Starvation Island--Scenario 4 "Learning Curve"

[John 3rd]

Good Day Forum!

In an effort to begin spinning up on this monster called AE, Michael and I have decided to play Scenario 4--Guadalcanal. I have the Japanese (could it be ANY OTHER way??!! [:D]) and Michael the Allies.

The intention of this campaign is for me to get up to speed on the new dynamics of AE without suffered the heartbreak of mistakes within a Grand Campaign. It is my intention to comment on the new game, pose questions, learn, and be my normal hyper-aggressive self.

Hope you guys enjoy and will jump in as often as possible.

We are running 1 Day turns and everything else is pure gravy...

[Canoerebel]

So, we're about to see a Japanese player in the Guadalcanal Scenario mounting amphibious operations against Auckland, Suva, and Pago Pago, right?  [:D]
 
Good luck, John.  So good to have you back here!

[John 3rd]

Looking at the map has induced flashbacks to Uncommon Valor and, much earlier, Flattop. I know these islands and bases SOOOOOOO well! May have to re-read my copy of Richard Frank's definitive Guadalcanal History.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

So, we're about to see a Japanese player in the Guadalcanal Scenario mounting amphibious operations against Auckland, Suva, and Pago Pago, right?  [:D]

Good luck, John.  So good to have you back here!

Is that how it is going to be MISTER Roper! En Garde!

I cannot take those bases! Only because they are NOT on the map... [:D]

[Canoerebel]

I know, but I also know you...a little thing like map boundaries can't halt John the Aggressor.

[LoBaron]

Read of you comeback but it didn´t feel right to comment with all the WB´s
because I dont´t know the story as others do.

Great you are back here again. Have fun and I guess this thread is something I´ll watch. [:)]

[John 3rd]

Planning:

I am going to follow what the Japanese had planned PRIOR to the American Navy arriving most rudely at Tulagi/Lunga. I have several Construction units getting ready to move for base expansion and am strongly thinking about making a counter-landing at Milne Bay to try and grab it back from those dratted Aussies!

Am shifting shipping around at Truk, Kavieng, and Rabaul to better prepare for these moves. My aviation units are at a premium! When the Americans are spotted, I MAY try to zip down to Tulagi and lift off the BF there. This could give me an excuse to create a Fast Transort TF.

Questions below:

[LoBaron]

1) deducted from the pool and available supplies but by far not as abundant as in stock. So no need to ship them there.

2) Better create them from the supplies of the TF as soon its at its target. [;)]

3) leave them in combat mode.

[John 3rd]

Well...no rest for the wicked I guess...

It is OPENING DAY!

I ordered a Sweep of Milne Bay by my Zeros at Lae. The 4 planes fly by in the morning without encountering anything and then a riad of 30 Betty hit the AF. They fly in at 11,000 Ft and hit the runway 13 times and nick the supplies once. Lose 1 plane for the raid.

Japanese initial planning is immediately thrown out the window by the spotting of numerous Allied TF:

[John 3rd]

This is Rabaul. Orders for Aug 7th:

1. I have ordered a bombardment of Milne Bay by the 4 older CAs just to keep Michael thinking.

2. Fast Transport moving out as described.

3. I ordered my Bettys to rest while shifting the 18 Zeros to carry their fuel tanks. My goodness their range is something! It is a very long haul though. Images of Sakai Saburo leap to mind.

My first priority shall be to get closer bases built. Torokina and Munda are possible. Anyone got suggestions as to where to develop a decent AF?

[John 3rd]

The American TF move in to the area in preparation for the landings.

Am going to try to evac some of the BF at Tulagi by using Mavis. Might be costly pending on the American LR CAP over the base. Want to try and see if it is practicle.

