Against the Wind: Cuttlefish (Japan) vs. Q-Ball (Allies)

[Cuttlefish]

And the situation in southern China:

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]Japan is the sun that shines for world peace. Those who bathe in the sun shall grow and those who resist it shall have no alternative but ruin.[/font]
- Colonel Hideo Ohira, chief of the Press Division, following the conquest of Singapore

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2/13/42 – 2/14/42

The past two turns have been marked by two events, one very good and one very bad.

The good news is that Singapore fell on 13 February. Over 95,000 Allied casualties/prisoners resulted. Q-Ball sent me a screen shot he had posted in his AAR showing one of his battalions which had been utterly wrecked by Japanese artillery. It was astounding. I might perhaps have been able to take Singapore a little earlier than I did, had I known the state of his troops, but then again a rushed and failed attack would have cost me more time than waiting a few days to be sure did.

Mandalay also fell. Port Moresby holds out, but I think the writing is on the wall for the Allies there.

Now for the bad news. Q-Ball’s carriers (at least two, probably more) showed up in the Kuriles on 14 February and did a real number on Japanese shipping in the area, sinking eight xAKs and four sub chasers. That’s brutal. It was an efficient and gutsy move by my opponent and I salute him.

He can do some more damage if he hangs around, because the air defenses north of Tokyo are still pretty feeble. Remember I talked about the need to bolster the defenses around Sakhalin and the Kuriles? Some construction units are on the scene and progress has been made building up airfields and forts but the work has really only just gotten started.

However…I think that Q-Ball has no idea where Kido Butai really was when he did this. As it turns out my carriers are near the Gilberts, running in stealth mode (no Vals on search). This puts them closer to Pearl Harbor than his own carriers are at the moment. I have ordered them northeast at speed. If Q-Ball turns his carriers around and high-tails it back to Hawaii (which seems like a logical thing to do) then I have a very good chance to intercept him. If he hangs around for even an extra day then I am almost sure to.

There are a number of variables, such as his track away from my waters and if and where my own carriers are detected as they move into Allied waters. It should be interesting…

[d0mbo]

The suspense!!!
 
Don't forget to keep us posted!

[rattovolante]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

Q-Ball sent me a screen shot he had posted in his AAR showing one of his battalions which had been utterly wrecked by Japanese artillery. It was astounding.

I saw that pic on his AAR, and wished to ask you what was the damage to Singapore's factories/infrastructure after you captured the city.
In my PBeM, I heavily bombarded Hong Kong until the garrison melted away, but to my surprise I captured the city almost intact.
I expected far heavier damage from the siege, at the very least to manpower - there's a limit on how accurate artillery fire can be in a city environment... I suspect the game might have a somewhat "forgiving" model for heavy artillery bombardments.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: rattovolante

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

Q-Ball sent me a screen shot he had posted in his AAR showing one of his battalions which had been utterly wrecked by Japanese artillery. It was astounding.

I saw that pic on his AAR, and wished to ask you what was the damage to Singapore's factories/infrastructure after you captured the city.
In my PBeM, I heavily bombarded Hong Kong until the garrison melted away, but to my surprise I captured the city almost intact.
I expected far heavier damage from the siege, at the very least to manpower - there's a limit on how accurate artillery fire can be in a city environment... I suspect the game might have a somewhat "forgiving" model for heavy artillery bombardments.

With the exception of manpower all of the industries at Singpore (light industry, heavy industry, resources, shipyard) were 90% damaged. The place is an absolute shambles. I also wrecked the port in my efforts to take the city, though the airfields are intact.

[Capt. Harlock]

With the exception of manpower all of the industries at Singpore (light industry, heavy industry, resources, shipyard) were 90% damaged. The place is an absolute shambles. I also wrecked the port in my efforts to take the city, though the airfields are intact.

Well tactically, that's the most important thing. You now have an opening into the Indian Ocean, though I expect that Allied CVTF in the Kuriles will occupy your attention for the time being.

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

With the exception of manpower all of the industries at Singpore (light industry, heavy industry, resources, shipyard) were 90% damaged. The place is an absolute shambles. I also wrecked the port in my efforts to take the city, though the airfields are intact.

