Matrix Games Forums

Tim, I know what you mean. If I played the game as Japan, I'd have real problems trying to overcome assumptions that my opponent was handling the Allies as I would. That's a tough thing to deal with when you're new to a side.

I wonder if it was worth it for your opponent to evacuate Singapore? He could have held against your force for some time had he kept 750 to 1000 AV there.

Good luck and keep up the pressure.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Tim, I know what you mean. If I played the game as Japan, I'd have real problems trying to overcome assumptions that my opponent was handling the Allies as I would. That's a tough thing to deal with when you're new to a side.

I wonder if it was worth it for your opponent to evacuate Singapore? He could have held against your force for some time had he kept 750 to 1000 AV there.

Good luck and keep up the pressure.

Well he moved some to Palembang but with me being a delinquent AFB, I smashed Palembang with a 3 Division assault in late February. But I first took Oosthaven and placed 4 sq of K-43 there to deter all air lift into Palembang. So the Fortress Palembang defense can be overcome but the Japan player needs to act fairly quickly and aggressively. I don't think Singapore could have held very long. I had been pounding it from the air for so long I doubt much was left in the way of supplies.

We are nearing the end of March already. The game is screaming past. I just landed and will take Namlea, Ambon, Beija (sp), and the base on NG just south of Sorong. Will lift to Java next cycle to just beat the March 31st deadline. KB is supporting the Java invasion and Baby KB is to the east around Ambon.

Ok, this turn may convert me. Nah, but it was fun

29-31 March 1942

I moved on Ambon, Babo, Boela (sp?), and Namlea. I should have seen this coming but Adm Spruance moved the P-40 and A-24 sq into Ambon. Lets say my Transports didn't enjoy the 1000 lb bombs raining down on them. I had Baby KB in to area but did not have it positioned very well. One CVL took a 1000 lb'er which had me worried. You can see from the image that I need not have. I did not bring enough to Ambon but I can correct that quickly. Adm Spruance better get his a/c out of there becuase the IJN is about to rain hell down on that base

But wait..... there's more, much more ........... (muwahahahaha)

I sent KB in to escort my Java invasion. I chose Kalidjati because it was lightly held and poor defensive terrain. Two ID are ashore (just beat the invasion bonus expiration). Enemy troops are just 3000 so it should fall first turn next cycle.

KB picked off a few xAKL while passing along the northern Java coast on the 29th.

But then........ BANZAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adm Spruance was obviously anticipating my Java move so he sent what looked like the entire RN to lurk off the SW coast of Java. Did I mention I was covering the invasion with KB?

On the 30th

First Attack

BB Revenge, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Resolution, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Ramillies, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Durban, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Dragon, Bomb hits 4, on fire

Then

BB Prince of Wales
CV Indomitable, Torpedo hits 2, on fire (critical hit: fuel explosion)
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Colombo, Torpedo hits 1
CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Caledon
CL Capetown, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BC Repulse
DD Paul Jones

Then

BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge

A couple of unescort counterstrikes were brushed off (though one stringbag tried on Kaga)

On the 31st it was just carnage

First

BB Revenge, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Dragon, Bomb hits 1
BB Resolution, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
BB Ramillies, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
CL Durban, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

then

BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CL Durban, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, and is sunk

then

BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 11, and is sunk
DD Stronghold, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Dragon, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Resolution, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tenedos
DD Thanet


Price of Wales and Repulse were attack with no hits. All four "R" classs BB's are reported sunk and I don't think FOW is playing with me after that. Both carriers are on the list, and as they were not to be found on the 31st, I think there is a real good chance that is true. By the time all was said and done, the Kates were dropping bombs. My airwings are dinged but not too bad.

This set of turns would be the best case against three day turns. If we were playing two day turns, Adm Spruance could have bugged out after the carnage of the 30th. I do not envy the angst he must have felt watching the replay. I know my day will come and I am not looking forward to it.

Always nice to watch Allied ships get decimated... Nice work!

ORIGINAL: vettim89

All four "R" classs BB's are reported sunk and I don't think FOW is playing with me after that. Both carriers are on the list, and as they were not to be found on the 31st, I think there is a real good chance that is true.

