Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Here's me hoping for a first person account:) Yeah, I know... asshole...
Fighting for the Greater East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Well, there's likely to be one in the very near future! No way CF can save the Burma Army now. The question is whether there will be a series of first person accounts to close out the game. I offered to CF to let him concede and restart, perhaps flipping sides and definitely upgrading to stacking limits. He has neither answered nor sent another replay for a few days, which is unusual for him. I think he is considering his options and there is a chance he will yield. If that happens, I have an idea for a series of first person accounts to close out the story. Then again, he may well choose to fight on. The Allies can never truly be considered beaten, it really boils down to whether or not he is still enjoying the game more than he would a re-start.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Quick update - we are on hold as CF was out of town and is seriously considering yielding. He plans to make a decision soon. I suspect he may concede, but you never know of course.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
What would you rather see happen given the choice and a willing opponent?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Good question. I could go either way really, but I think I would vote for an end to the game. I've learned a lot about production, R&D and other matters and would like to apply that fresh. Also, I am currently playing on an ancient desktop with no wireless Internet access and haven't upgraded to stacking limits or any mods yet. I plan to get a new lap top for Christmas and it would be easier to upgrade on the new device. Finally, I want to get in a game as the Allies at some point just to improve my understanding of the game (I will almost exclusively play Japan after that, I suspect).
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Yeah, I've got the itch to play the other side after several forays into the Empire. Mainly as you say to get a better feel for things there. Also interested in the DBB changes and stacking limits.
Sounds like this one has less interest if you eliminate this Allied Burma Army after your other successes. He could get back in, but judging from the lack of presence on the forums too maybe family and other concerns are taking even more precedence for him now. I remember hearing about grandchildren at one point.
If I were him though I'd consider playing on just to try a hail Mary at some point, and send 10-12 divisions and the whole navy somewhere important. [;)]
Sounds like this one has less interest if you eliminate this Allied Burma Army after your other successes. He could get back in, but judging from the lack of presence on the forums too maybe family and other concerns are taking even more precedence for him now. I remember hearing about grandchildren at one point.
If I were him though I'd consider playing on just to try a hail Mary at some point, and send 10-12 divisions and the whole navy somewhere important. [;)]
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Yeah, assuming the end of the Burma front for quite some time, what CF is left with is to wait until he has the 1943 USN CVs and strike big somewhere in late summer or more likely Fall of 1943. That attack would be met with the full might of LBA and a fully upgraded KB with all CVs and CVLs. Winner take all as if he lost he would suffer 1944 auto victory. Can you say an actual Decisive Battle? [:D] Something like that would be great but I suspect both of us are evaluating whether we really want to spend six months of game time on minor ops and sharpening our respective swords.
- el lobo
- Posts: 825
- Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 9:06 pm
- Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand (orig: Sacramento, CA)
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Hi Criptop,
I have been reading your aar in all of my very limited spare time for the last two months and have finally caught-up (maybe just in time). I think that your style of writing is tremendous, a real page turner. In the good old days of having the time, I would have read it “cover to cover” in one sitting, like a Forsyth novel. It was easy for me to keep-up because of the way you covered the AOs.
Even as a newbe, I can tell that your playing skills are impeccable. You have really set the bar high for us future players.
If you do not mind, what was the make-up of your “rowboat” and Dot Base Clean-Up TFs?
As a new player, the production and R&D are some of the most challenging learning curves. You mentioned that you had learned a lot about them. Any additional comments about these would be appreciated.
Thanks
el lobo
[font="Arial"][/font]
I have been reading your aar in all of my very limited spare time for the last two months and have finally caught-up (maybe just in time). I think that your style of writing is tremendous, a real page turner. In the good old days of having the time, I would have read it “cover to cover” in one sitting, like a Forsyth novel. It was easy for me to keep-up because of the way you covered the AOs.
Even as a newbe, I can tell that your playing skills are impeccable. You have really set the bar high for us future players.
