Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: sourdust

Ouch. I confess to being a bit disappointed that the result wasn't a bit more balanced ... seems to me the Americans got a raw deal on their airstrikes - surely there should have been a few hits in the lot? Even against strong CAP, historically carrier strikes almost always drew blood - this result seems very lopsided.

But don't mean to detract from your victory at all - well played! Will be tough for the US to come back from this.

I am assuming this campaign is against the computer player? There it is much more possible to get one sided victories because of the lack of coordination. Not just tatically but operationally and stratigic assets that sway things .. like subs, patrol platforms, land based air etc that all act in unison with a human player than do not with the computer player.

hi Sourdust!.........welcome to the forums
hope you like the show

Of those 22, that dived, 10 attacked BBs.........so cantona was unlucky,. Cap in most attacks was 70 plus strong, and I intercepted most times 44 or more minutes out.

The wave that got through was only intercepted -barely, almost overhead.

After the first day, when the weather was bad and I chewed up strikes, I expected him to retire
After the night battle, I expected him to retire

he wanted the invasion force I think
cantona fights as per real life, no allied run aways with him
he is a very, very, good opponent.very aggresive in 42, early 43. This is what makes his an outstanding opponent, IRL, there is no sir robin...........

Congrats on a great vistory.  Sorry that Wasp seems to have slipped away, and what of the Big E?  Still, you've bought time well into '43 now.

ORIGINAL: sourdust

Ouch. I confess to being a bit disappointed that the result wasn't a bit more balanced ... seems to me the Americans got a raw deal on their airstrikes - surely there should have been a few hits in the lot? Even against strong CAP, historically carrier strikes almost always drew blood - this result seems very lopsided.

But don't mean to detract from your victory at all - well played! Will be tough for the US to come back from this.

It hasn't been entirely one-sided. Remember the surface engagement where Hiyo was sunk. I believe that Junyo was damaged as well. Doesn't help much on the balance sheet but it is something.

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: sourdust

Ouch. I confess to being a bit disappointed that the result wasn't a bit more balanced ... seems to me the Americans got a raw deal on their airstrikes - surely there should have been a few hits in the lot? Even against strong CAP, historically carrier strikes almost always drew blood - this result seems very lopsided.

But don't mean to detract from your victory at all - well played! Will be tough for the US to come back from this.

I am assuming this campaign is against the computer player? There it is much more possible to get one sided victories because of the lack of coordination. Not just tatically but operationally and stratigic assets that sway things .. like subs, patrol platforms, land based air etc that all act in unison with a human player than do not with the computer player.

OUCH!.I hope cantona does not read that!
No definately human

John 3rd..Wasp is sunk...........I have sunk all 6 carriers by 9/42, and lost 1 little one

A note.....KB is between the american fleets and pearl harbour.....I have in fact trapped a lot of it
Tonight, we continue the gutting...............

YEA BABY!

Banzai! BANZA!! BANZAI!!!

Good bye Kurihama.
A brilliant pilot. But I don’t think I will miss you.

As my daughter would say, "that seems kinda judgemental" [;)]


Will Zuiho be getting a paint spruce-up for the coming victory "parade" off Pt. Loma?

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

ORIGINAL: Crackaces
I am assuming this campaign is against the computer player? There it is much more possible to get one sided victories because of the lack of coordination. Not just tatically but operationally and stratigic assets that sway things .. like subs, patrol platforms, land based air etc that all act in unison with a human player than do not with the computer player.

OUCH!.I hope cantona does not read that!

+1

What a body slam! Ouch!!! [:D][:D][:D]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: sourdust

Ouch. I confess to being a bit disappointed that the result wasn't a bit more balanced ... seems to me the Americans got a raw deal on their airstrikes - surely there should have been a few hits in the lot? Even against strong CAP, historically carrier strikes almost always drew blood - this result seems very lopsided.

But don't mean to detract from your victory at all - well played! Will be tough for the US to come back from this.

