Grand Campaign (Scenario 1). Surprise OFF. No Historical Start. Japan attacks Russia during December 1941 (Hence Nomonhan Redux after the original Nomonhan incident that led to all out undeclared war May-Sept 1939)
A couple of people have asked if I would do an AAR since I mentioned that I am planning to attack the Soviets in my PBEM. I shall do my best to write up my side of the story. However, since the game is already in progress, I need to bring everyone who reads this AAR up to speed with the game to date.
Mark B., my esteemed opponent is an experienced WITP player. We are currently in late winter 1944 in our ongoing WITP PBEM which was using the December 8th start version of Big B’s grand campaign. Mark has proven to be a good and reliable opponent. In that game, Japan still holds her perimeter with the exception of New Guinea. I have not lost any carriers, but in late 43 he managed to sink several of my battleships. I have continued to delay his advances through careful application of my naval power, and he has lost several carriers including some of his Essex class units. We are still fighting tooth and nail, and it will be interesting to see how long I can hold out against the overwhelming weight of the allies. After all, 40 Corsairs can easily shoot down 250 zeroes and the sky is now black with 4 engine allied bombers.
Bottom line is, my opponent and I have been playing each other in a continuing PBEM lasting over two years. We are somewhat used to the other’s tendencies and fighting styles. Both of us looked forward to the release of AE and inevitably decided to start a grand campaign in AE while we still continue our original game.
For our AE game, the settings are as follows:
Scenario 1 Grand Campaign
Non-Historical Start
First turn surprise-OFF
PDU: On
Reinforcements: fixed
Weather : on
Allied Damage Control: On
Reliable USN torpedoes: Off
Realistic Japanese R&D: On
House rules: None. If either of us objects to something the other is doing, we will simply talk it through and decide on the spot. Like I say, we both have a high comfort level with each other.
Note the fact that surprise is off in conjunction with the Non-Historical first turn. My assumption for the scenario is that the allies have broken the Japanese codes and pieced together enough intelligence to provide a war warning in the Pacific. While this didn’t allow enough time to redeploy forces, at least all allied units won’t be surprised.
Japan has learned of the code breach in late November, just prior to the departure of the Pearl Harbor strike force. There was enough time to abort the strike, but most of the other plans, especially those involving the army are too far along to halt.
Oh yeah, I didn't bother to tell my opponent that I planned to attack Russia. I also didn't tell him that I would leave Pearl alone early in the game, so now he has 9 additional old battleships to suck up fuel in the Pacific.
Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
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seydlitz_slith
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seydlitz_slith
- Posts: 2036
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2002 6:13 am
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
As Japan, I decided that I would initially hold the KB in the Sea of Japan, well away from any prying eyes. This would leave my opponent guessing about where they would turn up and would maximize their intimidation factor with minimal risk. I would not use them offensively until the Soviets activated, at which time I would use the KB to suppress as much of the Soviet air as possible.
Yes, that’s right. I planned to eliminate the Soviets right off the bat. I will say that this is easier said than done. First off because the Soviets have some good units, and secondly because the Japanese player has to force the Soviets to activate. That means intentionally pulling over 3,000 AV out of the Kwangtung Army area to try and trip the Soviet activation. Until the Soviets activate, Japanese units may not move into Soviet territory and Japanese air units can not fly any missions into Soviet airspace. Doing this would take time, possibly as long as a month. However, the time would allow me to position additional forces to be able to assault some of the Soviet ports in the first wave. Of particular importance is the Soviet Oil at Okha on the north end of Sakhalin Island (80 Oil) and Petropavlovsk (10 Oil).
In China, my initial goals are to secure the remaining coastal ports (Wenchow, Hong Kong, Kwangchowan, and Pakhoi. Beyond that I want to stabilize my lines, clean up the Chinese units that start in my interior, and begin situating my forces for an eventual push into Northern China. My primary goal will be Sian and Lanchow, the only two sources of oil in China. Take them out and China’s heavy industry will starve. In the south, I would divert some of the second wave SRA forces from Samah to take Pakhoi and Kwanchowan.