If you do not mind, what was the make-up of your “rowboat” and Dot Base Clean-Up TFs?
As a new player, the production and R&D are some of the most challenging learning curves. You mentioned that you had learned a lot about them. Any additional comments about these would be appreciated.
Thanks
el lobo
[font="Arial"][/font]
El Lobo (J) vs Rio Bravo (A)
Rio Bravo's AAR - "The War College"
tm.asp?m=3851786
Gamey is not a game style. It is someone's definition.
Rio Bravo's AAR - "The War College"
tm.asp?m=3851786
Gamey is not a game style. It is someone's definition.
- FeurerKrieg
- Posts: 3398
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:43 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Not that you asked me, but I use LBs, 1 small xAKL for fuel, and SNLF Coy units. Works great and you can start cleaning up right away since you have a couple of those tiny SNLF units right off the get go.
Once I got ambushed by some PTs, but managed to get a fragment unloaded anyway and the unit is so small it rebuilt really quick.
Once I got ambushed by some PTs, but managed to get a fragment unloaded anyway and the unit is so small it rebuilt really quick.
Upper portion used with permission of www.subart.net, copyright John Meeks
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
El Lobo - thanks for the kind words. I use a similar composition to what FK stated for dot base clean up. Two or three xAKLs (there's a class with 1725 cargo capacity that is great for this), two older escorts and an SNLF Coy. The "rowboat corps" is actually a euphemism for the automatic capture of bases that occurs when you have an occupied base near an unoccupied enemy base. It happens for free.
As for production, I've learned to set your R&D strategy on turn one - decide what planes you want and can afford and go after them from the get go.
Aim to have a reserve of 100K armaments and 20K vehicle points, then turn the factories on and off to stay near those numbers. No need to waste HI on a quarter million vehicle points.
Listen to Mike Solli and nygiants 59. They know their stuff on production.
On strategy, listen to or read the work of Alfred and Nemo. To the extent I've done well I credit their mantra of ensuring that all actions at the tactical and operational level are geared toward a coherent strategic goal. I understood this before following them (I've wargamed since middle school), but their AARs and advice really drove home the need to understand what you are doing and why at all times.
As for production, I've learned to set your R&D strategy on turn one - decide what planes you want and can afford and go after them from the get go.
Aim to have a reserve of 100K armaments and 20K vehicle points, then turn the factories on and off to stay near those numbers. No need to waste HI on a quarter million vehicle points.
Listen to Mike Solli and nygiants 59. They know their stuff on production.
On strategy, listen to or read the work of Alfred and Nemo. To the extent I've done well I credit their mantra of ensuring that all actions at the tactical and operational level are geared toward a coherent strategic goal. I understood this before following them (I've wargamed since middle school), but their AARs and advice really drove home the need to understand what you are doing and why at all times.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Quick update - an armistice now holds while CF is making up his mind. We are considering calling this game, taking a short break, and then going at it again with the sides reversed. More info as I get it, but I frankly believe we will get a message from Imperial GHQ that begins "TO ALL UNITS" - time will tell.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
ORIGINAL: Cribtop
El Lobo - thanks for the kind words. I use a similar composition to what FK stated for dot base clean up. Two or three xAKLs (there's a class with 1725 cargo capacity that is great for this), two older escorts and an SNLF Coy. The "rowboat corps" is actually a euphemism for the automatic capture of bases that occurs when you have an occupied base near an unoccupied enemy base. It happens for free.
As for production, I've learned to set your R&D strategy on turn one - decide what planes you want and can afford and go after them from the get go.
Aim to have a reserve of 100K armaments and 20K vehicle points, then turn the factories on and off to stay near those numbers. No need to waste HI on a quarter million vehicle points.
Listen to Mike Solli and nygiants 59. They know their stuff on production.
