Who is Sir Robin? - Daniel (A) vs Ale (J)

[huda0816]

I had hoped that the day would never come but today was the day. Now there is no turning back. My honorable opponent Ale sent me the first turn of our game.

While he worked hard in the last few weeks, doing hundreds of spreadsheets and consulting with the top brass of this forum, I was enjoying the time off and did not think much about the 5+ years to come.

Now It is literally my turn and I am afraid! Afraid of loosing my carriers, afraid of loosing my tankers and afraid of loosing China in the first two month of the game.

As Ale wrote in his AAR, we will be playing scenario 1 with AndyMac's latest map changes. I tried to convince him to play scenario 2, but he did not want to.

Those are our settings:

Fog of War - ON
Advanced Weather - ON
Allied Damage Control - ON
PDU - ON
Historical First Turn - OFF
Dec 7 Surprise - ON
Reliable USN Torps - OFF
Realistic R&D - ON
No Unit Withdrawals - OFF
Reinforcements - fixed for both
Turn cycle - 1

And those are the house rules we agreed on:

House Rules First Turn only:

No new Allied TF creation and no orders to air and ground units outside China
Issuing orders to any TF's that are already formed at start is allowed.
No CV hunting on the first turn
No Mersing gambit
Just one port attack on turn 1
Don't abuse of the magic TF movement to land very far from the initial friendly coasts

House Rules whole game:

Permanently restricted unit cannot cross national borders
Temporarily restricted unit must pay full PPs
Invasion: don't split a small unit in multiple hexes (fragments)

Also there is this House Rule we did agree on in recent smaller scenario games:

Don't do gamey stuff.

Since I'm going to give Ale a chance to comment once in this thread. I will stop here for now and talk about my plans and intentions in the next posts.

(Thanks Deepl for proofreading)

[BBfanboy]

Only one question: Is your title serious or tongue in cheek? If serious, go to YouTube site and search "Monty Python + Sir Robin".

[OnWargaming]

I am here just to say good luck and have fun!

Five years?? You are a very optimistic man! [:D]

I have other house rules for me that you will discover along the game!

Anyhow I don't think your overall plan will be to give me free hand, nice deception [:)]


Last post here, I will read it after the game.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Only one question: Is your title serious or tongue in cheek? If serious, go to YouTube site and search "Monty Python + Sir Robin".

+1

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Only one question: Is your title serious or tongue in cheek? If serious, go to YouTube site and search "Monty Python + Sir Robin".

Thanks for the tip. In fact, I read about pulling off a Sir Robin. And also my opponent obviously knows about this "tactic".

On the one hand I wanted to create some confusion with this title, on the other hand it should express that I will not pull out too much, but try to hold my ground.

Since we are playing scenario 1, my goal is to stall as long as possible so that his forces are tied up as long as possible.

Another reason for not pulling out is that Ale, as far as I know, appreciates a historical game. The reason he wanted to stick with scenario 1 was, that he wanted to try to accomplish the historical goals in the historical time frame.

I will outline my plans for each theater in upcoming posts.

Feedback is appreciated!

[RangerJoe]

Oh, pull back what you can but be ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself. If you have not done so yet, read Lowpe's AAR as Allies starting at the beginning.

[huda0816]

China

I have read a few AARs in the last few weeks and it seems very hard to hold China. I don't need China, but I want to prevent him from using all the freed up divisions from China to subsequently conquer India.

I will probably move some unrestricted British tanks into China as soon as they arrive.

Before I decide what to do in China, I will have to wait and see if he concentrates on Sian or Changsa.

[huda0816]

India and Indian Ocean

If I were playing as Japanese, I would focus on India (and China) first, since I don't have to worry much about supplies and it's not a death trap like most of the Pacific islands. Even Ceylon in Japanese hands would hurt me more than an invasion of Australia.

The British 18th Division will go to Ceylon and Diego Garcia (it was a difficult decision, but I must not lose Ceylon, and I'm worried that the 16th Australian Division won't arrive soon enough).

TF423 will go to Singapore as planned.

Airfields will be upgraded and coastal cities reinforced.

Engineers will be sent to the Burma-India border to build fortifications and airfields.

I will try to build up Cocos and Christmas Island to secure my shipping lanes to Australia and withdraw aircraft from Java and Sumatra.

[huda0816]

Southeast Asia

In Burma, I will try to make a stand in Mandalay. In my game against the AI, the Japanese overran me in Burma. That will probably be the case in this game as well.

