The Good The Bad & The Indifferent

[Canoerebel]

Screenshot of Wake Island invasion forces.

[Canoerebel]

Some this and that items:

1. 1st Marine Division, destroyed at Sabang 2.5 months ago, is rebuilding at Pearl Harbor. Presently the division has 160 AV, so it's making good progress. But the unit arrived at San Fran with 40 experience and 40 morale. So it's not going to be battle worthy for a long time. The best thing I can probably do is land her at a poorly defended base where she can march inland and pick up experience fighting weak enemy units. IE, Luzon might be a good target for the division at some future date. (From this standpoint, wouldn't it be better to withdraw a cadre of a division to rebuild later, on the assumption that the cadre will begin with the actual experience level and that all reinfocements will then arrive at that level?)

2. CV Hornet will arrive at Pearl tomorrow. In checking her air squadrons, I found that her average fighter pilot experience is 80. The fighter pilots on this carrier are truly elite (at least in my experience as an Allied player). The fighter pilots on CV Enterprise, also due at Pearl tomorrow, are just behind at average exp. of 79.

3. My naval pilot pools are lower than I had expected as a result of the great naval battle. Well, fighter pilot replacements are adequate, but dive bomber and torpedo bomber replacements are low. I'll have to work hard to address this.

4. While Thin Man was going on, I recall Yaab posting that my play was "very sloppy" (right after I lost CA Pensacola, which was trying to protect shipping at Wotje or Maloelap. At about the same time, another forumite said that I "seemed to be off my game." Both of these comments caught me by surprise, as I felt like things were going remarkably well.

[ny59giants]

3. My naval pilot pools are lower than I had expected as a result of the great naval battle. Well, fighter pilot replacements are adequate, but dive bomber and torpedo bomber replacements are low. I'll have to work hard to address this.

Fighter pilots - pull off your worse naval fighter groups to train and put on two of your best Marine fighter groups.
DB pilots - I use some of the many 18 plane FP to train in NavB skills with a secondary of NavS.
TB pilots - check your large replenishment air groups for possible pilots.

Unfortunately, your version doesn't have the dedicated training groups which help a lot. [:(]

[Canoerebel]

I've been using float plane squadrons to train on sweep and naval bombing missions since the outset of the war. (This is possible because the last Japanese sub seen along the west coast was before the invasion of Sumatra a year ago.)

I am using Marine figher squadrons on the carriers. My CVEs are primarily used as fighter platforms (not exclusively, but primarily). And some of my fleet carriers have double the usual number of fighters. This is especially so now that KB has been whittled down a bit so that I am not expecting a naval battle at Wake Island - I'm more concerned about John loading up Wake with 300 Vals and Judys.

P.S. I don't think Wake has an air HQ, thus probably not a torpedo threat.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

1. 1st Marine Division, destroyed at Sabang 2.5 months ago, is rebuilding at Pearl Harbor. Presently the division has 160 AV, so it's making good progress. But the unit arrived at San Fran with 40 experience and 40 morale. So it's not going to be battle worthy for a long time.

I'm sure you know this, but if you break the division down into regiments (technically 1/3's I guess), each has a chance to take replacements when allowed and the division will rebuild much faster. Obviously squads in the pool will be an upper limit. And Rest mode allows for a chance at replacements each day, as opposed to every few days.

[paullus99]

I don't think you are playing sloppy at all - in fact, I'd say that John is the one who is off of his game...though perhaps he is merely a victim of overconfidence & the need to "do something" at all times in the game.

He doesn't strike me as someone who like to plan out sophisticated defensive operations....which means that he's always looking to use his assets offensively. But, since you've pulled a number of his teeth (he'll never have superiority in carriers again), he's probably going to take a few weeks to pull everything back together and try to figure out if he can make any offensive moves against you.

After this last battle, he can no longer afford to split his carriers to cover multiple theaters of operation (the loss of all of those CVEs definitely changed that dynamic).

I see opportunities everywhere - it is just a question of troops and prep.

[Canoerebel]

witpqs - I divided 1st Marine Div. into thirds when she arrived at San Fran, thanks to a tip from forumites.

