Hell Hath Frozen Over (Scout1 (J) vs Lowpe (A)

[Lowpe]

I have set up two solid surprises for the Japanese on this graphic...

I think most AFB's use the PT boats offensively, but here I am going to try and use them to shield the thundering herd on its escape. They will meet up with some AGPs at some point to replenish...

I believe my tactic of having the thundering herd escape to the east is shot...routing ships shows some threat east of Legaspi, and there is another invasion force coming up from Babeldoab...I thought about engaging with Boise, but her Captain really stinks, and I would rather have her fight after the IJN cruisers expend ammo on the Thundering Herd. Marblehead is also in the area hiding. I might have a chance to jig to the east yet though.

I have moved several support ships to dot bases, AVPs, AOs, AG, AGPs, AD. The Fleet CVs north of Luzon present both a problem and an opportunity. We shall see what happens here...

Two of the Pearl destroyers are moderately damaged, and more than a half dozen subs are limping back. Most subs are loading supplies for China, only one working S class fit for combat duty, and it will screen the Thundering Herd at choke points.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Treat those old British CLs like the Omahas - they are great raiding vessels, expendable but they can mess up those IJ DDs and merchants quite well and dodge aircraft bombs too. I send them out without DD escort.

Omahas with working torpedoes![:)] Not great legs though.[:(]

[RangerJoe]

Send them out with other ships, then break them off, refuel, let them have fun.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

...I think most AFB's use the PT boats offensively, but here I am going to try and use them to shield the thundering herd on its escape. They will meet up with some AGPs at some point to replenish...

Be prepared to be greatly disappointed.

PT TFs are very dependent on atmospheric conditions, primarily the moonlight level and weather. Unless optimal conditions are in place, they will often miss combat.

As a point defense tactic, PT TFs don't quite provide the same level of frustration under less than optimal conditions because they have nowhere to go and are in fact being sought by the enemy. Using them to accompany and provide some protection to other TFs at sea is an offensive action which is impacted by whether optimal conditions are present.

Alfred

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

...I think most AFB's use the PT boats offensively, but here I am going to try and use them to shield the thundering herd on its escape. They will meet up with some AGPs at some point to replenish...

Be prepared to be greatly disappointed.

PT TFs are very dependent on atmospheric conditions, primarily the moonlight level and weather. Unless optimal conditions are in place, they will often miss combat.

As a point defense tactic, PT TFs don't quite provide the same level of frustration under less than optimal conditions because they have nowhere to go and are in fact being sought by the enemy. Using them to accompany and provide some protection to other TFs at sea is an offensive action which is impacted by whether optimal conditions are present.

Alfred

I don't think I can be disappointed in their performance. [;)]

I am using them to soak off ammo. Ammunition stocks are the IJN's weakness this early, but the fleet carriers pose a problem...

[Lowpe]

Last time I played Allies seriously, many years ago, you couldn't move up here because of IJN invasions and aerial torpedoes. It is funny/odd having relative freedom of movement.

I like Warspite. I plan to use her in a very limited special role. Colorado will be a dock queen till the Jan 1942 upgrades.


Moved troops and AA to cover resources/bases/Portland, Prince Rupert, etc., etc.

Usual Build AFBs, and forts but here again will be centralizing plane training regionally.

Canada Command is prepping for Coal Harbor, there is no 5 hex HQs available, so probably a wasted click.

The Clemson Class destroyers are headed for Asotria and will patrol there...they will aid any unlikely detection for the CD guns protecting the inlet. There are a couple of S class subs that will head there too, for the same purpose.

[Lowpe]

A fully equipped atoll defense is nothing to take lightly, even during Japan's vaunted amphibious spree.

Wake, Midway, and Marcus. The goal is to buy time and divert forces at the sacrifice of ground troops. We will have mines, and cd guns, and hopefully forts and supply enough.

That tank battalion can really anchor an atoll defense, really only vulnerable by air. If we can get some good AA to cover, we could conceivably turn Wake Island into a major pain in the arse for Japan given the number of engineers already there.

Thinking of sending the 8th Marine to the Line Islands/Xmas initially...ultimately to New Guinea.

[Encircled]

Hazarding a guess here, but as it took Scout so long to get everything up and running, that he's got a strict timetable that he won't deviate from easily.

Anything out of the ordinary will throw him off a lot, and that is good news for you.

Personally I'd send that Marine Rgt to Oz on the Queen Elizabeth

Then you can still choose to deploy it pretty much anywhere.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Hazarding a guess here, but as it took Scout so long to get everything up and running, that he's got a strict timetable that he won't deviate from easily.

Anything out of the ordinary will throw him off a lot, and that is good news for you.

Personally I'd send that Marine Rgt to Oz on the Queen Elizabeth

Then you can still choose to deploy it pretty much anywhere.

Oz does make some sense.

I don't think he has a strict timetable...my guess there. I think I can get him reacting to me...which is death to Japan early on.

[RangerJoe]

I think that one of those infantry regiments is actually part of a division at Oahu.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I think that one of those infantry regiments is actually part of a division at Oahu.

You are probably right, but I am not worried about forming divisions right now, this is the time of the season for regiments...

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I think that one of those infantry regiments is actually part of a division at Oahu.

You are probably right, but I am not worried about forming divisions right now, this is the time of the season for regiments...

True. Plus the other regiments are restricted . . .

[Lowpe]

38 days from East US to Captetown (without a ship), a dozen days from Capetown to map edge plus or minus.

Almost done the first turn, but I have guests coming for dinner...so I won't finish till tomorrow.

