Pissing against the wind/1Eyedjacks(A) vs Nemo121(J) ** Closed to Nemo121 **

[1EyedJacks]

Hi all,

I'm waiting on the 1st turn plus the new version of this mod (Ver 1.3) from Nemo121 but thought I'd set up my AAR and list the current house rules. The last few rules at the bottom of the list provide for some interesting preporations for the Allied side. December 7 Suprise on seems to basically kill any allied CAP (even if you have CAP set @ 100% - right? So I'm thinking about pulling all of my air units out of primary targets that I think Nemo121 will hit on turn 1 - Like Singapore, Clark, Manila, and PH. It looks to me like those bases will get pounded no matter if I have a CAP of 500 fighters or a CAP of 0 fighters - right?

Something else I was considering was carrier tactics. I'm thinking about just using my carriers as raiding units with 2-3 carriers in a TF plus whatever AAA support I can get to add into the TFs. Nemo will have a few well-armored CVs early in the war like the Yamato. Bombs will just bounce off of those CVs and his BBs. I'm thinking about pulling the DBs from the carriers and replacing them with fighter units and TB units. Does anyone see any cons to this idea?

This is an all-out-anything goes game - something I'm not used to. Thoughts and ideas for jumping into this type of game would be greatly appreciated. I've exclusively played Japan up until this game with Nemo121 as I've always liked to play the under-dawg.



House Rules – Empire’s Ablaze

Victory Determination
1. A points determined auto victory is disregarded.
2. A direct Allied victory by force of arms is achieved after (a) recapturing most of its lost colonies, (b) capturing a significant part of Japan's overseas empire, and (c) capturing Tokyo.
3. A direct Japanese victory by force of arms is achieved after (a) liberating most of the Allied colonies, (b) retaining its overseas empire intact, and (c) capturing Salt Lake City.
4. Either player may surrender unconditionally if he is of the view that he cannot prevent his opponent from achieving a direct victory by force of arms.
5. A draw ensues if the scenario ends before victory is determined.

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

Operational Use Prohibited Due to lack of Available Counter-measures
10. Aircraft will not deploy mines.
11. The Japanese G9M aircraft is not to be assigned the mission port attack.
12. The Japanese Ki-264 Behemoth bomber is not to fly below 20,000 feet.

Empires Ablaze Game Balance for Allied Survival in 1942
13. Japanese units may never attack, enter, or capture Aden.
14. Japanese units may never attack, enter or capture the two Soviet bases Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk, nor any Soviet units located at these two bases.
15. Japanese units are not permitted to cut the Trans-Siberian Railway line betwen Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk.

Acceptable Play
16. With the exception of the Allied bases listed in #9, #15 and #16 above, all other bases may be attacked, entered or captured by either player.
17. Sub/para drops only on dot beach/base hexes are allowed provided the entire LCU/air transport unit participates. Drops of only a few squads, or outside of dot beach/base hexes are not permitted.
18. Until fighting breaks out between the Soviet Union and Japan, the Western Allies may use Soviet airfields to refuel airplanes in transit but may not use Soviet ports to refuel or resupply naval assets.
19. Political Points ("PPs") are to be paid by LCU/LBA to operate away from their assigned geographic territorial command.
20. PPs are to be paid by units before they commence their movement to a base operated by their new command. Units which are in transit to a base of their new command may, whilst temporarily located at a base operated by a different command, respond to enemy activity without the need to expend PPs but will expend new PPs if they do no proceed with their movement to a base of their assigned command.
21. Naval Task Force may replenish at any port sized 3 or greater.

Malacca Strait
22. Possession of Singapore (hex 22,51) prevents all enemy surface ships from transiting or remaining in the following hexes:

(22,50) Johore Bahru
(21,51)
(22,51) Singapore

Enemy submarines may transit or remain in the above hexes.

7th December 1941 turn only
23. Japanese sea invasions, which approach the aerial reconned invasion site from international waters and sail from nearby Japanese bases, are permitted.
24. The Allies cannot expend PPs.
25. The Allies may redeploy LCU/LBA within their existing territorial commands. Both sides will be allowed to have their LBA accept pilots and reinforcements
26. Allied ships "anchored" in ports smaller than size 3 may be formed into Task Forces. Allied warships (not TK/AP/AK) already in a TF are allowed to have their orders changed.
27. Allied naval Task Forces may be given new orders to sail provided such orders do not entail attacking a Japanese base or moving to a base owned by another Allied country.

[ny59giants]

I've sent Nemo a list of FP issues for both sides, more with the Allies last night. The issue is CL, CA, BB having either no FP assigned to that ship which has ac capacity (most errata found here) or a ship with a FP assigned, but no ac capacity.
 
Over the weekend, I got him to convert the 3 Barracuda Class subs to "Glen Carriers" and thus the Allies will have a few FP equipped subs. [:D]  Dome ideas to follow on these later, but I want to use them in my game first.
 
So, I don't know if he has started a turn before these changes have come out. I'm waiting for a reply to my PM (want the updated files so I can do a restart with Damian). I was going to read his AAR, but he has me down as an Advisor, so I cannot. [:(]  So, I guess I'll try to help you not get your bacon fried too crispy. [:D]

[Alfred]

1EyedJacks,
 
I have been incommunicado for about 10 days and when I get an opportunity to briefly poke my head here, I see I have been nominated as an advisor to you without prior notification.  Well assuming you want some initial comments, here goes.
 
