Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Jellicoe
As Gandalf said 'the deep breath before the plunge'

Waiting news with anticipation

I went back about five pages to search for this post. That's a memorable quote!

It reminded me when I read it two days ago that there's another scene in Lord of the Rings (The Return of the King) that stuck in my mind. Near the very end, after Frodo arrives back home with his companions, he gives a soliloquy on "how do you resume life at home after experiencing such stirring things" (very losely paraphrased).

The thought is a magnificent one. I've used it before when speaking to historic groups about the end of the Civil War. How does a captain who led troops into battle at Spotsylvania or Franklin return home, pick up a pitchfork, and resume life? What does he do when his wife scolds him ("Honey, you forgot to take out the trash again") or questions his judgment ("I don't think you should plant the north 40 with corn this year")? How do you go from battlefield command to taking out the trash?

Saturday, on the Appalachian Trail, we could dimly see in the distance the distinctive crown of Mount Yonah, near Cleveland, Georgia. I asked my three companions if they had ever heard of James Longstreet. My son had, of course, but the two young women, both college students, hadn't. So I told them a story about General Longstreet.

After the Civil War ended, Longstreet returned to civilian life in northeast Georgia. One day soon afterwards, he walked up Yonah. When he reached the top, he yielded himself to his raw emotions at having seen so much loss of life, so much suffering, and for it all to come to naught.

I read that account in a book many years ago. Since then I've tried to find it again so that I could cite it when speaking (and I plan to use it in writing at some point). But I've never been able to put my finger on that story again.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

You haven't won the war. Japan still has an excellent chance to get a draw especially if you continue thinking like that and get sloppy.[:-]

The most dangerous animal is a wounded one.

I wasn't suggesting that I'd won the war. If you're reading through my comments as a whole, there are many instances in which I've noted exactly what you've said.

I'm just noting here that some players made the prediction. And it is a possibility, though by no means a certainty. It's a possibility from a morale standpoint, not from a battlefield standpoint. If John elects to continue (and I hope he does), the game will obviously last into 1945.

Oops, disregard this. And I mean it. I somehow quoted my message two post back when I meant to edit it for grammar.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Did you know that early in this game (sometime back in 1942, which would have been in 2013), you predicted that the Allies would win the war before the end of 1943?

You haven't won the war. Japan still has an excellent chance to get a draw especially if you continue thinking like that and get sloppy.[:-]

The most dangerous animal is a wounded one.

+ 1
Lowpe's "Turnaround" AAR is an impressive demonstration of how dangerous the Japanese can be when they have almost nothing left, and John is far from that point now.

Oops, I did it again. I must be tired.

Good show! [:)] Really too bad that John is even thinking of ending the game now. [:(]

Now, you guys, don't go off thinkng I believe the game is over and that I'm overconfident. I know you only have limited time and can't read five pages of comments (most of you, anyhow). It's very clearly been stated that the war is far from over from a military standpoint. From a morale standpoint is a different matter. Hopefully the forum will be a benefit to John in that regard.

Let me state plainly that I do not think the Allies have won the war. What I expressed to John in my email (quoted about two pages back) is my sincere belief.

Ok, I stand corrected and duly chastised.

My son climbed Mt Yonah several months ago in the winter and endured the worst day of his life as it was at night and in a driving rain storm with visibility 5 inches, rain pouring down the mountain, and a sheer drop on one side, temperature in the mid 30's and missing a big toenail having been ruthlessly physically worn down over the previous two months.

All our hiking on the AT (in PA) nothing ever came close to that harrowing night adventure. But all that youthful experience stood him in good stead.

I will relay your Longstreet story...he will greatly appreciate it![&o]

Yes. Clearly what is needed is some discreet mood stabilization of the opponent. This can perhaps be accomplished with a mixture of empathy and counsel and optimism in the opposing thread by the AAR peanut gallery.

Try not to sound like you paid for 15 rounds and feel cheated.

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Yes. Clearly what is needed is some discreet mood stabilization of the opponent. This can perhaps be accomplished with a mixture of empathy and counsel and optimism in the opposing thread by the AAR peanut gallery.

Try not to sound like you paid for 15 rounds and feel cheated.

He is going to make it, I think.[:)]

SCLS, Sudden Carrier Loss Syndrome, is something all JFB's have to learn to cope with.

Staring at your computer screen in disbelief the first time the Yamato gets hit with the 10th torpedo of the night by PT boats can also trigger SCLS.