I don't have your replay, so you may well be right. BUT, as I am reading the combat results, I agree the 4 R class are gone. But the 2 CV's? Unless their air wings are also showing up as lost, I wouldn't count them. 2 torps, even with a fuel explosion, is only a maybe with the allied DC. 2 bombs and torp also, just isn't enough. Just my opinion.

But, even so, they are both likely out for a few months, and he has lost 4 BB's. Definitely a big win. [&o] [&o] [&o] CONGRATS!!!

Oh, and Columbo can handle Hermes, but not the others.  Indomitable will have to go off map I beleive for shipyards, or sail all the way to west coast.
 
 

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: vettim89

All four "R" classs BB's are reported sunk and I don't think FOW is playing with me after that. Both carriers are on the list, and as they were not to be found on the 31st, I think there is a real good chance that is true.

I don't have your replay, so you may well be right. BUT, as I am reading the combat results, I agree the 4 R class are gone. But the 2 CV's? Unless their air wings are also showing up as lost, I wouldn't count them. 2 torps, even with a fuel explosion, is only a maybe with the allied DC. 2 bombs and torp also, just isn't enough. Just my opinion.

But, even so, they are both likely out for a few months, and he has lost 4 BB's. Definitely a big win. [&o] [&o] [&o] CONGRATS!!!

You are correct. The air groups have not been destroyed. They must have run away after the 30th as escort TF just out of range. Although hermes may be a goner.

Well the plot thickens. The RN air groups were seen ashore flying from Batavia this cycle. Did Adm Spruance transfer them there or were they emergency transfered when the CV's went down.

Kalidjati fell and another Division will land this up coming cycle. Also brought a Tank RGT. These units are from Singapore.

A couple of Catalina's got through KB's CAP and hit two IJN CV's but alas the torpedoes failed to explode (whew)

Mid April update

Well to say the least my heart is not in this game. I am inept as a JFB. I should never have tried this without playing the AI first.

Theaters:

China

The Chinese remain entrenched at Sinyang. However a large battle is brewing in the hex just south of Nanyang. Chinese AV is over 6000 [X(]. Japenese AV is about 2500 with another 600 about to arrive. This is an open terrain hex and I am slowing moving my air force in. I want to see how the Chinese do in the open.

PI

I took Clarf Field a few turns ago. My troops will try the first Deliberate attack at Bataan this coming cycle. Mindanao is almost complete Japan's now with the exception of a BF just NE of Zamboanga which refuses to die. I have troops moving towards the Central PI bases now

Burma

I hold Rangoon and a few other bases. Unfortunately events elsewhere proclude moving troops up here to finish the job

DEI

I hold everything in Java south of Padang which also should fall into my hands next cycle. Troops are ashore just south of Medan and moving up. My invasion of Java is not going well. I met an Allied AV of over 1000 when I arrived at Batavia. I ended up trashing an entire division. In siege mode now until another ID comes down from Palembang. Troops moving up both the north and south coasts. It appears for now that most if not all of the defense here is concentrated on the west end of the Island. I hold Ambon and am now clearing the Celebes.

I told my opponent we will play at least through June. I feel the mistakes I have made so far have doomed this game irrepairably. Still I want to fight on.

One of my biggest oops was not noticing KB had -2 Kates not -1. Was making oodles of those but could not figure out why I couldn't refill those squadrons. Problem fixed but KB is still understrengthed.

Original:

Mid April update

Well to say the least my heart is not in this game. I am inept as a JFB. I should never have tried this without playing the AI first.


vettim89, I respectfully disagree - you are and have proven to be a very capable, competent player - who also seems to have an excellent grasp of the Japanese economic system (see other threads!).

The challenge here is the three day cycle - a whole lot happens in one turn; without any opportunity for input during the cycle, things can go south very quickly. I respect you and your opponent for taking on the three day challenge; especially as you are new to the Dark Side of the Force.

Perhaps, once an opportune stopping point has been reached, you will have the chance to begin again with a one day cycle - and thus a lesser learning curve.

Mac

Well we are winding down. I have nearly cleared Java. Batvia still has over 25 units present. My Deliberate attacks two cycles ago each destroyed a unit (all three attacks). That said my power was wearing down and I needed to rest my troops. They didn't need three full days but they got it anyway.