A few things to tweak yet, and have yet to set the night time intercept of the KB by heavy cruisers. Probably a mistake this early...but it isn't a full KB.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

...I think most AFB's use the PT boats offensively, but here I am going to try and use them to shield the thundering herd on its escape. They will meet up with some AGPs at some point to replenish...

Be prepared to be greatly disappointed.

PT TFs are very dependent on atmospheric conditions, primarily the moonlight level and weather. Unless optimal conditions are in place, they will often miss combat.

As a point defense tactic, PT TFs don't quite provide the same level of frustration under less than optimal conditions because they have nowhere to go and are in fact being sought by the enemy. Using them to accompany and provide some protection to other TFs at sea is an offensive action which is impacted by whether optimal conditions are present.

Alfred

I don't think I can be disappointed in their performance. [;)]

I am using them to soak off ammo. Ammunition stocks are the IJN's weakness this early, but the fleet carriers pose a problem...

If the PT TFs don't get into a fight, or run away before any shots are fired, the IJN won't be expending any ammo.

Alfred

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Alfred




Be prepared to be greatly disappointed.

PT TFs are very dependent on atmospheric conditions, primarily the moonlight level and weather. Unless optimal conditions are in place, they will often miss combat.

As a point defense tactic, PT TFs don't quite provide the same level of frustration under less than optimal conditions because they have nowhere to go and are in fact being sought by the enemy. Using them to accompany and provide some protection to other TFs at sea is an offensive action which is impacted by whether optimal conditions are present.

Alfred

I don't think I can be disappointed in their performance. [;)]

I am using them to soak off ammo. Ammunition stocks are the IJN's weakness this early, but the fleet carriers pose a problem...

If the PT TFs don't get into a fight, or run away before any shots are fired, the IJN won't be expending any ammo.

Alfred

They do have a tendency to do that...I have at least put in aggressive commanders. At least they might cost ops points, even if they turn tail...don't know on that one.

[Alfred]

Lowpe,

PT TFs are a bit different from normal combat TFs in that the specific algorithms temper the impact of the TF leader stats to a certain degree. The conditions really do play a more prominent role than you are probably accustomed to.

Alfred

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Almost done the first turn, but I have guests coming for dinner...so I won't finish till tomorrow.

A few things to tweak yet, and have yet to set the night time intercept of the KB by heavy cruisers. Probably a mistake this early...but it isn't a full KB.

For dinner or to dinner? There is a difference in meaning. [;)] I mean, you might have lobsters coming for dinner . . .

I don't think that it is a mistake to put a hurt on the KB or any part of it. Did you ascertain how many carriers were involved in the Pearl Harbor strike? If so, could the augmented air groups of the Enterprise and the Lexington be used against them? I mean that the Wake fighters could deploy to the Big E and the Lexington has Wind Indicator dive bombers on board.

BTW, those Wind Indicators do have a nice range so they work nicely for Naval Search and ASW functions.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I think that one of those infantry regiments is actually part of a division at Oahu.

You are probably right, but I am not worried about forming divisions right now, this is the time of the season for regiments...

The 24th and 25th Division have their Regiments split between the mainland and PH. The regiments are assigned to different HQs so you have to be careful to choose a common HQ when you do get around to buying them out for recombining into the Division.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Almost done the first turn, but I have guests coming for dinner...so I won't finish till tomorrow.

A few things to tweak yet, and have yet to set the night time intercept of the KB by heavy cruisers. Probably a mistake this early...but it isn't a full KB.

For dinner or to dinner? There is a difference in meaning. [;)] I mean, you might have lobsters coming for dinner . . .

I don't think that it is a mistake to put a hurt on the KB or any part of it. Did you ascertain how many carriers were involved in the Pearl Harbor strike? If so, could the augmented air groups of the Enterprise and the Lexington be used against them? I mean that the Wake fighters could deploy to the Big E and the Lexington has Wind Indicator dive bombers on board.

BTW, those Wind Indicators do have a nice range so they work nicely for Naval Search and ASW functions.

The aircraft numbers on the PH strike looked like the equivalent of three CVs, but the KB graphic shows CVLs as well. I think this mod has a lot of CVLs, including the ones John beefed up with armour that can handle 500 lb bombs and lots of AA.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Almost done the first turn, but I have guests coming for dinner...so I won't finish till tomorrow.

A few things to tweak yet, and have yet to set the night time intercept of the KB by heavy cruisers. Probably a mistake this early...but it isn't a full KB.

For dinner or to dinner? There is a difference in meaning. [;)] I mean, you might have lobsters coming for dinner . . .

I don't think that it is a mistake to put a hurt on the KB or any part of it. Did you ascertain how many carriers were involved in the Pearl Harbor strike? If so, could the augmented air groups of the Enterprise and the Lexington be used against them? I mean that the Wake fighters could deploy to the Big E and the Lexington has Wind Indicator dive bombers on board.

BTW, those Wind Indicators do have a nice range so they work nicely for Naval Search and ASW functions.

The aircraft numbers on the PH strike looked like the equivalent of three CVs, but the KB graphic shows CVLs as well. I think this mod has a lot of CVLs, including the ones John beefed up with armour that can handle 500 lb bombs and lots of AA.

I am playing Version 6 of this mod and I have noticed no extra CVL, the Shinano comes in as a Taiho class. There are some extra toys to play with but most come in a little later. Those CVLs may actually be tankers/oilers and the TF may actually be an escort TF. If so, unless he breaks those out his TF is slowed . . . [:D]