n01487477(Damian) Vs. Nemo121

[n01487477]

14 August '42

[n01487477]

15 August 1942

[n01487477]

16 August, 1942
So, the culmination of a few days sweeps, the Allies sitting in the middle of the ocean too long (Floyd said he was leaving the next turn.), so luck on my part and some great Betty's making it easier for me.




Morning Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 130,54

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Honolulu
DD Cushing

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Ammo storage explosion on CV Enterprise


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 131,53

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 12
D3A1 Val x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Astoria
CA Portland

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Lexington


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 130,54

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 79
B5N2 Kate x 40
D3A1 Val x 62

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CL Raleigh
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD McCall
CA Northampton
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

Ammo storage explosion on CV Enterprise
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Honolulu
Ammo storage explosion on CV Saratoga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Saratoga


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Etorofu at 127,54

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 73
E13A1 Jake x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 57
TBF-1 Avenger x 28

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 22 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 destroyed, 10 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Asanagi
BB Kirishima
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Nagato
CV Soryu
CV Hiyo
BB Mutsu
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Genzan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
Maya-1 with E13A1 Jake (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Maya-2 with E13A1 Jake (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
244th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
203rd Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Etorofu at 127,54

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
E13A1 Jake x 1
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 63
TBF-1 Avenger x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed, 12 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Nagato
BB Hiei
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Hiyo
BB Kirishima

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 64 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Genzan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Maya-2 with E13A1 Jake (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
244th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
203rd Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead

[n01487477]

17-18 August, 1942
Well this post brings us up to date.

Added some fighters to CV's to make up for losses and went hunting ...

I won't bore you with combat reports but basically on the 17th I finished off 3 Allied CV's which were damaged on the 16th, plus heavily damaged a load of CA's, CL's and DD's. I probably should have been more aggressive in my movements on the 17th and gone NE hard and fast. It is hard to place your forces in harms way sometimes and this caution was a mistake. I think that if I had, I'd have finished off the US CV's and that might have been the ballgame. I split off a BBTF and they took out the last of the transports and another SCTF, bombarded Uruppu, destroying a load of CV airgroups on the ground.

On the 18th, I went hard East to see if I could catch up to the US CV's, they've disappeared so now I'll have to do some looking and waiting. I did try to count out the possible movement and places my forces to catch them, but this just goes to show that I should have gone harder in the previous turn. I did destroy some AO's, CA's and DD's though.

[n01487477]

Summary of operations

[n01487477]

Well the game ends with both Floyd and myself not willing to play the next year out. A rematch will be played when things settle down, I finish my new mod & maybe after a new Tracker release.

Sorry guys this was short and sweet.I'll try to do a proper AAR next time.

[Nemo121]

I do agree with you, but I'm not 100% convinced that in a scenario 1 game this couldn't be pulled off by a very good Allied player bringing 3x more than enough and getting a little more luck than my opponent got.

True, with 2 islands in US control this was an awesome situation from which to expand with fighter CAP covering fast raider DD TFs.


It is a pity the game ended. I thought the Allied position looked really rather good and those landings were achieved without too much loss relative to the huge gains which could be made if properly exploited. One key error here though appears to be his failure to take into account air transport range. I've maintained islands in the Kuriles before without CVs by MASSIVE use of bombers and seaplanes flying supplies in, backed up by the occasional 50 DD massed Fast Transport TFs running in with supplies.

[John 3rd]

Well done with this. Highly interesting and well played. I had hallucinations of when Dan did this in our first campaign in late-43.

[floydg]

I agree with pretty much everything people have said. I was getting my butt kicked and really wanted to stage something significant. Of course, it probably wasn't the right time, but I have issues with being patient sometimes.

Here was my thinking: if he put in for the July CV refits, I had until late July to establish a beachhead. I initially wanted only one base (U-J), but decided to add a second (S-J) behind for LRCAP over U-J. I had planned a distraction operation at Carnavron and Pago Pago, but my timing was messed up due to fuel issues and Carnarvron happened too late to draw Damian's attention and Pago Pago happened after Kuriles (was supposed to be about 6 days before). Later plan was to invade back to P-J once U-J and S-J were established to keep a solid line of supply back to Alaska. I was hoping to settle in before winter hit.

