Tale of the Sheep! - JocMeister (A) vs. Lowpe (J)

[Bullwinkle58]

Don't send the RN BBs in. Please. They will be Long Lanced and eaten alive by the IJN BBs. As many withdraw you also will face the too-broken issue if they get mauled. I know there is a desire to Do Something. That isn't it. The RN BBs are no match for multiple BBs and the Japanese CAs.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Don't send the RN BBs in. Please. They will be Long Lanced and eaten alive by the IJN BBs. As many withdraw you also will face the too-broken issue if they get mauled. I know there is a desire to Do Something. That isn't it. The RN BBs are no match for multiple BBs and the Japanese CAs.

Yeah, pretty much what instinct tells me too.

How about Force Z and a couple of RN CAs? I´m thinking they could do quite well on a good day. Not the best night EXP though and I can´t go in by day.

[Lokasenna]

I wouldn't engage that force. What's the point? Your ships aren't upgraded yet. Save them for 1943 and 1944 when they can win with better equipment and greater weight of forces.

The calculus I do is as follows:
1) Would you really miss Force Z later, when you're advancing? My guess is yes. So what would you gain by risking them? To 2...

2) What would happen for him if he's missing a Kongo or a few cruisers? It wouldn't really stall his advance, correct? The entire purpose of the IJN in this initial phase is to put a hurting on the Allied navies, but the real advancing happens under air umbrellas and with troops. The IJN is also there to protect landings, but with proper air support (read: torpedo Netties) he can make it inadvisable for you to try to use surface forces to interdict almost any landing he's going to want to do.


Now, if he's out in the middle of the Indian Ocean with those guys and you want to try a combined strike on them with SCTF and air forces, that's another thing... but if he's just covering the coast, I don't see how you can win that battle at this point in time. You'd just be frittering away naval resources at a time when you don't need to.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I wouldn't engage that force. What's the point? Your ships aren't upgraded yet. Save them for 1943 and 1944 when they can win with better equipment and greater weight of forces.

The calculus I do is as follows:
1) Would you really miss Force Z later, when you're advancing? My guess is yes. So what would you gain by risking them? To 2...

2) What would happen for him if he's missing a Kongo or a few cruisers? It wouldn't really stall his advance, correct? The entire purpose of the IJN in this initial phase is to put a hurting on the Allied navies, but the real advancing happens under air umbrellas and with troops. The IJN is also there to protect landings, but with proper air support (read: torpedo Netties) he can make it inadvisable for you to try to use surface forces to interdict almost any landing he's going to want to do.


Now, if he's out in the middle of the Indian Ocean with those guys and you want to try a combined strike on them with SCTF and air forces, that's another thing... but if he's just covering the coast, I don't see how you can win that battle at this point in time. You'd just be frittering away naval resources at a time when you don't need to.

You are right. Its not the time and place. I´m mostly just trying to find some VPs where I can but this is the wrong place.

I´ll pull back and look for better opportunities. [:)]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Havta ask why you are using Manilla as a base for the subs?

On December 8th I reassign every sub at Manilla to a new home base at Soerbaja as they sortie from Manilla.

Even the S-boats can operate in the PI with a home base of Soerbaja.

Only after that home base has to displace further away do the S-boats lose the ability to operate in the PI.

Sorry Hans. Completely forgot to answer this.

Manila is by FAR the closest base I have. It quite handily also have almost 100k fuel. To rebase them would mean they would have to go back to Brisbane to reamarm and Townesville if they only need to refuel.

Java was lost 2 months ago. But Nick/Jeff bypassed Lyzon which allows me to operate subs from Manila.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Havta ask why you are using Manilla as a base for the subs?

On December 8th I reassign every sub at Manilla to a new home base at Soerbaja as they sortie from Manilla.

Even the S-boats can operate in the PI with a home base of Soerbaja.

Only after that home base has to displace further away do the S-boats lose the ability to operate in the PI.

Sorry Hans. Completely forgot to answer this.

