Notes from a Small Island

[Barb]

Yup, I did propose the full size-attack, but you did understate the opposing force as a battered division and couple (2) of Mixed brigades. What can be seen here (although I do not know the strength of the actual units) is more like a Division, 5 Mixed Brigades, 6 Regiments, 7 battalions plus 2 Tank regiments and Tank battalion - or equivalent of 59 infantry and 5 tank battalions. And that is roughly 6 Divisions of infantry (although light on artillery).

And btw... did you focus your bombers on ground attack on the turn of the crossing? Or were the ground units undisrupted?

Eventually your Artillery will take the effect...

[Canoerebel]

Barb, I wasn't complaining and hope I didn't come across that way. I tried to emphasize that I appreciated your help.

I did note that the enemy garrison included a division and a battered divisions plus mixed brigades etc. I knew exactly what was there and exactly what I had, though I didn't state with specificity. I didn't think that was necessary for general advice about how to approach Singers.

My bombers have been concentrated on Singers for more than a month without facing opposition. Their divided roughly in half - airfield (to hit supply points) and ground troops. They bombings on the day of the attack seemed somewhat productive and helpful in causing some disruption.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

From my post a ten turns back: 7/30/45

Singapore: Allied units are still arriving in strat mode. The last contingent will arrive in about two or three days. Then comes the decision whether to attack and, if so, whether to commit all troops to the crossing or just a portion (probably 50%).

The only forumite who chimed in was Barb, who kindly recommended an all-out commitment (and I appreciate his good faith effort to be helpful).

Where were you guys when I needed you? [:'(]

Reading both AAR's and therefore forbidden to comment. [:-]

[HansBolter]

Sorry I wasn't more timely with my anecdotal evidence and recommendation. Sometimes I'm just not paying attention closely enough.

I also combined a massive paratroop drop of every British and Commonwealth para unit with my Singapore crossing. Mostly because I had never done a massive drop in game and wanted to see the effect.

It was an bloody disaster. The British para arm was gutted for the remainder of the war. I guess when you don't succeed in taking the base on the initial assault paratroops take a huge hit.

They haven't had the replacements to replenish the units. Thankfully, the 1st Para Division arrived full strength from Europe and will likely be used on Hokkaido as I started a Kuriles campaign with the late arriving European transfers coming in at Vancouver. Any losses it takes will not get replenished.

Thought long about how to improve on my dismal performance at Singers and finally came up with the idea of a basically sacrificial force establishing a beachhead for a stronger follow on force.

Whatever you do, don't include a paratroop drop!

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Sorry I wasn't more timely with my anecdotal evidence and recommendation. Sometimes I'm just not paying attention closely enough.

I also combined a massive paratroop drop of every British and Commonwealth para unit with my Singapore crossing. Mostly because I had never done a massive drop in game and wanted to see the effect.

It was an bloody disaster. The British para arm was gutted for the remainder of the war. I guess when you don't succeed in taking the base on the initial assault paratroops take a huge hit.

They haven't had the replacements to replenish the units. Thankfully, the 1st Para Division arrived full strength from Europe and will likely be used on Hokkaido as I started a Kuriles campaign with the late arriving European transfers coming in at Vancouver. Any losses it takes will not get replenished.

Thought long about how to improve on my dismal performance at Singers and finally came up with the idea of a basically sacrificial force establishing a beachhead for a stronger follow on force.

Whatever you do, don't include a paratroop drop!

Just one other thing - the follow-on force (IIUC) can only be up to 30% of the AV of the force that is across (I presume the remaining AV of the first group) or it will shock attack too. So the follow on troops need to be spread out a bit but can increase in size as the AV on the Singapore side accumulates.

[Barb]

Canoerebel, yup not taken as complaining, I would probably do the same being in your shoes, with similar results [X(]

Anyway, the worst is behind you here, so it can only get better with time [:D]

[Canoerebel]

8/9/45 to 8/12/45

DEI & Singapore: An enemy carrier force was sighted in the DEI some weeks back, with rather sketchy info at the time. More info today - this force is strong enough to handle Allied shipping in the Timor Sea, so I'll have to be careful as long as this KB is down here.

Over at Singers, the Allies are well into the recover stages from the bloody shock attack. Lots of good troops are inbound - some at Madras and some from Aden. When they arrive in about 3-4 weeks, the Allied army should be able to try the second attack.

Erik's army is sparse down here, but his carriers and air power are sufficient to keep the Allies cautious for now. I'd rather devote the bulk of my offensive power to the East China Sea region for now. Eventually the Allies will move in force to take the high-value bases in the DEI. Until then, small ops involving paratroops or fast transport will be relied on to take vacant bases.

[Canoerebel]

8/12/45

Death Star & China: DS & The Herd (carrying a large army) are inbound to China from Haiphong.

[Canoerebel]

8/9/45 to 8/12/45

Russia: For the most part, Erik has been laying low in Russia, knowing that it take time for the Russians to advance far enough to threaten important territory. Now the Russians are nearing those points in several locations, and I'm beginning to see movement dots, aircraft concentrations, etc. Erik will strike soon. When the Russians take a decent airfield in the "heart of things," they'll "cede it" to the Western Allies (paying the PP to swap HQ assignments) so that Western fighters and bombers can lend a hand. I think all of this is par for the course when Russia activates, but having Sikhalin (and Wakkanai) is a help.

