Climb Mt. Niitaka - Xargun vs Mr Kane

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

By this time, Mr. Kane can be putting in 2000+ supply a day by air into China. Given this amount of work, I am sure he is planning an op to open up the Burma road...but it might be as simple as pushing forward given his recent success there.

Japanese troops recover fast, you have good terrain, and interior lines. Just try not to be cut off. Look to your interior bases and plan out your lines of defenses.

I am pulling back and setting up defenses in non-base hexes but looking back there are some nice bases I am leaving him - some nice airfields like Toungoo [:@] Next game I will know better than build up these forward bases so much.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Here is my looking ball...

Phase 2 could as easily be a landing a Iwaki/Sendai on Honshu. There are some critical dates in 1943 where Japan gets lots of infantry...

Oh, that would be so Mr. Kane ... audacious ...

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

By this time, Mr. Kane can be putting in 2000+ supply a day by air into China. Given this amount of work, I am sure he is planning an op to open up the Burma road...but it might be as simple as pushing forward given his recent success there.

Japanese troops recover fast, you have good terrain, and interior lines. Just try not to be cut off. Look to your interior bases and plan out your lines of defenses.

Xargun, as you note, this is why taking out CHI is so important. Ahistorical, but the ability of the allies to build up the CHI forces as well is also ahistorical. About 1/3 of those units can be built up to over 750AV ... granted not a lot of firepower, but 750 AV is still 750 AV ... The total AV of CHI forces is something like 20,000 AV (guesstimate, I don't have my notes with me), but it just isn't a force that you can deal with in '44 ...

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Recon Ledo, do a mouseover and check the size of the runway there and in China.

I have my suspicions what he is up to.

Ledo is huge - size 8 and packed with tons of AA. When I recon it in length I lose a Dinah every couple days to flak there. He has fighters, 4E bombers and 150+ auxillary planes there (guessing they are transports). My plan was to bomb them at night but the flak losses are too high for minimal gain.

2-3 Dinah/week are not bad losses for recon on an important base like Ledo. Don't discount the impact of the night bombings ... it will cause his operational losses to increase significantly. You won't see those in the combat reports, but it will increase his cost to supply china and he does not have unlimited airframes until '45 (transport airframes here).

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

By this time, Mr. Kane can be putting in 2000+ supply a day by air into China. Given this amount of work, I am sure he is planning an op to open up the Burma road...but it might be as simple as pushing forward given his recent success there.

Japanese troops recover fast, you have good terrain, and interior lines. Just try not to be cut off. Look to your interior bases and plan out your lines of defenses.

Xargun, as you note, this is why taking out CHI is so important. Ahistorical, but the ability of the allies to build up the CHI forces as well is also ahistorical. About 1/3 of those units can be built up to over 750AV ... granted not a lot of firepower, but 750 AV is still 750 AV ... The total AV of CHI forces is something like 20,000 AV (guesstimate, I don't have my notes with me), but it just isn't a force that you can deal with in '44 ...

If you are using stacking limits that doesn't matter because it's also a very large unit in terms of stacking. Since Michael fixed up the combat damage routines to more rationally apportion casualties among units (used to be small units got hammered) it does not matter if you have 750 AV in one unit or 250 AV in each of three units.

But it sure looks impressive! [:D]

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: witpqs
Since Michael fixed up the combat damage routines to more rationally apportion casualties among units (used to be small units got hammered) it does not matter if you have 750 AV in one unit or 250 AV in each of three units.

Is it really like that? I am playing with the latest beta, moving my stack of Allied IDs, brigades and tanks agains Jap stacks. And it's brigades and tanks that get clobbered now and then so that I have to leave them behind to R&R. On the other side, there are reports now and then of 1 Jap unit destroyed while at the same time and place 20+ others are going strong kicking my ass defensively.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: witpqs
Since Michael fixed up the combat damage routines to more rationally apportion casualties among units (used to be small units got hammered) it does not matter if you have 750 AV in one unit or 250 AV in each of three units.

Is it really like that? I am playing with the latest beta, moving my stack of Allied IDs, brigades and tanks agains Jap stacks. And it's brigades and tanks that get clobbered now and then so that I have to leave them behind to R&R. On the other side, there are reports now and then of 1 Jap unit destroyed while at the same time and place 20+ others are going strong kicking my ass defensively.

I see much more even casualties overall.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Xargun, as you note, this is why taking out CHI is so important. Ahistorical, but the ability of the allies to build up the CHI forces as well is also ahistorical. About 1/3 of those units can be built up to over 750AV ... granted not a lot of firepower, but 750 AV is still 750 AV ... The total AV of CHI forces is something like 20,000 AV (guesstimate, I don't have my notes with me), but it just isn't a force that you can deal with in '44 ...

I don't see how people take out China. I will admit this is my worst china showing in the game, but I have never come close to 'taking out' china.

[PaxMondo]

Spoiler Alert, don't read if you want Ironman to be surprise.


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ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Xargun, as you note, this is why taking out CHI is so important. Ahistorical, but the ability of the allies to build up the CHI forces as well is also ahistorical. About 1/3 of those units can be built up to over 750AV ... granted not a lot of firepower, but 750 AV is still 750 AV ... The total AV of CHI forces is something like 20,000 AV (guesstimate, I don't have my notes with me), but it just isn't a force that you can deal with in '44 ...

I don't see how people take out China. I will admit this is my worst china showing in the game, but I have never come close to 'taking out' china.

You have to drive for CK straight away, there are several plausible routes. Do not 'kill' any CHI units until you take CK. Once you have CK, mop up. While you are doing this, other than securing the DEI, you cannot divert attention anywhere else. You do have to focus on CK. You should have it before the end of '42, some players have taken it as early as 9/42 ... not me, but some players. [8D]


The allies can counter, there are several effective moves, but it also requires them to take action right away, most don't. Hence IJ usually can succeed.