The only real action this turn was over and against Milne Bay. I had three separate groups of Zeros Sweep the air from Lae. I was a little nervous when I saw my 4 Zero, 1 Zero, and 9 Zero groups come up against an estimated 16 Kittyhawks! My pilots handled themselves well though. In exchange for four Kittys, I lost no one! Like that. Very much enjoyed the combat commentary of Low Ammo/Aborts due to Engine Trouble, etc...
After two days of Sweeps, I order the Daitai and Chutai to 40% CAP over Lae with the rest of the pilots to rest a bit. We'll see if Michael tries to hit Lae with B-17s.

Was disappointed with my Bombardment of Milne Bay by 4 CA. Only destroyed one squad of the 7th Aussie Brigade. Rather sad for the ammo expended! Have my 3 ML SS placing a small minefield there with tomorrow's turn.

Cannot afford to ignore New Guinea...

[John 3rd]

The marines land with two Regiments at Lunga and 1 Regiment at Tulagi. The good news is that Japanese CD does manage to hit DD Bagley and set AP Hunter Liggett afire. The bad news is I'll lose both tomorrow or the day after.

On the bright side, no LR CAP is over Tulagi so my Mavis and Emily pick-up elements of the Construction Battalion and a good-sized chunk of the Base Force. If I can do the same tomorrow before the island falls then that will be a very good thing.

Since there was no LR CAP over Tulagi the Japanese Betty pilots decide to attack into the teeth of the American Fighters at Lunga. See Below:





Orders for this Day:

1. Form a Surface Combat TF of 4 CA, 3 CL, and 1 DD to hit Tulagi. I figure the lesser American defense will be right there. Just would like to bloody the American Fleet some with minimum chances of taking damage.

2. Send two Convoys from Truk to Munda carrying two Construction Battalions to begin AF construction.

QUESTION: The STF is set at Full Speed. Will it do the same as in WitP: race in from maximum range at night?

[tocaff]

Different game, same aggressive John.  Go get 'em tiger. 

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd


Orders for this Day:

1. Form a Surface Combat TF of 4 CA, 3 CL, and 1 DD to hit Tulagi. I figure the lesser American defense will be right there. Just would like to bloody the American Fleet some with minimum chances of taking damage.

2. Send two Convoys from Truk to Munda carrying two Construction Battalions to begin AF construction.

QUESTION: The STF is set at Full Speed. Will it do the same as in WitP: race in from maximum range at night?

1. Just be careful with this. The Allies got a load of surface combatants at this point of invasion. With those a Lunga set to react > 0 they can
react to your CA´s at Tulagi and you get shredded by 2 TF´s. And with a 90% chance that the survivors limping away getting caught by the CV´s
thats not a nice perspective.


There are issues with the full speed toggle, not sure if they are solved yet. Sometimes the TF on full speed just creeps along and gets caught in broad daylight.
Mostly I use mission speed as it has exactly the desired effect.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

ORIGINAL: John 3rd


Orders for this Day:

1. Form a Surface Combat TF of 4 CA, 3 CL, and 1 DD to hit Tulagi. I figure the lesser American defense will be right there. Just would like to bloody the American Fleet some with minimum chances of taking damage.

2. Send two Convoys from Truk to Munda carrying two Construction Battalions to begin AF construction.

QUESTION: The STF is set at Full Speed. Will it do the same as in WitP: race in from maximum range at night?

1. Just be careful with this. The Allies got a load of surface combatants at this point of invasion. With those a Lunga set to react > 0 they can
react to your CA´s at Tulagi and you get shredded by 2 TF´s. And with a 90% chance that the survivors limping away getting caught by the CV´s
thats not a nice perspective.


There are issues with the full speed toggle, not sure if they are solved yet. Sometimes the TF on full speed just creeps along and gets caught in broad daylight.
Mostly I use mission speed as it has exactly the desired effect.

Thanks Tocaff! BANZAI!