In the Philippines, I would land at Aparri, Laong, and Vigan in the North. I would use paratroopers on the first turn to land at Laong and Vigan. That way the ports would be secure when the ships arrived. This would greatly reduce my landing force casualties and limit unit disruption during the first few days. There were two paratrooper units sitting in Formosa along with enough air transport units to put both on the ground before the ships arrived.
I elected to skip invading Batan Island and instead diverted that landing force to Naga in southeast Luzon. This would give me a decent port from which to conduct my southern operations and would actually arrive before the Legaspi landing force coming up from Babeldaob. With the early capture of Naga, I could divert some of the second wave PI forces to Naga and do an eventual advance up the Peninsula to threaten Manila from the south while the main landing force threatened Clark from the north. Done correctly, this would force my opponent to give up either Manila or Clark earlier than they wanted in order to concentrate their forces.
In the rest of the Philippines, I elected to land on Mindanao at Surgaio Strait north of Butuan instead of the standard plan of landing at Davao. This would allow me to block off the eastern escape routes for the allied shipping in conjunction with my landings on the southern peninsula of Luzon. I could quickly establish an airbase at this location and built up my ground forces over a few turns in favorable terrain. Then, when I decided to begin my advance, I would be advancing into a clear hex at Butuan which would put the allied forces at a disadvantage in our first projected fight in Mindanao.
In Malaya, I elected to stick with the initial landing forces at Khota, Patani, and Singora. Since I was diverting some of the second wave forces to southern China, I elected not to land at Kuantan or Mersing. I also elected to delay my incursion into Burma, and to use those troops to beef up my assault in Malaya. Turn one saw the Imperial Guards and several other LCUs moving by rail to Singora. Even if the invasion moved slowly, time would be on my side.
In the Central Pacific, I would abort the Wake invasion and turn those troops south to take over the Gilbert Islands along with the other Kwajalein Island forces.
Pearl Harbor I would leave untouched with the exception of my midget subs.
Yes, that’s right. I planned to eliminate the Soviets right off the bat. I will say that this is easier said than done. First off because the Soviets have some good units, and secondly because the Japanese player has to force the Soviets to activate. That means intentionally pulling over 3,000 AV out of the Kwangtung Army area to try and trip the Soviet activation. Until the Soviets activate, Japanese units may not move into Soviet territory and Japanese air units can not fly any missions into Soviet airspace. Doing this would take time, possibly as long as a month. However, the time would allow me to position additional forces to be able to assault some of the Soviet ports in the first wave. Of particular importance is the Soviet Oil at Okha on the north end of Sakhalin Island (80 Oil) and Petropavlovsk (10 Oil).
In China, my initial goals are to secure the remaining coastal ports (Wenchow, Hong Kong, Kwangchowan, and Pakhoi. Beyond that I want to stabilize my lines, clean up the Chinese units that start in my interior, and begin situating my forces for an eventual push into Northern China. My primary goal will be Sian and Lanchow, the only two sources of oil in China. Take them out and China’s heavy industry will starve. In the south, I would divert some of the second wave SRA forces from Samah to take Pakhoi and Kwanchowan.
In the Philippines, I would land at Aparri, Laong, and Vigan in the North. I would use paratroopers on the first turn to land at Laong and Vigan. That way the ports would be secure when the ships arrived. This would greatly reduce my landing force casualties and limit unit disruption during the first few days. There were two paratrooper units sitting in Formosa along with enough air transport units to put both on the ground before the ships arrived.
I elected to skip invading Batan Island and instead diverted that landing force to Naga in southeast Luzon. This would give me a decent port from which to conduct my southern operations and would actually arrive before the Legaspi landing force coming up from Babeldaob. With the early capture of Naga, I could divert some of the second wave PI forces to Naga and do an eventual advance up the Peninsula to threaten Manila from the south while the main landing force threatened Clark from the north. Done correctly, this would force my opponent to give up either Manila or Clark earlier than they wanted in order to concentrate their forces.
