Matrix Games Forums

A quick note of clarification ...

Michael,
thanks ...
Actually now that you mention it .. I want a bit of clarification about the AOSC ... can Allied ships run from Allied bases in Nth America, down though Panama, along the AOSC and then peel off Nth to Australia, Fiji etc ... If so the only chance I can have at them is on the North bound leg or near the South Panama exit ... I thought it was designed to simulate the Atlantic, not a way to reinforce Fiji. Hence my understanding was that it was for the transfer only of troops from Nth America to Aden... Am I wrong in my assumption ?

And the reply ...

From my understanding, you cannot enter the western and southern shipping channels at all.
Copy and Pasted from the HR from Nemo:
Empires Ablaze Allied Oceanic Shipping Channel
6. The x co-ordinate (1,yy) and the y co-ordinate (xx,148) constitute an Allied oceanic shipping channel ("the AOSC").
7. The AOSC is reserved solely for the use of Allied units. Japanese land, sea or air units may never enter the AOSC.
8. Allied units and bases in the AOSC are immune from Japanese attack, capture or recon. Allied units in the AOSC may not attack or recon Japanese units or bases which are situated outside the AOSC.
9. The three Allied Bases which are within the AOSC are:

Capetown
South Atlantic Entry
Port Stanley

Then there is this HR:
15. Japanese units may never attack, enter, or capture Aden.

Thus, I can enter and exit only from the AOSC at 4 points, besides the two corners. Directly west of Perth and Colombo there are 2 slots (only a hex wide each ) to move ships in and out. There are two more that are in each corner - near Aden there is a 2 hex wide opening and again near the SE corner (to the east of Port Stanley). Thus, I can get to French Polynesia, Pago Pago, Suva, etc. from the 2 shipping channels that lead to Panama (what is normally seen on AB's extended map) and from the the 2 hex opening in the SE corner. So, you could station 6 subs to cover all these points if you wish, but they cannot go into the actual channels on the map edges. Part of the rational for this is each hex is much more than the 60 miles that is found on the main map, but does take into account the straight line distance (i.e. - Port Stanley to Boar Bora is "suppose" to be correct distance).

Again, part of my understanding comes from following the development of RHS and this mod comes from the level 6 map. I did play briefly on the level 7 map which IMO is the best WitP map system available.

Like I mentioned before, you can enter any of the shipping channels that are found on AB extended map (even invade and capture Panama). This is my understanding of the HRs, but I would ask Nemo for clarification.

[*]Everywhere and nowhere ...

25/1/42 Makassar Landings

[*]Makassar (Celebes) landings went off mostly to plan. Despite harassment from Beauforts and Hudsons from 3 airfields close by, the only real damage was done to AV Sanyo Maru receiving 1 Torpedo hit. I have a portion of small KB patrolling close by and is aiding in the support of this TF.

[*]SS S-39 & S-40 receive 3 ASW hits near Teloekbetoeng by a large ASW patrol I have stationed there -- I'm hoping for a watery grave for these two, but these subs seem pretty robust.

[*]Benkolen [Sumatra] - a para drop captures the base. This was going to be part of a surrounding movement to cut off the forces in Palembang, however I think due to the constant harassment of shipping, I should just be done with it and take the base.

[*]All troops successfully unloaded at Port Moresby ... operations begin immediately to take this outpost.

[*]Troops in Russia still prepping & in China the 39th still holds out. But I don't think for much longer.

[*]Lastly annotated Diary entries from I-5 Capt. Shibata.
14 Jan ~ all goes swimmingly, we can almost make out the Coast of Canada ... Errr what's that in the distance. Holy Crap ... "Dive Dive Blow all ballast tanks"
15 Jan ~ all looks bleak, I'm walking around in my galoshes ... telling the crew to make their last will and testiment.
18 Jan (turn 44) ~ a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, the crew despite my best efforts to depress them have seemed to want to live and get back to the girls in Mutsu.
19 Jan (turn 45) ~ the crew are very angry with me today for insisting I take a long shower...
21&22 Jan (turn 47/48) ~ Ito the ships cook decides to cook his speciality, "Seagull ala seaweed", crew all confined to bunks and the "hot seat" for the duration. Had to run on the surface for the day.
23 Jan - present ~ Crew seem lively again. I was hoping to win the pool if we sunk, I had great odds, damn, now I'll have to get a second job to pay off the marks!
Still a long layoff in Mutsu will be nice, maybe the war will be over by the time this bucket of bolts is seaworthy again ... or maybe I will be promoted for valor and bravery! That would impress Mother.