I am assuming this campaign is against the computer player? There it is much more possible to get one sided victories because of the lack of coordination. Not just tatically but operationally and stratigic assets that sway things .. like subs, patrol platforms, land based air etc that all act in unison with a human player than do not with the computer player.

Guess you never make mistakes then or try things for the fun of the game then?

I'm not sure what's more impressive, 1275psi's writing or his arse-whipping of the USN in the game. Both are most impressive. Thanks for sharing this fantastic ride.

Regards, Paul

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

hi Sourdust!.........welcome to the forums
hope you like the show

Of those 22, that dived, 10 attacked BBs.........so cantona was unlucky,. Cap in most attacks was 70 plus strong, and I intercepted most times 44 or more minutes out.

The wave that got through was only intercepted -barely, almost overhead.

After the first day, when the weather was bad and I chewed up strikes, I expected him to retire
After the night battle, I expected him to retire

he wanted the invasion force I think
cantona fights as per real life, no allied run aways with him
he is a very, very, good opponent.very aggresive in 42, early 43. This is what makes his an outstanding opponent, IRL, there is no sir robin...........

Yes and thanks mate. I pushed my main CA (fast) and BB (slow) TF's West thinking your fleet train and invasion fleets were just around Nauru Island, my subs having sighted several of your BBTF's traversing through there. I guessed wrong and down they went.

As to the first two CV's, I made a very rookie mistake and I was also at a stage in my Game vs Fletcher that made me take the eye of the ball in this one. Lost Enterprise and Lexington stupidly.

ORIGINAL: cantona2

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: sourdust

Ouch. I confess to being a bit disappointed that the result wasn't a bit more balanced ... seems to me the Americans got a raw deal on their airstrikes - surely there should have been a few hits in the lot? Even against strong CAP, historically carrier strikes almost always drew blood - this result seems very lopsided.

But don't mean to detract from your victory at all - well played! Will be tough for the US to come back from this.

I am assuming this campaign is against the computer player? There it is much more possible to get one sided victories because of the lack of coordination. Not just tatically but operationally and stratigic assets that sway things .. like subs, patrol platforms, land based air etc that all act in unison with a human player than do not with the computer player.

Guess you never make mistakes then or try things for the fun of the game then?

Or even just bad luck. I still remember CF's CV's reacting the wrong way into the allied TF's in his earlier game. <shivers>.

Wow, comments a plenty

I thank everyone for comments and thoughts, and hope the entertainment can continue.



last day of this battle.................

13/10/42

Combined fleet, Mobile fleet, the great blade, call it what you will, is near the end of its tether.
Men can only give so much
Ships can carry only so much ammunition
You can press your luck only so far

But above all, the fleets fuel reserves are near exhaustion. To the West of Tarawa, some 80 miles north of narua, her last Tankers with any fuel remaining are coming east.
With out these ships, Mobile fleet will not get home.

Euphoria on the Flagship turns to near panic when the said tanker force reports itself fleeing from possible surface ships.
Long anxious hours will be spent before they are deemed safe again

The Americans, STILL FIGHTING., have rolled for hard six during the night, lunging for contacts they believe are those tankers and invasion ships

They get close
It is a brave attempt
Luck remains against them

Having fuelled the night before, Zuiho spends a relatively quiet night, steaming steadily in her position astern of Akagi.
She will, again, work to prepare for tomorrow. Yamaguchi has a new mission for her , anti submarine warfare.
A day of laps around the fleet for the kate pilots..
Not surprisingly, after so many days of battle, none will complain about this task.

Zuiho herself has a quiet time, the fleet does not.

At 2100 hours, approximately, SSI-30 radios in the clear.
‘have attacked two California class battleships. Believe to have hit one battleship twice. My position……….

His position……….less than 60 miles away

Yamaguchi detaches Yamato, the battle cruisers again.

2330 hours.

Hasegawa wakens. He has been, damn……..again, dozing on the bridge
This bloody chair Korii insists he uses. He really should get up.

The energy is just not there. The bridge is quiet, the shadows of his watch stand to their positions. Ahead, around them, the fleet slides on, black shadows under a sliver of moon.

It is a beautiful night.