It sounded good on paper, but I later realized that how I loaded the invasion TFs (not enough APs, too little supply, bad mix on TFs with planes) was not good. So I never unloaded supply or aircraft before the fleet was sunk. I had to come back with more supply and planes. I messed that up also and they didn't get to unload before they met their fiery demise. I ended up transferring in some planes from Attu, which is what I should have done in the first place. Then I had to bring in supply yet again, along with more troops (Americal Division). Damian soaked up my CAP until I had almost nothing left. I needed two more days to unload what was needed, but he struck me and sunk three CVs. I got most of the Americal unloaded, some supply, but those guys on the ground were doomed now.

After analyzing what I had left, I realized:
[*] Only two CVs left until mid-'43. I could work with CVEs, but not that easy for me.
[*] Lost about half of the AP/xAP I had, 20% of all I would get. I was converting xAK, but not enough.
[*] Lost so many CA, CL, CLAA, DD that escorting TFs later would be difficult.

I have no delusions that I'm a good enough player to bounce back after that.

Ask me anything. I'm not ashamed...

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

I do agree with you, but I'm not 100% convinced that in a scenario 1 game this couldn't be pulled off by a very good Allied player bringing 3x more than enough and getting a little more luck than my opponent got.

True, with 2 islands in US control this was an awesome situation from which to expand with fighter CAP covering fast raider DD TFs.


It is a pity the game ended. I thought the Allied position looked really rather good and those landings were achieved without too much loss relative to the huge gains which could be made if properly exploited. One key error here though appears to be his failure to take into account air transport range. I've maintained islands in the Kuriles before without CVs by MASSIVE use of bombers and seaplanes flying supplies in, backed up by the occasional 50 DD massed Fast Transport TFs running in with supplies.

Yeah, that's what I later realized would have been the right way to go. But I never built up the Aleutians (as you'll see). The men have been separated from the boys...

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: floydg

I agree with pretty much everything people have said. I was getting my butt kicked and really wanted to stage something significant. Of course, it probably wasn't the right time, but I have issues with being patient sometimes.

Here was my thinking: if he put in for the July CV refits, I had until late July to establish a beachhead. I initially wanted only one base (U-J), but decided to add a second (S-J) behind for LRCAP over U-J. I had planned a distraction operation at Carnavron and Pago Pago, but my timing was messed up due to fuel issues and Carnarvron happened too late to draw Damian's attention and Pago Pago happened after Kuriles (was supposed to be about 6 days before). Later plan was to invade back to P-J once U-J and S-J were established to keep a solid line of supply back to Alaska. I was hoping to settle in before winter hit.

...

Yes, I was bad not to include this in my summary. It is important information, that could have swayed me into going in another direction. I would probably have reacted to the move, although the Sth Pacific is a side show I no longer need as it was only something I wanted to bring out those Allied CV's. I really did intend not going further than the Rabaul line (and maybe just Manus ... funny how I didn't stick to that though!)

Australia on the other hand is more important to my DEI fortifications.

As it stood, I only sent the 2 CV's for refit (radar upgrades), the month before. Had the rest got their upgrades for radar they would all have been in drydock during this whole time. So, for once I'm happy the upgrades don't give me the midway "delayed" upgrades

I have no delusions that I'm a good enough player to bounce back after that.

Ask me anything. I'm not ashamed...

Oh, I know you would have come back. No B.S - you're too good a thinker to be boxed in for long, just some of the mechanics of the game need some rust removed - for both of us Esp. as this is our first full campaign in AE.

[Nemo121]

Yeah, that's what I later realized would have been the right way to go. But I never built up the Aleutians (as you'll see). The men have been separated from the boys...

No, I just F'ed up a little more privately in chess competitions and non-AARed PBEMs of other games over the years. You have just had the misfortune to make the same errors we've all made while your opponent AARed it. What I see is someone who:
a) recognises the error that they made and is alive to the alternative --- this is great since most people practice so much self-delusion that they never admit these errors and work on how to avoid them again and
b) is being too tough on himself about it. I've done some HOWLERS in my time, we all have. Its a learning process.

