Against the Wind: Cuttlefish (Japan) vs. Q-Ball (Allies)

[Cuttlefish]

Q-Ball has defected to the Dark Side to try AE from the Allied point of view and has agreed to take me on as an opponent. This will be my first AE PBEM from either side. Thus we are both experienced players but with a lot to learn; it should be a fun game.

It’s a Scenario 1 game. Settings are as follows:
Fog of War: On
Advanced Weather: On
Allied Damage Control: On
Player Def. Upgrades: On
Historical First Turn: Off
Dec. 7 Surprise: On
Reliable US Torps: Off
Realistic R&D: On
No Unit Withdrawals: Off
Reinforcements: Fixed

The only house rules in place at the start are the usual agreements not to move restricted units across national borders unless the PP cost can and has been paid.

Broadly speaking, we know how this game will go: it will start with Japan carving up the Allies like Lizzie Borden going after her parents and end with Japan in rubble. It’s what happens in between that makes the game fun.

This will not be a “Hibiki-style” AAR. I don’t know exactly format it will take but I will mostly be discussing strategy and outcomes and my attempts to come to grips with the complex new realities of AE. I may even (horrors) post snippets of combat reports from time to time.

So there we are. Q-Ball has denied me access to oil and scrap metal and he wants me out of China (I have some sympathy with the latter demand: after looking over the map I want me out of China too). I cannot accede to these demands without a crippling loss of face, so rather than give in I am going to launch a desperate attack. After receiving a few crushing blows my decadent enemy will no doubt sue for peace, leaving me as the dominant power in Asia and the Pacific.

Yeah, right.

[stuman]

Fortunately the realities of the Jap. economy in AE are a piece of cake. No worries, no problems, just ramp up production and away you go !

Well maybe it is a tad more complicated than that [;)]

[Canoerebel]

Judging from my early experience in China as an Allied player, the Japs can make hay here.

[princep01]

Given the disposition of the Chinese to attack with not one, but two, rocks and occasionally fire a 3" cannon left over from the American Civil War (one seen as unfit for service in the Mexican Army), it is not a surprise that the Japanese do seem to slash and burn all and sundry in China early on. Battles rated at odds of 3-1 result in 25 Japanese and 2790 Chinese casualities. Massacre does not adequately describe what happens in most cases where the Japanese hold the 3-1 advantage, plus leadership, morale and shock. However, while I have experienced a similar slaughter (as the Allies) in China, I suspect it will get a bit tougher on the Japanese as the garrison requirements, rail security and need for soldiers in other theaters slowly sap the number of formations they can hurl at the surviving Chinese. Battle shall temper their resolve.

[Q-Ball]

This is my first, and last post in this AAR. I wish Cuttlefish luck!

Seriously, honored to play the author of the excellent HIBIKI AAR in the WITP forum. I will write "the other side" AAR, not sure what to call it yet.....Hunting the Hibiki, or Breaking Wind, not sure yet, suggestions taken. It's a bit late at the moment, so I sign off!

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]The cards in the game of life are the characters of men…But when we play the game of death, things are our counters – guns, rivers, shells, bread, roads, forests, ships.[/font]
- Sir Ian Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary

---

Okay, where did all my 240 aviation support regiments go? What happened to all my ships moving at warp speed on the first turn? And who misplaced my endless supplies of torpedoes and mines?

Just kidding. I’ve played a bit against the AI and I’ve been reading the forums. I have some idea what I supposed to be doing. I know I can maintain my existing minefields using AMCs. Or is that ACMs? Or AMcs?

Note to self: print out a quick reference list of the new ship types.

Actually, I kind of like not having all my ships dart around like psychotic hummingbirds the first turn. It means Japan’s attack will unfold at a more leisurely pace and that there will be time to contemplate and adjust my moves over the first couple of weeks. For my first turn I have spent hours just ordering ships of all kinds to move to new ports. I am by nature a careful, methodical player and so I am not adding a lot of ruffles and flourishes to Japan’s opening moves. My only significant changes to the standard first turn attack:

- An invasion force is heading to Brunei alongside the one destined for Miri. I have sent surface forces to Camranh Bay sufficient to cover both landings, since I know that uncovered Japanese landing forces can be dealt heavy damage by the Allies.

- I have dispatched an invasion force and an aviation company to Jolo from Babeldarb…Babeldaoab…Betelguese…from the base formerly known as Palau in hopes of setting up an airbase there in time to help deal with the stragglers attempting to flee the Philippines. This move is a bit of a risk but has a nice payoff if it succeeds.

- The Wake Island invasion is being delayed while a strong bombardment force comes down from Japan. These surface ships will then proceed to Truk to bolster the invasion of Rabaul. KB will also pay Wake a visit on their way back from Pearl.

