Gorn's just want to have fun! vontiger(J) vs. geofflambert(A)

[geofflambert]

I understand that forum AAR etiquette is that you don't read your opponents AAR (if he has one). I certainly will not and I'm sure vontiger will not either. Nonetheless I intend to keep to myself (for the most part) what my short term plans may be, and would prefer not to get advice on what I should do. I'd like to make my own mistakes and let you know what the results are. This is my first PBEM and I believe vontiger may be somewhat more experienced but I don't think there's a big mismatch here. Although I'd rather not get advice, when I blow it, by all means pile on.

I'm expecting to post about once a week (game time) unless something big happens in between. I've seen the extroardinary effort some of you have put into your AAR's and I don't know where you get the time. I'll just do summaries and point out those details that I think are unusual, interesting or unexpected.

December 13, 1941...

A large Japanese carrier force attacked Pearl Harbor on the 7th and remained and attacked again on the 8th. I responded in the only way I could think of and ordered the subs I had there to lay special mines in the area where the Japanese force had been sighted. (I didn't think to ask vontiger to turn off the auto subs, so I'm going to have lots of fun keeping mine under control). This action turned out to be moot, as the Japanese force was spotted on the 9th heading in the direction of Midway. The losses from the attacks included WV, NV and CA. The other BB's were sufficiently seaworthy so that I ordered them to the West Coast for repairs. Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales and Repulse were attacked off the Malay peninsula from the air. Repulse was sunk outright and POW was so badly damaged and down to 2 kts. that I took her into port at Mersing and scuttled her.
Japanese forces landed unexpectedly at Pakchoi and Kwangchowan and have captured the latter. Dutch submarines have sunk several ships (mostly AKs) at Singora, Patani and Kota Bharu with their excellent torpedoes. Many American ships in the southern Phillipines have managed to escape to the south, including the Houston. Many other ships fleeing the northern Phillipines and from Hong Kong however were ordered to flee along the northern coast of Borneo as a force with two small carriers (one fielding float planes, Chitose or Chiyoda?) appeared to be headed for a position south of Mindinao. This turned out to be a mistake, as many of these fleeing ships encountered the following: One force of four CAs plus DDs, and two CL/DD groups, and many ships were lost including a couple DD's and two AO's (which I really hate). All remaining refugees changed course to the south and to the west of the Celebes, some heading for Darwin. The Japanese carriers are nearby, but can they sink all of them?
Some or all of the carriers that attacked Pearl have passed south of Midway and appear headed straight for Wake Island.

In any case, my brazen plan to force the IJN to use up all its ammunition appears to be succeeding brilliantly.

[nashvillen]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert


In any case, my brazen plan to force the IJN to use up all its ammunition appears to be succeeding brilliantly.

Ahhh, a Gorn with a sense of humor... very interesting... (Note my avatar) [:D]

[geofflambert]

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[geofflambert]

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[geofflambert]

Dec. 21, 1941

In the past week the Japanese have captured Wake (12/18) Nauru, Ocean I., Tarawa and Moulmein (12/20!). Looks like he's in a hurry in Burma. The usual suspects in Borneo and Malaya have been hit. Davao has fallen as well as Legaspi. Subic Bay appears to be next on the hit parade. Much pressure is being applied in various spots in China, more than I'm used to from the AI. Manado is so far holding out under siege. Many ships spotted approaching Tarakan.
The following reinforcements have arrived in forward areas: the 21st Inf reg. US at Dutch Harbor, the 5th RAA Coastal Art. at Rabaul, 41st Aust. bn at Shortlands, 18th Aust bn at Tulagi, 9th Aust bde at Rabaul, the 3rd USMC Def bn at Palmyra.
I have made an extroardinarily stupid error, I could swear I ordered TF 423 to forget going to Singapore and to unload at Goa the 44th and 45th Ind bdes. On 12/20 this TF showed up at Singapore. All other ships and planes including CAP had evacuated by then. Four Bettys attacked without any hits and as the TF was running at full speed south to the Selat Sunda on 12/21 some Nells attacked, again without result. It's too early to tell if they're safe, there could be cruisers chasing them (My naval search in this area is spotty) and they're only escorted by a CL so watch out for subs. It's better to be stupid and lucky rather than just stupid.

