Historical Lessons Learned from the Game

[herwin]

I play the game to learn why things happened historically. Let me list a few of the things I've learned.

1. I always thought battle was (approximately) scale-free. That is, if you triple the forces involved, you triple the spatial scale, and you triple the time scale. The game teaches me there are no limits on the forces you can deploy in a 40-mile hex and everything happens in a day (or sometimes a week).
2. I always thought organisation for combat was right-sizing your forces so they could do their tasks efficiently and at an acceptable cost. The game teaches me that mass is everything and detaching forces to handle secondary tasks is inefficient.
3. I always thought strategy was about logistics. The game teaches me logistics are only important tactically.
4. I always understood the 14th Army was given the minimum of resources needed to hold the Burmese border. Meanwhile I'm preparing a massive blitzkrieg for the winter of 1942-43.
5. I always understood key terrain was about communications and was rarely an obstacle. The game teaches me the opposite, particularly in China.
6. I always understood the Japanese Army in southern and central China was an infantry force concerned with occupying key communications and lacking the force to hold the countryside. In the game, I watch Japanese panzer armies moving through the countryside and massive offensive forces concentrated in single mountain hexes against massive stacks of Chinese infantry.

There's more--this is just the beginning...

[rockmedic109]

ORIGINAL: herwin

I play the game to learn why things happened historically. Let me list a few of the things I've learned.

1. I always thought battle was (approximately) scale-free. That is, if you triple the forces involved, you triple the spatial scale, and you triple the time scale. The game teaches me there are no limits on the forces you can deploy in a 40-mile hex and everything happens in a day (or sometimes a week).
2. I always thought organisation for combat was right-sizing your forces so they could do their tasks efficiently and at an acceptable cost. The game teaches me that mass is everything and detaching forces to handle secondary tasks is inefficient.
3. I always thought strategy was about logistics. The game teaches me logistics are only important tactically.
4. I always understood the 14th Army was given the minimum of resources needed to hold the Burmese border. Meanwhile I'm preparing a massive blitzkrieg for the winter of 1942-43.
5. I always understood key terrain was about communications and was rarely an obstacle. The game teaches me the opposite, particularly in China.
6. I always understood the Japanese Army in southern and central China was an infantry force concerned with occupying key communications and lacking the force to hold the countryside. In the game, I watch Japanese panzer armies moving through the countryside and massive offensive forces concentrated in single mountain hexes against massive stacks of Chinese infantry.

There's more--this is just the beginning...

Yes, but it is still the best game on the market, loads of fun and more addictive than any recreational pharmaceutical.

[Canoerebel]

Players begin with an immensely complicated situation (the game) and are tasked with the challenge of identifying key terrain and locations, developing a plan to win, and then implementing that plan while reacting to the opponent's clever plans.  All of this is a package that more or less resembles World War II in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions plus Asia and part of North American to boot.  It's a magnificent achievement.

[LoBaron]

Very good summary herwin.

May I add some sensational stuff to your findings?

- Pilots can only fly at different altitudes if separated by 1000ft except if they climb to service ceiling.

- Canned beef is not discernable from 7.62mm ammo or aviation gasoline.

- The ocean bottom is either 30ft or 8000ft deep.

- B17s on bombing run require a pilot, noone else.

- There are only so many places in Burma where you can build an airfield.

- The Japanese had unloading magicians which disapeared suddently in spring 1942.

- A commander with 96 aggression out of 100 does not kill his crew and eat the corpses on shakedown cruise.

- 1st LT L.C.Lewis was available for reassignement every single day from July 1st ´42 to Feb 23rd ´43 (ok thats mean)

Makes your head spin, doesn´t it? Weird stuff. If they had known back then... [;)]

[crsutton]

Oh boy! This is going to be fun.

1. Lieutenant Quinton McHale actually served with distinction.

2. Unlike previously thought, the Japanese made superb things, and lots of them. (no really, lots!)

3. There really was an excellent road network in northern OZ. With lots of gas stations and quickie marts for hungry travelers.