1.  You must use the Soviets.  Whether you cross the border with LCU depends on your overall objectives but you must use the Soviet air force to:
(a) attrite the enemy
(b) discourage him from redeploying air units to more critical areas
(c) utilise the MiG-3 before the Ki-109 Mike becomes available
 
2.  Yes, redeploy your aircraft is a must but you will find suitable in range airfields to be limited.  On day 1 he will concentrate on destroying your anchored ships at Manila, perhaps Vladivostok if he wants to neutralise the Soviets, Singapore, Palembang and of course Pearl Harbor.  Airfield attacks at these locations will be secondary.  I would therefore:
(a) not disperse air from Pearl Harbor, force him to maintain his air offensive and suffer heavily from AA
(b) send Dutch fighters to Palembang to hit his unescorted bombers
(c) place all Dutch and British bombers to a max range of 1 and with fighter escorts - you do not want them slaughtered by his CV cap (his CV will stand off a few hexes away from the main Malaya/Java airbases) but instead hitting his invasion AP/AK
(d) leave at least 1 B-17 unit at Clark so that you can launch ASAP a city attack, at max altitude, against Japanese industry to make him wary about redeploying defensive fighter units.  Also it is better for you to have him bombing Clark rather than Manila
 
3.  If this were my game, I would not be swapping out DB from CV and replacing them with TB and fighters because:
(a) I personally find swapping out carrier trained units with carrier capable units to be gamey.  IRL unless you are stationed on a carrier and continuously practicing take offs and landings, then you are incapable of operating from CV
(b) all air strikes against the KB/mini KB will suffer horrendous losses in Dec/Jan, thus you need to spread your losses amongst your different air types
(c) DB are not useless - they are strong against AP/AK/DD etc and you are planning to use your carriers as raiders, aren't you?  Also each DB that penetrates CAP (and they are no worse than TB in doing so) will force the enemy TF to consume fuel - any bombs dropped are merely a bonus.
(d) have a mix of DB and TB on your CV means your aircraft will approach at different heights.  At this early stage, your best chance to minimise air losses and to get leakers is to force his cap to cope with strikes approaching at quite different altitudes
 
4.  Under no circumstandes operate your CV TF with more than 100 palnes in 1941 and 1942.  That means USN CV TF must be limited to only one CV per TF.  Instead have mutiple single CV TF in the same hex.
 
5.  You need to actively use your Chinese land and air units too (see point 1 above).
 
6.  Get a small TF up to Alaska ASAP to hit any invasion TF up there.  It will be quite safe as long as the KB is at Pearl Harbor.  If you are lucky he might be annoyed and temporarily move his KB, thus giving you respite at Pearl to sneak in supplies.
 
Hope this helps.  I won't be able to give detailed attention to WITP for a few more days but will drop in briefly to see what is happening.
 
Alfred  

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

I'm thinking about pulling the DBs from the carriers and replacing them with fighter units and TB units. Does anyone see any cons to this idea?

Sounds like a plan.

I did a test ages ago with a Royal Navy CVTF versus a Japanese CVTF with a 1 to 1 ratio of carriers (I think it was 3 v 3, with 1 BB each as backup, in a 15 ship TF using all-British or all-Japanese warships) and the maligned RN carriers with their tiny airgroups are actually, for a day or two at least, entirely on a par with the Japanese ones.

The reasons being

a) massive AAA armament on British carriers
b) armoured decks on Brit ships mean Vals are essentially useless against them
c) British aircraft complement isnt as bad as it first appears - they just scratch the divebombers.
d) Seafires rock

I thought they might do well because I've had a low opinion of dive bombers for ages. Thats pretty much the crux. And you have the same issues - ineffective divebombers. Torpedo bombers are at least twice as effective IMO.

[goodboyladdie]

Good luck Mike. I nearly weighed in with more tips, but realised I might expose some of my thinking from our game if I do! Definitely use the Soviet subs and aircraft. The Pe-2s at high altitude will be a taste of his own medicine and Soviet fighters are the best Allied planes at start. If you can hurt him bad in his own waters early doors, it'll pay off later. And mine, mine, mine - you know how annoying that is...

Do NOT risk your US CVs unneccessarily - you need the threat of them to force him to not take too many risks and you do not get many more until 1943 (they are your sword, LBA is your shield). Just slow him down and make him pay for everything without losing too much. He WILL expose himself to counter punches, so don't go getting your hands cut off for no benefit early on...

[goodboyladdie]

Deleted. Double post in error!

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I've sent Nemo a list of FP issues for both sides, more with the Allies last night. The issue is CL, CA, BB having either no FP assigned to that ship which has ac capacity (most errata found here) or a ship with a FP assigned, but no ac capacity.

Over the weekend, I got him to convert the 3 Barracuda Class subs to "Glen Carriers" and thus the Allies will have a few FP equipped subs. [:D] Dome ideas to follow on these later, but I want to use them in my game first.

So, I don't know if he has started a turn before these changes have come out. I'm waiting for a reply to my PM (want the updated files so I can do a restart with Damian). I was going to read his AAR, but he has me down as an Advisor, so I cannot. [:(] So, I guess I'll try to help you not get your bacon fried too crispy. [:D]

Hi Michael,

Fionn said he was adding updates to the mod based on your findings and has not started T1 yet. I don't know if the "Glen Carriers" are part of what he is upgrading but I do know he is implementing final changes to the mod and will send me out the latest/greatest that we will start the game with within the next couple of days.

I also want to bring up the advisor thing. I would very much like to use you as an advisor. I've read your advice on other AARs and I've found your advice to be well thought out and logical. It also looks like you are well onto becoming a logistics master with the WiTPTracker. You and I have a lot of history together and I've enjoyed both playing with you and discussing WiTP in the many AARs we both frequent.
I don't want to force you into being one of the advisors tho. I'd like you to be one of my advisors and in fact am going to ask you to act in that capacity via private e-mail. But I can certaintly understand if you'd rather not be an advisor so you can have the opportunity of reading both sides of the game from both mine and Nemo's AARs.