Manila is by FAR the closest base I have. It quite handily also have almost 100k fuel. To rebase them would mean they would have to go back to Brisbane to reamarm and Townesville if they only need to refuel.

Java was lost 2 months ago. But Nick/Jeff bypassed Lyzon which allows me to operate subs from Manila.

Given he wants to bomb Manila, combined with the risk of forgetting a sub and finding her fuel-starved to the north of the PI and out of range of Townsville or Brisbane, I'd re-base them now and save them for ops around Oz. But that's me. I loves me some subs. [:'(]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
Given he wants to bomb Manila, combined with the risk of forgetting a sub and finding her fuel-starved to the north of the PI and out of range of Townsville or Brisbane, I'd re-base them now and save them for ops around Oz. But that's me. I loves me some subs. [:'(]

Can´t tell you how many times I watched my subs crawling back at 1/1 while SYS slowly rises...And yes it will happen in this game too! [:D]

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
Given he wants to bomb Manila, combined with the risk of forgetting a sub and finding her fuel-starved to the north of the PI and out of range of Townsville or Brisbane, I'd re-base them now and save them for ops around Oz. But that's me. I loves me some subs. [:'(]

Can´t tell you how many times I watched my subs crawling back at 1/1 while SYS slowly rises...And yes it will happen in this game too! [:D]

I have 5 right now in my game[8|]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
Given he wants to bomb Manila, combined with the risk of forgetting a sub and finding her fuel-starved to the north of the PI and out of range of Townsville or Brisbane, I'd re-base them now and save them for ops around Oz. But that's me. I loves me some subs. [:'(]

Can´t tell you how many times I watched my subs crawling back at 1/1 while SYS slowly rises...And yes it will happen in this game too! [:D]

I was looking for a great "newbie!" rant from Dr. Cox, but I found this one and I think you might appreciate it given your domestic situation. [:)]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs_ahbs7ys

[Encircled]

still my favourite Dr Cox moment

Cox "Its me!"

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
Given he wants to bomb Manila, combined with the risk of forgetting a sub and finding her fuel-starved to the north of the PI and out of range of Townsville or Brisbane, I'd re-base them now and save them for ops around Oz. But that's me. I loves me some subs. [:'(]

Can´t tell you how many times I watched my subs crawling back at 1/1 while SYS slowly rises...And yes it will happen in this game too! [:D]

I was looking for a great "newbie!" rant from Dr. Cox, but I found this one and I think you might appreciate it given your domestic situation. [:)]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs_ahbs7ys

Harr harr. Very funny! [:D]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

still my favourite Dr Cox moment

Cox "Its me!"

Thats pretty much me when I win an argument at home... [:D]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

still my favourite Dr Cox moment

Cox "Its me!"

In honor of the baseball playoffs, this is in my Top-5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-fq2mtoADo

[Bullwinkle58]

Oh, BTW. Thread count +1! [8D]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Oh, BTW. Thread count +1! [8D]

[:D]

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]May 2nd-3rd[/font]
______________________________________________________________________________

I´ll try a little longer overview kind of update. Hopefully the kids will allow me to....

------------------------
NORPAC
------------------------
The Japanese are back in full swing again on the 3rd. This time the AA does well and shoots down 15 planes. Another day in the "red" for the Japanese. For future reference I´ll leave out the "from a VP perspective" from now on. You all know what I mean by now I hope? [:)]

I see lots of traffic coming and going in NORPAC. I don´t have any recon to check out exactly what happens but I think Jeff is starting to pull troops out from NORPAC. If I´m right I need to figure out where they are going.

Allied fighters are reforming in SF and will be ready for another engagement in a couple of days. This time the USMC will join in giving me a total of almost 300 Fighters. All with decent pilots. Sadly I´ll lose the P-38 squadron with its 17 planes to Europe in 2 weeks. [:(]

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SOPAC
------------------------
The fleet is almost upgraded and ready. Logistics wise I don´t think I have ever been this in such good shape down here. 1,1 million supply and 350k fuel in Sydney right now. Not bad! [:)]

My fueling stations in SOPAC is soon topped off. Vavau will be operational in about 2 months which should speed things up considerably. My small roadblocks have turned into quite formidable obstacles and growing each week.