4. Those little radioless, one man turret, Japanese tanketts simply kicked ass.

5. The Allies won the war with four engine bombers. Nothing else mattered.

6. If not the above then the Japanese won the war by producing 250,000 Frank fighters.

7. Capt. Sam Dealy of the USS Harder was a poltroon who's only real achievement was to return from every war patrol with a seriously damaged sub.

8. It turns out that the Brits were right and Burma was important.

9. Your men might be starving to death but they are still more than willing to go out and fill those bomb holes in the runway.

10. The Boise did not win the war. (but came pretty darn close).

11. The big gun club was right.

It is the best game ever and is sucking my life away....

[LST Express]

Plus, those of us that were lowly enlisted men in real life can now become exalted Generals and Admirals in the game! [:D]

[Blackhorse]

[:D]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Oh boy! This is going to be fun.

1. Lieutenant Quinton McHale actually served with distinction.

2. Unlike previously thought, the Japanese made superb things, and lots of them. (no really, lots!)

3. There really was an excellent road network in northern OZ. With lots of gas stations and quickie marts for hungry travelers.

4. Those little radioless, one man turret, Japanese tanketts simply kicked ass.

5. The Allies won the war with four engine bombers. Nothing else mattered.

6. If not the above then the Japanese won the war by producing 250,000 Frank fighters.

7. Capt. Sam Dealy of the USS Harder was a poltroon who's only real achievement was to return from every war patrol with a seriously damaged sub.

8. It turns out that the Brits were right and Burma was important.

9. Your men might be starving to death but they are still more than willing to go out and fill those bomb holes in the runway.

10. The Boise did not win the war. (but came pretty darn close).

11. The big gun club was right.

It is the best game ever and is sucking my life away....

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: herwin

I play the game to learn why things happened historically. Let me list a few of the things I've learned.

1. I always thought battle was (approximately) scale-free. That is, if you triple the forces involved, you triple the spatial scale, and you triple the time scale. The game teaches me there are no limits on the forces you can deploy in a 40-mile hex and everything happens in a day (or sometimes a week).
2. I always thought organisation for combat was right-sizing your forces so they could do their tasks efficiently and at an acceptable cost. The game teaches me that mass is everything and detaching forces to handle secondary tasks is inefficient.
3. I always thought strategy was about logistics. The game teaches me logistics are only important tactically.
4. I always understood the 14th Army was given the minimum of resources needed to hold the Burmese border. Meanwhile I'm preparing a massive blitzkrieg for the winter of 1942-43.
5. I always understood key terrain was about communications and was rarely an obstacle. The game teaches me the opposite, particularly in China.
6. I always understood the Japanese Army in southern and central China was an infantry force concerned with occupying key communications and lacking the force to hold the countryside. In the game, I watch Japanese panzer armies moving through the countryside and massive offensive forces concentrated in single mountain hexes against massive stacks of Chinese infantry.

There's more--this is just the beginning...

Historically, the Japanese did have quite a bit of armor in the Chinese theatre, as did the Chinese. One of the largest armor vs armor battles of the Pacific theatre was fought in China between Chinese and Japanese tanks, IIRC.

[AW1Steve]

Never enter a land war in Asia or challenge a Sicilian in a matter of life or death![:D]

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

Never enter a land war in Asia or challenge a Sicilian in a matter of life or death![:D]

Ahahaha! Ahahahah! Ahaha...thud. [:D]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: herwin

I play the game to learn why things happened historically. Let me list a few of the things I've learned.

