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I am about to embark on a new campaign, this time back to the Allies in a DBB-C Senario 28 against Mark (Desertedfox). Mark is a self-avowed AFB with extensive experience as the Allies who has decided to play as the Japanese with which he has less intimate knowledge. From what I gather, he is a very tough opponent who has driven many an adversary to surrender by the summer of 1942. My plan is to NOT be another notch on his belt and have him sign on the dotted line in Tokyo Bay in 1945.

Depending on what happens with my other campaign as the Japanese (Empire of the Sun), I will either turn this into a fully fleshed AAR or a somewhat sparser one. I don't think I have the bandwidth for two comprehensive AARs at the same time.

As Mark is wrapping his head around the first turn as the Japanese, I will be familiarizing myself with some of the finer points of DBB-C as this is my first non-stock scenario.

Please allow me to kick things off with a question to all the knowledgable AFBs out there - In terms of merchant vessels, I know there are some important ship classes out there like the C2 Cargo that I should be very careful with as they turn into AE types later on. What are some others classes, either DBB specific models or just in general, that you would say are more important than they initially seem due to future upgrades or conversions?

I like converting the Harriman xAKs to AKEs, and usually convert a few Hog Islands as well for good measure. The more I play, the more I like AKEs, AEs, ADs, ASs, etc. Since reading "Beans, Bullets and Black Oil" I've had a lot of respect for auxiliaries.

A lot of the Brit xAKs convert to xAPs. They are usually better as xAKs in the beginning for moving supply and fuel (at 50% efficiency), but at some point most of them become more useful as troop carriers.

Also, keep an eye out for anything that can convert to an AKV. I don't recall what classes they are, but they are definitely worth protecting.

Cheers,
CB

Every ship that can turn into an AE should be. I don't know what the load is for that scenario but it does haul a little fuel and I think that "Ruth Alexander" comes to mine as one of them.

If you convert a class to AGs, they can still haul cargo but get better endurance. One the plus side as well, you can load them while not in a task force.

Take all of your APs and AKs that can convert to attack vessels to the East Coast to haul supplies somewhere safe. Continue to do so until shortly before they convert then bring them on map and convert them as soon as is possible.

My thanks to you both. Is it true that if I don't convert some of these ships by a certain date I lose the ability to do so? If true, that could be a significant and negative surprise for the unwary.

1. Don't rush to convert merchantmen to auxiliaries before you have become comfortable with their sealift capacity. DaBabes has two significant differences with the official scenarios.

(a) in many instances endurance is substantially reduced

(b) cargo holds sizes are generally significantly reduced. The "C" scenario variations reduce cargo holds even further

2. Merchantmen capable of 17 knots (5 hexes) at max speed/ 14 knots (4) hexes) at cruise speed, are fast enough to be considered for making unescorted convoy runs from Capetown to Perth. That high speed makes it difficult for Japanese subs to get into position to fire torpedoes. That west-east transit of the Indian Ocean is at the extreme edge for Japanese Surface Combat TFs to patrol from Timorese and Javan home ports.

3. DaBabes scenarios are much more generous in providing ARDs than are the official scenarios. This reduces to a certain extent one of the advantages of converting to tenders.

4. Easy to overlook the Canadian AMCs which can convert to LSI(M). Depending on strategy employed, the LSI(M) may prove to be very invaluable.

5. It is not timing which should concern you. It is the upgrade/conversion branching which is very important. Electing a particular branch generally removes the other branching options.

Alfred

ORIGINAL: Alfred

1. Don't rush to convert merchantmen to auxiliaries before you have become comfortable with their sealift capacity. DaBabes has two significant differences with the official scenarios.

(a) in many instances endurance is substantially reduced

(b) cargo holds sizes are generally significantly reduced. The "C" scenario variations reduce cargo holds even further

2. Merchantmen capable of 17 knots (5 hexes) at max speed/ 14 knots (4) hexes) at cruise speed, are fast enough to be considered for making unescorted convoy runs from Capetown to Perth. That high speed makes it difficult for Japanese subs to get into position to fire torpedoes. That west-east transit of the Indian Ocean is at the extreme edge for Japanese Surface Combat TFs to patrol from Timorese and Javan home ports.

3. DaBabes scenarios are much more generous in providing ARDs than are the official scenarios. This reduces to a certain extent one of the advantages of converting to tenders.

4. Easy to overlook the Canadian AMCs which can convert to LSI(M). Depending on strategy employed, the LSI(M) may prove to be very invaluable.

5. It is not timing which should concern you. It is the upgrade/conversion branching which is very important. Electing a particular branch generally removes the other branching options.