What I hope to do with advisors that I bring onto the team is send movie, text, and game files so they can actually see what's going on and have direct input into the game. I was thinking about trying to assign a region (say Russia, China, Australia, as examples) or subjects (like economics) to each advisor to primarily focus on in regards to building up defenses or formulating strategies. But I also hope they will point out and share/discuss any other thoughts/strategies/ideas they come up with rgarding other theatres of the war.

As commander-in-chief I still retain final say but what is important to me is the dialog, coming up with a plan, and then implementing it. And of course, winning is important to me as well. [:D][:D]

[1EyedJacks]

Additional game info:

Russia and Japan will maintain a truce for the first 6 months of the war (until the end of June 1942) - no strings attached.

During the next 6 months of the war (July 1 1942 to January 1 1943) both Japan and Russia are guranteed a two week notice prior to either side launching any type of an offensive.

After 12 months of war all bets are off - either side can go at the drop of a hat.


1.The game will go ahead under V1.3x (which wil incorperate some last minute changes/corrections)
2. Combat animations and Summaries are ON
3. Sub Ops are OFF
4. Automatic upgrade of air groups and pilot and plane replacements are OFF
5. Set all facilities to expand should be OFF.
6. Surprise is ON
7. Setup is UNVARIED
8. PDU ON
9. Sub Doctrine OFF
10. FOW and Allied damage control are ON.
11. Historical first turn OFF.
12. Advanced Weather is OFF

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks


This is an all-out-anything goes game - something I'm not used to. Thoughts and ideas for jumping into this type of game would be greatly appreciated. I've exclusively played Japan up until this game with Nemo121 as I've always liked to play the under-dawg.

And you're the under-dog now, given Nemo121 has lots of experience both with this mod and in general. Except, possibly, for the following consideration:

3. A direct Japanese victory by force of arms is achieved after (a) liberating most of the Allied colonies, (b) retaining its overseas empire intact, and (c) capturing Salt Lake City.

I see exactly two possibilities:

1) You actually meant San Francisco.

2) A direct Japanese victory is impossible.

On piece of advice: the Me-264 bomber was used to considerable effect in a previous AAR. It would become especially deadly when equipped with glide-bombs, but I don't expect this game to last long enough for that to happen. Nonetheless, you will want to protect your rear bases with CAP when they are within Me-264 range. They needn't be first-rate fighters if the range is beyond Zero escort, but they will need serious firepower. (The .303-gunned Hurricanes will not be up to the job!)

[goodboyladdie]

"On piece of advice: the Me-264 bomber was used to considerable effect in a previous AAR. It would become especially deadly when equipped with glide-bombs, but I don't expect this game to last long enough for that to happen. Nonetheless, you will want to protect your rear bases with CAP when they are within Me-264 range. They needn't be first-rate fighters if the range is beyond Zero escort, but they will need serious firepower. (The .303-gunned Hurricanes will not be up to the job!)"


Sounds like a good use for P-39s and that big cannon!

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

1EyedJacks,

I have been incommunicado for about 10 days and when I get an opportunity to briefly poke my head here, I see I have been nominated as an advisor to you without prior notification.  Well assuming you want some initial comments, here goes.

Hi Alfred, Nemo121 recommended you as an advisor as he holds your thoughts/insights in high esteem. I did not realize he had forced you and Michael (NYGiants59) into being my advisors as it has been my intent to ASK both of you to serve on the allied side in that capacity. Has Fionn actually banned both of you from his AAR? In any event, please expect a PM from me asking for your assistance and insights as I work my way through this war. This will be my first time playing as the allies so I appreciate any tips and insights you and others might have in this battle. Should you not wish to be an advisor for the allies I will inform Nemo so he should have no issues with you accessing his private AAR.

What I hope to do with advisors that I bring onto the team is send movie, text, and game files so they can actually see what's going on and have direct input into the game. I was thinking about trying to assign a region (say Russia, China, Australia, as examples) or subjects (like economics) to each advisor to primarily focus on in regards to building up defenses or formulating strategies. But I also hope they will point out and share/discuss any other thoughts/strategies/ideas they come up with rgarding other theatres of the war.

As commander-in-chief I still retain final say but what is important to me is the dialog, coming up with a plan, and then implementing it. And of course, winning is important to me as well. [:D][:D]

1.  You must use the Soviets.  Whether you cross the border with LCU depends on your overall objectives but you must use the Soviet air force to:
(a) attrite the enemy
(b) discourage him from redeploying air units to more critical areas
(c) utilise the MiG-3 before the Ki-109 Mike becomes available

2.  Yes, redeploy your aircraft is a must but you will find suitable in range airfields to be limited.  On day 1 he will concentrate on destroying your anchored ships at Manila, perhaps Vladivostok if he wants to neutralise the Soviets, Singapore, Palembang and of course Pearl Harbor.  Airfield attacks at these locations will be secondary.  I would therefore:
(a) not disperse air from Pearl Harbor, force him to maintain his air offensive and suffer heavily from AA
(b) send Dutch fighters to Palembang to hit his unescorted bombers
(c) place all Dutch and British bombers to a max range of 1 and with fighter escorts - you do not want them slaughtered by his CV cap (his CV will stand off a few hexes away from the main Malaya/Java airbases) but instead hitting his invasion AP/AK
(d) leave at least 1 B-17 unit at Clark so that you can launch ASAP a city attack, at max altitude, against Japanese industry to make him wary about redeploying defensive fighter units.  Also it is better for you to have him bombing Clark rather than Manila