On strategy, listen to or read the work of Alfred and Nemo. To the extent I've done well I credit their mantra of ensuring that all actions at the tactical and operational level are geared toward a coherent strategic goal. I understood this before following them (I've wargamed since middle school), but their AARs and advice really drove home the need to understand what you are doing and why at all times.
I'd have to say now, in 45, that I'd NEVER turn off armaments and vehicles. You will always use them.
Good to hear you're moving toward a decision.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
Good info - so you would keep them building the whole war or would you go to full production at some point, say before the big '44 LCU reinforcements? Obvert, your game is such a valuable window on the late war with many lessons learned.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
ORIGINAL: Cribtop
Good info - so you would keep them building the whole war or would you go to full production at some point, say before the big '44 LCU reinforcements? Obvert, your game is such a valuable window on the late war with many lessons learned.
In early 45 I'm dropping in armaments steadily from arriving units and a few rebuilding. Pax thinks my armaments/vehicles are way too low at 80k and 20k due to the new units and the coming major battles that will require a lot of replacements/rebuilding.
It all depends on the gameplay of course, but by 45 there should be some major battles going on and if you want to last and fight again I'd say keep a good pool. The HI seems like it'll be my least worry now, with 3.2 million banked and still slowly adding to the pile.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
May 25, 1943
Daigo Yoshino sat in a wicker chair in one of the Officer's Lounges of Japan's massive base at Truk, reflecting on his boredom. Since the momentous victory at the Battle of Exmouth, the Carrier Strike Force, together with the other elements of Combined Fleet, had retired to Truk for what was, at the time, desperately needed R&R. The flat tops and their escorts had been driven hard, in constant action from Pearl Harbor until the Spring of 1943. Everyone had been exhausted, and many of the carriers had rotated in pairs back to Japan for upgrades and dry dock time. The elite sailors and air crews of Kido Butai had all welcomed the break.
That had been late February. Now, three months of anchor duty later, Yoshino was bored. This was no ordinary boredom, no mere lack of activity. This boredom was palpable - it had a smell, a taste, even a personality. Boredom sat next to Yoshi today in the chair across from his, a chair that to the ordinary observer would appear empty.
Daigo thus barely looked up when a young ensign strode purposefully into the room and posted a copy of the orders of the day. Despite this lack of concern, the Lieutenant Commander eventually decided that sauntering over to the message board by the bar would leave his boredom behind for a few precious moments. He read the text of a Special Order while idly considering if it was too early to order Saki:
SPECIAL ORDER
FROM: IMPERIAL GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
TO: ALL COMMANDS OF IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY AND IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY
All commands are hereby ordered to standby for a special message from the Emperor at 1800 hours, Tokyo time. It is the responsibility of all Commanding Officers to ensure that this message is disseminated to all personnel and subordinate commands immediately. The message will be broadcast by Radio Tokyo in the clear and written copies will be provided later this evening. That is all.
"I wonder what that's all about," Daigo thought to himself. There was no response. Daigo looked over at the chair, but it seemed his boredom had another appointment.
Daigo Yoshino sat in a wicker chair in one of the Officer's Lounges of Japan's massive base at Truk, reflecting on his boredom. Since the momentous victory at the Battle of Exmouth, the Carrier Strike Force, together with the other elements of Combined Fleet, had retired to Truk for what was, at the time, desperately needed R&R. The flat tops and their escorts had been driven hard, in constant action from Pearl Harbor until the Spring of 1943. Everyone had been exhausted, and many of the carriers had rotated in pairs back to Japan for upgrades and dry dock time. The elite sailors and air crews of Kido Butai had all welcomed the break.
That had been late February. Now, three months of anchor duty later, Yoshino was bored. This was no ordinary boredom, no mere lack of activity. This boredom was palpable - it had a smell, a taste, even a personality. Boredom sat next to Yoshi today in the chair across from his, a chair that to the ordinary observer would appear empty.