In the rest of the Philippines, I elected to land on Mindanao at Surgaio Strait north of Butuan instead of the standard plan of landing at Davao. This would allow me to block off the eastern escape routes for the allied shipping in conjunction with my landings on the southern peninsula of Luzon. I could quickly establish an airbase at this location and built up my ground forces over a few turns in favorable terrain. Then, when I decided to begin my advance, I would be advancing into a clear hex at Butuan which would put the allied forces at a disadvantage in our first projected fight in Mindanao.
In Malaya, I elected to stick with the initial landing forces at Khota, Patani, and Singora. Since I was diverting some of the second wave forces to southern China, I elected not to land at Kuantan or Mersing. I also elected to delay my incursion into Burma, and to use those troops to beef up my assault in Malaya. Turn one saw the Imperial Guards and several other LCUs moving by rail to Singora. Even if the invasion moved slowly, time would be on my side.
In the Central Pacific, I would abort the Wake invasion and turn those troops south to take over the Gilbert Islands along with the other Kwajalein Island forces.
Pearl Harbor I would leave untouched with the exception of my midget subs.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
On the economic front, I did the following:
Expanded Armaments by slightly over 500, Vehicles by 300, and Naval Yard production. by 300. I also increased Merchant yard production by 30. I elected to expand Betty production by 25, Ki-21 IIa Sally production by 23, and Zero production by 56. I increased Mabel production to 113. Rather than building Kates, I would make do with starting Kates and scrape together a few more by converting land based Kate units to Jeans. This would allow me to have a pool of Kates until I produced enough Mabels to begin equipping the fleet. The Mabel is as good as the Kate, has a higher cruising speed, and uses the HA-33 engine (same as Nell, Val, Jake, and Mavis) instead of the HA-35 engine that the Kate, Zero, Oscar, and Lily need. I pretty much left the rest of the initial active aircraft production as it was. I plan to build Idas and Nates for a couple of months until I exhaust the supply of engines for these types. Then I will change to factories to something else.
On engines, I stopped production of the Amakaze (used for the Glen) and converted it to the HA-32. The Hitachi (early) factory was changed to HA-33 production. The HA-31 factory was converted to HA-32. The HA-5 factory was changed to HA-35 production. Kotobuki production was changed to HA-35.
On aircraft research, I converted just about all of the factories from hodgepodge research to focusing on a few key types, specifically Helens, Tojos, Oscars, Judys, and Franks. I also expanded them so that each type would produce about 100 research aircraft per month after being repaired. I likewise ramped up engine research for the engines that would be needed in the coming year.
*****I now feel that this was a mistake. I should have left most or all of these factories alone.******
Why?
Well, not only did doing this consume a lot of HI and supply right at the start, but the repairs are also causing me to consume supply at about double that rate that I am producing it during the first month of the game. In a few months, I will have to start turning repairs off if I have not increased my flow of supply in the home islands.
Regarding naval builds, I halted all submarine construction as well as the Shinano. This gave me enough points to accelerate the Musashi so that she will be complete very close to the Yamato. It also allowed me to accelerate all eligible destroyers in the pipeline. As my naval yard expansion ramps up, I will be able to do a little more, and after the Yamato and Musashi finish I will be able to accelerate several carriers.
On the Merchant side, I halted the CVEs as I personally do not like them (too many victory points for too few aircraft and no survivability) and used the points to accelerate 5 tankers and 5 xAP.
Expanded Armaments by slightly over 500, Vehicles by 300, and Naval Yard production. by 300. I also increased Merchant yard production by 30. I elected to expand Betty production by 25, Ki-21 IIa Sally production by 23, and Zero production by 56. I increased Mabel production to 113. Rather than building Kates, I would make do with starting Kates and scrape together a few more by converting land based Kate units to Jeans. This would allow me to have a pool of Kates until I produced enough Mabels to begin equipping the fleet. The Mabel is as good as the Kate, has a higher cruising speed, and uses the HA-33 engine (same as Nell, Val, Jake, and Mavis) instead of the HA-35 engine that the Kate, Zero, Oscar, and Lily need. I pretty much left the rest of the initial active aircraft production as it was. I plan to build Idas and Nates for a couple of months until I exhaust the supply of engines for these types. Then I will change to factories to something else.
