Command Decisions: Samurai vs. Yeomen RA 6.4

[John 3rd]

A major thorn in the Japanese side is removed this day. All five of the Japanese Big Boys hit Darwin and cause 940 Casualties, 17 Guns, and 9 Vehicles. The effect is immense upon the defending troops.

Into the chaos the Japanese launch a Shock Attack by the 55th and 56th ID. The result is a 4-1 Attack and SEVENTEEN units surrender! Losses are 16,976 Cas, 273 Guns, and 113 Vehicles.

How 'bout that Gang!??

[John 3rd]

The Allies are now withdrawing on all fronts: Burma, Western Aust, from Cocos (the RN did a bombardment using all 4 R-Class BBs and Renown--KB trying to get them!), and Tahiti.

Really want to do a detailed update and will when we get back from Laramie. We're going out to see the 4014 Big Boy UP Steam Engine coming from California going to Cheyenne to be rebuilt. Should be COOL!

Have been quite busy so cannot do a real update.

[traskott]

OMG. This is worst than facing AI. The "learning curve" nr1 rule for the AFB is don't go offensive on piecemeals ever. And of course never with the troops with lowest replacment rate. US infantry squads, and Marines, yes, but aussies, NZ, british..No, never, ever..

Said that, if they quit count on me to replace them. [8D]

[traskott]

What's the currently data of the game?

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: traskott

What's the currently data of the game?

Hello Sir.

Life has been BEYOND crazy. My little Subway Restaurant has broken its all-time sales record two weeks in a row and has every possibility of doing it again this week. NUTS!

Just completed the May 27th turn.

Need TIME to do a thorough Posting. Needless to say major things have happened and lets us simply sink that it is THREE DOWN and four to go!

[ny59giants]

Need TIME to do a thorough Posting. Needless to say major things have happened and lets us simply sink that it is THREE DOWN and four to go!

Without talking to you, CV Saratoga 'tried' to retreat back to Hiva Oa and another sub finished her off!! [;)]

Meanwhile, I haven't heard back from BigBadWolf for a week now. [:(][&:]

[John 3rd]

OK. I don't have time for a full Pacific Update so we'll tackle regions. We'll start with the Battle off Tahiti.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Battle off Tahiti
May 18-21, 1942

Have Posted pictures of the Battle off Rangiroa and Tahiti but now we'll put them into a narrative. The American CVs had been spotted at Hiva Oa for roughly a week when they move out towards the Japanese bases of Rangiroa and Tahiti. Just so wehave it, Japanese Air Strength was 90 Zero (3 Units), 72 Val (2 Units), 72 Kate (2 Units), 27 Betty, and 18 Emily.

May 18th
Ro-66 hits CV Saratoga with a single TT. Luckily their is a fuel-storage explosion magnifying the damage. I consider her out of the action at that point.

May 19th
American Fleet slowly moves towards Rangiroa. I place Two Zero Daitai and the Vals at Rangiroa. My Torps are at Tahiti unfortunately. Set Range 7 with Vals at 12,000Ft. One Zero group to fly at the same altitude and the other at 21,000Ft.

May 20th
I am seriously looking for an Invasion Force at this point. WHERE are the AK/AP? They are not. This is strictly a Diversionary Attack and Raid (I find out later).

Amercians close to a range of 5 and my planes launch a strike of 51 Zero and 47 Val. They are met by 84 Wildcats: OUCH! Taking Michael's advice they have placed Marine Fighters onto the American Decks. The Zero do OK protecting their charges but there are too many F4Fs. Many bust through and mangle the Vals. Only 22 get through to attack the US CVs. I am stunned to see Saratoga show up (along with Hornet and Lexington). Evidently my Ro- didn't do too much damage. The Vals all MISS their targets. A total of 15 of the 47 Val return. That hurts a bit. Looks like the Americans lose 18 F4F to my 9 Zero.

An afternoon Americans trike of 42 F4F 38 SBD punch through 11 Zero on CAP to hit the Rangiroa AF. Damage is not bad.