I will post some additional comments. We are at 24 June and I do not think we will go beyond the original deadline of through the end of June. So much of my power is concentrated in the NEI trying to clear it that I virtually have no defenses in outlying areas. Adm Spruance could probably get all the way to Kwajalein in the CentPac if he wanted to at this point.

ORIGINAL: Mac Linehan

Original:

Mid April update

Well to say the least my heart is not in this game. I am inept as a JFB. I should never have tried this without playing the AI first.


vettim89, I respectfully disagree - you are and have proven to be a very capable, competent player - who also seems to have an excellent grasp of the Japanese economic system (see other threads!).

The challenge here is the three day cycle - a whole lot happens in one turn; without any opportunity for input during the cycle, things can go south very quickly. I respect you and your opponent for taking on the three day challenge; especially as you are new to the Dark Side of the Force.

Perhaps, once an opportune stopping point has been reached, you will have the chance to begin again with a one day cycle - and thus a lesser learning curve.

Mac

+1

I've tried 3 day turns against the AI, really difficult as IJ. I really respect any one trying it.

Epilogue

I have sent Adm Spruance my password. Want to just make some somments about our game. Going to make several posts to organize my thoughts

Game Settings

Three-day turns.

Not suggested. While it certainly led to a much slower paced game, it just doesn't work for the Japan player. The situation on Malaya alone reaffirms that. My opponent could leave a single unit at each base down the line. This meant it would be brushed aside easily but then two days would pass before I could advance my units. What would take a week in a one-day turn game took me three weeks. While I still was able to clear the penisula easily, by the time I was done, Java was heavily fortified. Do not forget that the Dutch continue to get reinforcements through March/April. That allowed a much stouter defense to be in place by the time I reached Java. I would also point out the debacle that befell the RN off Java. Even in a two-day turn game a player would have a chance to get out of "Indian Country" before it got too ugly. Fortuantely I did not see the converse of this but I know that if I would have kept playing it would have been inevitable that I would have been caught in a similar trap. I think I would suggest two-day turns in the future when I play PBEM. I do like the uncertainty multiple day turns brings. It makes the game play more strategic than tactical - i.e. less micromanagement

PDU Off

I know a lot of JFB hate this setting. Being the type that prefers a more historical game, I enjoyed it. The lack of homogenous fighter units adds a nice flavor to the game. I had battles that involved three different models of Oscar which was nice. I like that.

Play the Japan Side

First let me say I have a new found respect for all you JFB out there. Having only played as Allies up to this point, it always seemed like the Japanese were possessors of an embarassing abundance of everything at the start of the game. Now I realize just how hard it is to accomplish everything required of Japan early in the game. The level of planning and organization required to effective pull off the Centrifugal Offensive is daunting. I also have new found respect for the RL Japanese. To look back and see how much they took in such a short time is astounding to say the least

I never figured out China. When I play Allies, it seems like the IJA can push the Chinese pretty hard early in the game. I couldn't even hold Sinyang let alone take it back. Here I credit my opponent who instead of running for the hills moved forward into good to excellant defensive terrain. Defintely learned a few tricks for my future games as Allies

Lastly, I hated playing Japan. When I started, I thought it might be fun to kick my opponent around the map for six months instead of absorbing it as an Allied player. WRONG!!!! What I discoverd to my bemusement is that I actually enjoy that part of the game when playing Allies. Yeah, you get your butt whipped but if you are smart and lucky you can get a few shots in here and there. That is much more satisfying to me than sending KB into an area to destroy anything afloat. Also, I had this overwhelming sense of futility playing Japan. Knowing that even if I got my defense organized it was just a matter of time before the roof fell on top of my head. Cannot help but note that the game is inverted for the two sides. Japan goes from overwhelming force that pretty much roll over anything in its path to parity to hoping they might get a lucky shot in as the Allies roll across the Pacific. The Allies of course experience the exact oppostie order of that sequence.

At the root of it is that I am an AFB through and through. It is their struggle against overwhelming odds and then to reign triumphant that truly interests me in the PTO. I thought that the Japan side might catch my interest if I gave it a chance. It just didn't. I have been playing war games for over thiirty years. I have never played the Japan side in any PTO game. I guess a tiger cannot change his stripes after all