On engines, I stopped production of the Amakaze (used for the Glen) and converted it to the HA-32. The Hitachi (early) factory was changed to HA-33 production. The HA-31 factory was converted to HA-32. The HA-5 factory was changed to HA-35 production. Kotobuki production was changed to HA-35.
On aircraft research, I converted just about all of the factories from hodgepodge research to focusing on a few key types, specifically Helens, Tojos, Oscars, Judys, and Franks. I also expanded them so that each type would produce about 100 research aircraft per month after being repaired. I likewise ramped up engine research for the engines that would be needed in the coming year.
*****I now feel that this was a mistake. I should have left most or all of these factories alone.******
Why?
Well, not only did doing this consume a lot of HI and supply right at the start, but the repairs are also causing me to consume supply at about double that rate that I am producing it during the first month of the game. In a few months, I will have to start turning repairs off if I have not increased my flow of supply in the home islands.
Regarding naval builds, I halted all submarine construction as well as the Shinano. This gave me enough points to accelerate the Musashi so that she will be complete very close to the Yamato. It also allowed me to accelerate all eligible destroyers in the pipeline. As my naval yard expansion ramps up, I will be able to do a little more, and after the Yamato and Musashi finish I will be able to accelerate several carriers.
On the Merchant side, I halted the CVEs as I personally do not like them (too many victory points for too few aircraft and no survivability) and used the points to accelerate 5 tankers and 5 xAP.
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jwilkerson
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
Wow - what a different start!!! At least you won't be bored!!! [:D]
Increasing merchant shipping is definitely tough to defend - as it is probably set too high already. Even accelerating all the CVEs and leaving everything else turned "on" there is a surplus. I am converting some over to naval - which is light.
Attacking Russia is one thing but attacking Britain and American at the same time - is definitely "bold"!!! [:)]
I'll watch - but I'm not expecting this one to last until '45 !!!
Increasing merchant shipping is definitely tough to defend - as it is probably set too high already. Even accelerating all the CVEs and leaving everything else turned "on" there is a surplus. I am converting some over to naval - which is light.
Attacking Russia is one thing but attacking Britain and American at the same time - is definitely "bold"!!! [:)]
I'll watch - but I'm not expecting this one to last until '45 !!!
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
We have just completed turn 16 (December 16, 1941) and here is a quick tour to bring you up to speed.
I have done pretty well with my aircraft losses. I have lost 35 zeros over the first 16 turns, and only 19 of these in air to air combat. By contrast, he has lost 83 P-40E (75 in Air to Air), 21 P-40B (14 in Air to air), and 68 Buffalo I (50 in air to air). My fighting techniques have been to sweep with the zeros over his primary airbases at altitudes ranging from 16000 to 28,000 feet (normally around 22-25,000). This allows his air defense to spot the raids and scramble the most fighters to intercept. However, I will usually still have the altitude advantage and the zero is still more maneuverable than the allied fighters above 15,000 feet.
On some days, I will sweep in the morning and then follow with an escorted bomber raid (also in the 22,000 foot range). On other days, I will sweep only and use the bombers elsewhere (like on rest, night bombing, or on ground targets in China). This forces him to keep his cap up or risk allowing a major bomber raid (~25-50 bombers) through. After about 10 turns of this, I have been able to attrit his Philippine fighter forces down to the point where I am now flying under 15,000 feet with my bombers.....sometimes as low as 5,000 feet.
Over Malaya, I have done some sweeps with the one unit of zero fighters and the two Oscar units, but my Nates have borne the brunt of the fighting on either cap duties or escorting bombers attacking ground units.