Can you not force an opening on the road from Hankow to Ichang? At best he can only have a guerilla regiment there and you should be able to blast past that unit.... or am I missing something?

ORIGINAL: Nemo121
Can you not force an opening on the road from Hankow to Ichang? At best he can only have a guerilla regiment there and you should be able to blast past that unit.... or am I missing something?

Nemo, the short answer it is defiantly not a guerilla force...we chatted quickly before about the Chinese being historically accurate, but too mobile & co-ordinated in WITP.



A little background ... most of China is a mess, and it is a mess of my own making. Michael was quick off the gun, while I was worrying about my troop deployments elsewhere...

Mid-Dec the Chinese moved into Nanchang with at least 7 Divisions, and had started to surround Ichang, meanwhile 50 000 troops attacked Sinyang. By this time I had responded to the Nanchang situation by stripping troops out of all nearby bases.

By the time Ichang was attacked, there was just one hex available for me to move to, directly SE of Ichang, where I sent the 13th Tank, unfortunately the Chinese beat me to it, I continued hoping it was a small force, no such luck and now I'm trying to withdraw again rather slowly. This was particularly a mistake, given that the 6th has just arrived at Hankow and could led the way here...

But the 6th moving from Anking to Hankow, took about 3 weeks. My other concern is that if I move a large deployment force now, the 3 units SW of Hankow may come into play, sure they have to assault over a river, but I'm pretty sure there are 3 Divisions here...

I can't move much out of Nanchang without another siege and he has plenty in reserve to make my life miserable here.

Damian,
Before Nemo mentions this, you do know that Hankow is a Port?? Thus, you can move troops from Shanghai to Hankow using barges and/or small AP/AKs. Many of your bases along this river have ports (more learning for you [:D]).

I might have to keep some LBs on Naval Attack to counter this possibility. [;)]

FYI - Chinese Strategic Reserve (once its TO&E fills out)

26/1/42 Palembang Captured with relatively light damage

In other news:
[*]Teloekbetoeng sea-based invasion starts ... this was going to be part of my encircling Palembang ... I'm too impatient sometimes.
[*]Deliberate attack at Port Moresby reduces fortifications to 2.
[*]Allies attempt to retake Lingayen. General in charge of Philippine ops is discharged, unceremoniously.


Thanks Michael, I keep forgetting about all the new things I need to remember !

And the prize for properly parsing my "or is there something I'm missing" hint goes to ny59giants.
 
If/when you evacuate by river just remember to order to TF to "DO NOT UNLOAD" otherwise it will automatically unload wherever it ends up 12 hrs later ( since that is a coastal hex - aka river ). When the TF reaches the destination you want you will have to change it to unload and then let it unload. It is a bit of micromanagement and inefficiency but it can't be avoided given the game code.
 
You can also use this method to pick up those troops in the hex south-east of Ichang.... so,overall, those two units can totally be rescued.

Thanks guys ... it feels very humbling to see these novice errors in myself. I tell you though it isn't as easy to navigate these rivers as I thought, and certainly there are tricks to learn by reading the RHS manual.

The Allied counter offensive on the Philippines continues ...
[*]V-92C Corsair, SB-2, Vildebeest IV & Lancer all try their hand at knocking out some Imperial shipping in many seperate attacks ... luckily only AK Imizu Maru was torpedoed twice ... I had just mentioned that I thought the SRA had gone quiet to Michael, and here we have it hotting up again on Luzon. My response will not be measured ...
[*]1 Div which had been on the way to Singapore got a divert call about 4 turns ago and landed at San Fernando, hopefully this will be enough to stop the Allies cold.
[*]All other troops headed for the Southern region have now been diverted back to the Philippines, I'm big enough to admit a mistake ... and this could have been really disastrous had it not been caught in time. I must secure Luzon soon, it was foolish to think I could wait until after the Soviet campaign was somewhat over.
[*]Having not checked the terrain too much (well never really) ... have I told you I hate Land combat ? I realise that I'm in a hex with bad terrain modifiers.
Other News:
[*]Petropavlovsk - Deliberate attack reduces the Fortifications to 2 ...
[*]The 39th at Ichang still holds out much to Michaels disgust ... Banzai! (now if only I can get a fragment out ... I have to budget the PP's)
[*]Zero PP's again.

