Ironman 23: Not a movie

[witp1951]

This AAR is on the Ironman scenario 23 Human vs. Allied AI. My first objective is to have fun. I also want to see if the AI in this scenario is a viable opponent for a mediocre player. My previous AI games only lasted a half dozen turns as I used them to learn the game mechanics. I’ve played one PBEM and my opponent quit in Sept ’42.

I’m using the latest patch 6 build at this time: k5. The Ironman scenarios have an “enhanced” AI opposition. I assume that means more stuff sooner for the Allies. If I see F-86s in 1943 I’ll know I’m in trouble. AI opponent AARs don’t usually get very far. To try to make this one more appealing, I’m going to refer to the AI opponent as the “Scotsman” in honor of the scenario creator.

You can find the scenario at tm.asp?m=2760090

This will not be a blow-by-blow account. I’ll try to keep it concise and hit the high points. I’ll comment on the surprises the Scotsman throws at me.

I’m using settings that will be more favorable to the Scotsman:
Historical Start
2 day turns
PDU off
AI Hard

I’m also self-imposing some restrictions:
No acceleration of naval production
Limited aircraft production increases
Computer control of sub fleet
No JAAF aircraft on ASW

No peeking at Allied dispositions or OOB. I will rely on game reports, search, and recon. I may add more restrictions as I go along. The intent is as much as possible to make it a fair fight (I may regret this later).

Since this is an Historical Start, there is nothing more to do except hit the Start button…

[Andy Mac]

<gets out the popcorn>

[witp1951]

Ok, it was a pretty good first 2 day turn if reports can be believed:

BB West Virginia is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
BB Tennessee is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DM Ramsay is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
AVD William B. Preston is reported to have been sunk near Davao on Dec 07, 1941
BB Nevada is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
BB Oklahoma is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
BB Arizona is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
BB California is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DD Blue is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DD Tucker is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DD Farragut is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DD Hull is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DD MacDonough is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DD Allen is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
DMS Perry is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941
AVP Swan is reported to have been sunk near Pearl Harbor on Dec 07, 1941

Repulse and Prince and Wales also reported as sunk. Force Z sortied.

8 BBs reported out of the game for the Allies.

Fires out of control, AO Shiriya can not be saved. I don’t what this AO was doing at Midway!

Japanese forces CAPTURE Makin !!!

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batan Island !!!

Camiguin is occupied by the Japanese

Aircraft losses seem modest. Allied CAP was generally small.

The only surprise was bombing in China by obsolete aircraft some of whom were escorted by American volunteers. No damage was done.

[witp1951]

I had forgotten how long it takes to set up the Japanese first turn. ( In this case it’s the Dec 9th turn.)

Halted the Shinano and all CVEs. I plan to halt all RO subs.
Expanded Kate and Val production.
Increased Ha-35 engines and halted Nakajima Kotobuki.
Started port and airfield expansion in about 20 bases.
Converting all To’su class xAKL to ACMs. (I like to lay mines).
Converting all Kiso class xAKL to PBs. I use them as picket ships and to annoy subs.
There’s a DD class I convert to APD, but I can’t think of it right now.
Dumped all pilots in restricted airgroups in Japan to General Reserve, loaded the groups with replacements and started the pilot training program. Very tedious process.
Changed leaders for 15th Army and Imperial Guards Div.

[witp1951]

I'm consolidating transports and tankers into hub ports. Started the Hakodate - Ominato resource run. Fuel and oil is what I'll need the most.

I've probably forgotten something, but I think I'm ready to start with the troops.

[witp1951]

Slight delay while my wife makes me exercise.

“You’re gonna turn into a blob sittin’ there playin’ that stupid game all day!”

I don’t think Yamamoto had this problem.

[witp1951]

Overall strategic goals:
1. Ship as much fuel and/or oil from the SRA to the Home Islands as I can for as long as I can.
2. Keep the Allied strategic bombers out of the Home Islands for as long as possible.

I plan to move on a Timor to Burma line. I’ll establish a line of airbases -Naga-Davao-Manado
-Ambon-Koepang on one side of the DEI and Rangoon-Port Blair-Singapore on the other. Allies evacuating the DEI will have to take the scenic route or run the Betty gauntlet… sounds good if it works.

The PI will have to sit tight for a while until I can pull some forces out of Manchuria.

I plan to take Wake and Rabaul and then hold on until I’ve cleaned up the DEI. I’ll keep the KB out here and use it for raiding to keep the Allies off balance.

I expect setbacks to the extent that the scenario surprises me with significant forces not in GC1.

[Zorch]

On the other hand, you can't be shot down by P-38s...

[witp1951]

In China the general objective will start with taking the Nanyang-Tsaiotso-Chengchow-Loyang in phase 1 followed be Wenchow and Chuhsien in the South for phase 2 using forces at hand. This will push back the start line to get airbases for the Scotsman.

Once all beginning objectives are taken, I’ll do a strategic assessment to see where I go from there (if possible).

[Durbik]

ORIGINAL: witp1951

Slight delay while my wife makes me exercise.