PS: In Ironman, CK is lvl9 forts with an extra few 720AV units in place, and is a supply source. It is a tough nut to crack. Because of those units, in this mod you cannot afford to spawn any units at CK or it delays things substantially.

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Xargun




Definitely supply into China. Some of the Chinese units are at 650 AS and are a pain to try to whittle down. My own fault for not advancing more into China when I had it easy.

At least the maximum effort to close the roads in Kunming leading into norther Burma... that's huge mountain terrain, easy to defend. You still may plan and try something there to achieve the result before the Road to be fully opened. Worthy of...

See for example the game of John III against CanoeRebel, he has totally neglected China after beginning of 1943, after having achieved the same MDL you show here, but now he's regretting and bitterly crying for it.

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Here you go.

Sorry, but southern western China looks bad....

also, why Wake has not been taken?

The same for southern Andaman islands (or are they just under supplied?).

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe



Another thing to think about with respect to recon. You can put some Judy C recon planes on a fast carrier or fast baby carrier, and get within 17-21 hexes I recall and use them to recon.

I did not understand the 17-21 hexes part of the drill here..

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

ORIGINAL: Lowpe



Another thing to think about with respect to recon. You can put some Judy C recon planes on a fast carrier or fast baby carrier, and get within 17-21 hexes I recall and use them to recon.

I did not understand the 17-21 hexes part of the drill here..

Judy range:

[Zecke]

woowww¡¡....adarbrauner; its hot to defend the perimetre..well done¡

My last PBME was against ROB (canadiense fellow...good type),i played as American; he was Japan; and i know it in turn 5 that i was going to lossee...he did very well december 7; yeah it takes days but if you make good 7 december you can win as japan.

after the 5 days i decided to give him the victory also i had my godfather ill and he understood.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

Sorry, but southern western China looks bad....

also, why Wake has not been taken?

The same for southern Andaman islands (or are they just under supplied?).

I am working on trying to clear the rail in SW china, but the troops are dug in.

I attempted to take Wake twice - was repulsed on the ground once and by allied CVs early in the war. Never went back.

Southern Andaman are simply empty and I just never landed troops to change the base to Japanese - same with the little green dots in the DEI - maybe half a dozen dot bases that I never landed at nor autoconverted over.

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: Xargun
Southern Andaman are simply empty and I just never landed troops to change the base to Japanese - same with the little green dots in the DEI - maybe half a dozen dot bases that I never landed at nor autoconverted over.

Those dots can make great air search outposts for Allies. Fly air support and supply in, stage Catalinas and enjoy the view. Japan would not know unless recon directly or pay attention to operational report sightings.

[Xargun]

2 days and no turn from Mr Kane. Hope everything is well in Poland. I need WitP Anonymous... I'm starting to have withdrawal symptoms.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: Xargun
Southern Andaman are simply empty and I just never landed troops to change the base to Japanese - same with the little green dots in the DEI - maybe half a dozen dot bases that I never landed at nor autoconverted over.

Those dots can make great air search outposts for Allies. Fly air support and supply in, stage Catalinas and enjoy the view. Japan would not know unless recon directly or pay attention to operational report sightings.

I have been reconning most of them - maybe not as often as I should, but I have done some recon of them. Its a little late to play cleanup now with the massive attack in Burma, but I will make notes for my next game. Although I have been thinking of crossing to the dark side and playing a game as the Allies just for knowledge of their OOB. I am truly in the dark as to what they get and how much - let alone when.

[adarbrauner]

Doesn't take a lot to occupy for good those islands...load a single APD with few troops and send it to land.

Doesn't take a lot... a part from additional burden and workload [:(]

[Xargun]

Burma:



The Burmese front has basically collapsed from initial plans and I am planning to hold NE of Moulmein and in the Jungle and rough terrain there.

Lashio still holds with its 2 IDs and the fragments of units to the west are still holding as well. The fragments have all had portions flown out so they can be rebuilt quickly and easily once they are overrun. I have even flown out small pieces of each ID at Lashio for same purpose.

Toungoo has held against several attacks, but nothing major is there. A single Tank Rgt is holding the base while the support units flee SW along the road. A lone 25mm AA unit will remain behind when the Tank Rgt pulls out. The units are moving in combat mode and helping in the defense as they retreat in orderly fashion. Once they are almost out of the hex, I will order the Tanks to retreat and everyone but the defending unit should clear the hex in the same turn.

Rangoon is besieged by enemy Armor and Infantry but has a large force holding it sitting behind strong forts (level 4 or 5). I plan on holding Rangoon as long as I can before falling back to the Moulmein Defensive Area. Once Toungoo falls I will begin withdrawing from Rangoon so I don't get caught in a pocket there. Barges are being used to haul units out of Rangoon to Moulmein, along with supplies. A TF of Tankers is loading up on oil / fuel there to haul south so we leave nothing behind for the allies.

Moulmein Defensive Area is 1 hex NE of Moulmein in the Jungle. I am moving AA, Arty, RF Guns as well as Tanks and Infantry there to hold it.

Rahaeng - Pisanoluke Area:
I and feverishly building up these 3 bases - mostly forts and air fields for fighters. Most of my AV Support will end up at one of these 3 bases as it flees Burma. These bases will provide fighter support while Bombers fly in from places like Bangkok and Tavoy.

I also have Thailand Units moving up the road a bit from Chiang Mai to hold that path as well as another unit moving to Luanqprabang to avoid allied air drops behind my lines. Udon Thani is also being built up some for additional air fields.

A unit from Hanoi is also moving north along the trails to the west to insure our flank.