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Yeah, that's what I later realized would have been the right way to go. But I never built up the Aleutians (as you'll see). The men have been separated from the boys...

No, I just F'ed up a little more privately in chess competitions and non-AARed PBEMs of other games over the years. You have just had the misfortune to make the same errors we've all made while your opponent AARed it. What I see is someone who:
a) recognises the error that they made and is alive to the alternative --- this is great since most people practice so much self-delusion that they never admit these errors and work on how to avoid them again and
b) is being too tough on himself about it. I've done some HOWLERS in my time, we all have. Its a learning process.

Thanks. I agree that it's a learning process.

I do dabble in the self-deprecation, so I'm really not that down on myself. I'm actually glad that I learned the things I did and the way that I did, as I think that I learn better from failure than I do from success. After all, it's a game I really enjoy playing and an opponent that I respect. Other than a little frustration, I don't see much downside (other than a neglected wife and daughter [;)]).

[n01487477]

Well this is the point of a new beginning ...
Nemo has looked at the game and decided to try to come back from a fairly untenable position in the pacific. He will have superiority on the continents and I expect Australia, China and Burma to be under pressure in the short to mid term. Meanwhile in the Nth, he will try to keep the Kuriles in play until he can mount an offensive on Hokkaido and Japan itself. In the Sth Pac. my SLOC are too far to maintain and I've been in the process of withdrawing anyway.

Still, he will need to overcome the naval superiority I have at present and I expect a lot of Air transports flying paratroops and supplies from the Aleutians to the Kuriles. As well as attempts to Fast transport supplies in. My blockade and counter thrust will have to be timed right.

There are a number of BB's unaccounted for as well and I wonder if they are lingering around India or more likely around Australasia.

I must also warn my readers, this is not a strong Japan scenario. The economics were set up for a quick collapse, no stockpile of HI, small fuel and oil margins, and markedly; small HI factory numbers which means any Strat bombing is going to be painful... Take this with very low experience pilot pools, no R&D bonuses, no free planes etc. So, once he has cracked the egg, it will be over quickly.

By way of note, it is always difficult transitioning from one opponent to another and as I think Floyd had some good options left on the continents, this is where the initial thrust will begin.

[Mac Linehan]

Damien -

Awesome AAR. Floyd is a good Man; he has the experience and smarts to do it again (and well!) at some future point.

I am very much looking forward to following this AAR.

My perspective - from this point on:

Two very experienced and capable players, both with unique handicaps that most players would probably not be willing to work under:

Allied -

A greatly reduced USN - in both combat and logistical vessels; heavy losses in merchants and tankers / oilers coupled with a small pool of combat aircraft and (especially challenging) trained pilots (cause it doesn't happen over night!).

Japan - Strategically in a very good position - however with very challenging scenario specific production / economic limitations (which, arguably can be, the real war) that will make it difficult for the Japanese player just to break even.

I do not see this as one side having the advantage over the other - but a great starting point for a completely different 2nd half of the game - with both sides under presser to squeeze the most out of each and every opportunity.

This is, "The Great White verses the Voracious Hammerhead - a Feeding Frenzy" - and it will be good!

My respect to all three of you, Gents,

Mac

[n01487477]

Thanks Mac -
It will certainly be a game of two halves. I expect some turnovers in quick time especially around Australia.

Burma will be interesting as in the previous game we played under witp not AE, he went for Burma and drove hard Sth taking Thailand and Vietnam in quick succession before marching across China. Interestingly, that was a game taken over too.. Anyway, I was unable to stop the march and then AE came out. It was fun and bloody. I think we have the record for a shared 50K plane losses by May '43. Still this is AE and not the carnage filled but fun witp.

I think I'm going to rue my last turn sent to floyd though, 'cause I would have been much more careful with what I was doing... Oh well, time to get into the brace position.

I do have plans though to keep him on the hop in the Pacific and although I have been transitioning to a more defensive posture, there is still some fight in the IJ. I just hope I have enough time to get it organised. My PP's are low but there are plenty of openings here.