Alfred

Very helpful as always Alfred, thanks. To me this is one of the most interesting parts of the game, getting familiar with all the logistics and how best to leverage sealift and such.

Good luck!

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

I like converting the Harriman xAKs to AKEs, and usually convert a few Hog Islands as well for good measure. The more I play, the more I like AKEs, AEs, ADs, ASs, etc. Since reading "Beans, Bullets and Black Oil" I've had a lot of respect for auxiliaries.

A lot of the Brit xAKs convert to xAPs. They are usually better as xAKs in the beginning for moving supply and fuel (at 50% efficiency), but at some point most of them become more useful as troop carriers.

Also, keep an eye out for anything that can convert to an AKV. I don't recall what classes they are, but they are definitely worth protecting.

Cheers,
CB

I never read my opponents AARs, but aux ships are usually under used. I like and use them all heavily.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

I like converting the Harriman xAKs to AKEs, and usually convert a few Hog Islands as well for good measure. The more I play, the more I like AKEs, AEs, ADs, ASs, etc. Since reading "Beans, Bullets and Black Oil" I've had a lot of respect for auxiliaries.

A lot of the Brit xAKs convert to xAPs. They are usually better as xAKs in the beginning for moving supply and fuel (at 50% efficiency), but at some point most of them become more useful as troop carriers.

Also, keep an eye out for anything that can convert to an AKV. I don't recall what classes they are, but they are definitely worth protecting.

Cheers,
CB

I never read my opponents AARs, but aux ships are usually under used. I like and use them all heavily.

The ships are force multipliers. Someone who does not use them will have to send his ships to major ports to rearm and repair. That wastes fuel and time, both of which could be used for other things besides clogging up the major ports repair facilities with lots of minor damage to repair.

Even the AGs are very useful in that they can repair damage, including major damage, to very small ships while still being cargo haulers. Useful for convoys, plus they can be loaded instantly in San Francisco.

Good luck and looking forward to the clash of the desert denizens.

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

ORIGINAL: Alfred

1. Don't rush to convert merchantmen to auxiliaries before you have become comfortable with their sealift capacity. DaBabes has two significant differences with the official scenarios.

(a) in many instances endurance is substantially reduced

(b) cargo holds sizes are generally significantly reduced. The "C" scenario variations reduce cargo holds even further

2. Merchantmen capable of 17 knots (5 hexes) at max speed/ 14 knots (4) hexes) at cruise speed, are fast enough to be considered for making unescorted convoy runs from Capetown to Perth. That high speed makes it difficult for Japanese subs to get into position to fire torpedoes. That west-east transit of the Indian Ocean is at the extreme edge for Japanese Surface Combat TFs to patrol from Timorese and Javan home ports.

3. DaBabes scenarios are much more generous in providing ARDs than are the official scenarios. This reduces to a certain extent one of the advantages of converting to tenders.

4. Easy to overlook the Canadian AMCs which can convert to LSI(M). Depending on strategy employed, the LSI(M) may prove to be very invaluable.

5. It is not timing which should concern you. It is the upgrade/conversion branching which is very important. Electing a particular branch generally removes the other branching options.

Alfred

Very helpful as always Alfred, thanks. To me this is one of the most interesting parts of the game, getting familiar with all the logistics and how best to leverage sealift and such.

I agree with Alfred about needing cargo capacity, at least for the first year of the war and certainly for the first six months. You will not have that many ships and locations that can do bombardment frequently until late 1942, so the need for AEs/AKEs is limited. By all means, convert every C2 Lassen to AE. Unlike RJ, I have not found it useful to convert all the other possible ships to AKE. I do convert the 5250 capacity US xAKs to AKEs of 4200 tons because they can rearm most BBs. I do NOT find it useful to convert the 4900 ton capacity xAKs to 3900 capacity AKEs. I need their 14K+ range and extra 1000 cargo more.

You have lots of small xAKs you can convert to AGs. I found these most useful to scatter around the map to rearm small ASW ships which run out of ammo very quickly in the early game. Of course AKEs can do that too, but I put AGs in more exposed ports than the AKEs.

In the early game, there are oodles of small units like CB battalions, MG companies, Port Service Dets, etc which need to be moved regularly. One of the most useful ships is the British xAK (of 3900 tons) which can convert to an xAP of 1000/2200 tons. They can dock at a level one port, they can land troops amphibiously and depart reasonably quickly, and they have a decent 11K range.

Those are my main thoughts on conversions.

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

Please allow me to kick things off with a question to all the knowledgable AFBs out there - In terms of merchant vessels, I know there are some important ship classes out there like the C2 Cargo that I should be very careful with as they turn into AE types later on. What are some others classes, either DBB specific models or just in general, that you would say are more important than they initially seem due to future upgrades or conversions?