3.  If this were my game, I would not be swapping out DB from CV and replacing them with TB and fighters because:
(a) I personally find swapping out carrier trained units with carrier capable units to be gamey.  IRL unless you are stationed on a carrier and continuously practicing take offs and landings, then you are incapable of operating from CV
(b) all air strikes against the KB/mini KB will suffer horrendous losses in Dec/Jan, thus you need to spread your losses amongst your different air types
(c) DB are not useless - they are strong against AP/AK/DD etc and you are planning to use your carriers as raiders, aren't you?  Also each DB that penetrates CAP (and they are no worse than TB in doing so) will force the enemy TF to consume fuel - any bombs dropped are merely a bonus.
(d) have a mix of DB and TB on your CV means your aircraft will approach at different heights.  At this early stage, your best chance to minimise air losses and to get leakers is to force his cap to cope with strikes approaching at quite different altitudes

4.  Under no circumstandes operate your CV TF with more than 100 palnes in 1941 and 1942.  That means USN CV TF must be limited to only one CV per TF.  Instead have mutiple single CV TF in the same hex.

5.  You need to actively use your Chinese land and air units too (see point 1 above).

6.  Get a small TF up to Alaska ASAP to hit any invasion TF up there.  It will be quite safe as long as the KB is at Pearl Harbor.  If you are lucky he might be annoyed and temporarily move his KB, thus giving you respite at Pearl to sneak in supplies.

1. I concur with this assessment but will be slightly hindered based on a previous agreement with Nemo (see additional info that I posted). My intent with a 6 month cease-fire is to protect my air and naval assets and redeploy my LCUs prior to any open hostilities. It is my intent to engage Nemo on the Russian front as I want to keep him heavily engaged but I also want to prep my defenses and store supplies/oil/fuel.
2a. My experience with Dec 7th Surprise on is that PH is gunna have have a poor defense no matter what I have flying CAP. If I move most of my assets out of PH and run LRCAP I should be in good stead for future attacks after T1. While I would consider this tactic very gamey against other opponents I feel certain that this is not only acceptable against Nemo but expected.
2d. Very cool idea <laughter>! I never would have thought of this – TY.
3. Again with 3a – I think Nemo expects this and I have seen him discuss and recommend this action in other ARRs. Also, I’ve seen the new class of CVs like the Yamato that comes out in 6 days – bombs will bounce off of the flight deck on that flat top. In regard to 3d, in my previous games I’ve never really noticed a difference in flack losses from a coordinated TB/DB attack vs a single attack of either TBs or DBs. Have you?
4. Why do you say this? Can you give me the pros and cons?
5. Again I concur.
6. Very good idea. I will look at the assets available for T1 and see what I can deploy.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: goodboyladdie

Good luck Mike. I nearly weighed in with more tips, but realised I might expose some of my thinking from our game if I do! Definitely use the Soviet subs and aircraft. The Pe-2s at high altitude will be a taste of his own medicine and Soviet fighters are the best Allied planes at start. If you can hurt him bad in his own waters early doors, it'll pay off later. And mine, mine, mine - you know how annoying that is...

Does that mean you would not like to take on a role as advisor? [:D] Seriously tho - I plan to ask you but also know your schedule and would understand if you think this would conflict with our current game or take up too much of your time.

Do NOT risk your US CVs unneccessarily - you need the threat of them to force him to not take too many risks and you do not get many more until 1943 (they are your sword, LBA is your shield). Just slow him down and make him pay for everything without losing too much. He WILL expose himself to counter punches, so don't go getting your hands cut off for no benefit early on...

I hear you on this - but I do want to make Nemo a little nervous if I can <grin>.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks


This is an all-out-anything goes game - something I'm not used to. Thoughts and ideas for jumping into this type of game would be greatly appreciated. I've exclusively played Japan up until this game with Nemo121 as I've always liked to play the under-dawg.

And you're the under-dog now, given Nemo121 has lots of experience both with this mod and in general. Except, possibly, for the following consideration:

3. A direct Japanese victory by force of arms is achieved after (a) liberating most of the Allied colonies, (b) retaining its overseas empire intact, and (c) capturing Salt Lake City.

I see exactly two possibilities:

1) You actually meant San Francisco.

2) A direct Japanese victory is impossible.

On piece of advice: the Me-264 bomber was used to considerable effect in a previous AAR. It would become especially deadly when equipped with glide-bombs, but I don't expect this game to last long enough for that to happen. Nonetheless, you will want to protect your rear bases with CAP when they are within Me-264 range. They needn't be first-rate fighters if the range is beyond Zero escort, but they will need serious firepower. (The .303-gunned Hurricanes will not be up to the job!)

<laughter> I never thought of myself as the under-dog in this but I C your point. And GBL's thoughts on P-38s sound like fun also. I will need to institute a serious training program for my pilots tho...

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

I'm thinking about pulling the DBs from the carriers and replacing them with fighter units and TB units. Does anyone see any cons to this idea?

Sounds like a plan.

I did a test ages ago with a Royal Navy CVTF versus a Japanese CVTF with a 1 to 1 ratio of carriers (I think it was 3 v 3, with 1 BB each as backup, in a 15 ship TF using all-British or all-Japanese warships) and the maligned RN carriers with their tiny airgroups are actually, for a day or two at least, entirely on a par with the Japanese ones.

The reasons being

a) massive AAA armament on British carriers
b) armoured decks on Brit ships mean Vals are essentially useless against them
c) British aircraft complement isnt as bad as it first appears - they just scratch the divebombers.
d) Seafires rock

I thought they might do well because I've had a low opinion of dive bombers for ages. Thats pretty much the crux. And you have the same issues - ineffective divebombers. Torpedo bombers are at least twice as effective IMO.