It is the continents that I gaze at and find troubling though. As I've said before, I'm pants(crap) at land war and this might be the game that schools me in it.

But sometimes a good defense is a good offence. We'll see after I get the turn back. I'd love to bag those last CV's before they retire to the US mainland for a long rest.

[modrow]

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[castor troy]

I'd call it crazy to land in the Kuriles in mid 42 in a PBEM. Just asking for a disaster (which it turned out already). If the players stick to it, it's great for the PBEM and for an AAR of course as it gives the Japanese the chance to have superiority all the way into 44 if the Allied realize too late that they have thrown away too much and just keep coming. Still, I wouldn't do it, but my games turn out to be pure systematic, boring advances from lvl 9 airfield to lvl 9 airfield of the Allied through 43 ready to land on Japan in early 44. Have had two of these lately and they both turn out to be nothing but boring, succesful but 100% boring.

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

I'd call it crazy to land in the Kuriles in mid 42 in a PBEM. Just asking for a disaster (which it turned out already). If the players stick to it, it's great for the PBEM and for an AAR of course as it gives the Japanese the chance to have superiority all the way into 44 if the Allied realize too late that they have thrown away too much and just keep coming. Still, I wouldn't do it, but my games turn out to be pure systematic, boring advances from lvl 9 airfield to lvl 9 airfield of the Allied through 43 ready to land on Japan in early 44. Have had two of these lately and they both turn out to be nothing but boring, succesful but 100% boring.

Sounds like you need a walk on the dark side CT or maybe a change in direction [;)]. If you always do what you do and always get the same results, even if they are good, maybe it is time for a little experimentation or some time away ...
I'd hate you to burn out though.

[n01487477]

What the hell was I thinking when I made this economic mod?

Damn, at a time when I should be bunkering down and riding through a few months of saving on fuel and getting my economy in better shape, the playing field has changed and I'm now faced with a dilemma. Damned if I do and damned if I don't ...

1. I really want to take the war to him, I really need to take Attu Is.
2. I need to fortify the Kurile's
3. I need to guard against a move against Burma. (Fionn and I talked about PP's here and this is where he moved on me last time.)
4. I'd love to expand more in the Pacific, or at least cut the gap to NZ.
5. And I need to withdraw my troops from Nth Australia.

Is any of this possible ?

Some, but not all considering the logistic tightrope I've worked into this mod. Let me explain a bit of the rationale behind my mod and the small screw-up I made. The rationale was to work into Scen 1 a tighter economic situation reflecting some of the harsher economics that are not present in its' current form. I also wanted to simulate the economic downfall that befell Japan in later years. I wanted the IJ to use more of its transport fleet and import goods from further away, I wanted to simulate the transportation of both fuel and oil and the harsh realities of Oil/Fuel conservation on the IJN.

I did this by changed the multipliers, worked out the resources etc and flung some of them further afield. What I didn't do so well was work out the port load / offload for some of the smaller places, I didn't take what I needed to take in China (cause I'm crap at ground warfare), didn't give enough margin to the oil/fuel mix, made it very difficult to repair all I took and other smaller issues.(like having 100% damage at Soerabaja)

So, trying not to be the apologist for my own downfall, back to the list..
1. Attu is possible, but I'm way down on available AV, having squandered some PP's on luxuries. I need to launch in the next 10 days though to make it an option.
2. To safeguard against a Para-drop, I'll need to reinforce Ketoi and Onnekotan. Evenutally, if I can take Attu, then I'll backfill.
3. Burma - Did I mention I'm crap at ground warfare? I'm sending some available BB/CA/DD's back to Singapore. More air will be sent here as well. I really don't have enough groups available too.
4. I can't do this well. I have one small CV patrolling down there but the SLOC is killing me. I really need all the troops lazing on Suva and Noumea back in the fight up Nth. It was a flashy show down here and now I'm paying for not taking Attu before.
5. Has to be achieved shortly, to make these troops available elsewhere... more on this in coming posts.

My next iteration of this mod, will work these changes and make the Northern route more arduous. Not impossible though