Here is how my aircraft losses look to date:
I have done pretty well with my aircraft losses. I have lost 35 zeros over the first 16 turns, and only 19 of these in air to air combat. By contrast, he has lost 83 P-40E (75 in Air to Air), 21 P-40B (14 in Air to air), and 68 Buffalo I (50 in air to air). My fighting techniques have been to sweep with the zeros over his primary airbases at altitudes ranging from 16000 to 28,000 feet (normally around 22-25,000). This allows his air defense to spot the raids and scramble the most fighters to intercept. However, I will usually still have the altitude advantage and the zero is still more maneuverable than the allied fighters above 15,000 feet.
On some days, I will sweep in the morning and then follow with an escorted bomber raid (also in the 22,000 foot range). On other days, I will sweep only and use the bombers elsewhere (like on rest, night bombing, or on ground targets in China). This forces him to keep his cap up or risk allowing a major bomber raid (~25-50 bombers) through. After about 10 turns of this, I have been able to attrit his Philippine fighter forces down to the point where I am now flying under 15,000 feet with my bombers.....sometimes as low as 5,000 feet.
Over Malaya, I have done some sweeps with the one unit of zero fighters and the two Oscar units, but my Nates have borne the brunt of the fighting on either cap duties or escorting bombers attacking ground units.
Here is how my aircraft losses look to date:
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
Here are his losses for the same period. Yes, FOW does apply, but I can tell you that the pickings are getting pretty slim for some of my fighter pilots.
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jwilkerson
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
Hum 15 Theresa's in air to air? You must have done an airborne assault at Vladivostok!!! [;)]
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
On the naval front, I have no losses of worthy of mention in the dispatches.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
He has lost a bunch of merchant ships and auxiliaries. Just about everything that started in the Philippines or Hong Kong. My subs got some, and my cruisers got the rest. I had multiple task forces intercept so many task forces that they ran out of ammunition. At any rate, I didn't bother to screen capture the merchies since they aren't that important in the long run to his strategy (although losing the tenders will hurt).
Here is the list of warships that he has allegedly lost (FOW here I am sure).
On turn 15, one of my subs torpedoed and sank a Durban class CL near Singkawang. The sub endured a long depth charging but lived to crawl home and celebrate.
Sub attack near Pontianak at 54,89
Japanese Ships
SS I-162, hits 16
Allied Ships
CL Durban, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mauritius
DD Express
DD Electra
SS I-162 launches 2 torpedoes at CL Durban
DD Express attacking submerged sub ....
DD Electra attacking submerged sub ....
DD Express attacking submerged sub ....
DD Express is out of ASW ammo
DD Express is out of ASW ammo
DD Express is out of ASW ammo
DD Electra fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
Little did I know that the cruiser was part of a task force containing BC Repulse and BB Prince of Wales.
On turn 16, my Betties caught the task force unawares and put three torpedoes into the Repulse, one of which exploded her magazines.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 59,87
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
BB Prince of Wales
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
Here is the list of warships that he has allegedly lost (FOW here I am sure).
On turn 15, one of my subs torpedoed and sank a Durban class CL near Singkawang. The sub endured a long depth charging but lived to crawl home and celebrate.
Sub attack near Pontianak at 54,89
Japanese Ships
SS I-162, hits 16
Allied Ships
CL Durban, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mauritius
DD Express
DD Electra
SS I-162 launches 2 torpedoes at CL Durban
DD Express attacking submerged sub ....
DD Electra attacking submerged sub ....
DD Express attacking submerged sub ....
DD Express is out of ASW ammo
DD Express is out of ASW ammo
DD Express is out of ASW ammo
DD Electra fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
Little did I know that the cruiser was part of a task force containing BC Repulse and BB Prince of Wales.
On turn 16, my Betties caught the task force unawares and put three torpedoes into the Repulse, one of which exploded her magazines.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 59,87
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
BB Prince of Wales
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
The task force was evidently sailing to intercept my landings at Miri an Brunei. I had been using some of my Nells and Betties in ground or airfield attacks and I think that he thought he could catch me napping with all of them off Naval attack. Of course he was wrong, especially after my sub snagged the cruiser.