I´ll begin small offensive OPS here in July or possibly even June. The objective will be to force Jeff to start diverting assets down here.

I´m feeling very secure in OZ right now and I think the Japanese window is gone. Troops and engineers are starting to redeploy to Townsville which will be expanded and turned into a major base. Next stop PM? [:)]

------------------------
India
------------------------
Jeff cuts the rail between Calcutta and sothern part of India. Everything got out short of a Indian BDE and some battered BFs and battalions from Burma. They will now hide in the mountains while we prepare the counter attack.

AV at Calcutta jumps to 3500. Forts should reach 6 shortly. Most troops have 100% prep for Calcutta already. I´m lacking eyes here as the recon squadron is run to the ground by high FAT. They have been resting at Madras but recover slowly. I want to counter attack here but need more knowledge of Japanese troops in the area. I still think Jeff is way too thin here but need confirmation. 2nd British and 32nd US will arrive in about 60 days. 75 P40Es arrive in 12 days giving me a good boost in the air.

------------------------
China
------------------------
I think Jeff is suffering a bit of a supply problems on the Ankang road. Only bombardments during the last week. He is grinding me down faster then I can recover though. Chungking goes into red for the first time of the war... [:(]

I hate China. If you at least had a chance....

------------------------
Luzon/DEI
------------------------
What the hell is a 6th Guards Division?! Never seen one before? Anyway Jeff have just reached Clark Field but have brought far to little. He will need to hold here until he can bring more in. Never thought I´d still be on Luzon in 5/42.

O24 sinks a Japanese xAK outside Cam Rahn Bay. 8 more VPs. [:)]

------------------------
Strategic musings...
------------------------
I don´t think Jeff is happy with how NORPAC is turning out. While his strategic bombing nets some VPs (600 so far) its actually bringing him further and further away from AV for each day. He has lost probably 300-400 planes in the bombing campaign so far and its growing for each day.

Personally I think he is starting to pull out. My guess is that he thinks things will be easier in India or OZ/SOPAC and will start moving his IDs there. Too late for any of those to succeed though I´m certain.

Still feeling optimistic about my situation. [:)]

[BBfanboy]

IIRC, 6th Guards is a newly raised division with green troops and unfilled TOE - less than 50% I think. If he deployed it he is desperate for ground troops and will likely bring the NorPac troops to Luzon to clean up the mess. All part of the opportunity cost of going too far too fast in the first few months.

Suggestion for your strategic musings - if you get parity or superiority on the sea before you have to launch, you could consider leaving PH alone and reach down from SFO to Midway, Wake, Eniwetok and the Marshalls or Kusaie/Ponape. Lots of water here so it would be a naval campaign more so than the slog up from the south, but you could trap a lot of troops at PH. The naval battles will be vicious but you will be getting more replacements than the IJN...

From the Japanese perspective, once you have Midway he needs to guard against attacks on the Aleutians, Kuriles and Hokkaido. Once you have Wake, he needs to guard Marcus, the Marianas and Truk. He can only really strike back by committing to a naval battle he doesn't want.

[Bullwinkle58]

It's a naval game . . .

[Lokasenna]

You do have a chance in China... to get out [:'(]. Your only real option for productive operations in China is to keep an eye on what the Japanese are doing, and try to give them a costly defeat or two. And you might be able to pick off advances that are too audacious for what the Japanese are sending. That's about it.

[JeffroK]

------------------------
India
------------------------
Jeff cuts the rail between Calcutta and sothern part of India. Everything got out short of a Indian BDE and some battered BFs and battalions from Burma. They will now hide in the mountains while we prepare the counter attack.

I hope you mean "Game map south of Calcutta", otherwise you are in deep doo doo!

[JocMeister]

Bad hangover today...I´ll try to get an update up later tonight....