My main focus early on is a swift capture of the DEI, which means that Singapore is my number one priority. On to the first turn…

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]The Island of Oahu, with its military depots, both naval and land, its airdromes, water supplies, the city of Honolulu with its wharves and supply points, forms an easy, compact and convenient object for air attack…I believe therefore, that should Japan decide upon the reduction and seizure of the Hawaiian Islands…attack will be launched on Ford’s Island at 7:30 a.m.[/font]
- William Mitchell: Memorandum for the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, 1924

---

I have launched a lot of Dec. 7 attacks on Pearl Harbor over the years, including half a dozen in AE in tests versus the AI. I have never had a better result than this one. Arizona, Oklahoma, and three small ships are sunk outright and I think many of the other battleships are doomed. Given this, I don’t see any need for KB to hang around for more attacks.

---

[font="Courier New"]Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 126



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 9 destroyed, 35 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 5 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 4 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 2 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 2 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
DM Gamble
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG Aries, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
SS Cachalot, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Litchfield, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Tangier
DM Montgomery
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1
BB California, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
PG Sacramento, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Dewey, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Repair Shipyard hits 9
Airbase hits 37
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 115
Port hits 19
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1[/font]
---

The only other results of note were that a Kate put an 800 kg bomb into AVD William B. Preston at Davao and British bombers hit AK Hirokawa Maru twice off Patani.

For the second turn I am putting the Betties and Nells in Formosa on naval attack. One group of Betties transfers to Babelthingy (Palau) and I will sweep Clark Field at 21,000 with my fighters. Now the game begins in earnest.

[bklooste]

Remember fog of war

[ny59giants]

According to another thread, the Naval Support assigned to a Naval HQ does NOT count. Thus, you don't have a large enough Port and Naval Support to reload KB at Truk. I think about 6 conversions to AKE are in order along with many xAK to have more troop space.

Q-Ball (Brad) just found this out in his game and I do wish you luck against him. I took over briefly from John 3rd in the 2x2 PBEM and he was my co-Admiral/General.

[cantona2]

Bear in mind Cuttlefish that the FOW in AE is much more misleading then in WitP.

[Mike Solli]

 
Go Cuttlefish!

[Capt. Harlock]

My main focus early on is a swift capture of the DEI, which means that Singapore is my number one priority.

Singapore rather than Manila? I suppose Singers makes a better sub base, but Manila and Clark AFB can interfere with more shipping by air.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

My main focus early on is a swift capture of the DEI, which means that Singapore is my number one priority.

Singapore rather than Manila? I suppose Singers makes a better sub base, but Manila and Clark AFB can interfere with more shipping by air.

I never like to leave Allied forces in the PI to wither on the vine, so I will be pushing hard to take Manila. Nonetheless I view Singapore as the gateway to the DEI and so it has to be target number one.

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]He who wars walks in a mist through which the keenest eye cannot always discern the right path.[/font]
- Sir William Napier: History of the War in the Peninsula, 1840

---

Ah yes, I will have to remember that this is a much foggier war than WitP. Still, Q-Ball seems to think that he got hit pretty hard at Pearl, though he is (understandably) not being specific. The sunk ships list now shows a CA and a submarine sunk at Pearl as well, though I haven’t had any confirmation. How reliable is that, I wonder?

Important developments this turn:

- My sweep at Clark engaged in bits and pieces, with a final tally (as near as I can tell) of 7 Zeros and 11 Warhawks lost. We will try it again today; once the Allied air defense there is in tatters bombing will resume.

- Khota Bharu fell easily to the first Japanese attack; Makin was also captured.

- Submarine I-155 caught O19 on the surface during a rainy night and put three torpedoes into her. O19 is listed as sunk.

- Bombers out of Formosa attacked and torpedoed two freighters fleeing Hong Kong; AK Hanyang is believed to have sunk.

- The 16th Infantry Brigade began embarking at Sendai. They have tickets to Malaya and the big party at Singapore. By next turn the 21st Division (at Shanghai) will start loading, also heading for Malaya. The 33rd Division, at Nagasaki/Sasebo, will embark for Bangkok with orders to proceed towards Rangoon. The 4th Division, at Osaka/Kyoto, will embark for the Philippines.

Landing forces now approach Tarawa, several sites on Luzon, Mili, Brunei, and Jolo. There was no damage to Japanese ships this turn; AK Hirokawa Maru, hit by air attack on the first day, continues to unload at Patini though sys damage is 32 and there are still fires aboard. Allied sub sightings are reported all over the Gulf of Siam, the South China Sea, and the Luzon Strait. I have four ASW task forces patrolling Luzon Strait and a couple more off Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay.

KB is refueling northwest of Pearl and will head west next turn, passing southeast of Midway en route to Wake.

---

Hot sub-on-sub action!

[princep01]

Apparently one of the changes in AE involves the number of torpedos an I-Boat typically launches. I-155 launched 8 (count'em) torpedos attempting to zap a submarine.....hummmmmm. Not the most economical choice one would think. If that number is correct, I -155 will be in port shortly to celebrate their kill with saki and rice balls. One does have to admire the graphics relating to the underwater menace.

[SuluSea]

Obviously Cuttlefish's Hibiki AAR was brilliant, looking forward to this. Good luck guys.