Thanks for your thoughts and test info on this. I was just looking at those new CVs for Japan and realized that my DBs are going to be very ineffective against them and the BBs that Nemo will add to the TFs for AAA support.

[ny59giants]

The Russian side, I know very little about. Just don't get stuck with too much down by Vlad to get cut off. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
However, for TBs you have:
Beaufort VII at 44/mo after the two plants&nbsp; repair in 15 days (Aden -15&nbsp;and Melborne -15) plus the 6 at Sydney. You get 8 as replacements. They have a range of 8, but need a level 4 AF (as do all, but your naval TBs). These are one of my favorite Allied planes. [&o]&nbsp;&nbsp; I tend to upgrade highly experienced 8 plane Hudson squadrons to them.
&nbsp;
The Americans&nbsp;get most of, but not all of their B-26A with a default load out of torpedoes, but their range is only 6 hexes. You get 20/mo.
&nbsp;
The Chinese come in with the IL-4 with a range of 11.&nbsp;Yes, you read that right. [:D]&nbsp; However, their experience is in the mid-30 and will have trouble hiting the "broad side of a barn" for some time. You get 14/mo.
&nbsp;
The problems with Allied non-naval TBs is getting their experience above 60 for them to be effective. Thus, some "milk runs" on undefended AF/ports is advised, when possible.
&nbsp;
Your "heavy hitter" is the B-19 with a range of 33/44. They are the counterpart to the Japanese Ki-264. You get 12/mo. You have enough at start (26) to upgrade 2 x 12 plane squadrons of B-17s.&nbsp;I would do so in SLC while the dust settles on day 1 (but you decide). Transfer the one at Pearl back, asap. On turn one, take your time and go through each base. Turn off repairs to all Manpower,&nbsp;some of your west coast ship repair yards (except SF -which stays on). I sent out PBY to the Line Islands, Johnson, Canton, and Pago Pago. P-40B to the other two bases in Hawaii.
&nbsp;
Perth is a base with strategic importance not found in other games. I believe he will go for it as soon as the SRA is secure. It it one of two outlets for the map edge channels (Columbo is the other one) besides those near each corner. Yes the channels are off limis, but he will want to deny them to you. Thus, a defense that starts with Exmouth (dot base in NW corner - Port 0(1) and AF 0(3)) is vital, while the three northern Australia coast bases are not (Broome, Derby, Wyndham). Think about moving the BF at Broome and Wyndham here.
&nbsp;
More to follow. [;)]

[Alfred]

1EyedJacks,
&nbsp;
Yes, I have been banned from Nemo121's AAR.&nbsp; I read the first post and was shocked to find that I had been nominated as an advisor and banned from the AAR.&nbsp; Naturally, I did not continue reading the AAR.
&nbsp;
IMHO, you have most ill advisedly agreed to 3 conditions viz., a 6 month Soviet truce, a 2 week notification period and advanced weather off.&nbsp; Consider these points:
&nbsp;
(a) the war will be over before the truce expires,
&nbsp;
(b)&nbsp;you have sufficient supplies/fuel/fortifications to support offensive operations by the Soviets now,
&nbsp;
(c)&nbsp;you lose the advantages of training up your Soviet air, using MiG-3&nbsp;against Nates,
&nbsp;
(d) when the truce expires not only will you have already lost (see my next post on overall strategic commentary), but your inexperienced MiG-3 pilots would be up against highly experienced Mike and Zero pilots - the carnage would not be pretty to see,
&nbsp;
(e) the Soviets do not need 2 weeks to move their LCU, they have the Trans-Siberian which allows them to move into position more quickly than the Japanese, particularly as the Japanese will strip this front of all mobile units.&nbsp; As he moves his Manchukuo units to conquer India and then return them back in time to face the Soviets by 1 July 1942, could you explain to me what assistance the Soviet forces, land, air and sea would have contributed to helping the western Allies&nbsp;avoid defeat in detail?
&nbsp;
(f) the Soviet navy anchored in Vladivostok is not worth saving except for the Soviet subs, particularly the minelaying subs.&nbsp; However, if he strikes Vladivostok port on 7 December 1941 with the intention of doing significant damage there he has to cancel a port strike against Manila, or Singapore or Palembang.&nbsp; Would you care to nominate which port has less valuable combatants than those found in Vladivostok.&nbsp; Even the old destroyers anchored at Hong Kong are better than the Soviet fleet - at least you could form the Hong Kong DD into a Fast Transport TF and evacuate a cadre out of Hong Kong.
&nbsp;
(g) with advanced weather off, Bettys will always hit every Allied TF with their inexhaustible supply of torpedoes.&nbsp; With all the available Japanese float planes operating at their ranges, in WITP able to perfectly scan 360 degrees in 60 mile hexes (=3,600 sq miles) how often do you think your TF will not be spotted and yet you do not have the same equal benefit.&nbsp; Nice handicap you have just given to the Allies,
&nbsp;
(h) with advanced weather off, have you considered what impact it has on carrier battles in this mod?&nbsp; His carrier aircraft have superior range to your carrier aircaft, his carriers carry their own dedicated recon aircraft (of course the Allied CV do not carry similar dedicated recon units) so independent of any other Japanese float planes operating in the area, the odds are that his carriers will spot you before you do and then launch (100% of the time) from beyond Allied retaliation range.&nbsp; I know which carriers being sunk I would place my money on at Ladbrokes,
&nbsp;
(i) with advanced weather off, sure there will be more air operations in Burma.&nbsp; Who do you think benefits from that in the first 6 months?&nbsp; The Allies with their relatively short legged fighters, leaving their bombers to operate unescorted, or the Japanese able to escort their bombers or sweep Allied airfields.&nbsp; What you will get is an unrealistic tempo of operations which will quickly exhaust the British pilot pool.&nbsp; You have duly noted the different pilot replacement rates between the Japanese (who btw are flying far superior aircraft) and the British.&nbsp; Nor let us forget British plane replacement rates.
&nbsp;
The game has not yet started, I&nbsp;most strongly urge you to reconsider your concessions and try to get them rescinded.&nbsp; In this mod, against Nemo121 you must be utterly ruthless.&nbsp; There will be times when you must accept horrendous casualties and other times when you must avoid casualties.&nbsp; Remember the aborted Nemo121 v Trollelite match which had inactive Soviets.&nbsp; Remember the Jagdfluger v Nemo121 match where the ill effects of Japan dissipating its strength by attacking the Soviets whilst simultaneously&nbsp;attacking the SRA were expertly demonstrated.&nbsp; In v1.3 the Soviets are now considerably strengthened when compared to those occasions eg Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk immune to capture et al.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Alfred&nbsp;