In Malaya, I will try to be a brave Sir Robin and try to move as many troops as possible to Singapore, where hopefully they will hold off the Japanese for some time. As I wrote above, the 18th British Division will not go to Singapore, which will make it a little easier for my Japanese opponent. In my game against the AI, I managed to move some units to Java before Singapore fell. I am not sure if that is possible in this game.

Java and Sumatra will not be reinforced. In Java, I will make my stand in Batavia and Soerabaja. In Sumatra, I will move the Marechausee Bn corps to Palembang.

For Borneo and Celebes I have nothing planned.

I am still not sure what to to with Force Z. It would be fun to surprise his landing forces in Malaya but I am not sure if it would make it there.

[huda0816]

Phillipines

In the Phillipines, I will concentrate on Clark and Manila. In my game against the AI, it paid off to have two airfields.

I plan to keep the fighters there, but will eventually pull out the experienced pilots.

I will, however, withdraw the B-17D squadrons. I will also withdraw most of the ships there.

[huda0816]

Australia and New Guinea

I am not too worried about Northern Australia, because if he tries to invade Australia, sooner or later it will be a death trap for him.

For me, the most important thing is to prevent him from taking Perth, as this would severely affect my shipping to Australia. I also need to defend Australia's industrial centers on the east coast.

Another important action in this area is to bring in U.S. fighters as soon as possible.

Port Moresby will be reinforced, but it is not my plan to hold it at any cost, since it is difficult to supply.

[huda0816]

Northern Pacific

I will try to build up Adak Island, but will not commit too many resources or units there.

Central Pacific

In my opinion, this area is important to secure the shipping routes to Australia. Therefore, I will try to reinforce Canton Island, Palmyra and Christmas Island. Most importantly, I will try to establish a base on Tabiteuea.

Southern Pacific

My goal in this area is to hold the Fijis, Pago Pago and Noumea.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

China

I have read a few AARs in the last few weeks and it seems very hard to hold China. I don't need China, but I want to prevent him from using all the freed up divisions from China to subsequently conquer India.

I will probably move some unrestricted British tanks into China as soon as they arrive.

Before I decide what to do in China, I will have to wait and see if he concentrates on Sian or Changsa.

Your second sentence contradicts itself when it recognizes that you do need China to soak up Japanese troop strength. With a maximum replacement rate of 325 squads a turn the Chinese can soak up a lot, but you need to get some supply there to get the replacements and you need to send some light AA, A/T guns and those tanks to make up for the Chinese lack of heavy weapons. The AVG should also pop in and out to hit weakly escorted bombers. Send those reinforcements to places from which they can retreat and recover if Japan concentrates too much against them. All part of the delay game.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

India and Indian Ocean

If I were playing as Japanese, I would focus on India (and China) first, since I don't have to worry much about supplies and it's not a death trap like most of the Pacific islands. Even Ceylon in Japanese hands would hurt me more than an invasion of Australia.

The British 18th Division will go to Ceylon and Diego Garcia (it was a difficult decision, but I must not lose Ceylon, and I'm worried that the 16th Australian Division won't arrive soon enough).

TF423 will go to Singapore as planned.

Airfields will be upgraded and coastal cities reinforced.

Engineers will be sent to the Burma-India border to build fortifications and airfields.

I will try to build up Cocos and Christmas Island to secure my shipping lanes to Australia and withdraw aircraft from Java and Sumatra.

Ceylon can be taken by the Japanese in 1942 if he really wants it. He can simply concentrate more power there than you can muster and with KB's help, he can isolate Ceylon from resupply. Bombay and Karachi are the keys to India.

Ceylon has a nice repair shipyard but until you get naval superiority it is a trap for any ship undergoing long-term repairs. I send all valuable damaged ships from the IO theater to Cape Town for repairs in 1942.

In stock Scenario 1 you will get supply building up in Abadan as 10% of the oil refinery production is supply. That can be shipped to Karachi. Most British/Australian reinforcements coming from the European theater will arrive at Aden. From there they can be sent to Abadan and then Karachi, or if you have enough naval escort you can send them Aden to Bombay. And Bombay produces enough supply that it is a must-protect base.

The rest of India is like China - loads of inexperienced, low morale Indian troops and a great deal of land for Japan to try and take. As in China, trade space for time. China has a good rail system and open terrain so protect the main rail system against paratroops and bring tanks/Anti-tank guns/AA for the open terrain.

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Oh, pull back what you can but be ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself. If you have not done so yet, read Lowpe's AAR as Allies starting at the beginning.