[Canoerebel]

Paullus, I have looked at all kinds of options. Assuming that Wake falls in good order, the Allies should be able to put together a "kitchen sink" invasion a few weeks thereafter. KB no longer prevents deep moves, so where do the Allies go from here? There are many options - most of you know them or could take a quick look at the map and identify them quickly.

I've eliminated several options, mostly because they are well defended and this seems to be a time to prefer surprise and speed. I was left with two options that I really like. I chose one a week back and prep has commenced. But I'm still not 100% certain as the other option is good too. Since surprise is a major element of both, prep shouldn't be necessary.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

...I don't think you are playing sloppy at all....

Those comments had been made before Operation Thin Man got underway. I think the success of the operation., followed by the Battle of Wake Island, addressed any concerns about how the Allies stand.

But it was interesting to me, at the time those comments were made that some readers saw things so much differently than how I perceived them. I think that was partly attributable to the conclusion of the Battle of Sumatra. Forumites - especially those (like Yaab) following John's AAR - naturally felt like John had achieved a great success. But I felt like it was all part of a larger plan yeilding decisive victories in the Pacific (Circus and Thin Man) and establishing a good foundation to build on.

[Lecivius]

You proved them wrong. That's a drink that tastes 'Mighty fine' when sipped in contemplation [;)]

I fell off the wagon to post, but in your shoes I would be feeling a bit smug [8D]

I know where I would go next, but I'll go back in the dark & watch this with great enjoyment. Thank you for keeping this going.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: paullus99

...I don't think you are playing sloppy at all....

Those comments had been made before Operation Thin Man got underway. I think the success of the operation., followed by the Battle of Wake Island, addressed any concerns about how the Allies stand.

But it was interesting to me, at the time those comments were made that some readers saw things so much differently than how I perceived them. I think that was partly attributable to the conclusion of the Battle of Sumatra. Forumites - especially those (like Yaab) following John's AAR - naturally felt like John had achieved a great success. But I felt like it was all part of a larger plan yeilding decisive victories in the Pacific (Circus and Thin Man) and establishing a good foundation to build on.

That is one of the effects of having people "parachute in" to an AAR and reading a couple of posts - they get a quick impression but not the whole story of what is going on.

I thought your handling of the Sumatra situation was masterful. You made the decision not to waste further assets trying to save an impossible situation and then through a mixture of good tactics and psych-ops you dragged that defence out far longer than most of us could.

The loss of CA Pensacola was probably unavoidable to pull off your Wotje landings and defence. It showed John you would not abandon the sheep to his DD wolves. He had to bring much stronger stuff to hunt your transports.

[Canoerebel]

That's exactly right about browsing an AAR (especially a remarkably verbose one).

And a related challenge is that browsing readers sometimes request information that was provided in great detail a few pages earlier.

That's just part of maintaining an AAR.

It turns out I did have a pretty good handle on what was developing in the Pacific, but my record in making predictions and analyses in the game has been spotty. Back in '42, I felt like the Allies were doing very well in China. John apparently felt that Japan was doing well, as noted by a few forumites. I predicated the Allies would hold the Changsha line. My prediction proved incorrect.

[Canoerebel]

9/28/43

Flying Trapeze: The Allied amphibious armada and Death Star are now in proximity and ready to close on Wake Island. The amphibs are 10 hexes out. If that TF makes six hexes tonight, D-Day will be the day after tomorrow. If it makes less than six hexes, I'll wait another today to make sure there's plenty of daylight for the landings (so that both phases can be used).

There are lots of IJN subs in the vicinity, but no encounters on the day. No sign of enemy combat ships or carriers. Same number of aircraft and troops on the island.

A sub hit xAK Africa Maru near Saipan - the fourth score in three days in that area (two E and an AO being the others).

Thin Man: Allied AV at Kwaj up to 155, so I doubt John will be able to evict this lodgement. The plan is to just sit there until events (hopefully) make Kwaj irrelevant, so that John either withdraws or gives up on supplying this island.

SigInt confirmation today that Zuikaku indeed went under. She joins Kaga on the "for sure" list of fleet carriers. I counted on those two - now lets see if one or two more happen to join the list (possible, not probable). Enterprise, Hornet and Princeton disbanded at Pearl. Repairs commence immediately for the CVL. Repairs plus upgrade for Hornet. I'll wait a few days for more yard room for Enterprise.