Ummm.....check the water level, I think the whole island is sinking. [X(][;)]

Really enjoying this AAR, CF, keep it up. [:)]

[scott64]

[Canoerebel]

I've been giving some voice in other posts that as an Allied-player-only my initial impression of AE is that it's made things even harder on the Jap player and quite a bit easier (at least early in the game) on the Allied player. Thus, I'm most interested in Cuttlefish's AAR. Not only is it well-written, but it also comes from the Jap perspective.

Your opponent, Cuttlefish, was a big help and encouragement to me in my WitP days, so I'm not pulling against him; at the same time, though, prove me wrong! Show that the Japs are a mighty juggernaut to be feared in AE!

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I've been giving some voice in other posts that as an Allied-player-only my initial impression of AE is that it's made things even harder on the Jap player and quite a bit easier (at least early in the game) on the Allied player. Thus, I'm most interested in Cuttlefish's AAR. Not only is it well-written, but it also comes from the Jap perspective.

Your opponent, Cuttlefish, was a big help and encouragement to me in my WitP days, so I'm not pulling against him; at the same time, though, prove me wrong! Show that the Japs are a mighty juggernaut to be feared in AE!

I shall do my best! Banzai!

I actually haven't felt at all handcuffed by AE so far. Part of that is my typical methodical style of play. This game is, in fact, ahead of the pace of almost all my WITP games. The biggest reason for this is the weakness of the Allied air and ground units compared to their old counterparts.

It is true that AE seems to offer good Allied players more chances to strike back in the early going. Q-Ball has already burned me several times, as we have seen. But he's been hurt too and I rather like the tension and opportunities that develop on both sides.

That's my off-the-cuff take so far, anyway. We'll see what things look like to me after six months, after a year, etc.

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]No more tears now; I will think about revenge.[/font]
- Mary, Queen of Scots

2/15/42 – 2/18/42

The American carriers did not stick around for a second turn of attacks and Kido Butai speeds northeast, bent on vengeance. See the map below for the big picture. The trick is going to be sneaking between Midway and Johnston Island. I count 21 hexes between them, which means that even by doing my moves correctly at some point I am going to be within about 13 or 14 hexes of one or both bases. I am sure he has air search at both locations. How good are they and what are the odds of picking up KB at that distance? Here at Cuttlefish HQ we stare at the maps and ponder.

Burma: as mentioned, Mandalay has fallen. So has Taung Gyi. Except for the base across the river from Mandalay, which I will occupy shortly, the only Allied bases remaining in Burma are Lashio, Myitkyina, and Akyab.

Singapore: it took a few turns but I have finished sweeping all the enemy mines at Singapore. A horde of Japanese warships and transports are thus en route. It is already a major Japanese airbase, with an air HQ keeping 60 torpedoes on hand and Nells and Bettys to use them. Meanwhile the various divisions and regiments there are in rest mode while prepping for new locations. Some of these locations are in Sumatra, some in Java, and others are targets like Port Blair. I haven’t decided what to do with the rest yet.

Pacific: Port Moresby fell on 16 February. Activity in this area will now consist of building up ports, airbases, and strong points. Major airbases will be located at Lae, Rabaul, and probably Manus, with Port Moresby basing only fighters. Satellite air strips will be developed at Kavieng, Green Island, Madang, and Shortlands. Milne Bay will be fortified and Lunga will be developed as well.

Further attacks in this region will be directed towards the New Hebrides and New Caledonia, if practical. I think Q-Ball has probably moved some available resources here already, so the campaign might involve several infantry divisions and the support of Kido Butai. The divisions will have to come from the Philippines.

Philippines: speaking of the Philippines, cracks are appearing in the defenses at Clark. Another attack has been ordered for tomorrow and I suspect that if this one doesn’t carry the base then a shock attack a few days later will.

DEI: invasion forces are en route to Koepang on Timor. Otherwise activity in the southern DEI has consisted of mopping up unoccupied bases in my rear areas.

China: nothing new to report here. Reinforcements, including engineers and artillery, are still moving towards Kanhsien, which is being bombarded daily. Fighters from the AVG have been spotted in the area; I wondered where those guys were.

Under the Sea: I-162 took a shot at Queen Elizabeth off the coast of India but missed. It was such a beautiful ship I was almost glad it got away. Almost. A Dutch sub sank a frieghter near Tarakan.

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A-hunting we will go:

[ADMIRALPOOLIO]

After have stumbling upon WITP and buying it about 10 months ago (talking in months is not a bad thing if you choose to play this game is it?) I was compelled to learn more, this lead to reading the historic AAR of the great destroyer Hibiki. I read it exclusively on my hour commute to (sometimes had to get a peek at lunch as I was playin catchup) and the hour from work. Excellant work cuttlefish.