1. I always thought battle was (approximately) scale-free. That is, if you triple the forces involved, you triple the spatial scale, and you triple the time scale. The game teaches me there are no limits on the forces you can deploy in a 40-mile hex and everything happens in a day (or sometimes a week).
2. I always thought organisation for combat was right-sizing your forces so they could do their tasks efficiently and at an acceptable cost. The game teaches me that mass is everything and detaching forces to handle secondary tasks is inefficient.
3. I always thought strategy was about logistics. The game teaches me logistics are only important tactically.
4. I always understood the 14th Army was given the minimum of resources needed to hold the Burmese border. Meanwhile I'm preparing a massive blitzkrieg for the winter of 1942-43.
5. I always understood key terrain was about communications and was rarely an obstacle. The game teaches me the opposite, particularly in China.
6. I always understood the Japanese Army in southern and central China was an infantry force concerned with occupying key communications and lacking the force to hold the countryside. In the game, I watch Japanese panzer armies moving through the countryside and massive offensive forces concentrated in single mountain hexes against massive stacks of Chinese infantry.

There's more--this is just the beginning...

Herwin, your historical 'lessons' do not match my own. My game experiences are much more historically satisfying than yours sound. Pity.

[ilovestrategy]

I feel that the devs really messed up on the historical aspect by not including the USS Caine, captained by Captain Queeg. Is it possible to cut one's own tow line in game?

[ilovestrategy]

Aaaaand, this game is so detailed I wonder if it's possible for messboys to steal strawberries. [:D]

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Herwin, your historical 'lessons' do not match my own. My game experiences are much more historically satisfying than yours sound. Pity.

That is because War is inherently a chaotic act comprising of lot of people trying to get into grips of it.

Theories are for people trying to "bring order to chaos" and thus simplifying the act.

[rockmedic109]

I am glad that there is no difference between beans, bandages, .30 cal ammo, and Cabinet, metal, file, Model 6755-002.

But it is interesting to try and figure out how a pilot can have to bail out of a plane in the middle of Canada from some kind of ops loss and be captured......

[1275psi]

ORIGINAL: rockmedic109

I am glad that there is no difference between beans, bandages, .30 cal ammo, and Cabinet, metal, file, Model 6755-002.

But it is interesting to try and figure out how a pilot can have to bail out of a plane in the middle of Canada from some kind of ops loss and be captured......

Pity the game does not say what happens to him then

The red necks eat him.................

[janh]

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

- B17s on bombing run require a pilot, noone else.

- The Japanese had unloading magicians which disapeared suddently in spring 1942.

- A commander with 96 aggression out of 100 does not kill his crew and eat the corpses on shakedown cruise.

guys, you made my day. was a little skeptical about the thread when I saw it yesterday, but now. keep them coming...

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

ORIGINAL: rockmedic109

I am glad that there is no difference between beans, bandages, .30 cal ammo, and Cabinet, metal, file, Model 6755-002.

But it is interesting to try and figure out how a pilot can have to bail out of a plane in the middle of Canada from some kind of ops loss and be captured......

Pity the game does not say what happens to him then

The red necks eat him.................

The Sasquatch have him... [:D]

[bradfordkay]

ORIGINAL: rockmedic109

I am glad that there is no difference between beans, bandages, .30 cal ammo, and Cabinet, metal, file, Model 6755-002.

But it is interesting to try and figure out how a pilot can have to bail out of a plane in the middle of Canada from some kind of ops loss and be captured......

With the majority of the Canadian men serving overseas while fighting for the British Empire, this pilot had the misfortune(?) of landing on the grounds of a Young Ladies Finishing School. If he is smart he will happily settle down to perform his new duties. If not...

[ilovestrategy]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

ORIGINAL: rockmedic109

I am glad that there is no difference between beans, bandages, .30 cal ammo, and Cabinet, metal, file, Model 6755-002.

But it is interesting to try and figure out how a pilot can have to bail out of a plane in the middle of Canada from some kind of ops loss and be captured......

With the majority of the Canadian men serving overseas while fighting for the British Empire, this pilot had the misfortune(?) of landing on the grounds of a Young Ladies Finishing School. If he is smart he will happily settle down to perform his new duties. If not...

Like Castle Anthrax? Maybe as a prisoner he'll have to give.....A Spanking! Until his buddies arrive to launch an unwanted rescue. [:D]