[Alfred]

1EyedJacks,
&nbsp;
Still delaying posting my initial overall strategic commentary because rereading your posts there are some questions you have asked which haven't yet been answered.&nbsp; Also some comments made which suggest to me that the benefits you anticipate gaining will not actually accrue.
&nbsp;
1.&nbsp; Why no more than 1 USN CV per TF in 1941/42
&nbsp;
It is in the manual that Allied CV suffer operational disruptment which reduces available CAP and outgoing strikes if they operate more than 100 aircraft per TF in 1942.&nbsp; If you put 2 USN CV in the same TF you will exceed 100 aircraft.&nbsp; You can have 2 British CV in the same TF because their total aircraft complement is less than 100.&nbsp; The workaround is simply to have multiple single USN CV TF in the same hex.&nbsp; If attacked, only one CV will be targetted but the combined CAP of all the carriers in the same hex will meet the incoming strike.&nbsp; In latter years the Allied CV aircraft limit is raised.
&nbsp;
2.&nbsp; Why it is better to send DB and TB in a co-ordinated strike but at different altitudes.
&nbsp;
Nemo121, as the Allied player against Jagdfluger,&nbsp;demonstrated great success in getting leakers through Japanese CAP.&nbsp; The benefit of flying DB and TB at widely divergent altitudes is not so much seen in reduced flak losses although there is an element of that too, but in fewer A2A kills by the CAP.&nbsp; What you are trying to achieve is for one attacking unit to fly high/low and the other the inverse.&nbsp; The CAP operates at one altitude and then finds it losses time climbing/diving to meet the other altitude.&nbsp; Think of Midway and the out of position Zero CAP.
&nbsp;
3.&nbsp; Why there is benefit in maintaining a balanced CV air strike capability
&nbsp;
Firstly, look closely at when Nemo121 recommends swapping out CV units.&nbsp; When he does recommend it, he invariably replaces bombers with fighters and maximises his CAP.&nbsp; The objective is to use his CV as bait to bleed his opponents aircraft and pilot pools whilst recovering most of his shot down pilots because they were flying Cap over their own TF.&nbsp; He does it when his fighter pilots have a qualitative edge over the enemy.&nbsp; He particularly will do it with the Yamato CV because of its superb AA.&nbsp; Once he has bled his opponent, then he flys in his bombers to deliver the coup de grace.
&nbsp;
Secondly, for the first 3-6 months, the Allies cannot follow a similar tactical strategm because (a) they cannot put up a similar number of fighters on CAP, (b) in this mod you do not have the same amount of AA (compare the AA of your potential escorts with what he has available), (c) it is most unlikely that your CV will operate within range of air transfers (remember again your planes are shorter legged than his).
&nbsp;
Thirdly, you propose to use your CV as raiders.&nbsp; You are not contemplating going head to head against his carriers - if an Allied carrier does meet Japanese carriers in December/January outside of the range of Allied LBA, your CV will be sunk.&nbsp; Therefore considering who your CV raiding TF victims will be, your DB will be very effective.
&nbsp;
Fourthly, I reiterate, you need to spread your aircraft losses amongst all your different aircraft types.&nbsp; Have you looked closely at your CV TB replacement rates?&nbsp; This mod is all about logistics, for both the Japanese and Allied player.&nbsp; The real early war Jap CV killer is the land based Beaufort, not CV TB.&nbsp; If you are lucky and he comes within range of the Vildbeeste, that aircraft too can inflict serious damage to Japanese CV.
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Fifthly, remember each aircraft attacking a TF forces the consumption of extra fuel (via usage of endurance).&nbsp; I refer you back to my comments under 2 above.
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4.&nbsp; What will really make Nemo121 nervous
&nbsp;
You should heed Goodboyladdie's advice to not risk USN CV unneccesarily.&nbsp; Your opponent will not be afraid of any USN CV sorties.&nbsp; Indeed he will welcome with open relish the opportunity to sink your CV, thereby freeing him operationally... and he will sink them if you persist in believing they can be used in that role to make him nervous.&nbsp; They can only raid successfully where Bettys do not operate and no Japanese CV can reach in time.&nbsp; If you want to "raid" specifically, you use the AMC although their long term survival rate is not good.
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What will really make Nemo121 nervous is if you interict his SLOC, attack his factories, in particular destroy his oil centers.&nbsp; You have much better weapons than Allied CVs to accomplish this task in the first 3-6 months.&nbsp;
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5.&nbsp; Dispersal of air assets on 7 December 1941
&nbsp;
Dispersal of air assets on 7 December 1941 is a good idea.&nbsp; The problem is "where to"?&nbsp; Consider Pearl Harbor.&nbsp; Just how many dispersal sites do you actually have?&nbsp; Remember you cannot expend PPs to change commands and therefore you can only disperse aircraft to AF under the same command.&nbsp; For the longer legged aircraft, you could send them to Johnston Atoll.&nbsp; Your short range fighters, which you propose to place on LRCAP can only be sent to Lahaina.&nbsp; Now look at what ground forces you have stationed at those sites.&nbsp; There is at least an 80% chance that on 7 December 1941, your opponent will land units at those very same sites to capture them by coup de main.&nbsp; Won't he be pleased to subsequently see that not only did he capture those locations but you now have a 390 day wait until the lost units are returned.&nbsp; Before you start thinking that Midway is a viable dispersal site, there is probably a 50% chance that he will land there on 7 December 1941.
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Now consider the Philippines.&nbsp; Where are your size 5 AFs to accomodate your B-17.&nbsp; At which bases do you find your AV support?&nbsp; There is only one level 5+ AF - Clark - yet we want to keep at least one B-17 unit there to launch ASAP attacks on his industry and to thereby draw Japanese attacks away from Manila.&nbsp; In Mindanao where your other B-17 units are located, they already exceed the available AV support and airfield size - they are also located at weakly defended bases which can be easily captured by Japan.&nbsp; You do have some capacity to relocate your fighters in the Philippines, and should do so.&nbsp; Just do not for one moment that&nbsp;your actions can save many aircraft.&nbsp; What may save your aircraft on 7 December 1941 is if he concentrates on attacking your vessels anchored in Manila harbor.&nbsp; Personally I expect that to be his number one target on Luzon on 7 December 1941.
&nbsp;
Cheer up, its not all bad news.&nbsp; You can and must relocate your British and Dutch air.&nbsp; I will discuss this more fully in my strategic post.&nbsp; You may even consider moving your Chinese air to the front lines as it is likely he will fly only unescorted bombers in China until he has neutralised Allied air elsewhere.&nbsp; Also you must try to evacuate your Hong Kong air on 7 December 1941 to another airfield under the same command.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Alfred