As you can see from the map below, I have a few more surprises for him should he continue to bore in with the PoW.
As you can see from the map below, I have a few more surprises for him should he continue to bore in with the PoW.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
Since I have shown you the situation in Borneo, I will take you on a tour of the other locations.
Next up is Malaya. The going is slower here since I am advancing from Singora and Khota Baru only. I am winning when I fight, but I am being slow and deliberate.
Next up is Malaya. The going is slower here since I am advancing from Singora and Khota Baru only. I am winning when I fight, but I am being slow and deliberate.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
Here is what Luzon looks like at the end of turn 16.
My initial landings were with paratroopers at Laong and Vigan. This was followed shortly thereafter with landings at Aparri, Laong, Vigan, and Naga. By skipping Batan Island I was able to move the aviation support unit straight to Naga and as a result quickly got a base up into which I flew a Nate unit to provide cap.
Then, my advance in the north has been deliberate with no additional landing sights. On turn 16, I did do a second wave paradrop at Bayombong (the dot hex north of Cabanatuan) to cut off the Philippino infantry unit that was retreating from Tuguegarao.
In the south, I quickly secured Legaspi, and moved up the peninsula to Atimonan. I am continuing the advance here.
I was pleasantly surprised on turn 15 to see my guys take rowboats and capture Mauban before I had even advanced to it. This worked out even better on turn 16 because I landed two SNLF units at Batangas. Since I have put fairly strong forces ashore on both the north and south sides of Manila, I hope to divide his defenses. Even if I initially fail, his troops are not going anywhere, and I will eventually have my way. In the meantime I want to limit my casualties as much as possible.
My initial landings were with paratroopers at Laong and Vigan. This was followed shortly thereafter with landings at Aparri, Laong, Vigan, and Naga. By skipping Batan Island I was able to move the aviation support unit straight to Naga and as a result quickly got a base up into which I flew a Nate unit to provide cap.
Then, my advance in the north has been deliberate with no additional landing sights. On turn 16, I did do a second wave paradrop at Bayombong (the dot hex north of Cabanatuan) to cut off the Philippino infantry unit that was retreating from Tuguegarao.
In the south, I quickly secured Legaspi, and moved up the peninsula to Atimonan. I am continuing the advance here.
I was pleasantly surprised on turn 15 to see my guys take rowboats and capture Mauban before I had even advanced to it. This worked out even better on turn 16 because I landed two SNLF units at Batangas. Since I have put fairly strong forces ashore on both the north and south sides of Manila, I hope to divide his defenses. Even if I initially fail, his troops are not going anywhere, and I will eventually have my way. In the meantime I want to limit my casualties as much as possible.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
In the south, I landed at Surgaio Strait on Mindanao.
I didn't include a screen snap of this, but I have essentially sealed off both of the eastern exits from the Sulu Sea.
In China, my initial goal in the south was to capture the remaining ports and then push inland. To generate forces for this I siphoned off some of the troops at Samah that were slated for other destinations.
I didn't include a screen snap of this, but I have essentially sealed off both of the eastern exits from the Sulu Sea.
In China, my initial goal in the south was to capture the remaining ports and then push inland. To generate forces for this I siphoned off some of the troops at Samah that were slated for other destinations.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
In north China, I have a mess to sort out with all of the small Chinese units everywhere. My initial goal is to square away my lines, then begin pushing towards Sian. This won't be an easy task since I won't have enough troops to fight everywhere initially. As long as I can keep things stable, I will have the troops that I need in a few months after I beat the Soviets (or so I hope).
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
Next comes the Russian front. The Germans are driving on Moscow and we need to make sure that the empire gets her share before Russia surrenders. Besides, we have already fought these guys for a few months back in '39 and they keep trying to provoke us into putting them back into their place.