Daigo thus barely looked up when a young ensign strode purposefully into the room and posted a copy of the orders of the day. Despite this lack of concern, the Lieutenant Commander eventually decided that sauntering over to the message board by the bar would leave his boredom behind for a few precious moments. He read the text of a Special Order while idly considering if it was too early to order Saki:
SPECIAL ORDER
FROM: IMPERIAL GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
TO: ALL COMMANDS OF IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY AND IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY
All commands are hereby ordered to standby for a special message from the Emperor at 1800 hours, Tokyo time. It is the responsibility of all Commanding Officers to ensure that this message is disseminated to all personnel and subordinate commands immediately. The message will be broadcast by Radio Tokyo in the clear and written copies will be provided later this evening. That is all.
"I wonder what that's all about," Daigo thought to himself. There was no response. Daigo looked over at the chair, but it seemed his boredom had another appointment.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
FLASHBACK
FOUR DAYS EARLIER
May 21, 1943
Headquarters, 17th Army, two miles South of Mandalay, Burma
“Get the Second Division moving up to the jump off point – we need to hit Hill 172 again,” boomed the voice of Lieutenant General Hyakatuke Harukichi. The General was huddled with his Staff over a detailed battle map of the small perimeter held by the Commonwealth’s Burma Army. The tent in which the map rested was a constant swarm of activity moving about a single focal point – the General himself.
The past weeks had seen the Japanese Army pour out of the mountain ridges of the Arakan and into the rear of the combined British, Australian and Indian Army in the Irrawaddy River valley. At that point, maneuver had gone out the window. The largest concentration of artillery in the history of Japan pounded the Allies by day. Each night, Imperial tanks and infantry surged forward, slowly pushing the surrounded enemy into an ever smaller pocket from which there was no escape.
Today at Dawn, Hyakatuke had varied the pattern, committing his reserves to a daytime attack just as the exhausted Allied troops thought their nightly ordeal was coming to an end.
Initial reports were poor, with enemy firepower decimating the attackers, but the normally indirect General had decided that today was the day to force a decision. He was thus ordering Japan’s best unit, the fearsome Second Division, into the cauldron.
“One more push, Futami – One more push!” This was addressed to Major General Akisaburo Futami, Chief of Staff of 17th Army, who had just entered the command tent.
“Sir, if I could have a moment,” said General Akisaburo.
Hyakatuke’s replay was less than patient. “By the gods, Futami, can it wait?”
“Sir, with respect, I think you will want to see this. If you could just follow me outside for a moment.”
“This had better be worth it,” replied Hyakatuke.
Both men exited the command tent and began walking to the edge of the slight rise on which it was situated. As they moved through the ranks of various troops, clerks, officers and men, they spotted the object of Futami’s request, namely a small knot of about 10 Allied senior officers, trudging slowly toward them under a white flag of truce.
“Damnit, man, I don’t have time to arrange another burial detail,” sputtered Hyakatuke, the stress of war numbing him to the callousness of his own words.
Futami’s reply was quiet, focused. “This is not that kind of truce, sir.”
“Oh. I see.”
With those words, Hyakatuke seemed to straighten to his full height. Then, alone, he continued walking toward the Allied party. As he did so, understanding seemed to ripple outward from the two Japanese Generals. One by one, man by man, the crack troops of 17th Army, the conquerors of Singapore, Java, and Manila, of Nanyang, Sian and Changsha, of Akyab, Magwe and Mandalay, turned and came to attention. Officers saluted with their katanas, enlisted men fixed bayonets and presented arms. It was done in silence, and, unusually for the brutally disciplinarian Imperial Japanese Army, it was done out of formation. Each man saluted where he stood in that unique moment. This was not a unit parade, no flashy show of martial spirit. Instead, this was a series of personal messages of respect and honor, given by each of the veterans of the cream of the Army to their undisputed leader; a man in his 70s who had endured the hardships of war with them, giving his all and more for the Empire precisely because he was old enough that he considered his life well lived, over and done with, a man truly able to give everything for the Emperor because to him there was nothing else left. The Allied contingent wrote in their diaries that they were impressed by the show of camaraderie displayed by the Japanese victors, but they entirely misunderstood what was going on around them.