[geofflambert]

December 25, 1941
Everything's quiet, maybe too quiet. The following units are unloading at forward bases: 9th Aus bde at Rabaul, 114th USAAF base force at Rabaul, 148th FA bn at Rabaul, 131st FA bn at Rabaul, 147th FA reg at Rabaul, 2nd Aus Cav bde at Rabaul, the 2/5th Arm reg at Lae, 2/6th Arm reg at Tulagi, 2/9th Arm reg at Shortlands. The 115 USAAF base force has completed unloading at Rabaul as well as the 2/10 Arm reg.

I have reports that a significant carrier force is about 300 miles northeast of Kavieng. I also had reports two days ago of such a force at Truk. I don't believe any of it for a second, you can't count on any of these clowns to give you good information. Even so, I have this weird feeling that I'm being watched. Don't know what to make of it, I'm sure it will pass.

[geofflambert]

Dec. 26, 1941,

I just got hit with shells and bombs and torpedoes and everything! Can he really do that? It's not fair! In separate surface actions Australia, Canberra and Pensacola were lost as well as two destroyers escorting them. Four Japanese CA's attacked (the cheaters) as well as many carrier planes. A couple of shells were valiantly delivered to Mogami and Mikuma. Many other ships were lost or severely damaged and quite a few guns and vehicles were casualties (about half destroyed).

As you might imagine I must return to the planet Gorn and prostrate myself before the Queen of the Gorns and beg for my life. I know many of you have become sentimentally attached to my splendiforous excellence, but all things must pass. Please accord my replacement (also known as Gorn, we don't have much imagination on the planet Gorn) the same reverent respect you have rightly shown me.
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[geofflambert]

Levity aside, I don't know what kind of brain freeze struck me. As you can see I saw them coming, and I had plenty of time for the CAs to escape. If his heavies hadn't sunk them, the carriers would have in the morning. I have no excuse. I knew better.

[FDRLincoln]

"There is no ABDA cruiser squadron"

"Don't you think I know that? There was, but not any more! They called me, they begged me for help...three heavy cruisers...I couldn't...I couldn't..."

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

Levity aside, I don't know what kind of brain freeze struck me. As you can see I saw them coming, and I had plenty of time for the CAs to escape. If his heavies hadn't sunk them, the carriers would have in the morning. I have no excuse. I knew better.

I suggest you mosey on over to Zuluhour's AAR. He is running an employment agency for TWITS and I understand is quite willing to hire them out to other Allied commanders on short term hire contracts. I know DOCUP has availed himself of the flexible hiring conditions which are offered and has some TWITs on his staff. IIRC 9 TWITs have been identified as employees but Zuluhour HQ is a growing organisation with major expansion in mind so registering the newly arrived TWITs is often somewhat behind schedule.

Plus, zuluhour's TWITs are constantly searching the web for new material to post in the thread to be disregarded. Sometimes we get advance preview copies. They are currently on the search for a suitable Nome candidate.

BTW, this doesn't sound like scenario 1 or 2. Is it DaBabes? If yes, you might care to drop by the Mod sub-forum as there are quite a few differences from the official scenarios.

Alfred

PS: just more evidence in favour of not having MNF.

[geofflambert]

Thanks FDRLincoln. I want to make an announcement. My opponent suggested that we play "cover off" which is to say confide in each other about tactics we've used in the course of the game. I proposed to vontiger that I wouldn't mind if he viewed my AAR and could ask questions and post comments there as he saw fit. Therefor this thread is now a joint project between vontiger and myself.

Please do not give him any grief when you see him viewing this thread. Also you may comment directly to him in the thread. I only ask that you all refrain from giving advice, it would be silly anyway given that both sides would see it. But go ahead and be silly anyway, just observe that rule.

Anyways I will proceed in the same way I explained at the beginning of this thread, and hope he does as well, as in don't give me any clues as to what you will do next, or even what if any long term plans you may have. Taunting each other, of course, will be de rigueur.

[geofflambert]

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/ducky.gif

[vontiger]

Thank you geofflambert for the invite!! I would like to reiterate geofflamberts point no advice please half the fun of this game is learning from the mistakes you make and working out tactics by yourself.

So a quick run down to the 1/01/1942- Allied subs in the ports along the Malaysian cost. Luckily for me the ships lost were only transporting 2nd line troops. Float planes have been nasty especially when your cap is set at 23000 ft. But I think the biggest tactic I saw was the emptying of the Pacific, at one stage no ships and the only planes I was seeing was the o47s, B17s and the float planes. Up to this point pretty standard losses and movement with the normal allied bases captured.