[Alfred]

1EyedJacks,
&nbsp;
Today I will set out in general terms the strategy and tactics I anticipate your opponent will initially pursue.&nbsp; Tomorrow I will post some suggested specific recommendations to counter your opponent.
&nbsp;
(A)&nbsp; General Overview of early war Japanese Strategy and Tactics
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(A1)&nbsp; This mod is all about logistics - both Japanese and Allied.&nbsp; Allied players who are used to not worrying about their own logistics will quickly lose here.&nbsp; Nemo121's first priority will be to safeguard and enhance his logistical capabilities whilst simultaneously destroying Allied logistical capabilities.&nbsp; All his military actions will be subjugated to this imperative.
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(A2)&nbsp; Your opponent will employ maskirovka extensively.
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(A3)&nbsp; His offensive operations will be on one axis only and ruthlessly pursued, irrespective of losses incurred, until his objectives have been achieved.&nbsp; This schwerpunckt will be reinforced at the cost of all other operations.&nbsp; All other military actions will be part of his maskirovka and although they may appear to be offensive, they are essentially defensive in nature.
&nbsp;
(A4)&nbsp; Japan starts off with about 12,000 Heavy Industry.&nbsp; He will aim to increase his Heavy Industry to about 15-16,000 by the end of 1942, both&nbsp;by conquest and by starting Heavy Industry factories in those locations in the SRA where the existence of local raw materials obviate the need to ship them in.
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(A5)&nbsp; As at 7 December 1941, the Japanese Empire is basically self sufficient in raw materials to run its existing Heavy Industry.&nbsp; Its planned Heavy Industry increase will be easily met by the raw materials of the SRA, Palembang alone has 2,000 potential oil centers.&nbsp; If he has implemented the changes discussed between himself and myself, the achilles heel of the Japanese economy is the need to ship oil back to the Home Islands and Formosa.
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(A6)&nbsp; The Home Islands have sufficient oil stockpiled to run their Heavy Industry at full speed for 12+ months without the need for the importation of a single barrel of oil.&nbsp; Only a ruthless and focussed Allied economic blockade of Japan from day 1 will have any significant impact upon the Japanese economy in time to materially aid Allied military operations.
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(A7)&nbsp; Your opponent's major initial military operations will focus on achieving the following goals (in descending order of importance):
&nbsp;
(i)&nbsp; paralysis of Allied command and control - he will attempt to replicate the command conditions which led to the military debacles of Cannae, Adrianople and Hattin,
(ii)&nbsp; destruction of Allied naval power capable of being projected into the SRA and Pacific,
(iii)&nbsp; capture, by coup de main, of ungarrisoned/weakly garrisoned Allied bases both in the front lines and in rear areas,
(iv)&nbsp; suppression of Allied airfields sized 5+ which are within range of his major industry/raw material locations,
(v)&nbsp; capture of Palembang by 9 December 1941.&nbsp; He will not consider it likely that its oil centers can be significantly torched by Allied air in December 1941 nor does he wish to see Palembang&nbsp;reinforced with Allied engineers to set off demolition charges&nbsp;when it is captured,
(vi)&nbsp; capture of Malaya, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Ceram, Philippines, Solomons, New Guinea, Alaska and Hawaii (capture of Pearl Harbor itself is not necessary) by 31 December 1941 to allow Phase II to commence unfettered,
(vii)&nbsp; exhaustion of the British and Australian pilot pools by 31 December 1941.
&nbsp;
(A8)&nbsp; Phase&nbsp;II of Japan's military operations will be scheduled to commence no later than 1 January 1942 and to be finished by 1 June 1942.&nbsp; This will be a massive invasion, organised into 3 Maneouvre Groups ("MG").&nbsp; MG#1 will be a maskirovka operation using 2-3 divisions (about 700-1000 assault value).&nbsp; MG#2 will follow MG#1 by about 2 weeks and it will be the main&nbsp;landing force.&nbsp; The size of MG#2 will be 8-10 divisions&nbsp;(about 2800 - 3500 assault value).&nbsp; MG#3, with 8-12 divisions (about 2800-4200 assault value)&nbsp;will enter the campaign about 2-3 weeks after MG#2.&nbsp; The purpose of these MGs will be as follows:
&nbsp;
MG#1 - destroy local Allied air and naval reserves, try to get Allied units to move out of position prior to the commitment of MG#2
MG#2 - land at one of 3 regions - India (60% likelihood), continental USA (30% likelihood) or Australia (10% likelihood)
MG#3 - land either to outflank the defenders opposing MG#2, or to reinforce the axis of advance of MG#2
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(A9)&nbsp; During December 1941 (perhaps even as late as Februaru 1942), your opponent will dangle his CV (particularly CV Yamamoto) off Allied air bases with the aim of using his superior CAP and AA to destroy Allied air power, particularly Allied pilot pools.&nbsp; Only once local Allied air power has been destroyed will he switch his dangled CV from defensive to offensive operations.
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(A10)&nbsp; In China, Nemo121 will do three things.&nbsp; Firstly he will capture Hong Kong by 10 December 1941 at the latest.&nbsp; This will free up valuable divisions to attack either the Philippines or Malaya.&nbsp; Secondly, he will clear his LOC of Chinese guerilla units.&nbsp; Thirdly, he will attempt to neutralise China as a base capable of supporting Allied offensive operations, by destroying Chinese logistics.&nbsp; Note these are all essentially defensive operations in nature.
&nbsp;
(A11)&nbsp; As Japan holds the initiative and is operating on interior lines, Nemo121 will not create a strategic reserve.&nbsp; Everything will be pushed to the frontlines.&nbsp; Thanks to the truce with the Soviets, he will denude his Manchukuo Army of practically every mobile unit and incorporate them into his MGs (see A8 above).&nbsp; Subject to how well he succeeds with (A10), he will do likewise with his units stationed in China, leaving only the barest garrisons behind, relying upon his fortifications and terrain as force multipliers.
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(A12)&nbsp; Your opponent will consider using rivers to transport LCU and thereby outflank&nbsp;Allied lines.&nbsp; Para drops will most definitely be used, both as coup de main (see A7(iii) above) and to outflank Allied lines.&nbsp; Sub borne invasions as not to be dismissed.
&nbsp;
Stay tuned tomorrow, same bat channel, same bat time, for suggestions as to Allied responses
&nbsp;
Alfred