On the horizon………the flashes of some tropical thunderstorm, the roll of thunder.

The OOW notices he is awake. He nods in the direction of the storm: again the night sky flashes.
“Yamato and Tanaka are in action sir”
Hasegawa turns his head, he does not have to ask the question,
‘California, two destroyers………Tanaka reports he can confirm Battleship Tennessee sunk as well”

Hasegawa cannot say anything.
What emotion can you feel. How can you describe it. A whole life, waiting for this moment, dreaming of it. A decisive battle.
But how different it has been.

He watches the horizon, the thunder rolls, drum beat, drum beat, drum beat.
Broadside fire, three gun salvos…………ahh, a battleship mans ear still.

He should have been there. On the bridge of that mighty ship. But fate had something different for him……………….yes?
He feels zuiho under him. Hears the ting, ting of the elevator bells as a bomber comes up onto the deck. He hears her fans, feels her vibration.

Fate had something different for him. And he is so very glad that it did.







Extract from “shattering the sword” a cantona production

There were no survivors from the California, nor her two escorts.
We will never know, from the allied perspective, how this short battle went.

But we have some clues

Yamato’s gunnery log is very clear
“Engaged at 18000 yards. Second salvo struck enemy forward.. massive explosion forward observed, enemy obscured by heavy smoke.

Commenced salvo fire.
Struck by 16 inch shell main belt six minutes into engagement
Ceased fire 32 minutes into engagement, only 7 rounds main ammunition left in turrets.

Nobody will ever question her shooting again


There reaches a point, where battles simply blur.
The 13th was the last day

Enemy battleships Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and many escorts are sighted on this last day well to the north of the fleet.

Three waves of attacks are launched, but results are very poor. Men, pilots, simply are too exhausted, too overwhelmed by the pressures of never ending battle, to press attacks

Many bombers turn back, all bomb poorly. Few heroics are shown

Arizona takes a hit, the Penny too. A light cruiser is sunk

The battle of Tarawa fizzles to a stop.


Combined fleet turns for Truk, and her refueling tankers .
The remains of the American fleet escape towards Noumea, or Pearl.

For many, the killing has just become too horrid to continue.










For Yamamoto, in Japan, there is one horrid moment
Herbiesan, wildly drunk, bursts into his office
He has some floosie hanging of him, a bottle in one hand, a sheaf of reports in another

‘Victory!, Yamamoto!, victory!…do hear them on the streets!………….Victory!

And then the horrid dictator moves close, stink of beer, and foulness on his breathe……..’and here is you, plotting away to do me in ney!..well, try it now you bumbling fool., try it now ……now who is the nations hero!’

And then he stumbles out.

A horrid moment
Horrid, for herbiesan is right…………….who can challenge him now?





Hidaka stands on the bridge, in the early dawn light
He is stiff, sore………..and feels none of it at all.

He has the latest reports in his hands

From Combined fleet
Retiring from battle
Losses received

1cvl sunk
1 cvl damaged

losses inflicted
Carriers Wasp, Saratoga, Yorktown sunk
Battleships North Carolina, California, Tennessee sunk
Two battleships damaged
Two heavy cruisers sunk
Eight light cruisers sunk
Six destroyers sunk
4 transports sunk

Divine providence smiles upon Japan this day

Hasegawa speaks beside him, his voice soft in the cool air
“How did we score Hidaka?’
‘A win sir”
‘A good win, a great victory?’
‘A great victory sir. And we did our bit. Maybe more”

There is a long silence

“I am satisfied”

And then our Captain, , their father and shepherd, slides slowly to the deck.

He is dead.

Wow. Sad really. Going to miss Hasegawa. Be interesting to see who replaces him.

Fate had something different for him. And he is so very glad that it did.

I think we knew Hasegawa was going to die of his illness, but sad that he did pass away. But in another way happy that he could lead his men into battle and achieve victory. Happy that he could pass away as a happy and satisfied man.

I think we will all miss him, even though it is an AAR we get to think that the characters are real. A few good men passed away through the battles the last few days.