Thanks! I will probably pull back all of my ships as it would not make much sense to sacrifice them but I will not buy out and pull back all aircraft from the Philippines and Southeast Asia. I just fast forwarded Lowpe's AAR again. I am hoping for a game with a slower Japanese conquest.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

Southeast Asia

In Burma, I will try to make a stand in Mandalay. In my game against the AI, the Japanese overran me in Burma. That will probably be the case in this game as well.

In Malaya, I will try to be a brave Sir Robin and try to move as many troops as possible to Singapore, where hopefully they will hold off the Japanese for some time. As I wrote above, the 18th British Division will not go to Singapore, which will make it a little easier for my Japanese opponent. In my game against the AI, I managed to move some units to Java before Singapore fell. I am not sure if that is possible in this game.

Java and Sumatra will not be reinforced. In Java, I will make my stand in Batavia and Soerabaja. In Sumatra, I will move the Marechausee Bn corps to Palembang.

For Borneo and Celebes I have nothing planned.

I am still not sure what to to with Force Z. It would be fun to surprise his landing forces in Malaya but I am not sure if it would make it there.

Sending more troops into Burma is a losing proposition until you get Air parity, if not superiority. Japan has enough Oscars, Sallys and Lilys that can fly from Bangkok to suppress your troops in Rangoon. Then once they take Rangoon, they reposition their bombers and dominate all the clear terrain in the interior of Burma. As in China, your need to get your troops into good defensive terrain. Resist here and there to slow him down but keep a retreat path to the Imphal-Kohima line and try to keep Ledo airfield for resupply of China by air.

Force Z can sometimes have success protecting the North Borneo coast for the first few turns. Check the bomber range from Cam Rahn Bay to north Borneo and try to stay out of Nell/Betty torpedo range. Sinkawang is a key target for the Japanese so that is a good place to set up and ambush.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

Australia and New Guinea

I am not too worried about Northern Australia, because if he tries to invade Australia, sooner or later it will be a death trap for him.

For me, the most important thing is to prevent him from taking Perth, as this would severely affect my shipping to Australia. I also need to defend Australia's industrial centers on the east coast.

Another important action in this area is to bring in U.S. fighters as soon as possible.

Port Moresby will be reinforced, but it is not my plan to hold it at any cost, since it is difficult to supply.

As with Ceylon, the Japanese can take Perth or Brisbane if they decide that will be their focus. Keep the rail line to Perth open for retreat by garrisoning against para occupation. The core Australian area to protect is Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne.
If Japan goes into the hex line below Brisbane it triggers substantial reinforcements which arrive in CT, Aden and perhaps other places but need to be transported to Australia (or wherever you decide).

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: huda0816

Northern Pacific

I will try to build up Adak Island, but will not commit too many resources or units there.

Central Pacific

In my opinion, this area is important to secure the shipping routes to Australia. Therefore, I will try to reinforce Canton Island, Palmyra and Christmas Island. Most importantly, I will try to establish a base on Tabiteuea.

Southern Pacific

My goal in this area is to hold the Fijis, Pago Pago and Noumea.

The Japanese will take Makin and Tarawa, which will put Tabituea in easy bombing range for them. Better to reinforce Suva and Pago-Pago until you can get enough aircraft to protect Tabituea. It's a good place for your troops to get experience with Amphib landings after mid-1942.

[BBfanboy]

Overall your plans have the right idea. I think what you underestimate is the bonus the Japanese get in not having to prep troops for their landings until April 1st, 1942. Along with that is instant unloading of amphib TFs. That allows them to move very quickly to take what they want while the Allies can only move much more slowly.

The other big thing in Japan's favour is the much higher experience of troops, pilots and ship's crews. Except for some Australian and British units, the Allies are woefully inexperienced and need six months to get competent.

[huda0816]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Overall your plans have the right idea. I think what you underestimate is the bonus the Japanese get in not having to prep troops for their landings until April 1st, 1942. Along with that is instant unloading of amphib TFs. That allows them to move very quickly to take what they want while the Allies can only move much more slowly.

The other big thing in Japan's favour is the much higher experience of troops, pilots and ship's crews. Except for some Australian and British units, the Allies are woefully inexperienced and need six months to get competent.

Thank you for your detailed replies. As it is my first grand campaign game against a human opponent I am probably a little bit naïve. I was hoping that I could draw my red lines earlier. I will rethink my strategy and try to not fight futile battles.

As we decided today that we will kick off our game at the 7th of December, I will have some more days to think about my overall strategy.