Shift Zeros around. If they are coming then I want my Kates and Bettys to fly. Set Range to 9 and send the turn.

May 21st
Amazingly the Americans continue to close the range. A well coordinated Strike of 56 Zero, 67 Kate, and 5 Betty attack (the remaining Betty got lost going to target). They are met by 85 Wildkittens. THIS time the Zeros do a better job protecting the bombers and shooting down nearly 20 Wildcats. Only 16 Kate fall to American Fighters. Expecting TTs, I am saddened to see them make level bombing flights. The enemy was ONE HEX from TT Range. OK. Crap. The Kates and Bettys attack. Flak is pretty serious over the Fleet where I lose 12 more Kates to AA. Bomb after bomb falls and does not hit. Finally in the last 12 or so, Sartoga is singled out and a pair of bombs fall and hit her. Another Critical is scored with an Ammo storage explosion. This SHOULD put that tough old ship out of the fight. Perhaps it will force the Americans to withdrawal?!!

No American strike in the afternoon.

What will I do? Bring all surviving aircraft to Tahiti and prepare to meet the next day. Morale is in the toilet so I doubt if anything will fly.

May 22nd
The Americans move away and out of strike range. HOSANNAH!

Summary:
I look at the fight as a Mexican Standoff at this point. I lose a lot of planes in exchange for damaging an American CV without damage to any Japanese CV. Not great but not terrible either.

This view markedly changes when I see on May 24th Allied Ground losses of 18 F4F-4 and 26 SBDs. What the HECK??!! Did we get Saratoga? Surely not. I send a query to my opponents:


I spotted a lot of Losses this turn. Any open explanation for this?

Reply:
Sara – what can I say, Coral Sea without the Jap Carriers...

Well not throwing in the towel just yet, 4 CV/CVL/CVE’s coming online within 30 days! we will just have to improvise!

Next:
Wait a minute.

Are you saying that Saratoga SANK?!! Seriously? I figured when she showed up as a target for my Kates that the earlier TT Hit from the I-Boat hadn’t done much. Was whopping and hollering when I saw the hit and fuel storage explosion. Figured two bombs simply put her out of commission. She sank??? Wow. What happened?

Am trying to run the turn but got back from Laramie and went straight to work last night and now I am doing a 7am—5pm shift. Not too terribly awake presently...
John

Final:
You are correct, the TT from the sub did 8 SYS & 12 FLT damage, the DC parties had the damages down to 6 & 8 by the time the airstrike happened.
The fuel bunker explosion fires just wouldn’t go out. Started at 60 SYS, 32 FLT and 20 FIRE, turn after that was 81 SYS, 40-something FLT and 48 FIRE, and she sank the third turn after the bombing.

You are a good candidate for the espresso drop in a large coffee, that will put a bolt in your butt! I used that trick when I was stuck working 18 hours shifts, way back when...

I’m going to be up in PA this weekend, I have the laptop so we shouldn’t miss any turns... <grin>

Hope your Laramie trip was fruitful and wishing your wife a happy Mothers Day... <smile>



SCRATCH number THREE! Saratoga joins Enterprise and Yorktown.

Why would you keep a damaged CV in a TF going into a certain fight?

[zuluhour]

I would like to know the whole point of the raid in the first place. Only one, or maybe its two words, punch drunk.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

I would like to know the whole point of the raid in the first place. Only one, or maybe its two words, punch drunk.

Their strategy is to throw everything at John and hope he runs out of bullets...

[njp72]

That is a good strategy given the logistical challenges the Japanese face.

I would recommend you adopt this strategy in our game.

[John 3rd]

We have had a major set (mostly positive) of emails going back-and-forth. Larry is officially dropping from the game and Jim is thinking about it. Will Post as the dust settles some.

[traskott]

A pity. However there is some volunteers to be on this thread

(signed: A masochist [:D] )

[witpqs]

Honestly, John, they are two new guys to the game and you went very aggressive on them. All part of the game of course, but as they are just learning, it made me wonder how long they could stick out this PBM. [8D]

[John 3rd]

Did I say I was upset with them? Not whatsoever.

