Sqz stands down. The AAR is now concluded. Sqz (A) vs. obvert (J)

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Very interesting and definitely good news for you I think....

I think you are in good shape to reorganize and launch major offensives...coincides nicely with the upcoming arrival of the CV Corsair.

Can you give us some insight on how you plan to use your 4E bombers, Submarines, and the pools of your fighters?

I certainly will, but that may take a few turns. I honestly don't know where all my 4E's are yet. I'll provide more information on the air force over the coming days, especially the state of the fighter pools.

I like what Historiker has done with patrol zones around Marcus Island in support of the failed amphibious operation, but a submarine presence is lacking elsewhere. I intend on using my submarines aggressively. I know Erik is great at air ASW, so I will have to come up with creative ways to get my submarines into action.

[ny59giants]

Subs and Adak - A great base to base subs from to start your blockade of Japan. I usually max out base and send up there an AS, AR, and ARD (3000 capacity). Hope this is in your future plans.

[SqzMyLemon]

I was hoping to get the next turn finished last night, but started to get into the minutiae and the time just flew.

The more I look, it appears Historiker was planning on a single large offensive to take the Marianas. A make or break type of campaign relying on a series of atolls (Marcus, Midway and Wake) and Pearl Harbor to provide the logistics. I don't feel comfortable taking this approach. I won't go into detail, but I'm not keen on conducting a campaign along a single axis that allows the Japanese to concentrate their defensive efforts against. I tend to lean towards a more balanced advance to strain the defensive capabilities of the Japanese by concentrating on weakening their economic base, eventually leading to total collapse.

Pearl Harbor is stuffed to the rafters with idle construction and base support units. I've started the process of deploying these units forward to provide the means to speed up the Allied advance. I need to stop looking at the big picture, but rather concentrate on the small local activities that will improve the Allied position across the board. When those pieces are in position the rest will fall into place. I could spend a week of evenings getting everything sorted before I sent an end of turn save. There is so much to do.

[Lowpe]

Much, much tougher than the Dec 7 & 8th turns.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Much, much tougher than the Dec 7 & 8th turns.

Definitely different. The amount of units the Allies have at this stage of the war is mindboggling, and there is so much more to come. [X(]

[SqzMyLemon]

Immediate plans for this turn will be to focus on New Guinea and the Solomons.

I have a large number of Australian and New Zealand units I can use in this theatre. I also found another 60k+ of fuel at Luganville to go with the 70k+ at Sydney, giving me roughly 160k. This should be plenty for my immediate needs. New Zealand is low on supply, with most of the bases on the north island showing red. I'll top up New Zealand with supply from Australia. There is no fuel and only 20k of supply in Fiji.

Luganville has excess supply immediately available and will be my future logistics and troop staging base for the Solomons. I'll provide New Guinea with supply and troops directly from Australia. The naval assets in the region will rebase from Sydney to Luganville and Townsville to provide support for the troop movements. I'm still looking at the possibility of a quick invasion of Merauke, but currently lack the intelligence on the Japanese garrison. The lack of airbases large enough in the northeast limits my ability to commit bombers to support an invasion. If only I had 10 or so naval construction units in Australia right now rather than Pearl Harbor.

[SqzMyLemon]

In India, I've begun the redeployment of Chinese Army units from Ledo to Karachi. I chose Karachi because it's easy to supply and the Chinese won't compete against front line allied forces for sustenance.

I haven't decided on whether to disband the Chinese Air Force or simply change the HQ's of all the squadrons to alleviate the problem at Ledo. Both have associated costs, disbanding means I destroy the aircraft, changing HQ's means I burn through a substantial number of PP's. Does anyone have any thoughts on preserving the Chinese Air Force? Is it worth keeping for operations in China, or can the abundance of allied air units supplant it?

The FLAK situation in Burma will start to improve as additional units are brought in over the next few months. By stripping the AA units from the airbases along the Burma/India border I can get a head start on deploying it forward, but it will take months to reach the front line troops. I'll airlift in what I can, but I'm not sure if any transports can carry the heavier AA guns. All but a few of the AA units on Ceylon will be redeployed forward. The 23rd AA Brigade will unload on mainland India on Nov. 1st and begin the rail journey to Chittagong. Other AA units will follow the same route. I thought about using sea transport to deploy the AA directly to Chittagong, Cox's Bazar or Akyab, but why risk losing guns and ships when I don't have to. Supply, on the other hand, is another matter. I will risk slipping in transports laden with supply directly to these bases.

The abundance of aviation support available since updating the game is going to drastically alter the air war, and my dispositions. It's imperative to win local air superiority once the ground offensive is ready to go. I don't believe in going toe to toe against the numbers of aircraft the Japanese can throw at me. I will be patient and only commit aircraft when it serves a purpose. I did it against Andre, and I was able to compete in the air by choosing when and where I'd fight. I practically ignored Japanese bombing which prevented my CAP being decimated by strong sweeps. I'll do the same against Erik, especially now that FLAK is beefed up.

The next few weeks will show whether my efforts to improve the supply situation in Burma is successful. I'd like to be moving forward here within a month.

[Lowpe]

Convert another Indian base to Chinese. Then build up the airfield to handle the Chinese planes and pilots. Or just park them there instead of Ledo.

[BBfanboy]

Because of their obsolescent aircraft Chinese units are pretty much disposable but they can be used as cannonfodder - to wear down his CAP before your HB hit his airfields. Some of the pilots may have decent skills by now. You will lose some VP in aircraft shot down but if you can close his airfields it may be worth it.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Because of their obsolescent aircraft Chinese units are pretty much disposable but they can be used as cannonfodder

Good point. As the Allies, it's not like I don't need every airframe I can muster.