“You’re gonna turn into a blob sittin’ there playin’ that stupid game all day!”

I don’t think Yamamoto had this problem.

My solution to this: start doing exercise on your own someday, talking about it earlier few times: "I'm going to do some workout today, I'm quite enjoying this, you know...". Then do some stuff, not much, but not forced to (making sounds like UMPFFFFFFFFFF and SHHHHHHH helps, too!). Repeat every two days, and this problem should be gone in a few weeks. Did that and it works.

[witp1951]

ORIGINAL: Durbik

ORIGINAL: witp1951

Slight delay while my wife makes me exercise.

“You’re gonna turn into a blob sittin’ there playin’ that stupid game all day!”

I don’t think Yamamoto had this problem.

My solution to this: start doing exercise on your own someday, talking about it earlier few times: "I'm going to do some workout today, I'm quite enjoying this, you know...". Then do some stuff, not much, but not forced to (making sounds like UMPFFFFFFFFFF and SHHHHHHH helps, too!). Repeat every two days, and this problem should be gone in a few weeks. Did that and it works.

You don't understand. My wife has renamed herself: "She who must be obeyed" (after some British TV show-damn them!)

[witp1951]

The wife is busy making dinner. So back to the war!

Burma – 15th Army augmented with 90th Rgmt from Korea and paratroopers who will seize Toungoo and Port Blair. I’ll then try to fly in as much as possible while everyone else slogs through the jungle trails.

Malaya – 25th Army with the 4th Division from Osaka and the 21st from Shanghai. I’ll add the 38th when it’s finished with Hong Kong. Nothing fancy here. A long road from Singora to Singapore.

Phillipines – 14th Army with as many units I can pull out of Manchuria. No hurry here.

Timor – I’m diverting TF89 to Davao to start the base chain to Timor.

Central Pacific – postponing the Wake attack. Going forward with Guam. Bringing KB to Truk.

China – divisions from the 1st Army massing at Anyang to move on Chengchow. Divisions from 12th Army consolidating at Suchow to take Kweiteh.

[Andy Mac]

[:D][;)]

[witp1951]

December 9-10, 1941

First the good news:

Sub attack near Lihue at 177,107
Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Southard
DMS Elliot
DMS Long

SS I-169 launches 4 torpedoes at CA Indianapolis
DMS Elliot fails to find sub and abandons search
DMS Long fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS Long fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS Long fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Night Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,71, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Shell hits 19, and is sunk

And the bad:

Sub vs Sub: SS Perch attacking SS I-123 at 79,73 - near San Fernando

Japanese Ships
SS I-123, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Perch

SS Perch launches 4 torpedoes at 1,000 yards

I thought their torpedoes didn't work!
Maybe the Mark 14's are not duds in this scenario.

Two shock attacks failed to take Khota Bharu. I'll rest the troops and bomb the Allies. I did knock the forts down to 1.

Highlights of the rest of the turn:

Japanese forces CAPTURE Vigan !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Aparri !!!
CA Indianapolis is reported to have been sunk near Lihue on Dec 09, 1941
DD Pope is reported to have been sunk near Laoag on Dec 09, 1941
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nauru Island !!!
Loss of SS I-123 on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted

I've landed in Miri and Laong. Took Vigan and Aparri with paratroopers.
The Scotsman raided the Marshalls with a carrier. Lost some Claudes.

[witp1951]

This is the first time I’ve set my SS fleet on computer control. I’m curious to see how it works out.