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]I wish to have no Connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm’s way.[/font]
- John Paul Jones, Letter to le Ray de Chaumont, November 1778

---

I can’t resist taking a look in on Hibiki, currently at Khota Bharu helping Kongo and Haruna guard the landings there.

The silhouette is familiar and there’s Captain Ishii, with the same ratings as in WitP. Starting day/night experience for the crew is a little different, 70/69 as opposed to 71/66. It’s interesting that she is listed as a Fubuki (III) class rather than an Akatsuki class destroyer. I’ve seen it both ways in various sources.

The most striking thing is that Hibiki starts the game with the extra armament (more depth charges and 25mm guns) that the ship acquires during the first refit (3/42) in WitP. Given the amount of research that went into AE I’m betting the AE version is historically accurate.

Other changes: the ship used to have a cargo capacity of 0. Now it has a cargo capacity of 50 and a troop capacity of 150. The maneuver rating is 67 now instead of 63. And like all ships in AE there is an “Assigned to” listing now, in this case Combined Fleet.

So there we are. I’d be lying if I said that I won’t be paying a little extra attention to this one ship during the game. Even if it is just one small ship.

---

Hibiki, AE-style:

[Cuttlefish]

[font="Arial"]He is best secure from dangers who is on his guard even when he seems safe.[/font]
- Pubilius Syrus, Sententiae, c. 50 B.C.

---
12/9/41

DDs Scout, Thanet, and Thracian turned up at Samah. An intrepid Japanese MTB fired torpedoes at them but missed. The trio then proceeded to sink APD Hagi, TB Hayabusa, and 3 xAKs. Several other ships were damaged and scattered. In other bad news for the Empire of Japan, a Vildebeest hit Haruna with a torpedo at Khota Bharu. Fortunately it was the only hit for 23 attacking planes and 7 of the bombers were lost to Japanese AA fire. Haruna is at 15 sys/11 flood damage after the attack.

The attack at Samah was a nice stroke and puts me on notice that Q-Ball will not go quietly into that dark night. He also has enough experience playing Japan to know where the bodies are buried, so to speak, so I will have to be on my guard.

Malaya: the Imperial Guard Division, moving by rail, passed through Bangkok this turn and is heading down the Malay Peninsula. I could get used to this moving by rail stuff.

Philippines: my fighter sweep was a smashing success this time, downing 16 American fighters against no losses. American planes (SOC-1 Seagulls!) raided the Japanese landings at Vigan and scored a bomb hit on an xAK. Japanese forces also landed at Aparri. Both places will fall next turn. Follow-on units are en route to both locations.

Pacific: Tarawa was captured. I have the jitters about a visit from a U.S. carrier or two here so I cancelled the unloading of supplies there and at Makin and ordered the task forces to pull back to the west.

Submarine warfare: I-155 continued its reign of terror, putting 11 shells into xAKL Shinai (princep01’s comment about overusing torpedoes being germane here, I think). I-162 struck near Pontiniak, hitting AVP Poolster with one torpedo (out of a spread of 4). And the Allied sub force struck for the first time, with KXIV torpedoing and sinking xAKL Anbo Maru off Miri. There were various ASW/sub skirmishes in the Luzon Strait but not much damage done on either side.

Hunting refugees: Kates from Ryujo sank four xAKLs in the Celebes Sea and Nells sank xAK Haraldsvang in the South China Sea. Most of Q-Ball’s ships fleeing the Philippines seem to be heading due east. If they get out of range of the Formosa-based Betties and Nells they might be able to lead me quite a merry chase; there aren’t any real Japanese air assets in the Central Pacific right now except for Kwajalein. I’m diverting some small surface forces into their anticipated path to try and intercept. CVL Zuiho was en route to Babelthingy and is almost right in the refugee’s path; I am going to halt it there and see what happens.

Concerning Nates: usually one of the first things I used to do when starting a game in WitP was to switch the factories producing Nates to something more useful. But in AE I’m wavering. Nates are kinda useful now and it will be a while before I can upgrade those units. I’m thinking of keeping them in production for a month or so. Any opinions about that?

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
Concerning Nates: usually one of the first things I used to do when starting a game in WitP was to switch the factories producing Nates to something more useful. But in AE I’m wavering. Nates are kinda useful now and it will be a while before I can upgrade those units. I’m thinking of keeping them in production for a month or so. Any opinions about that?

You have PDU on, correct? Eventually, you'll start to upgrade to Oscars, but you don't start with many in the pool. There were hundreds in WitP but only 39 (I think) in AE. I'd keep them on for a while. You'll need to replace losses, and if you want to bring some or all of the units up to full strength, you'll need quite a few.

The PBEM I'm starting is going to have PDU off. I expect to have Nate production on for quite a while.

[Capt. Harlock]

In other bad news for the Empire of Japan, a Vildebeest hit Haruna with a torpedo at Khota Bharu. Fortunately it was the only hit for 23 attacking planes and 7 of the bombers were lost to Japanese AA fire. Haruna is at 15 sys/11 flood damage after the attack.

That's where Hibiki is, I believe. I don't suppose there's a way of finding out if any of the AA kills were hers?[:D]