Walking in Allied Shoes (BtS Lite - Kitakami vs. John 3rd)

[Lowpe]

I remember John trying to take Pearl from Michael, in two different games. The first one he failed, or did it too slowly. The 2nd he learned his lesson.

Of course this was early in this mods evolution.

[RangerJoe]

Take Kona first, then Hilo and work towards Oahu. That will give the Japanese LBA airfields and he may not need his carriers.

That way, you also get some good coffee!

[ny59giants]

As Jorge known, I've been friends with John for many years. Last year, I finally went out to Colorado for a visit last May. I was able to get Tracker to work for him. So, running Japan's economy is more efficient for him now. His biggest weakness continues to be the logistics of getting stuff back to Japan. He is getting better at his convoy composition and placing some escorts in them. But, he will sent his xAKs loaded without enough escorts, at times. I would go after his logistics as through the years, I've looked at his various in-game play (focusing on economy and logistics, not tactics) and this is still lacking. Get those subs out to interdict this!!

[ny59giants]

Early war Allies - random thoughts

The two PBY groups in Philippines end up in India/Ceylon, eventually. B-17s on Mindanao go to India.

You are short of construction engineers through early '42, so allocate them wisely. By '43 you will be swimming in them. [8D] EABs go to Cape Town (CT) and then India. SeaBees stay in Pacific.

India - you have lots of xAKs there that need to go to Bombay and/or Cape Town that can be converted to xAPs in 30 days. Most of them end up in USA and are my early war workhorses moving troops frm California.

Most of Asiatic Fleet DDs can convert to APDs. I use them and the few AMCs you get to form one large and few small Fast Transport TFs. The Allies can form limited number of Fast Transport TF, but some of the pre-war American CLs have troop and cargo capacity. Find them so you know where they are.

Dutch Air Force - you will want to disband them and reform them once the DEI is about to fall. They will come back in 30 days at Aden. They will form great rear area CAP (beware John's use of the Liz to raid rear area bases). I've encouraged him to do so over the various version of BTS.

USA - Most economic assets are damaged and need supply to repair. You will need to increase most bases by x5 to x7. If you do all at once, then the first two months you will have little supply to ship out. Do not do Resources until March '42 so the small assets repair get repaired first.

Pearl - You may need to sacrifice some xAKs at start to get supplies into Pearl from Cali. Like Lowpe said, I lost this base before and you need to play Hawaii at start like its going to be invaded. All ships that can leave scatter when possible as you can send them back later. Pearl's supply level can make or break a siege.

PBYs - They don't have the range of the Emily, but you get them in masse over the years. ASAP - spend PPs to get those in USA able to move. Head for Seattle - Dutch Harbor - Midway - Pearl - Canton/Christmas Island - Pago or Suva - Sydney. John typically goes for Midway, so you need to get what you can into Central/South Pacific. I don't use them in Naval Attack, just Naval Search. Pair two AVDs (6 aviation support each) and get them into SoPac to support a PBY group (12 planes). The bases I just listed need a PBY group there when able.

American CVs - this just me talking now. I like to take off the TBs (Devastators/Avengers after May '42). I add Marine fighter groups and maybe another DB group later. You should be interested in survivability in '42. Getting 54 fighters on each is great (36 USN + 18 Marines = 54). Then, there is 36 SBDs. Break down the Wildcat fighters that are recon and place one on each as they have great range. I place 4 CA/CLs and 8 DDs per CV TF.

More to come....

[Kitakami]

He will most likely sweep Pearl again...and then perhaps bomb the following day. He might even bombard Pearl. He could also split the KB looking for American Carriers or even send some to east of Pearl. So plan on the KB being around Pearl for a few days.

***** The question is... will he sweep first or not? Hmm... I agree, he will remain there for a few days.

He can take Pearl if he wants to, but it is a major allocation of troops and shipping.

***** Agreed. He could, if he wanted to. The question is, does he?

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
Anarcho tried to take Pearl in this mod from me, and really committed to it, nearly 10 divisions....I think John would be doing you a favor by landing at Pearl. It's too tough a nut to crack.

He did make multiple attacks on Pearl, though, and ended up damaging all 10 BBs so badly they wouldn't be useful until 1944, if at all

I agree, he would do me a favor. He would lose more than what he would win, unless he were to go for a 1942 points victory. Otherwise, his losses would only accelerate the swing of the initiative to my favor.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe
Depending upon the status of your cruisers and destroyer, lots of small SCTFs could overwhelm any enemy SCTF plus the chance of sinking part of the KB. Don't forget to search at night to detect the KB. Let the PT Boats lead the way . . . [:D]

Night searches... must not forget night searches!

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
As Jorge known, I've been friends with John for many years. Last year, I finally went out to Colorado for a visit last May. I was able to get Tracker to work for him. So, running Japan's economy is more efficient for him now. His biggest weakness continues to be the logistics of getting stuff back to Japan. He is getting better at his convoy composition and placing some escorts in them. But, he will sent his xAKs loaded without enough escorts, at times. I would go after his logistics as through the years, I've looked at his various in-game play (focusing on economy and logistics, not tactics) and this is still lacking. Get those subs out to interdict this!!