SS I-1 assigned to offensive patrol 223, 78 - 226, 81 off Los Angeles
SS I-2 assigned to offensive patrol 209, 55 - 205, 52 off Tacoma
SS I-4 assigned to offensive patrol 94, 165 - 95, 167 off Newcastle
SS I-5 assigned to offensive patrol 91, 169 - 88, 171 off Sydney
SS I-6 assigned to offensive patrol 178, 110 - 176, 106 off Pearl Harbor
SS I-7 assigned to offensive patrol 205, 54 - 208, 53 off Seattle
SS I-9 assigned to offensive patrol 208, 52 - 205, 50 off Vancouver
SS I-15 assigned to offensive patrol 215, 70 - 214, 72 off San Francisco
SS I-17 assigned to offensive patrol 111, 160 - 109, 159 off Noumea
SS I-19 assigned to offensive patrol 225, 81 - 223, 81 off San Diego
SS I-21 assigned to offensive patrol 95, 127 - 95, 129 off Port Moresby
SS I-23 assigned to offensive patrol 103, 123 - 104, 125 off Rabaul
SS I-25 assigned to offensive patrol 210, 58 - 209, 56 off Astoria
SS I-26 assigned to offensive patrol 126, 131 - 130, 133 off Ocean Island
SS I-153 assigned to offensive patrol 76, 79 - 77, 74 off Clark Field
SS I-154 assigned to offensive patrol 76, 76 - 75, 73 off Batangas
SS I-155 assigned to offensive patrol 79, 73 - 78, 74 off Lingayen
SS I-156 assigned to offensive patrol 76, 71 - 75, 79 off Manila
SS I-158 assigned to offensive patrol 74, 78 - 75, 77 off Manila
SS I-157 assigned to offensive patrol 74, 73 - 78, 74 off Manila
SS RO-60 assigned to offensive patrol 123, 128 - 122, 125 off Nauru Island
SS RO-61 assigned to offensive patrol 102, 122 - 103, 121 off Kavieng
SS RO-62 assigned to offensive patrol 133, 97 - 140, 96 off Wake Island
SS RO-63 assigned to offensive patrol 128, 161 - 127, 159 off Nadi
SS RO-64 assigned to offensive patrol 146, 160 - 147, 158 off Pago Pago
SS RO-65 assigned to offensive patrol 162, 108 - 160, 110 off Johnston Island
SS RO-66 assigned to offensive patrol 105, 91 - 102, 91 off Guam
SS RO-67 assigned to offensive patrol 130, 160 - 131, 163 off Suva
SS RO-68 assigned to offensive patrol 144, 157 - 142, 157 off Savaii
SS I-8 assigned to offensive patrol 96, 164 - 98, 158 off Brisbane
SS I-168 assigned to offensive patrol 184, 107 - 184, 109 off Lahaina
SS I-169 assigned to offensive patrol 174, 105 - 181, 107 off Lihue
SS I-170 assigned to offensive patrol 218, 74 - 223, 78 off San Luis Obispo
SS I-171 assigned to offensive patrol 206, 54 - 205, 52 off Victoria
SS I-172 assigned to offensive patrol 180, 109 - 183, 107 off Hilo
SS I-173 assigned to offensive patrol 199, 45 - 195, 42 off Prince Rupert
SS I-174 assigned to offensive patrol 203, 48 - 202, 50 off Coal Harbour
SS I-175 assigned to offensive patrol 176, 140 - 172, 138 off Christmas Island
SS I-159 assigned to defensive patrol 97, 43 - 96, 45 off Port Arthur
SS I-160 assigned to defensive patrol 101, 60 - 99, 59 off Nagasaki/Sasebo
SS RO-33 assigned to defensive patrol 108, 59 - 107, 60 off Osaka/Kyoto

[witp1951]

The Pennsylvania was added to reported BB losses. The best PH attack I've experienced with 7 BBs reported sunk. The Scotsman's ship losses as of 12/11/41:

BC Repulse
BB Prince of Wales
BB West Virginia
BB California
BB Tennessee
BB Arizona
BB Pennsylvania
BB Nevada
BB Oklahoma
CA Portland
CA New Orleans
CL Phoenix
SS Porpoise
DD Blue
DD Tucker
DD Farragut
DD Hull
DD MacDonough
DD Pope
DMS Perry
DM Ramsay
AVD William B. Preston
DD Allen
AVP Swan

[witp1951]

December 11th and 12th

Highlights:
xAK Hasuna Maru sinks.... (pesky PT-32)
Laoag is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Davao !!!
DD Pillsbury is reported to have been sunk near Hengchun on Dec 11, 1941
Kwangchowan is occupied by the Japanese
PT-32 is reported to have been sunk near Vigan on Dec 12, 1941 (Revenge!)
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The first setback ocurred at Miri. I already had enough losses off loading I wonder if there is a bonus in this scenario. The Allied Base Force here has a decent AV behind level 2 forts instead of the weak unit in GC1 with no forts. The small unit I sent was virtually wiped out. The lesson learned is bombard before an initial attack to assess enemy strength. I've been spoiled with perfect knowledge of initial enemy dispositions and strength in GC1.


Ground combat at Miri (64,87)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 989 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 3822 troops, 84 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 65

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)
preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
486 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
I./124th Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
100th RN Base Force

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An example of the air attacks from China:


Morning Air attack on Taichu , at 86,64

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 104 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x DB-3M bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 100 kg GP Bomb
7 x DB-3M bombing from 14000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 100 kg GP Bomb


I’ll have to divert some CAP to ambush these suckers.
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The Mark 14 torpedo does not seem to have a high dud rate here.


Submarine attack near Orchid Island at 86,68

Japanese Ships
xAP Kitano Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Snapper

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witp1951

The Mark 14 torpedo does not seem to have a high dud rate here.

I might be wrong, but I think the torpedo dud rate is built into the code, not the database. And even at 80% dud rate there are going to be hits. Remember too that these are independant trials, so if the sub fires a four fish spread each one has an 80/20 chance of hitting, not the spread combined.

[Nomad]

Torpedo dud rate is set in the editor, the reduction algorithm is in the code. And Andy Mac was nasty.

[PaxMondo]

I'm a bit ahead of you and I mentioned in the Main forum that as IJ, you need to scout every attack point thoroughly and be prepared to bring the hammer to every landing.
&nbsp;
I'm not going to spoil your learning here with any specifics, but suffice to say that Andy has a lot of surprises in store for you.&nbsp; I think he sat back and wrote down all of the 20-20 hindsight items that most players use when playing, and then created multiple&nbsp;traps for each one of them.