[1EyedJacks]

Hi all,

I just wanted to post an update that I'm currently in negotiations with Nemo121 to recind the Truce between Japan/Russia. I don't think he likes the idea of Russia being active on T1 and is asking for consessions to the house rules that affect T1 only (basically the movement of board pieces as allowed to the allies on T1). Right now I'm balking at his request for concessions as the original rules posted for this game included limited options for alllied T1 plus Russia with no truce.

Initially, it will not be my intent to start Russia at war with Japan but I do need to force nemo into keeping his Manchuko forces in Manchuko. He might well do a premptive strike against the Russian subs but... Nemo is gunna strike somewhere and as Alfred has pointed out, if he uses anything in Russia on T1 it reduces what he would use in other theatres. In looking at his air units in Manchuko and Japan, the only places they can be deployed for a T1 attack are China, the PI, and Russia. PI is going down no matter what. I might be able to save some units or at least a cadre from some of the units but I feel the PI will go down fast based on Nemo's style of play.

What I really wonder is if Nemo will go after Hawaii for a full scale invasion on T1...

It seems to me he will want to go after the PI, Borneo, and the DEI. And he is already in China. I wonder what he will do with Russia and Hawaii? I guess time will tell.

[ny59giants]

With the increase in carrier strength, IMO, he has to go for Hawaii on turn 1. He cannot attack and withdraw KB before the invasion fleet gets there. He basically cannot allow you to get Pearl back operational again and get any more reinforcments into that theater. He will take most of Hawaii in the first month and isolate Pearl (doesn't need to take it).

He doesn't like the idea of Russia being active on turn 1 as his fighters there now are mainly Nates. He will have to divert some Zeros from Formosa there, or at least strongly consider it. He wants to pull out a Bde about one every 5 days with the PP rate he gets.

He will try to also launch attacks to grab the Oil & Resources in northern China. From an Allied point of view, the country is divided into two parts due to lack of roads/railroads to move forces back and forth. He's main objective in China is to make you think that you cannot send anymore Chinese LCUs to Burma (other than those assigned to SE Asia at start) and eventually India. If Perth is not done quickly after the SRA is secure, he will go for India. I choose saving India vs China, if push comes to shove. He will push hard to isolate India from China, asap.

He will position mini-KB (at least all the CVLs) off of Singapore on day 1. He wants the British fleet ineffective as soon as possible. He will land at Mershing on day one with the forces originally targeted for the historical bases. He will try to cut off retreat into Singapore. He may land 3 divisions (5, 18, & ??) here and then a Bde and his Tank Rgt/Bde at Kuantan to force your Bde north where the RTA Army and the Imperial Guards Division will deal with them.

You need to review his AAR when he played the Allies to get a perspective of how he views this mod. Skip the actual combat, just read the comments he made. Remember, I'm the Intel guy. [;)] I followed his old AAR closely for a while, so I have an idea of his mindset.