[geofflambert]

1/1/42 Obviously, I won't be reporting what reinforcements I send to Allied bases anymore, but I can report an American landing on Wake Island, and he is aware that there is carrier support for it (the airfield and ground forces have been attacked on consecutive days). At the same time, a large Japanese carrier force that has been hanging around New Britain appears to be headed NE. I wonder where they could be going?[&:]
vontiger should be reporting this but Pegu has fallen without resistance. Japanese troops have been spotted on the outskirts of Singapore. There are also reports of small numbers of troops approaching Cagayan. Manila and Bataan are now isolated. The Japanese continue to exert substantial pressure at several points in China, with the Kuomintang sustaining substatial casualties. There was a battle 100 mi. SE of Changsha where the Japanese got a really bloody nose, I believe.[:)]
In any case, the Second Battle of Wake will teach vontiger he can't toy with me!

[vontiger]

To add to Geoffs post, got slapped down in China in the last few days as china has consolidated positions. Also dont shock attack in mountain areas... not smart. Borneo is almost taken, I will get Rangoon in the next turn. I have captured a number of bases around Rabaul. Captured Ternate. Been bombing Manila continually, bombing land units around Borneo.

[geofflambert]

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[geofflambert]

1/1/42 Marines recapture the base at Wake Island!  The Japanese Empire's doom cannot be far away!  The IJN CV fleet is spotted at Truk.
1/2/42  Marines eliminate remaining Japanese on Wake Island.  The CV fleet must be keeping radio silence, unobserved this day.  Dive bombers from Rabaul attack cargo ships at Kavieng.
1/3/42 CV fleet attacks Wake, one AKL unloading supplies sunk.  Dive bombers from Rabaul attack a destroyer near Manus and get one bomb hit. 
1/4/42  Dive bombers from Rabaul attack cargo ship north of Kavieng but are intercepted by Zeroes!  Attack fails.  90 carrier attack planes from TF southeast of Manus strike the airfield at Rabaul.  Sounds like 2 CVs.  CV fleet near Wake Island not spotted, whereabouts unknown.  2 Kingfishers attack bombarding ships at Puerta Princessa, one bomb hit on one DD.  DD Umikaze reported sunk.  Report not believed, but perhaps bomb struck near depth charges. At Kanhsien Chinese forces eject Japanese interlopers.
1/5/42 CV fleet near Wake is spotted. 180 carrier attack planes strike Wake, heavy casualties. Meanwhile 90 CV attack planes strike Rabaul air field from TF east of Kavieng. Clearly the Japanese have broken up their Carrier Fleet. Divide and conquer! Woe to the IJN.

[geofflambert]

1/9/42 Over past several days, unrelenting carrier attacks against Wake and Rabaul. Also Nells attacking Wake, probably from Roi-Namur. What appeared to be a CVL also attacked Wake from the NW. Today, this CVL plus the 4CVs are nowhere to be found, except, what appears to be two CVs escorting what looks like might be an invasion force are approaching Wake from the NW. They appear to be falling into my carefully laid trap!

[vontiger]

1/6/1942- 1/10/1942
Burma

Quiet- No enemy air/land/sea seen. Some units still resisting around .....

China

Lots of bombing, some attacks completed around central China. All battles had good outcomes with allied units retreating

Singapore

90000 British troops in POW camp called Singapore, all other British resistance on the peninsula gone

Philippines

Manila and Batan surrounded. Manila regularly bombed. Captured Puerta Princessa all allied troops captured

Borneo

Captured Beufort with all 3 allied units surrendering. Captured Samba troops retreated. Bombing/attacking singkaking . Some allied troops resisting near Tarakan and Balikapapan

Islands south of Philippines

Some allied bombing at Menado other wise quiet

Dutch East Indies

All Quiet

Eastern Pacific

Wake was retaken- Creation of a new POW camp , regular bombing of Wake

South East Pacific

Rabaul is being bombed regularly, other wise no other movement

[geofflambert]

90,000 troops! That's all that you think awaits you? You fool! My secret weapon is ready for full deployment, when you see her you will quail and rout all the way back to Mersing. You will attempt to reorganize, but she will be upon you before you can give your last prayer to the Emperor!