It is an occupational hazard and well understood in John's AAR.

ORIGINAL: poodlebrain

How short a time ago was it in the game when John was strutting about like a peacock in the aftermath of the Battle of Sumatra? It is an awfully short turnaround for him to now be in despair. You played on despite a massive defeat. It would be disturbing if he does not.

+1

In Dan's first ever AE game against me he finally disposed of most of my KB in early 44. Yes it was painful, but I still managed to get some licks in until the game ended in late-ish 44. John owes him at least that much time now imo, otherwise he will struggle to get any more opponents of any note in the future.

I know Miller (Paul) as a tenacious defender.

Miller and John III are the only two opponents I've ever had that played deep into '44 or into '45. The others games ended in '42 or very early '43: Q-Ball (he disappeared into WITE-land just as the game was getting really interesting), Panzerjagger Hortlund (a gifted player who didn't realize how much merit there was in his West Coast attack and suddenly and without explanation vanished from Matrix Games) and Chezdajez (the nicest guy, but his position as Japan was hopeless by mid-42 due to a radical Fortress Palembang; and he loved simulation but detested weird stuff).

First time I lost a serious amount of carriers I did math in bed (pen and paper), trying to convince myself I could work with what I had left...

It worked...

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I know Miller (Paul) as a tenacious defender.

Miller and John III are the only two opponents I've ever had that played deep into '44 or into '45. The others games ended in '42 or very early '43: Q-Ball (he disappeared into WITE-land just as the game was getting really interesting), Panzerjagger Hortlund (a gifted player who didn't realize how much merit there was in his West Coast attack and suddenly and without explanation vanished from Matrix Games) and Chezdajez (the nicest guy, but his position as Japan was hopeless by mid-42 due to a radical Fortress Palembang; and he loved simulation but detested weird stuff).

I had a match with PH- got into early '43, he had lost the Soryu, Kiryu and a couple of CVE's to my "no CV's", I had blasted his AO fleet in port, but took my licks too (lost an entire division due to an invasion that didn't turn out right, lost 6-7 BB's on another ill advised invasion), and then all communications went dead. 2-3 months later he started up a match with you and I was all "Wtf".

But oh well, that's the way it goes. Praying my new PBEM actually makes it to '44.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: crsutton
And, though there has been so much debate on its merits, I think that it is now pretty clear that you sacrificed a queen in Sumatra in order to get a checkmate in the Pacific.

Exactly!

By the way Ross, I was thinking of you this morning. During my waking moments, I might add.

Did you know that early in this game (sometime back in 1942, which would have been in 2013), you predicted that the Allies would win the war before the end of 1943? I came across this prediction months ago when I was reading back through the AAR after questions came up about House Rules (John wanted to know if we had a restriction versus night bombing.) I think there was another player that offered a similar prediction, but yours was memorably naked...I mean straightforward.

When the invasion of Sumatra achieved total surprise, I thougth your prediction (and the other player's) would come true. Then, when hopes grew dim in Sumatra, I doubted the end could come in '43. Then, when Hokkaido was wide open, my hopes rekindled. Then, when the Allies had to settle in for a more conventional war by focusing on islands, hopes dimmed again.

Well, it is currently 9/43. All I can say is don't disappoint me and make me look like a fool...I recommend that you put in an all nighter and do some serious attack planning.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

You haven't won the war. Japan still has an excellent chance to get a draw especially if you continue thinking like that and get sloppy.[:-]

The most dangerous animal is a wounded one.

I wasn't suggesting that I'd won the war.

Nope, but I am. He has won the war. John is quite capable, but I think he knows this as well as anyone.

I don't even have to have a dream about this

I spent lunchtime thinking over options for long-term objectives. By the end of lunch, the decision had been made. I won't go into details other than to say I like it.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

You haven't won the war. Japan still has an excellent chance to get a draw especially if you continue thinking like that and get sloppy.[:-]

The most dangerous animal is a wounded one.

I wasn't suggesting that I'd won the war.

Nope, but I am. He has won the war. John is quite capable, but I think he knows this as well as anyone.

I don't even have to have a dream about this

The war is won unless CR gives it away, but the game is a different matter. Victory conditions have not been met by either side. The outcome of the race is still to be determined.

Nothing like a good night's sleep and a good shellacking of your opponent to sharpen the mind for strategic thoughts!
I like that you keep Op Sec. until it is the appropriate time to reveal a detail here and there. Like staging a play. The audience is fully engaged on this one! [:)]