[SqzMyLemon]

I just watched John Wick the other day.

I think I've found my inspiration for this one. The Japanese Bogeyman had best look out. I'm hoping I can still change the names of the replacement CV's. The CV John Wick sounds good to me.

I might have to add CV Jack Reacher too!

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Kudos to Historiker. The American Navy is in excellent shape. The British have been somewhat roughed up with the battleship losses. My perception of the overall number of battleships lost was more dire than the reality would indicate. Considering three old U.S. battleships appear to have been lost near Wake Island recently, the total is actually quite low.

Here are the major Allied vessels lost as of 31 Oct 43: 1 CV, 1 CVE, 12 BB, 4 CA, 14 CL, 35 DD and 41 SS.

Japanese losses as of 31 Oct 43: 4 CV, 2 CVL, 2 BB, 7 CA, 7 CL, 31 DD and 26 SS.

Still a potent IJN out there.

Wow given the "relatively early date" I am surprised not many commented.

--

By the way thank you SQ - very obliging!

I mean I and a dozen others ask you about small stuff like list your entire OOB, Naval disposition, theater by theater analysis, and ohh throw in grand strategic plans in one post

[8D]

What excites me about this particular AAR is that it starts in "the beef" - right when both sides are very balanced and the right moves make huge differences. << PS did you two agree to play to an "end date" or VP total ??>>


--

On Naval Losses.

My impression is that the CA CL DD losses are especially in your favor.

Sure the IJN is formidable but my impression is the loss of CA CL and DD hurts the IJN far more than allied navies.

Not simply because the Allies will get more but because the Japanese ships are so very versatile in (1) loading troops (2) as ASW platforms which the IJN is impoverished (3) and CV / BB screens.

I base that on limited game experience but I think I am correct in that assessment.

I cant imagine the IJN - formidable as remaining pieces are - can venture beyond land based air screen in support because they must be hurting in CL and DD screens.

You should over time be able to identify where they "will not attack" from" unless Mr Lowpe Esq takes a risky flier in 1944 to interrupt an invasion. I wouldn't know if he follows IJN doctrine looking for that but....

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

I cant imagine the IJN - formidable as remaining pieces are - can venture beyond land based air screen in support because they must be hurting in CL and DD screens.

venturing beyond land base air is a certain disaster for Japan for most of the game. Very few opportunities to go outside the umbrella. Very few.

And it is land based air search that is really important.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I just watched John Wick the other day.

I think I've found my inspiration for this one. The Japanese Bogeyman had best look out. I'm hoping I can still change the names of the replacement CV's. The CV John Wick sounds good to me.

I might have to add CV Jack Reacher too!

CV Jason Borne ?

--

Jack Reacher....

[8|]

...man I simply cannot endure Tom Cruise movie playing the same character yet again (Ethan, Jack, and the romantic comedy one Knight and Day). Even the plot lines of "betrayal in the inside" all run together in a blur...

Maybe the book was better. Never read it.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

I cant imagine the IJN - formidable as remaining pieces are - can venture beyond land based air screen in support because they must be hurting in CL and DD screens.

venturing beyond land base air is a certain disaster for Japan for most of the game. Very few opportunities to go outside the umbrella. Very few.

And it is land based air search that is really important.

Doubly agreed

...but in 43 early 44 I would think the (remaining) KB could strike out - with enough screen ships - disrupt an invasion of the Marianas as quoted earlier (wont happen) ... and survive mostly intact to live to fight on...

When missing 14 cruisers and 35 DD on Japans OOB in 1943.... well that may be as good or better than some games against the AI...???

As I say its a limited experience observation....but it seems to me the losses in those class of ships will crimp a cautious strategic Japanese player more than expected ??

[SqzMyLemon]

Jason Bourne could be another candidate for a CV.

I actually don't mind Tom Cruise. I don't have the man crush on him as say George Clooney, but I enjoyed Jack Reacher. [:D]

I think it's the personality or character that draws me to these movies. Who wouldn't want to be the kind of man that can handle anything thrown at him. I don't necessarily mean just in the context of these movies, make believe I know, but applied to everyday life. Confident enough in your abilities to handle your career, family and anything else you deem important, from those who may choose to try and ruin your day.

Hopefully, I can still rename the CV's. I'll be bummed if it's too late.

[HansBolter]

I'll suggest a more classic name:

The CV Bond, James Bond

[SqzMyLemon]

I'm happy with the state of Japan's heavy cruisers. These ships are like gold. Having almost half sunk already is good news.

Erik is a smart and aggressive player, especially in the air war, whose not afraid to take calculated risks as mentioned earlier. Having never played him, I still need to learn his style first hand. You can read all the AAR's in the world, but until you experience someone's play face to face, so to speak, it's pretty hard to gauge.

I tend to be more on the conservative side and it backfires on me to no end. I won't be reckless, but I intend on testing Erik early and often in this one. Knowing I can take some chances should take some of the pressure off, but I don't take anything for granted in this game anymore. I have much respect for Erik's play and I know he'll make the most of his opportunities and make me pay for every mile.

Then again, I'll have CV John Wick on my side. He doesn't stand a chance! [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

I have officially written off the troops at Marcus Island. My predecessor's operation has proved costly enough and I won't allow myself to get sidetracked. What could be saved doesn't justify the cost and risk associated with doing so. Easy to say when dealing with pixeltruppen.

Nimitz is already getting a good old ass chewing over Marcus, I don't need to add to his virtual stress level.

[Speedysteve]

Tough choice but can understand it. No point in chasing after a bad cause. Do you plan to evacuate fragments of the units by sub or just rebuild them?