29/1/42 San Fernando safe for now
Once again, I planned and executed just in the nick of time to save this base. Luck will only last so long I'm afraid.
[*]Defenders expelled Philippine Reg out of San Fernando.
[*]Allied planes obviously hit and then run out of the Philippines. They'll be back.
[*]Mines are still at Balikapapan! I thought I cleared this port ... 1 hit a large AK. Doesn't it seem funny that mines mostly hit large vessels and same with torpedo attacks? I guess it makes sense, but still...
[*]SS S-40 is sunk by a large air raid on Batavia, most of the a/c were targeting the airport, but I like to have a mix at times. And this SS was hit 3 times by my ASW patrol a few days earlier, At least the crew would have been drinking & on shore leave instead of at the bottom of the Java Sea. SS tally now 22!!!
[*]Jesselton [Borneo] captured, just because it is there..
[*]Small CV Raid out on the West coast is unsuccessful, pity I was hoping for some juicy escorts that damaged SS I-5 (see earlier post)

Let me update you on I-5 Capt. Shibata. annotated diary.
26/1 (turn 52 float 29) - Another hole plugged with Ito's sticky rice soup. He assures us that it will not have the same effect on the crew ... But many of the crew are walking a little gingerly.
27/1 - (float 30)Spent a good hour in the loo's today ... smiles on many of the crews faces, pity the sticky rice only seems to be adhesive for 24 hrs... That's a good business idea for the future. I'll call it "Super rice glue" ... or something similar!
28/1 - (float 28)Bilge pumps fixed...you know why.
29/1 - (float 29)Shower day!

Umm, this isn't RHS and I don't think you're going to pick up many useful "tips" from the RHS manual. Sure there will be "tips" but most of them will be inappropriate since this is so different to RHS. I think you are going to be sent wrong a lot more than right if you follow the RHS manual.
 
'Tis your choice but I think that's a sub-optimal choice. OTOH if you DO have questions you could, for example, ask the guy who put the mod together [:D]. I imagine he might be a better source than an outdated manual which was written without any reference to EA, if you catch my drift.

Nemo,
this is not questions about the mod ... it is just how to send ships upriver, I have had problems doing that ... I know this is not RHS and I'm not using the manual for anything other than to look at the mechanics of doing some things.
The instance I was referring to was the ship movement up and down rivers ... I was having trouble doing it and needed some reference.
Don't worry I know this is not RHS and I wouldn't use the manual for this game, other than some specific movement things like this ... I'd definitely ask you first in other matters - I consider you someone I can count on to give great advice, if needed.. but a child can only learn by making mistakes too

So why did I need it ?
For instance why if I make a fast transport, set it to pick up my troops, have those troops set to a HQ other than CEF, does it not travel up river ... because the pathing doesn't work well. So I went and looked to make sure in the RHS manual, to check if I was doing something wrong.
Or
why can't I move my normal TF from Hankow to Inchang ... it doesn't ...

Did it help ?
No, but at least I could see that I wasn't doing it wrong. Or so I think.

Congratulations on working an ABBA reference into your AAR. [8D]

I am enjoying "watching" the fight and both AAR's.

- Floyd

30/1/42 Kodiak operations in full swing

I will reveal more as the days go by, but as this AAR is open to Michael ... I will keep my cards close to my chest, but rest assured readers, I will backfill (with pics) when the operation is complete or even if I'm crying into my pillow.

Kodiak or Bust !
Planned from the early stages of the war ... I really wanted to take the Aleutian chain. The threat posed by LB and a quick march to Tokyo, especially as I am stripping the Home Is of troops, was always in the back of my mind.
I'd love to play the Allies one day and forget about the CentPac etc and just bomb the crap out of the Japanese HI, just to see if the Internet crack-pot who talks about the Myth of Carrier invincibility has some valid points... (actually I think he does have a few points to make, even if it is badly organised and written)... I notice the site is down, but here is some forum discussion fb.asp?m=1471714

So the Allied response might be:
1. Charge in with his CV's etc
2. Counter attack elsewhere.
3. Hold on to a Mountainous Island with prepped troops.
4. Sub warfare ... but I'm hoping they are out of position now, languishing around the equator.
5. Do nothing ...
6. LB me from the mainland ... as I pray for rain and snow and blizzards !!
Or ?