[paullus99]

I'm still impressed with your lack of carrier losses to date.....

[Canoerebel]

I am not a superstitious soul, else I would "knock on wood" and refrain from commenting, lest kharma frown upon me mightily.

As I write this, I know that every sortie by a carrier TF will draw John's rapt attention and his subs. I know that eventually something bad will happen somewhere. But, of course, now is not the time to avoid contact or risk or danger. So Death Star sails with full knowledge that it isn't immortal but its mission is important.

To this point, I've lost CVE Prince William in this game. That's it. Until nine turns ago, that was the only carrier that had been sunk in the entire game, Allied or Japanese.

I've been pretty cautious with Allied carriers, as John has been with KB, but several fleet carriers have been damaged in action: Wasp in early January near Ceylon (by divebombers at long range) and Enterprise, Hornet and Princeton in the recent battle.

John had a number of carrier damaged earlier: CVs Junyo (by sub near Rabaul) and Hiyo (by 4EB near Singapore) and CVL Zuiho (by sub near Sabang) come to mind.

[witpqs]

A very important success on your part considering the additional IJN carriers in this scenario.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I've been using float plane squadrons to train on sweep and naval bombing missions since the outset of the war. (This is possible because the last Japanese sub seen along the west coast was before the invasion of Sumatra a year ago.)

I am using Marine figher squadrons on the carriers. My CVEs are primarily used as fighter platforms (not exclusively, but primarily). And some of my fleet carriers have double the usual number of fighters. This is especially so now that KB has been whittled down a bit so that I am not expecting a naval battle at Wake Island - I'm more concerned about John loading up Wake with 300 Vals and Judys.

P.S. I don't think Wake has an air HQ, thus probably not a torpedo threat.

Dunno if you have house rules but once I start to get a sufficient flow of aircraft I expand every 8 or nine plane TBF squadron that arrives on a CVE or CVL. They then are used to start a massive training program. Carrier aircraft pilots got to have some search and ASW skills as well so they take a little more training. I expand and go all out in mid to late 43. And yes, I use a lot of Marine squadrons on my carriers as well. Expand and train...That is the buzzword. If you have not got them yet, you are due to get reliable torpedoes soon. Makes those TBFs so much more useful. I really do not like small squadrons and prefer a small carrier to have one large type and then mix them up within the carrier TF.

I consider it a proplem in the game that the US has very few options for training torpedo pilots in 1942. Japan has plenty.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

That's exactly right about browsing an AAR (especially a remarkably verbose one).

And a related challenge is that browsing readers sometimes request information that was provided in great detail a few pages earlier.

That's just part of maintaining an AAR.

It turns out I did have a pretty good handle on what was developing in the Pacific, but my record in making predictions and analyses in the game has been spotty. Back in '42, I felt like the Allies were doing very well in China. John apparently felt that Japan was doing well, as noted by a few forumites. I predicated the Allies would hold the Changsha line. My prediction proved incorrect.

Right on brother! Oh BTW will you put up a screenie showing the victory point tallies?

[Canoerebel]

LOL. See end of previous page, you Line State rascal. (Zuikaku's points have since been added.)

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Dunno if you have house rules but once I start to get a sufficient flow of aircraft I expand every 8 or nine plane TBF squadron that arrives on a CVE or CVL. They then are used to start a massive training program. Carrier aircraft pilots got to have some search and ASW skills as well so they take a little more training. I expand and go all out in mid to late 43. And yes, I use a lot of Marine squadrons on my carriers as well. Expand and train...That is the buzzword. If you have not got them yet, you are due to get reliable torpedoes soon. Makes those TBFs so much more useful. I really do not like small squadrons and prefer a small carrier to have one large type and then mix them up within the carrier TF.

I consider it a proplem in the game that the US has very few options for training torpedo pilots in 1942. Japan has plenty.

I've never expanded an aircraft squadron before. Never. Not because I can't or there's a house rule. It's because I've never tried before. I'll look for the buttons and see if I can figure it out (ought to be simple). Great suggestion.

Yes, training TBF pilots is a huge problem.