Alfred's advice is solid - anything that converts to APA, LSI or any variation is worth looking after.

On the smaller craft, I'm not all that sold on converting to AG, at least not en-masse. With the changes in DBB-C, as well as the limitations for the Allies in the early months before they can build port infrastructure to get the supply/fuel needed to the front, the smaller cargo ships are really key for moving material between the large hubs and the smaller nodes.

That leads on to my next point in picking out your major naval bases early and get developing from day 1. Allied victory really is built on a string of size 9 ports.

The upgrade to AG does not change the cargo capacity. It does give the ship more endurance and weapons, mostly likely up to the next upgrade.

I do not convert all of the ships that can to AKE. To bad there weren't more ADs though.

Great information from everyone for me to process here, thank you all very much. [&o]

On a different note, going back to the allies and reviewing the OOB I am reminded of how stretched I will be for capable and non-restricted LCUs and some other forces. Even in December 1941 though I still see plenty of good stuff to play with!

House Rules

Aside from a couple of exceptions, this will be a pretty conventional approach in terms of House Rules and settings:

1. PP paid in full for restricted units to cross borders.
2. 4E naval attack from 10k or more.
3. Troops can be unloaded only in dots/bases (same for para). They can be loaded anywhere though (evacuation).
4. No chasing of known Allied ship positions (e.g. CV) in turn 1.
5. No air attacks on any industry in China by either side.
6. For December 7, Allies can give orders to only existing TFs and units in China.
7. Para units must recombine before conducting a second drop.
8. No 4E bomber night strikes on airfield or port targets. Attacks against industry/cities etc are fine. 2E bombers or fighters can night attack against airfields and ports only if they are equipped with radar.

Realism: PDU on, reliable tops no, historical turn no, surprise on, R&D off
Options: auto subs off, facilities expand off, auto upgrades off, replacement off, turn 1 day

Folks, apologies for the disappearance act. Was distracted in RL as I started a new job and the game was also delayed somewhat with a change of opponent. Mark (Desertedfox) was frustrated with some of the first turn mechanics [https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4882775] and decided to take a break from the game. I wish him well and I hope he quickly comes back to the game.

In the meantime, I found a new opponent, szmike, and we've just kicked off with the first couple of turns. Mike is a fairly recent player, but if I have learned anything from my experience with this game over the last year is that game experience is neither a guarantee of excellence nor is inexperience a sure path for defeat. Mike seems to have a good head on his shoulders and has read many AARs, so I am sure he will give me a good fight. He mentioned he may start an AAR to get some feedback, and if he does, I ask you helpful people to offer him advice the same way you have kindly aided me when I first started out.

House rules are mostly the same as above, with some minor alterations such as max second maneuver band for fighters.

December 7, 1941

A nice change of pace from my previous opponents who always went after Manila. Mike decided to hammer Pearl Harbor with the KB. Battleship row got plastered, and I lost West Virginia to a magazine explosion. Here is the damage on the remaining vessels.

December 7, 1941 (continued)

Overall some solid early pushes by Mike. It's too early to tell, but he seems to be going heavy in Malaya with a secondary effort in Luzon. I also see a number of convoys near Mindanao so he may be going to take it early. Boise and Houston will attempt to run interference to provide cover for the stampeding herd from Manila.

Central Pacific

Japanese forces land and take Midway in a coup de main. Good play by Mike, taking it this early. Aided by a heavy cruiser bombardment, only one SNLF unit was needed in the effort.

South China Sea

The three RN destroyers that start off at Hong Kong sallied forth in an attempt to hit some Japanese convoys but were overwhelmed and destroyed by a squadron of Japanese destroyers during the night before they could do any damage.

Philippines

The KB was busy elsewhere, but that didn't mean Manila was spared. Heavy Nettie raids did their damage, sinking a number of vessels and seriously damaging large numbers of submarines. The IJAAF also hit Clark airfield pretty hard, damaging and destroying a number of B-17Ds.

Elements of the Japanese 48th Division landed in northern Luzon.

Malaya

About a 100 Nettie bombers also hit Singapore port. Large numbers of ships were damaged but very few ships sunk. Force Z emerged unscathed.

Elements of the 2nd and 18th Japanese infantry divisions began landing in northern Malaya. Likely more Japanese divisions are on their way.

Borneo

Naval Guard units land at Miri, Brunei, and Jesselton.

Sorry to hear you had a change of of opponents but hope your new one will prove to give you an educational and challenging game.

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Sorry to hear you had a change of of opponents but hope your new one will prove to give you an educational and challenging game.

Thanks!