He is a tactical genius, but I have seen there are things he doesn't pay much attention to. One of them is unescorted bombers. I bagged around 300 2E bombers in our trial run... in one month! There is no way the Japanese economy can maintain that rate of attrition.

On turn 1, an American cruiser force ended the turn 2 hexes from an IJN CVL TF. I do not know if it was undetected or not, because he had ordered a port strike on Manila. There are no large IJN surface combatants nearby. I wonder what will happen this turn...

[Canoerebel]

IIRC, John successfully captured Pearl Harbor in a game vs. NYGiants about three or four years ago.

I don't think he'll try that gambit again, except in the very unlikely chance he decides to attack West Coast industry. He's never done that before, and I can't imagine him doing so now. He's created this new mod with tons of new ships. Above all, he'll be looking forward to raiding, attacking and probing with those new assets.

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Early war Allies - random thoughts

The two PBY groups in Philippines end up in India/Ceylon, eventually. B-17s on Mindanao go to India.

***** Agreed.

You are short of construction engineers through early '42, so allocate them wisely. By '43 you will be swimming in them. [8D] EABs go to Cape Town (CT) and then India. SeaBees stay in Pacific.

***** Roger!

India - you have lots of xAKs there that need to go to Bombay and/or Cape Town that can be converted to xAPs in 30 days. Most of them end up in USA and are my early war workhorses moving troops frm California.

***** I prefer Capetown for this.

Most of Asiatic Fleet DDs can convert to APDs. I use them and the few AMCs you get to form one large and few small Fast Transport TFs. The Allies can form limited number of Fast Transport TF, but some of the pre-war American CLs have troop and cargo capacity. Find them so you know where they are.

***** I am not sure about the Clemsons. The other class that can convert to APDs I will definitely do. But you have a convincing argument. Let's see what survives the next month.

Dutch Air Force - you will want to disband them and reform them once the DEI is about to fall. They will come back in 30 days at Aden. They will form great rear area CAP (beware John's use of the Liz to raid rear area bases). I've encouraged him to do so over the various version of BTS.

***** Will do!

USA - Most economic assets are damaged and need supply to repair. You will need to increase most bases by x5 to x7. If you do all at once, then the first two months you will have little supply to ship out. Do not do Resources until March '42 so the small assets repair get repaired first.

***** Roger!

Pearl - You may need to sacrifice some xAKs at start to get supplies into Pearl from Cali. Like Lowpe said, I lost this base before and you need to play Hawaii at start like its going to be invaded. All ships that can leave scatter when possible as you can send them back later. Pearl's supply level can make or break a siege.

***** Ok. Let's keep an eye on the situation here.

PBYs - They don't have the range of the Emily, but you get them in masse over the years. ASAP - spend PPs to get those in USA able to move. Head for Seattle - Dutch Harbor - Midway - Pearl - Canton/Christmas Island - Pago or Suva - Sydney. John typically goes for Midway, so you need to get what you can into Central/South Pacific. I don't use them in Naval Attack, just Naval Search. Pair two AVDs (6 aviation support each) and get them into SoPac to support a PBY group (12 planes). The bases I just listed need a PBY group there when able.

***** Midway and Canton will be lost. There is one SNLF assault div prepped for each at start. But you are correct, I need to know where his flat tops are.

American CVs - this just me talking now. I like to take off the TBs (Devastators/Avengers after May '42). I add Marine fighter groups and maybe another DB group later. You should be interested in survivability in '42. Getting 54 fighters on each is great (36 USN + 18 Marines = 54). Then, there is 36 SBDs. Break down the Wildcat fighters that are recon and place one on each as they have great range. I place 4 CA/CLs and 8 DDs per CV TF.

***** Agreed. I did this in my trial game, although we stopped before he realized it. I also load the CLVs and CVL with fighters only. It may prove to be a nasty surprise.

More to come....

***** Thanks tons!

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
IIRC, John successfully captured Pearl Harbor in a game vs. NYGiants about three or four years ago.

I don't think he'll try that gambit again, except in the very unlikely chance he decides to attack West Coast industry. He's never done that before, and I can't imagine him doing so now. He's created this new mod with tons of new ships. Above all, he'll be looking forward to raiding, attacking and probing with those new assets.

I tend to agree with you, but until he retires, I can't stop considering the possibility,e specially since Allied flat tops are not close to defend Pearl. Still, there is always more than one way to skin a cat.

[821Bobo]

Personally I think sortie out of PH is suicidal against any opponent who does have a clue. It can work only if he sticks at the same hex with KB, otherwise chances that any surface encounter will take place are slim at best and your valuable cruisers will be sitting ducks without cover.

[RangerJoe]

Well, in one game the Arizona sortied out of Pearl Harbor. The Japanese player did continue the game. The sudden loss of two carriers with one going under before making it home did not stop him. It did force a defensive Japanese game however.