More later ...

Damian,
 
I have to admit to a penchant for attacking northwards as well.  The Aleutians are so overlooked as the Allied player.  It is not a long hop to attack northern Japan from those islands.  At the very least I tend to grab Dutch Harbor going west.  Have been known to make a serious attempt at Anchorage as well...
 
Good luck with your attack!  BANZAI!!
 

Thanks John,
glad to see you're still around ... hope you drop by from time to time to check out what Michael and I are up to. Good luck, my friend and fair winds ...

31/1 ~ 1/2 Troops still offloading at Kodiak Island, little resistance from air or sea so far.

Update after work ...

I haven't DIED!  I am waiting on life to make up its mind so I know where I am going!

I've enjoyed reading and haven't commented until now.

Should note that Michael and I are seriously talking about a 2x2 with him and I teamed up on the Japanese side when AE comes out!  He'll have most of the Army and the economy while I will run around in the Pacific with most of the Fleet.  We want to have an AAR running as well. COULD be a lot of fun!  We're looking for opponents...

John, LOL! yes it was a bit melodramatic wasn't it! I'd definitely like to be involved, but fear that I may not be an asset having not played the Allies much ... but am willing to give it a go with an 'old head' to steer the way.

Economic Data First
Nothing but the facts ...

HI 12855(9285) approx.(+/-) last month +534(-800)
Arm 353(10408)
Veh 383(817)
Supply 34991(2910358) +700(-1000000)
Resource 22136(3749199) +900(+1800000)
Oil 3100(4718118) +1300(+400000)
Fuel 15955(2311529) +1100(+70000)

Japan VP's 14464 Allied 10939

Ships
3 * CVL's (Shoho,Mizho & Kanto), CS Nisshin & DE Hasidate commissioned, 7 APD's upgraded to DD's. This month I will get 2 SS's and 2 more DD's, with CV Junyo in the following month (accel)

IJN Ships sunk 1 CL, 2 DD/DE's, 2 MSW's, 1 DM, 7 AP's, 14 AK's & 1 TK
70 IJN ships with Sys Damage over 10. Including (CVL Hosho 27), (BB Hyuga 23), (BB Haruna 17),(CL Ayotsan Maru 25), (CL Aikoku Maru 16),(CA Kako 11)(CL Katori 10) &(9 DD's above 15) ... many of the AK/AP's damaged are above 50.

Allied Ships sunk BB Pennsylvania, 3 DD's, 1 DM, 3 ML, 1 AV, 2 AVD's, 8 MSW's, 43 AK's, 5 AP's, 1 AR, 8 PG's, 1 PC, 24 Pt's 1 SC, 2 TK's, 22 SS's and a partridge in a pear tree ..

Airgroups
Am supposed to get a Ki-109 Chutai in Feb, but even though I'm over the 100 production points ... the gods of dice have looked unhappily upon me. Plus another Zeke Chutai and a Betty Daitai...amongst others.

Pilots
Navy 196
Army 80
Japanese losses 937 Allied 1032

LCU's
Despite the 39th Div's almost complete annihilation ... I'm yet to lose any units.
Due 2 Art, 2 coastal Def, 11 Eng, 2nd Army HQ, 58th & 59th Garrison Div (I'm not garrisoning them anywhere! bet they didn't here that at the recruitment office!),1 Battalion and 2 largish CSNLF Armour Brigades (700 Veh points)

Ok, so how did I increase my HI by 534 in a month. I built in multiple places where there was adequate resources and Oil. I have a mobile force of engineers and supplies that I am using to fill out some small bases ... For example below, Tarakan.



Somewhat luckily the manpower centres were damaged at the beginning, this allow me to produce 16 HI, while still maintaining a surplus of Oil and resources. So when I take a base, I make careful note of the HI I can build and how many supplies it will need. Once done, I take everything, and move on ...

