Matrix Games Forums

Ok, I know this isn't that popular around here these days, but this is what I'd like to play. Stock Scen1, historical start. My problem with this is my pace is too slow. Last attempt that I just trashed was into mid April and I still didn't have Singers or Bataan. Had all Borneo, most of Sumatra, PI (execept Bataan), just invaded Java, and Burma was a mess (had nothing). So I could use the help of a good AAR along these lines. I'm reading Solli's, but he starts non-historical. Will keep reading it because its full of good stuff, but I need a start.

While I could keep such a game going against the AI, its not gonna work in PBEM.

P.S. It was my third attempt, although I got many things going OK (econ wise), my pace could leaves something to be desired.

Being a newbie myself, i cannot give you original good advices.

But from what you tell about your strategy, i would say you spread your forces much more than most IJ players usually do, without focusing on strategic points.

Usually, as a strategic base for further expansion, Singapore is considered as a must before any other major offensive in the DEI. Singapore can be a very hard nut to crack if you're not ready to engage a lot of your best land units for capturing it.

Supplying all your offensives without having secured a strong supply line may be a handicap soon.

Build a Plan.  Set waypoints, and stick to The Plan.  Set a time table to accomplish The Plan.  Objectives will vary depending on The Plan.

John 3rd has some good aggresive AAR's.  Cribtop's  AARs also come to mind.  Obvert is a great planner.  Lokasenna (sp) also has a few.  And for going no holds barred, The Moose is one sneaky .... critter [:D]

If playing Scenerio 1 try and follow the historical timeline as Japan as closely as possible

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/pacificwar/timeline.htm

Some of these can slip due to the AI doing different things. But up to about May '42 you should have accomplished what they did historically.

Rather than an AAR you might want to read the actual Japanese battle plans and forces involved in the PI

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V2%20P1/ch6.htm

If they could do it, you can too [:)]

...but only BETTER!

I think Numdydar has the right of it. If you are a relative noob, I think some historical stuff under your belt will help you understand the whacko departures of some of the AARs. Innovative stuff, in the margins, don’t help much unless you understand the “whys and wherefores” of the innovations. Mike Solli came to his conclusions/methods after years of playing, but they are dispositive for Mike. His details might be dispositive for everyone. [:)] The Moose is in another universe, altogether, and it’s hard to understand the subjective imperatives of Frostbite Falls, without a decent grounding in objective reality [:D].

14th Army hits the PI; the mission is to have all of Luzon (except Bataan) by the end of 1941. 2nd Army from the Palaus can help in Mindanao. 38th ID is available for reinforcement after it takes Hong Kong.

25th Army hits Malaya; the mission is to have all of Malaya (except Singers) by the end of 1941.

One can hit Borneo early, but the DEI invasion didn’t happen till Jan. ’42, with a poopload of 2nd Army forces from Palau and Davao, and some 25th Army troops freed up from Malaya.

That’s the way it was, and it’s worth it to do it that way, so one can get a sense of “why not” [8D].

Just my humble opinion.

Ciao. JWE

Cribtop's AAR is the best! Historical start, scenario 1 and he writes in first person narrative to complement great victories or tragedies. Best AAR I've read.

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

If playing Scenerio 1 try and follow the historical timeline as Japan as closely as possible

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/pacificwar/timeline.htm

Some of these can slip due to the AI doing different things. But up to about May '42 you should have accomplished what they did historically.

Rather than an AAR you might want to read the actual Japanese battle plans and forces involved in the PI

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V2%20P1/ch6.htm

If they could do it, you can too [:)]

Yeah, no I've forgotten more about WWII than most people ever know. That doesn't include this group but you know what I mean. Anyway that's what I'm trying to do. The only thing I tried to do out of turn is take Palembang (used 4th ID) early as I didn't want the fortress event, not that the AI will do that but an opponent might.

So Singers fell Feb. 15 and I'm in position to start my assult early in the month (historical) but I get slaughtered (lots of disabled devices) in the shock attack. Three divs (IG, 5th, 18th, [all combined], elements of the 56th {some of it starts off somewhere else}) also historical , except 56th was in reserve. I also have all that arty down there. Then I have to wait to restore some order to my units before attacking again (about a month) now the defenders all have good morale and whatever. The only thing I didn't bring to the party was the armor as I didn't think they'd be useful against the forts (oh yeah, I bought plenty of engr's too). Just read another thread here saying the opposite.

I did have one game going where there was no shock attack. Not sure why. I know that the shock attack can be prevented with a certain amount of AV compared to the defender, but don't know if its possible with Japans' limited ground resources. Anyone here able to take it without the shock?

So, I just keep getting bogged down, reset/restart. Try different combo. I guess its just a tactics issue.

ORIGINAL: Symon

I think Numdydar has the right of it. If you are a relative noob, I think some historical stuff under your belt will help you understand the whacko departures of some of the AARs. Innovative stuff, in the margins, don’t help much unless you understand the “whys and wherefores” of the innovations. Mike Solli came to his conclusions/methods after years of playing, but they are dispositive for Mike. His details might be dispositive for everyone. [:)] The Moose is in another universe, altogether, and it’s hard to understand the subjective imperatives of Frostbite Falls, without a decent grounding in objective reality [:D].