Our conversation started after Jim made a comment that they had abandoned their AAR due to how they were being treated. I understand everyone's frustration level with the discussions that took place there so that is understandable. The experience level difference has been discussed and they saw it as a chance to learn by continuing to play the game against a highly aggressive, capable opponent. Have to admire their moxie!

What really happened was to make me think of Dan (Canoerebel) leaving his AAR, then the game, and finally the Forum due to similar feelings. Really made me get introspective so I OFFERED them a chance to bow out and mantioned that there are people here who would love to try to dig out from a VERY deep hole. That is how this all came about.

[Mike McCreery]

They really were not in John's weight class which was why I was disappointed to see this game happen in the first place. Another match of the level of something like his opponent Canoerebel would have been much more entertaining for the readers.

Hopefully you take on a much more experienced player so we can really see how the scenario differences play out over time.

I am of the belief that the Sir Robin tactic would work really well against John because he loves to take more territory than he can realistically hold. Fun as hell but long term you end up with major problems with fuel and supplies. Given the tradeoff of a couple million supply it makes an enormous difference in the long run.

If an experienced player can last through June 42 without any major losses it should be almost as easy if not easier to crash the Japanese economy long term. This is only based upon what I have been told and general strategic knowledge, every player's experience would vary ;]

I have to say the only PEBM I started to play against Dr. Hal with me as the Japanese I quit the game after 21 days. I was simply not having any fun, the game was too daunting to learn an entirely new system and then I found out that the Japanese are in worse disarray than even the Americans at the start of the game. I certainly have more respect for playing Japan than I did previous to that.

[traskott]

Playing as japan is very hard from the administrative point of view, but use to be highly regarding on the battlefield (ie:this game). The allied aproach is more different: less micromanagent on the beggining and since 1943 towards the end is like riding a huge mammout: if u manage to point ir to the right direction, is unnostoppable.

[zuluhour]

Not at all surprised given the flow of the game....

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Did I say I was upset with them? Not whatsoever.

Our conversation started after Jim made a comment that they had abandoned their AAR due to how they were being treated. I understand everyone's frustration level with the discussions that took place there so that is understandable. The experience level difference has been discussed and they saw it as a chance to learn by continuing to play the game against a highly aggressive, capable opponent. Have to admire their moxie!

What really happened was to make me think of Dan (Canoerebel) leaving his AAR, then the game, and finally the Forum due to similar feelings. Really made me get introspective so I OFFERED them a chance to bow out and mantioned that there are people here who would love to try to dig out from a VERY deep hole. That is how this all came about.

Did not say nor imply that you were upset with them. I said what I said, nothing more.

Obviously you haven't seen their AAR yet, but I don't feel like they were set upon in there. People gave them really good feedback, tips, pointers, etc., but I think they were feeling like some particular level of performance was expected of them (there wasn't). I think they got frustrated feeling like they weren't doing anything right in the eyes of their readers, which was not true but probably the feeling they gained. You know what the learning curve ('cliff') is like for this game. Knowing the mechanics is just the beginning, and that's formidable enough. When they did certain things that didn't work out well, they got feedback about different approaches. But they had done the best they could, and so that was frustrating.

I think they did a great job.

[John 3rd]

witpqs: When I re-read my quoted Post it sounded like I was upset with you. Not my intention. Apologize for that!

I know they got lots of good advice and then people got upset when they wouldn't take it and/or act upon it. The names that kept popping up on their thread were/are all good players and many excellent Allied players. I think they allowed themselves to get Psyched out and then tucked their head into their shells!

I wanted to play against a top level opponent but NO ONE responded to the initial query for a match. Really wanted another game like that of CR's unfortunately everyone was busy playing their own matches. These two were willing to give it a try. They did and I greatly respect them for it.

As to the Sir Robin comment above, I do not agree. This is my personal feelings at work but I always say that the Allied player simply has to FIGHT and inflict casualties upon the Japanese. Practically ANY Japanese loss cannot be made up. All it takes is one or two good, solid counter-punches and the whole Japanese Offensive can be thrown off track and, possibly derailed.