Which brings me to ask, seeing as the sea battles went so well, how is the land warfare going? Any news?


Mat

Hi british exile
Thankyou for kind comments.i was a bit sad too!

Funnily enough, the next post is all about Hosho.........only half done , and i am a bit busy today/tonight

i think a game update is needed too, jus to put everything back into perspective.
Now, back to the housework................grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Ok, time is short, so today, game update

We are playing scene 1, PDU off

China:

We have deliberately kept China quiet –thinking it is too easy for Japan to run amok
On the other hand, Burma, its too easy for Allies in 42/43 to run amok –or was when we started
So, compromise………China remains Quiet, I took nanking, and that’s it I think, .in return, I ( after letting Cantona know) I moved two Chinese armies to Burma

Burma
Akyab, Myrintinka line……….we are dug in. he has a lot of troops in India, but ground wise, nothing happening………..Burma army is trapped behind lines, and will I suppose die eventually

DEI –all mine
Solomons
I hold them, down to Lunga, and PM of course

Gilberts…..

Tarawa is in dispute still grin

North .nothing happening, I have made no advances

Fleet is almost intact. Production is……….well, OK, just.


Hosho tomorrow, footy is on!

Hosho leads the attack

It begins before dawn with the usual artillery bombardment.
This term……..bombardment, is a quiet joke of course

Behind them, 4 small mountain guns bark at irregular intervals, and a handful of mortars PHUUUT their small bombs into the direction of warizup.

Predictably, the results are less than spectacular, many of the buildings in the village, as flimsy as they are, remain standing as he leads the advance up the track towards the towns entrance

Silently they run in the dark, Hosho expecting any moment to hear the bark of defending machine guns, the yells of the defenders defiance.

He hears neither

What they find is horror
Only 200 men ‘defend’ Warizup…the remains of the 1st Gloustershire regiment.
They find a charnel house.
200 men, the sick, the dying, the critically injured. 200 men unable to retreat any further.

They also find five other men. The medics who have stayed behind to care for them.

One approaches Hosho He is skinny, and his skin, eyes are yellow from disease. And Hosho can see it in his eyes……….a relief that now this nightmare is somebody else’s problem now……..

But this Colonel, so used to his western ideas, way of life, is in for a rude shock.
Surrender will solve no problems, it will, in fact , compound them.
Hosho has no answers for his enquiries about food for the injured, or evacuation. These are words, words like surrender, that simply are beyond his understanding.

And Hosho has other problems of his own.

They have attacked Warizup, hoping to capture supplies for themselves………….

well, once again congrats on a really great victory! (sorry to see hasegawa go but we all have to go at some point....)
congrats to cantona on playing aggressively, i feel that some comments are not fair to him. he could have waited for a year or two and just come bulldozing with horde of essexes... and we couldnt enjoy such a interesting game. there is a bit of bushido spirit in him

ah yes, keep it coming [;)]

Yes Hosho, I hope he gets lots of encouragement in his AAR now too!





15/9/42



The wind blows bitterly across the flight deck this day, causing the ranks of her sailors to sway in gentle snaking lines

They stand, arrayed, to bid farewell

Around them, the great fleet sails. Below, the sea, grey, angry, streams past
The sky is blue, and has no warmth

Hidaka stares at the single flag draped form.
It seems so unfair, to him, that his Captain should depart alone

Ten pilots lost…..and nothing to grasp onto.
Just empty places at the table, lockers now empty.

The rifles crack, once, twice three times
The bundle lifts, the flag flutters.


“So it comes to this
Victory in death
Sweet bliss”


Zuiho steams towards home
Victory ashes in their mouth.






Over Lunga, something new today

A new fighter, the P38, sweeps the skies.
The zeros rise, and this time, the young Americans are drawn into the dogfight.

Mistake or not, misuse of this magnificent plane or not, the battle is viscous

6 zeros go down, 6 P38’s as well

Then, 20 B17,s imperiously ride in and bomb.

In the sum of things, hardly a battle of note.
But there is a message here

This war is not over, not by a long shot