Lobaron nails the events of the following turn right on the head! The 'full speed' button issue appears to be alive and well. My STF decides to arrive IN DAYLIGHT and it wipes out 2 APD and 2 AP at Tulagi. That is the GOOD news. The bad news is two massive waves of American CV aircraft sweep in and sink a CA and cripple two more. Three CL and the DD are not hit and FLEE the scene of the crime...

CRAP!

How do I learn from this:
1. Don't use Full Speed?
2. Change Home Port (from Rabaul to Shortlands)?
3. Is there a different answer?

I don't have my notes with me so I'll add additional specifics when I get home.

[Q-Ball]

Good luck John! This is a very tough scenario for the Empire IMO, I think the Allies have a much easier time. The biggest problem is you don't get enough groud troops to decisively dislodge the Allies.

Milne Bay is probably the best target; I think Lunga is just about impossible for the Empire in this one

[Canoerebel]

I've had consistent trouble with combat TFs, bombardment TFs, and fast transport TFs arriving at forward ports and remaining in place throughout the daylight hours insteading of pulling back like they are supposed to do.  Of course, these ships then get smashed by Japanese LBA.  This happens even when the ships had expended zero operation points at the time I issued the orders.  It's a pain in the neck and has cost me everything from BBs to APDs.  Do NOT trust to fast transport's ability to retire during the nightime hours.

[LoBaron]

The only really reliable method I found yet is set a destination near or at the max speed range of the intended target hex
with "remain on station" orders and then switch to "retirement allowed" and "mission speed" and make the run to target from there...

Lots of micro though but in Guadalcanal it works as the scenario is small enough.

[John 3rd]

Thanks for the comments guys. I am annoyed with the TF as you have detailed. To see what might happen I created a Fast Transport TF and sent it to Tassa from Shortlands. IT did what it was supposed to. We'll have to see what goes...

A period of relative calm settles in during these four days. Notes:

1. There are several sharp air battles over New Guinea with Zeros Sweeping Milne and a B-17 Raid going after Lae and shipping. The Zeros have done fairly well. The Japanese lose 2 Zeros in exchange for 8 P-40 and 5 P-39. Cannot complain regarding that!

2. Emptied Truk of supplies at the very start of things and they are unloading right now at Shortlands, Munda, and Lae. By the 15th, I think all will be unloaded and I'll be in pretty good shape--Lae w/10,000 Supply, Shortlands around 10,000, and Munda at about 5,000.

3. Have unloaded the 1st and 7th Naval Construction Battalions at Munda to begin AF construction. They are protected by the 3rd Kure SNLF.

4. I've established my SS Patrol areas and am pleasantly happy to spot all three US CVs in Noumea on Aug 14th. Really LIKE the Patrol Zones.

5. Seeing where the CVs are I order 5 AK to leave Munda and go to Tassa to offload 5,000 Supply. With no planes at Lunga and the US CVs two days away, I figure I might get 1-2 days to unload rather safely. Could be WRONG but we'll see...

6. The naval disaster at Tulagi ends as I lose a total of 3 CA: Furutaka to CV planes on the 10th, Kinugasa to S-37 on the 11th, and Kako to SS Gudgeon on the 12th. CRAP! Thank you Task Movement System...

7. Combined Fleet is due in 3 days!

Here is a picture of the current area:

[John 3rd]

After driving over to see my Father this morning, I was pondering things and have decided to make my maximum effort at Milne Bay to try and grab it back from those Aussies. In an effort to not give this move away, the Japanese will continue to 'look' like they are going after Lunga.

I will send a Bombardment TF to Milne in the next day or two to see if they catch anything. Just received a fresh unit of 27 Betty at Truk. Will probably send both Daitai of Betty in an AF Raid on Milne also. Will do that only after a couple of days Sweeping the base. Those with AE experience---Does that sound like a good idea? Seems that Sweeps work well to soften up the target's skies.

As to a landing, will wait for a Brigade to arrive along with 3-4 smaller Infantry units. Want to land with at least 3-400 Assault Value so I can get a secure lodgement in the hex.