14th Army hits the PI; the mission is to have all of Luzon (except Bataan) by the end of 1941. 2nd Army from the Palaus can help in Mindanao. 38th ID is available for reinforcement after it takes Hong Kong.

25th Army hits Malaya; the mission is to have all of Malaya (except Singers) by the end of 1941.

One can hit Borneo early, but the DEI invasion didn’t happen till Jan. ’42, with a poopload of 2nd Army forces from Palau and Davao, and some 25th Army troops freed up from Malaya.

That’s the way it was, and it’s worth it to do it that way, so one can get a sense of “why not” [8D].

Just my humble opinion.

Ciao. JWE

Yep, great got it all. Know my history. Just keep snafuing everything up I guess.

As an aside I always had an affinity for history. Two most in depth periods are US Civil War, WWII. So as a kid first 'serious' war game was AH's original D-Day. So play game... well what really happened... read book. Etc, etc, etc. Sadly Civil War period kinda lost out over the years, now its almost all WWII.

ORIGINAL: temagic

Cribtop's AAR is the best! Historical start, scenario 1 and he writes in first person narrative to complement great victories or tragedies. Best AAR I've read.

Great sounds like just what I need, thanks I'll check it out.

Hey, thanks guys knew you'd all come through.[:'(]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

If playing Scenerio 1 try and follow the historical timeline as Japan as closely as possible

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/pacificwar/timeline.htm

Some of these can slip due to the AI doing different things. But up to about May '42 you should have accomplished what they did historically.

Rather than an AAR you might want to read the actual Japanese battle plans and forces involved in the PI

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V2%20P1/ch6.htm

If they could do it, you can too [:)]

Yeah, no I've forgotten more about WWII than most people ever know. That doesn't include this group but you know what I mean. Anyway that's what I'm trying to do. The only thing I tried to do out of turn is take Palembang (used 4th ID) early as I didn't want the fortress event, not that the AI will do that but an opponent might.

So Singers fell Feb. 15 and I'm in position to start my assult early in the month (historical) but I get slaughtered (lots of disabled devices) in the shock attack. Three divs (IG, 5th, 18th, [all combined], elements of the 56th {some of it starts off somewhere else}) also historical , except 56th was in reserve. I also have all that arty down there. Then I have to wait to restore some order to my units before attacking again (about a month) now the defenders all have good morale and whatever. The only thing I didn't bring to the party was the armor as I didn't think they'd be useful against the forts (oh yeah, I bought plenty of engr's too). Just read another thread here saying the opposite.

I did have one game going where there was no shock attack. Not sure why. I know that the shock attack can be prevented with a certain amount of AV compared to the defender, but don't know if its possible with Japans' limited ground resources. Anyone here able to take it without the shock?

So, I just keep getting bogged down, reset/restart. Try different combo. I guess its just a tactics issue.

With the DaBabes map with stacking limits you do not have to worry about the 'fortress' situation. Of course the AI will ignore stacking limits so it will not help there, but with a human player, they will be effective in preventing this from happening.

Going for Sumtra early in Scenerio 1 is where you main issue lies. The troops there need to be used to clear out other areas before attempting that. Japan historically was not able to do everything at once which is why there advances were broken into two distinct phases. Now if you play Scenerio 2, you can do what you are doing.

Even though you have 'fogttened' more about WWII etc., you keep trying to ahistorical things with a historical troop pool. So if you are planning on starting over, try the actual historical path that Japan really used and I bet you will do a lot better. Just a freindly suggestion [:)]

Against the AI as Japan, I was able to complete all my objectives prior to April '42 in the stock Scenerio 1. So I KNOW if I can do it you should be able too to [:)]. I did this by using the historical setup of TFs that the game starts with and did not change any of them around. So yes I actually let Battaan Is. be invaded in the first turn of the game [:D].

I hope this helps some.

Even though you have 'fogttened' more about WWII etc., you keep trying to ahistorical things with a historical troop pool. So if you are planning on starting over, try the actual historical path that Japan really used and I bet you will do a lot better. Just a freindly suggestion

I would never say I know all about WWII (not that you said that either), and if you looked at my description of the Singers op you'll see I used the exact historical force with the exception of the armor. That may be to my detriment, but I don't think its a game ender. My only real problem is to get Singers and Bataan to fall in a timely (read historical) manner. As any JFB knows those forces are needed elsewhere. The unit I used for Sumatra was the 4th ID. Its one I don't know where it went, although I'm sure I could find out.

Now I know its a game and things don't necessarily go exactly as they did IRL. So in my next go I'm considering an extra ID for Singers plus the armor. I'll isolate Palambang by air from Singkawang and Toboali, and get it later. My last game I got lazy and didn't watch Bataan and the AI got some supply into those buggers, so I believe that caused my problem there. Plus I think I need more engr's there as the ones inherently in the ID's seems to not be enough. I'll give it a go and we'll see what happens.

