Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

I'd rather stick with funky weird ship names than enter the editor. That is a "no go zone" for me.

[Canoerebel]

3/6/44

Strategic Map: Very little combat or armed conflict today, as Erik and I perpetrate a false war and try to figure out what we're doing and what the other guy's doing and why all those kids and drunks are waving their arms and running around hooting and yowling. Click fest extraordinaire for me.

[BBfanboy]

After you get him well enmeshed in your next major offensive, it would be interesting to see you take Cocos Is. and Christmas Is. (IO) to threaten the DEI from that direction. He would have a hard time pulling together the forces needed to take them back without creating weakness somewhere else!
As always, Japan just cannot cover everything.

[Canoerebel]

Thanks, BB. That's a good idea.

I also took note of crsutton's suggestion of a carrier raid on DEI oil targets.

[witpqs]

Dan, You realize you are dominating the AAR section?! [:D]

[Canoerebel]

Entropy. It's the natural order of things.

[Canoerebel]

3/6/44

Allied Ship Losses: The losses look light in every category except BBs. And even BBs are fine.

[Canoerebel]

3/6/44

Allied Fleet Carriers: The Allied fleet carrier OOB is pretty powerful. Japan has lost more fleet carriers than the Allies have. Since this is a Scenario 1 match, that's significant. It's as though there was a historical Battle of Midway....or better.

But there are a few fleet carrier that need time in the yards. I'll probably want those "fixed" before doing anything deep. In the meantime, though, the Allies should be able to carry on with operations on the frontiers.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel



Does it require an command HQ to upgrade squads and devices? I thought a supplied base would work. Teach me, as this will be important.

As best I can tell, there are only two non-static command HQ in the entire SEAC theater: Southeast Asia (British) and Y Force (Chinese). They both happen to be in the same jungle hex near Prome. They are within 9 hexes of Akyab, where I have sufficient supply (22k) for upgrade purposes. Is proximity sufficient or does a command HQ have to be at Akyab?

I don't remember the specifics in terms of what the range is (2 * command radius?), but I'm pretty sure that a Command HQ is required to upgrade the TOE.

Unsure about devices.

I am upgrading TOE in Rangoon and Pegu and the only HQ around are 14th Army and some corp and air. SE Asia is in Calcutta or Chittagong. And my American base forces are upgrading TOE everywhere on a somewhat random basis but upgrading none the less. Seems like base size and supply are the biggest factors. Every American infantry unit has upgraded TOE on schedule and they are scattered all over the place.

But I am a bit careless at times and it could be that they are were in range of a HQ at the right time.

I think 14th Army might be a command HQ, though? I know there's an American one that shows up that isn't a "theater" HQ.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Dan, You realize you are dominating the AAR section?! [:D]

Enablers.

[Canoerebel]

3/7/44

Erik is out today. John is out of town this weekend. So both games are getting a lot of scrutiny.

Diego Garcia: To this point I don't see any evidence that Erik the Emperor has any notions of going on the offensive in 1944. And there aren't many places around the map that would trouble me if he did go on the offensive. But Midway and Diego Garcia are two that would. Midway just got a second Marine defense battalion. Diego Garcia is about to get an East African brigade. While I don't anticipate enemy invasion, these bases are vital. I need broad avenues without lurking enemy patrols when the time comes to move somewhere deep in strength.

[BBfanboy]

Hmmm - the stacking limit on DG is 60,000 - enough to use it to accumulate troops for a good-sized op somewhere without prying eyes on them.

[Canoerebel]

3/7/44

Ramree Island: Ideally, the Allies would be well served to bring in tons of supply to Ramree, then allowing it to trickle inland to the troops.

Well, lookee here - Ramree is a level three port! That's some infrastructure (thanks to Historiker and/or SqzMyLemon).

[Major Shane]

Discovered this AAR today. Great read. Count me in as subscribed.[:)]

[Canoerebel]

Thanks for reading, Shane (and all others who pop in).

[Canoerebel]

I've been comparing the situation in this game March '44 with the situation in my game with John III as of the same date. In that game, the Allies had an advanced position and marked carrier superiority at the expense of troop numbers and lift capacity (merchant ships). I needed to close with Japan for strategic bombing purposes and I could see holes in the enemy's defenses.

In this game, the Allies have a disadvantageous position, comparatively speaking. The have carrier superiority that's significant and have far more troops and immensely more lift capacity. I need to close with Japan for strategic bombing purposes and I don't know if my opponent is the kind to leave holes in his defenses.

Can I find holes?

If not is there a way to overcome an apparent lack of holes?

Or should I use Joseph's massive base of operations and continue along one or both vectors he was taking (DEI and CePac/SwPac)?

[BillBrown]

You may not find holes in obverts defense, you would then have to make your own holes.

[Canoerebel]

The odds are there are holes somewhere - or at least weaknesses in the parchment. The map is too big for Erik to cover over possible base (I hope). So if I can sleuth out a likely weakness or two or six....there's a tactic that's available in this game that's prohibited by House Rules in most games: the non-base invasion (I have to double-check that - I still don't have a complete copy of the HR as amended). So, say I get good information to believe that a base is weakly defended or vulnerable in some way...a vulnerability that Erik intended to address by the ability to rail in troops prior to invasion. By landing small detachments, the Allies might be able to cut off rail access to that base.

But if Erik does have the map covered it's gonna be darned hard to find likely places.

[JeffroK]

At some point the Allies have to bite the bullet and create a hole. Holding the Rabaul area gives you a solid base with good airfields and ports, but does direct your line of approach to certain sectors.

IMVHO, you need to create a threat that has to be reacted to and draw any reserve such as KB away from your real threat. Whether this is the North Pacific, Burma, DEI or Central Pacific is up to you, have fun.

[Bif1961]

Good luck I am sure you will give him the run for his life.