move is likely since it would take so many ships and troops to have even the slightest hope of success. Not every Indian hex is guarded or garded well, but overall there's a good defense in depth.

9th Australian Division: This unit was bound for Sabang in the heady days following last week's strike on the KB at Singers (before that the plan was to commit it to Burma). Several days ago orders were changed to commit it to India. The division will serve as the theater reserve for a month or two. I have plans for it later, but right now it's another thing that helps me sleep better.

[jwolf]

I've considered the kind of "revolving march" tactic you described but rejected it for exactly the reason you noted: no forts. In your case I am guessing the reasoning is that the risk of getting cut off and destroyed is worse than the risk of losing control of the hex with your big stack. But isn't there also the danger of getting attacked while your troops are in motion?

[Canoerebel]

Yes, that's the reason behind the tactic.

The units are marching in combat mode, so I don't think there's a penalty.

[jwolf]

Oh yeah, forgot about that. So no penalty for movement, just losing any possible bonus for the forts you otherwise might have had.

[BBfanboy]

IIRC you took Christmas Is. (IO) to use as a springboard for your Sumatra invasion? If so, I think that would be a target that John could try to take, now that your air power is greatly depleted.

[Canoerebel]

1/28/43

Battle of Sumatra: No sweeps. Sinabang airfield goes to level two for Japan despite more 4EB raids. Sabang is increasingly isolated, like Rourke's Drift, the Alamo, Edson's Ridge, or Landing Zone X-Ray. I think John will soon try to overwhelm the fighter defenses by combinbing all his available fighters into massive sweeps. That may well do the trick. When he breaks the back of the Allied fighter defenses, it'll be down to the AA to defend the field. It's pretty grim, I think. But supplies arrived - Sabang has 260k and Langsa is also well supplied.

Battle of Burma: All the units in the big Allied stack are now 38 or 39 miles towards the important hex to the NW (which Japan just took full control of, but which I have units moving towards from other hexes, which hopefully will eventually open routes of egress). It looks like my guys will make this hex next turn, shock attacking across the river. The attack should fail badly, but it will position my army in the hex and allow it to eventually retire to the west (I think). For reasons unknown, John didn't air attack to slow movement the past two days. Perhaps weather shut down his fields. But that allowed my troops to make something like 25 miles over two days instead of 10 miles. That was key - because John could have closed the last hexside otherwise.

Wasp: Made it to Capetown two days ago and is repairing and upgrading. She'll be available in three weeks.

Elsewhere: Smalls steps.

BBFanboy: No, the Allies didn't molest Christmas (IO) or Cocos. I didn't do anything to draw John's attention to Sumatra.

[Canoerebel]

The Japanese recapture of Medan a week or two back left the oil production and refinery in bad shape. I know oil is blood for Japan, but I'm not quite sure what impact this has on John's oil situation? Is it a minor blow, a moderate blow, a major blow?

[Canoerebel]

With Sinabang airfield at level two, and with no Allied fighters to provide LRCAP for ships leaving Sabang (or incoming, for that matter), sending ships out of or into port will be suicidal. I'm sending a few home tonight at flank speed. And one small merchant convoy is inbound at flank speed. This may become an increasingly rare occurrence.

[Andav]

Medan is a minor/moderate loss. It is a good source but not one which is critical.

Really enjoy your AAR. It is the only Allied one I read.

No chance of nibbling at the Pacific perimeter I guess. John has to be very thin elsewhere with everything committed to Burma and Sumatra. Of course, that probably holds true for the Allies as well.

Keep up the good work!

Wa

[Canoerebel]

Shortly after the invasion of Sumatra, I cobbled together an invasion of Noumea. To my surrpise, John countered, including with some CVEs. I lost a CVE in that campaign and the invasion ultimately failed.

I have naval assets dispersed in such a way that offensive operations are possible elsewhere, but ground troops and political points are very scarce.

However, I am doing lots of small things. Some are mentioned (like the recent USN DD raiders). Most are not, mostly becaue I would bore readers to death. But the Allies do have long term objectives, and about those I don't want to tip my hand for a long, long time.