Oh, IRL Palembang was invaded the day or the day after Singers fell. So FEB 15 or 16 I don't recall but what's one day among friends. Java was invaded around the beginning of April which is also when I landed there. The whole island fell in a week which I doubt will happen game wise, but that's OK I can take some slips. Its not like I intend to conquer Oz or India. I'm looking for roughly the historic expanse with a few slight mods, and then a counter-punch style of defense.

I'm also changing several other things I've been doing. Mostly in relation to what ships carry what to/from here and there. Hey, I'm learning and what a ride its been so far.[:)]

ORIGINAL: temagic

Cribtop's AAR is the best! Historical start, scenario 1 and he writes in first person narrative to complement great victories or tragedies. Best AAR I've read.

Kind words indeed. Thanks, my friend!

Deleted double post.

I am sorry, but the discussion in this thread bears little resembles to Japanese OOB in their invasions of PI, Malaya, DEI and Borneo and that also goes for timeline and how those units were deployed.

For example, to answer your question about IJA 4th Div, it comes as reinforcement from Shanghai to Bataan in Feb, 1942.

The Japanese OOB units that fought in Bataan are as follows.

14th Army XXXX
-16th Div
-65th Brigade arrived on Jan 1, 1942 to replace 48th Div that's pulled for DEI Invasion in Feb 1942
-7th Tank Regiment
-1st Heavy Artillery Regiment
-8th Heavy Artillery Regiment
-One mountain artillery battalion

10th Independent Air Unit
-52nd Recon
-74th Recon
-76th Recon
-50th Fighter
-16th Light Bomber

BATAAN REINFORCEMENTS
-4th Div from Shanghai(2/42)
-21st Div Nagano Detachment 62nd Inf Regt (2/26/42), 21st goes to Garrison Hanoi, it later then goes to New Guinea
-1st Artillery Group from Hong Kong
-60th Heavy Bomber from Malay
-62th Heavy Bomber from Malay



NOTE: 48th Div pulls out in early Feb 1942, it lands at Kragen, Java on March 1, 1942
16th Army, 2nd Div goes to Merak, it lands in Western Java on March 1, 1942
All Air Fleets move south.
Manila is a FREE city, Japan troops walk in on Dec 25, 1941.

PALEMBERG OOB Feb 15, 1941
-229th Inf Regt 38th Div from Hong Kong
-Army Parachute Brigade

-228th Inf Regt 38th Div from Hong Kong lands in Timor Feb 20, 1941
-230th Inf Regt 38th Div from Hong Kong lands with 2Div at Merak, Java

etc

ORIGINAL: linrom

I am sorry, but the discussion in this thread bears little resembles to Japanese OOB in their invasions of PI, Malaya, DEI and Borneo and that also goes for timeline and how those units were deployed.

For example, to answer your question about IJA 4th Div, it comes as reinforcement from Shanghai to Bataan in Feb, 1942.

The Japanese OOB units that fought in Bataan are as follows.

14th Army XXXX
-16th Div
-65th Brigade arrived on Jan 1, 1942 to replace 48th Div that's pulled for DEI Invasion in Feb 1942
-7th Tank Regiment
-1st Heavy Artillery Regiment
-8th Heavy Artillery Regiment
-One mountain artillery battalion

10th Independent Air Unit
-52nd Recon
-74th Recon
-76th Recon
-50th Fighter
-16th Light Bomber

BATAAN REINFORCEMENTS
-4th Div from Shanghai(2/42)
-21st Div Nagano Detachment 62nd Inf Regt (2/26/42), 21st goes to Garrison Hanoi, it later then goes to New Guinea
-1st Artillery Group from Hong Kong
-60th Heavy Bomber from Malay
-62th Heavy Bomber from Malay



NOTE: 48th Div pulls out in early Feb 1942, it lands at Kragen, Java on March 1, 1942
16th Army, 2nd Div goes to Merak, it lands in Western Java on March 1, 1942
All Air Fleets move south.
Manila is a FREE city, Japan troops walk in on Dec 25, 1941.

PALEMBERG OOB Feb 15, 1941
-229th Inf Regt 38th Div from Hong Kong
-Army Parachute Brigade

-228th Inf Regt 38th Div from Hong Kong lands in Timor Feb 20, 1941
-230th Inf Regt 38th Div from Hong Kong lands with 2Div at Merak, Java

etc

Well first off I'm hyjacking a friends' computer right so I don't have time to look everything up, so I'll just go from memory (which is getting weak). IIRC Manila was occupied 1Jan42, now I could be wrong won't be first time won't be last. The four ID's I indicated were in Malaya are spot on. And what difference does it make if I have the 48th or the 4th (which I said I didn't know where it went anyway) in Bataan, an ID is an ID. Also I didn't mention any support units specifically. Oh, and was the Java landing in early March? Could have been I'll check later. So, I don't really think I'm that far off. Just that I can't seem to make it happen game wise, but that's my problem. [:D] I'll get it right eventually. [:'(]