Even your night search PBYs with a few set on naval attack with torpedoes might get lucky. Just slow down a carrier and see how it handles some DDs . . . [X(]

[Lowpe]

I definitely would read NYGiants advice several times over. [:)]

[Kitakami]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe
I definitely would read NYGiants advice several times over. [:)]

I have. He knows my opponent, while I do not... yet. The one point I am not sure is the DD Clemson class. The rest of the advice I will follow.

[ny59giants]

More thoughts.....

Document dump - You should have a large email with lots of documents and notes I've created over the years coming directly to you.

India - build forts and build more forts for early '42. Only expand Delhi AF to 7 to allow airframe upgrades. I don't defend Ceylon and try to get most LCUs back to India. You will get a very large and nasty AA brigade there. Don't lose it!! 2 to 4 American DB groups head to Eastern USA - Cape Town (CT) - India. This is followed by 2 to 4 American fighter groups (25 x 3). Again, American EABs head here.

Allied Air Force, '42 edition - John hates the P-38s. I've used them to max effect with high altitude sweeps. They get my best pilots and those went to India first. I used the Purchase System to get every one of these airframes. While you will not see the B-25 attack bombers until '43, I train ALL my bomber pilots in two skills - Gnd and LowN. Like I said before, I pull off the USN TBs and train them up in THREE skills. Why?? You need to get their overall experience level up to be able to hit warships in '43 and beyond.

Important dates in '42 - April will have American warships getting first major upgrade....radar. Oct will see AA upgrades.

Clemson DDs - I have some go to DEs. The APDs will have the best early war ASW. A pair or more go into your AO TFs.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

More thoughts.....

Document dump - You should have a large email with lots of documents and notes I've created over the years coming directly to you.

India - build forts and build more forts for early '42. Only expand Delhi AF to 7 to allow airframe upgrades. I don't defend Ceylon and try to get most LCUs back to India. You will get a very large and nasty AA brigade there. Don't lose it!! 2 to 4 American DB groups head to Eastern USA - Cape Town (CT) - India. This is followed by 2 to 4 American fighter groups (25 x 3). Again, American EABs head here.

Allied Air Force, '42 edition - John hates the P-38s. I've used them to max effect with high altitude sweeps. They get my best pilots and those went to India first. I used the Purchase System to get every one of these airframes. While you will not see the B-25 attack bombers until '43, I train ALL my bomber pilots in two skills - Gnd and LowN. Like I said before, I pull off the USN TBs and train them up in THREE skills. Why?? You need to get their overall experience level up to be able to hit warships in '43 and beyond.

Important dates in '42 - April will have American warships getting first major upgrade....radar. Oct will see AA upgrades.

Clemson DDs - I have some go to DEs. The APDs will have the best early war ASW. A pair or more go into your AO TFs.

I will add that one class of US DDs get a good upgrade in February that gives radar and depth charge throwers. The sonar seems to work better too, although nothing is shown as a sonar device in the game.

I have not found the Clemson class to be great as DEs and they cannot convert back. Nor can they convert to APDs after their first upgrade as DDs, and I find them more useful as APDs than anything else. There are some US Regiments (Separate) that are not part of a division and are lightly equipped. I like to use massed APDs to carry them in an invasion, with a small transport or two bringing up any vehicles later. Try a mixture for the Clemsons and see what you like.

[Kitakami]

Very well, I have bowed to conventional wisdom, and the Clemsons will be converted to APDs. I am certain I will not regret it.

The Thundering Herd (TM) has started its march of doom. Hopefully, some will make it. xAPs I have ordered directly to Capetown, no loading of anything. They are far to useful to risk. TKs have been ordered to fill their holds before departing, for obvious reasons, and so have xAKs and xAKLs. Floating repair docks are leaving Java, and so are auxiliary ships that are not immediately useful in the DEI.

My esteemed opponent did not land at Kota Bharu, nor did he drop the Paras at Victoria Point, so I am bracing myself for a Mersing Gambit. That means marching the 27th Aus Bde to Mersing, and having all torpedo planes on naval attack, night, with the patrol planes searching at night. Trying to get as much as possible into Singapore before it is blocked on the land side, but I have little hope.

Not trying a Fortress Palembang. Will send the 18th Brit Inf Div to Burma instead.

Changed a number of SS captains whose aggression was lower than my old dog's.

Regrouping everything in strong defensive terrain, building forts where possible. Still need to check China before sending the turn, so any last-moment suggestions/questions are welcome.

[Kitakami]

And turn 2 has been sent! I expect it back at some point tomorrow morning.

There are three critical points on turn 2:

1. The USN cruiser force 2 hexes from the Japanese CV force. I am not pursuing it, but my TF commanders have been known to disobey my orders. I am eyeing another, strategically important target. We will see.

2. Pearl Harbor. It all depends on what John does there this turn.

3. Manila. Manila's port was hit hard, but no the airfields. Let's see what John does there!

Now, to wait for the turn.

[LTC]

It would be nice to see an AAR from John as the Allies one day using one of his mods.