Also I'm building in small HI centres in Japan, it is difficult maintaining them with adequate supplies, but I am moving around troops/hq's and Topsy's to try to get above the 10000K supply threshold. Supplies have been brought back from Russia and Manchuria and all the Japanese Is have been stripped.

End Jan 42 SIT REP.

[*]Aleutians - Kodiak operations still in the balance. Petropavlovsk (ok it's Ruskie), on a razor tip... Some more troops here might tip the balance, but I can't see where I have the PP's to achieve this yet.

[*]Borneo - Sandakan, Bandjermasin & Sampit left to occupy.

[*]Burma- Moulmein is now threatened by my 55th and RTA Guards Div with the 4th Inf Div and Imperial Guards Div coming slowly into the frame. I expect within the month to take Rangoon.

[*]Cent Pac - I took Palmyra and Canton and Christmas Is this month, not a bad job for a rag-tag group of lcu's. Still the Allies are not given much here in the beginning. I'm starting to see more subs and although this area is not a no-go zone, I will have to face facts about transporting supplies and fuel to these far flung shores.

[*]China - Ichang fell, Nanchang was saved, Sinyang is still under threat and Hankow must be in the sights after the 39th is obliterated at Ichang. I'm redeploying forces and getting a rapid reaction force ready for such an eventuality. IMO china is just too damn fluid.

[*]Celebes - Kendari is primarily all that is left to take here, and I shall achieve this after the 56th Ind Inf Div is given some R&R.

[*]Malaya - Singapore yet to be attacked, I'm really waiting for some more reinforcements and TOE upgrades to really take effect, but I believe this operation will have to commence sooner rather than later, even if it is just to weaken the British resolve.

[*]Philippines - My planning for Luzon was a bit of a blunder, but now I hope with the addition of some forces, I'll make some more headway this coming month. If nothing else but to reduce the Allies abilities to hit and run with his mobile air crews.

[*]Russia - despite no air campaign available, I've moved from Vladivostok and Suchan to Iman and onto Khabarovsk without too much trouble so far. Leader reassignments are still taking place, and with the pace of oeprations unfortunately Prep points are low for continued operations. Khabarovsk and Komsomolsk have about 1000 HI, so these places will certainly help with my economic problems and allow for some more expansion and build capacity. This is the main reason I decided to invade in the first place and for all the associated problems this has caused elsewhere, I hope this will justify my decision... Still I have to take them yet.

[*]Sumatra - the Sth of the Island is now secure, and I will start thinking about how to shift the attack onto Javanese soil as soon as some rest is given to my weary troops.

[*]Sth Pacific - Port Moresby surrounded just awaiting the final bell. All the Solomons taken, although hardly secured. New Caledonia almost secure and ready for offensive operations South, East and West. Will have to take Koumac shortly to secure the back door.

***NB Michael and I have agreed to close this AAR to him after he has read this post and sent the next turn. Once that is done I can be a bit more liberal with my plans and details of the hole I'm digging for myself.[:D]

I'll do an update on Kodiak next time, but for now ... a quick look at the Philippines.

The Allies had 4 units at Naga, and what I thought was a small force at Lucena. I decided to try to encircle these troops about a week ago and moved some transports into place to pick up a few units at legaspi, aided by a Div from Japan.

I started walking slowly to Naga, so slowly that I had to halt my TF off Samar. When they were about 1-2 days away, I quickly sent my transports into Lucena.

Unfortunately, the Allies either anticipated my move, or could move 60 miles in 2 days, cause instead of my taking the base with a shock attack, I was stopped cold by retreating troops from Naga & troops from Manila.

I will withdraw these troops as soon as Naga is mine.

In the end this little campaign, might enable me to move closer to Manila, but I had wished to cut off 4 units ... my opponent is a shrewd, savvy player ...

You can see me offloading more Nth, and these will hopefully help me overcome him, by placing more pressure on Manila, which I hope will lead to some reduction in troops at the front lines.

---Damian----

Have you pulled significant troops out of the normal Philippine attack?  It seems--for the end of Jan 42--that you haven't done much in this theatre.  I tend to wipe out Singapore ASAP, move into Java, and THEN take the Philippines.  Others have a far different strategy...