[Canoerebel]

1/29/43

Battle of Sumatra: This was a good day for the Allies because nothing whatsoever happened. No sweeps, no air strikes or sub hits against incoming or outgoing merchants. Ching Lee takes command of the Indiana TF. Supply at Sabang is up to 270k with a new (and possibly the last) convoy (carrying another 20k) safely in port. John must be gathering and resting everything for an all-out assault, which I think is a wise tactic on his part. But the last three days have seen the Allied fighter corps at Sabang increase in strength by about 25%. Fighting defensively over Sabang is Mission One. I can't afford to bleed off any more fighters for even key missions out of Sabang (like the effective naval strike a few days back) or in Burma. Mission One is Mission All. All for one, and one for all. For now, at least.

Battle of Burma: The advance echelon (mostly HQ types) of the Allied army crossed the river and shock attacked the Japanese garrison, doing modest self-inflicted damage. But the key is that the hexside is taken and the rest of the Allied army will cross tomorrow. Again, the IJ airforce didn't touch the Allied troops, which may get messed up in shock attacking across the river tomorrow, but at least they'll be where I want them to be. (The relief corps that will open a hexside leading west into the jungle is 20 miles into that journey, making slow time of about five miles per day. So it may be five days or so before the hexside will be open).

Elsewhere: Lots of things happening here and there - the Allied airforces have been a bit more active against Tennant Creek, Milne Bay, Port Moresby, Horn Island, and Umnak Island. Nothing major - just tickling John's curiosity and perhaps using up a bit of his supply. The Allies have occupied some advanced islands and begun fort and airfield building. John has noticed some of this. All a part of a master plan that will be unveiled in what seems like 27 years.

[Canoerebel]

1/30/43

Battle of Sumatra: Another good day in paradise. No sweeps, which is key. A nuclear bombardment of Langsa by BBs Yamato and Hiei, and CAs Hagura and Tone, does little damage. A sub picks off on xAK fleeing Sabang, but other subs miss shots (the xAKs are set a Full Speed, which is helpful). Supplies up to 280k with another 10k or so yet to unload.

Battle of Burma:After four days, John finally employs his bombers against the isolated Allied army to modest effect (AA downs a lot of bombers). The army then crosses the river and shock attacks the enemy, suffering some damage but not an excessive amount. The cavalry coming to the rescue is 20 miles from opening the escape hexside. Most importantly, this continues to draw John's rapt attention. I don't want my units savaged beyond recognition, but they're serving by buying time for the boys in Sumatra. I might be better for me to drag this out as long as possible.

KB: Shark misses a shot at Zuikaku a few hexes east of Soerabaja. I'll watch closely now to see where she shows up. The only sensible thing is to employ the KB in the Sumatra campaign (unless she's heading north to upgrade). If John goes raiding or engages in amphibious operations somewhere else (Oz, SoPac, wherever), well, Hallelujah!

Subs:Allied subs have started 1943 with a bang, sinking a host of xAKs, a TK or two, some escorts, plus damaging or sinking several CAs. I usually don't post much about the sub wars, but it's been something.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Some changes with RA from stock/DBB are a slight increase in American fighters produced. Don't know if your numbers are the same Dan. Latest version has...
F4F-4...45/month (unchanged)
F4U-1 Corsair...35/month (5 increase)
P39D...25/month (unchanged)
P40E...45/month (10 increase)
P40K...75/month (10 increase)
P38F...30/month (10 less)
P38G...40/month (20 increase)
P38H...60/month (20 increase)

So, you would have more P-38s right now. Like you asked, RA has more large warships for Japan coming out in 43 and 44 that should allow Japan to be more competitive in late 43 and beyond. That was John's idea when he first came out with these mods. Add in the small bump in daily PP from 50 to 60 and it does help. The other significant change has been JuanG's Allied Aircraft Purchase option. Right now 24 P-40K or 24 P-38G cost 240 PP. I only have one P-38 and three P-40K groups available to buy.

Michael,

My numbers have not beem bumped. I'm still only getting 20 P-38G (all via "Production") and 60 P-40K (all via "Replacement").

John told me a month ago that the numbers had been enhanced in the mod and would apply to this game. Apparently not.