Overall Situation: Allied forces are in position now to squeeze from every direction and the squeezing is underway. I think things are on target to handle things until the end game occurs. Erik will delay things by selectively striking.

[Canoerebel]

8/9/12 to 8/12/12

Tokyo: The first atomic bomb attack is scheduled for Tokyo tomorrow. Weather over the target and the originating base, Shikuka, forecast as partly cloudy.

The squadron will come in at 30k, set to hit Manpower. I don't think atomic bombs affect airfields or ports, but I sure wish it would whack the fighters concentrated at this base.

The Allies lead at the moment, 92,324 to 83,250.

[HansBolter]

If the unoccupied bases in the PI you are scooping up with paratroopers are coastal bases they don't need an airfield to be able to pick the troops up if you use flying boats.

Coronados and Mariners are great for this.

Been using this technique to flip even dot base hexes.

[Canoerebel]

All my patrol squadrons are occupied with patrolling. That's a much higher priority - trying to keep track of everything. I've used and abused my patrols and recon (especially the latter), but I have plenty of transport aircraft.

[HansBolter]

I guess we fundamentally disagree on what constitutes a patrol aircraft.

I just don't view the Coronados and Mariners as patrol planes.

I look at their huge capacities and see nothing but a transport plane and am loathe to 'waste' that capacity flying patrol.

Might also have a bit to do with the fact that I have far less territory to cover with patrol planes than you. [;)]

[T Rav]

"Oh No! There goes Tokyo, Oh No, Godzilla!" (Blue Oyster Cult) Or A-bombs. Whatever works best.

[WingCmdr]

King of the Monsters

"Oh no, There goes TOE K O.."


Godzilla


Long Islands First Famous Rock and Roll Band.
(Sorry, but Twisted Sister was next after Eddie Money)





As Long as this is relevant to the discussion below. This is how much of the world views nuclear weapons.

(The second bomb shows how scared the Military and Civilian Leadership was of the Kamikaze.
They didn't bomb a military target, again) (That's why the world is scared of us, not N. Korea, those crazy americans)

Then I thought about this. After what happened in China and Manchukuo THEY DESERVED IT!! Same with the Germans!



Enola Gay


Enola Gay
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Enola Gay, you should have stayed at home yesterday
We got your message on the radio, conditions normal and you're coming home
These games you play, they're gonna end in more than tears someday
Uh huh Enola Gay, it shouldn't ever have to end this way

It's 8:15, that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio, conditions normal and you're coming home

Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today
Uh huh, this kiss you give, it's never ever gonna fade away

Enola Gay, you should have stayed at home yesterday
We got your message on the radio, conditions normal and you're coming home
These games you play, they're gonna end in more than tears someday
Uh huh Enola Gay, it shouldn't ever have to end this way

It's 8:15, that's the time that it's always been
Uh huh, this kiss you give, it's never ever gonna fade away


Songwriters: Andrew McCluskey

Enola Gay lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management

[Bif1961]

Tokyo was the 3rd city targted for an A-Bomb, fortunately the Emperor threw in the towel.

[Canoerebel]

The atomic bomb is the only aspect of the game that sometimes makes me sit up and think, "Real war - terrible."

There's some illogic in that. Logically, I understand that the firebombing of Tokyo in July 1945 resulted in approximately half the number of deaths (80,000 to 130,000) that the two a-bombs caused. In other words the atomic bomb, measured purely by numbers, wasn't any more lethal to the Japanese than were the great incendiary raids. I don't think it makes much of a difference to the dead whether they died one way or another.

In the early 1980s, when I was at the University of Georgia, a few student protestors would mark the anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by laying on a busy campus road and outlining their bodies with chalk to commemorate those who had died. I wondered why they didn't do the same for the incendiary raids or, for that matter, Pearl Harbor. It took me a long time to realize they weren't really stirred by the past but rather by the future.

Looking ahead, the atomic bomb is a different animal because it inflicts casualties so efficiently - not nearly as many assets risked for the same or perhaps a much great rate of return. There is reason to behold the a-bomb with particular awe and fear.

The use of the bomb made sense to end the war as quickly as possible at the lowest cost to the Allies as possible. It also instilled an awe and fear in humanity that seriously decreased the possibility of it being used in the years and decades that followed.

Those are the kinds of thoughts I mulled over as I issued the orders to the use the bomb. It's just a game but it makes me (us) think. We learn - geography, logistics, combined use of arms, and that it usually takes a long time to end a war that begins abruptly.

[T Rav]

I read your stuff, for a variety of reasons. Not the least of which is your humanity. Thank you.

[T Rav]

The Godzilla quote was inappropriate on my part.

[Canoerebel]

No, no! Your Godzilla quote was perfectly fine. This is a game that we enjoy, partly for the challenge, partly for the community, and partly to reflect on something we all hold dearly. None of us forgets, even as we play and enjoy and interact and laugh, that there was a cost involved in the war. In a way, our enjoyment of the game is a tribute to the those who served.