Seriously, Japan starts with a large amount of experienced combat units tied up in this theater. The Soviets have a lot of troops also, probably more than Japan. However, if I am going to strike it needs to be early in the game. The longer that I wait, the better trained the Soviets become. After all, if I don't attack them, eventually they will declare war on me anyways (in 1945) so I might as well tackle them now.
With a little luck, I can beat the Soviets in a few months and then free up most of the Kwangtung Army to assist in China and elsewhere. Besides, the Soviets possess oil wells in two places very close to Japan. Those would be a big help to my economy.
Seriously, Japan starts with a large amount of experienced combat units tied up in this theater. The Soviets have a lot of troops also, probably more than Japan. However, if I am going to strike it needs to be early in the game. The longer that I wait, the better trained the Soviets become. After all, if I don't attack them, eventually they will declare war on me anyways (in 1945) so I might as well tackle them now.
With a little luck, I can beat the Soviets in a few months and then free up most of the Kwangtung Army to assist in China and elsewhere. Besides, the Soviets possess oil wells in two places very close to Japan. Those would be a big help to my economy.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
The hardest thing to do with the Soviets is to get them to activate. You can't target them with any type of air mission. Your ground troops can plan for Soviet targets and you can set them to march to hexes beyond the border. However, if you reach the border, the troops then change to different directions and keep marching without crossing the border. This of course changes when the Soviets activate.
It can be frustrating trying to trigger the Soviets, especially since you want to keep enough AV in a position to attack as soon as they activate. Japan starts with about 3,000 AV over the 8,000 target. That means that you have to move a lot of units to even get a chance for the Soviets to activate. This is why it took my until the end of turn 16 to actually trigger Soviet activation.
FYI if you look at my map in the previous post, you will see that I intend to do a hook and attack towards Vladivostock via the clear hexes from the north and not through the woods. This should make the fight easier and also drive the Soviets farther south, away from their other forces.
At the same time as my invasion in Korea, I plan to land at Ohka and Petropavlosk.
It can be frustrating trying to trigger the Soviets, especially since you want to keep enough AV in a position to attack as soon as they activate. Japan starts with about 3,000 AV over the 8,000 target. That means that you have to move a lot of units to even get a chance for the Soviets to activate. This is why it took my until the end of turn 16 to actually trigger Soviet activation.
FYI if you look at my map in the previous post, you will see that I intend to do a hook and attack towards Vladivostock via the clear hexes from the north and not through the woods. This should make the fight easier and also drive the Soviets farther south, away from their other forces.
At the same time as my invasion in Korea, I plan to land at Ohka and Petropavlosk.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
And here are the other invasion forces including the KB.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
So, that is about it, and you are now up to speed with where we are in the game. My plots are already sent to my opponent and tomorrow evening I should be resolving the first turn with active Soviets.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
ORIGINAL: jwilkerson
Hum 15 Theresa's in air to air? You must have done an airborne assault at Vladivostok!!! [;)]
No, Theresas are flying coffins that tie up AV support. I disbanded the units that started with the planes on turn 1. They never flew in action.
Believe me, the world is a better place.
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seydlitz_slith
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RE: Nomonhan Redux: Seydlitz (Japan) vs. MBatch729 (Allies)
ORIGINAL: jwilkerson
Wow - what a different start!!! At least you won't be bored!!! [:D]
Increasing merchant shipping is definitely tough to defend - as it is probably set too high already. Even accelerating all the CVEs and leaving everything else turned "on" there is a surplus. I am converting some over to naval - which is light.
Attacking Russia is one thing but attacking Britain and American at the same time - is definitely "bold"!!! [:)]
I'll watch - but I'm not expecting this one to last until '45 !!!
No, I doubt that I will be bored. I also don't plan to lose. I do however like to explore alternate history and this was a very plausible alternate path. Win or lose this will be fun and that is the point.
Regarding the merchant marine, you have a surplus during the first year that will turn into a shortage mid war. Besides, merchies are a lot more fragile now in addition to enemy submarines that can actually interdict you during movement. I am trying to think ahead so that I can keep the empire supplied after the allies figure out how to make their torpedoes detonate.