As I'm new here I will bother none of you any further with my blatherness after this. Am currently getting up to speed with AE against the AI (all of the above contributors led to the sudden demise of the USN in my previous WITP game) yes I felt bad about it and the old lady just cant stand the fact I sank the Enterprise. But you play to win afterall. Will be looking for a competent opponent who has the guts to harness the arsenal of democracy against my japanese horde.

[ny59giants]

CF - What is your sub disposition in the North Pacific??

While there is so much to do in AE, a Japanese player can easily overlook the role of her subs. A few outside the PBY range around Hawaii to the north and south should be SOP, IMO.

[stldiver]

I agree with your opinion of the Queen Elizabeth.

In my PBEM the KB caught it at Noumea. When it poped up on the screen my first impressions were, What a god awful big transport, what is it.

Then Dam it looks good. Fortunatly for me the pilots had no reservations putting it under for 70 pts.

Once again a definatly pretty ship, and an eye opener when first spotting.

[Mike Solli]

Cuttlefish, what is the current composition of KB?  Looking forward to this battle.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Cuttlefish, what is the current composition of KB?  Looking forward to this battle.

Mike, KB is still in its original composition, six carriers plus Hiei and Kirishima. If I assume that Enterprise is out of the picture for the moment then Q-Ball probably has three or four carriers heading for home.

One nice break for me is that a large replenishment task force was coming down from Kwajalein to meet KB when this happened, so I have simply diverted them a bit east. This means my carriers can burn some fuel trying to intercept Q-Ball's raiders.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

CF - What is your sub disposition in the North Pacific??

While there is so much to do in AE, a Japanese player can easily overlook the role of her subs. A few outside the PBY range around Hawaii to the north and south should be SOP, IMO.

Right now I have five submarines operating north or northwest of Hawaii - if you peer closely at my map you can pick out their locations. I have ordered all of them to new patrol lines running southwest to northeast, some going nearly as far up as the Aleutians, in an effort to detect his returning carriers (and if I got another lucky hit like I got on Enterprise I would not complain at all).

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]…saved for another day
Saved for hunger and wounds and heat
For slow exhaustion and grim retreat
For a wasted hope and sure defeat…[/font]
- Lieutenant Henry G. Lee, on Bataan

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2/19/42 – 2/21/42

Kido Butai has made its closest approach to Midway and Johnston Island and, as far as I can tell anyway, has not been detected. By next turn they will be northwest of Hawaii and in intercept position.

Will the American carriers be where I think they will? They expended a fair number of torpedoes in their attack on my shipping; how many do they have left? I have ordered KB off of stealth mode as of the last turn. What happens if they first run into some dinky supply convoy heading for Midway or if American submarines in the area suddenly start getting spotted by Vals? It’s a big risk, but not as big as having the two carrier forces collide while KB is blind. The weather in the area, by the way, is reported as clear skies.

Conquests: in the last week Japan has captured Singapore, Port Moresby, Mandalay, and Clark Field, which fell on 21 February. Invasion forces approach Koepang and within two or three turns the invasion of Java and Sumatra will begin. On Luzon the battered remains of the Allied army shelter behind the Abucay Line but Q-Ball does not seem to hold much hope that they can resist long. The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere is rapidly becoming a reality.

I really want to take Palembang as intact as possible. It has been my observation in WITP that facilities take much less damage when the defending garrison surrenders than when they are forced to retreat. I’m not positive this is actually the case but I’m going on the assumption that it is. The plan for eastern Sumatra, accordingly, calls for landings at Oosthaven and Benkoelen, followed by an envelopment of Palembang. Simultaneous landings will occur on western Java to secure the Sunda Strait.

When this campaign concludes, mopping up aside, I will occupy roughly the territory that Japan actually occupied in WWII (with the addition of Port Moresby and a few atolls in the Central Pacific and minus part of the Aleutians). I guess what happens then largely depends on the outcome of the pending carrier duel (if one actually occurs!).

These are the sort of turns that make you pace while you wait for them.

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Updated situation in the Central Pacific:

[Cuttlefish]

The Japanese invasion plan for Sumatra:

[d0mbo]

Here's hoping you teach those pesky american carriers a lesson. Let's see how they fare against a TF that CAN fire back!

Keep us posted!