General Hyakatuke reached the men with the white flag and escorted them back to his command tent.
Four hours later, terms were arranged pursuant to which the 130,000 men of the Burma Army surrendered.
FOUR DAYS EARLIER
May 21, 1943
Headquarters, 17th Army, two miles South of Mandalay, Burma
“Get the Second Division moving up to the jump off point – we need to hit Hill 172 again,” boomed the voice of Lieutenant General Hyakatuke Harukichi. The General was huddled with his Staff over a detailed battle map of the small perimeter held by the Commonwealth’s Burma Army. The tent in which the map rested was a constant swarm of activity moving about a single focal point – the General himself.
The past weeks had seen the Japanese Army pour out of the mountain ridges of the Arakan and into the rear of the combined British, Australian and Indian Army in the Irrawaddy River valley. At that point, maneuver had gone out the window. The largest concentration of artillery in the history of Japan pounded the Allies by day. Each night, Imperial tanks and infantry surged forward, slowly pushing the surrounded enemy into an ever smaller pocket from which there was no escape.
Today at Dawn, Hyakatuke had varied the pattern, committing his reserves to a daytime attack just as the exhausted Allied troops thought their nightly ordeal was coming to an end.
Initial reports were poor, with enemy firepower decimating the attackers, but the normally indirect General had decided that today was the day to force a decision. He was thus ordering Japan’s best unit, the fearsome Second Division, into the cauldron.
“One more push, Futami – One more push!” This was addressed to Major General Akisaburo Futami, Chief of Staff of 17th Army, who had just entered the command tent.
“Sir, if I could have a moment,” said General Akisaburo.
Hyakatuke’s replay was less than patient. “By the gods, Futami, can it wait?”
“Sir, with respect, I think you will want to see this. If you could just follow me outside for a moment.”
“This had better be worth it,” replied Hyakatuke.
Both men exited the command tent and began walking to the edge of the slight rise on which it was situated. As they moved through the ranks of various troops, clerks, officers and men, they spotted the object of Futami’s request, namely a small knot of about 10 Allied senior officers, trudging slowly toward them under a white flag of truce.
“Damnit, man, I don’t have time to arrange another burial detail,” sputtered Hyakatuke, the stress of war numbing him to the callousness of his own words.
Futami’s reply was quiet, focused. “This is not that kind of truce, sir.”
“Oh. I see.”
With those words, Hyakatuke seemed to straighten to his full height. Then, alone, he continued walking toward the Allied party. As he did so, understanding seemed to ripple outward from the two Japanese Generals. One by one, man by man, the crack troops of 17th Army, the conquerors of Singapore, Java, and Manila, of Nanyang, Sian and Changsha, of Akyab, Magwe and Mandalay, turned and came to attention. Officers saluted with their katanas, enlisted men fixed bayonets and presented arms. It was done in silence, and, unusually for the brutally disciplinarian Imperial Japanese Army, it was done out of formation. Each man saluted where he stood in that unique moment. This was not a unit parade, no flashy show of martial spirit. Instead, this was a series of personal messages of respect and honor, given by each of the veterans of the cream of the Army to their undisputed leader; a man in his 70s who had endured the hardships of war with them, giving his all and more for the Empire precisely because he was old enough that he considered his life well lived, over and done with, a man truly able to give everything for the Emperor because to him there was nothing else left. The Allied contingent wrote in their diaries that they were impressed by the show of camaraderie displayed by the Japanese victors, but they entirely misunderstood what was going on around them.
General Hyakatuke reached the men with the white flag and escorted them back to his command tent.
Four hours later, terms were arranged pursuant to which the 130,000 men of the Burma Army surrendered.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
May 23, 1943
Hyderabad, India
Sergeants Sanjiv Harashwami and Rahul Purushottam walked into the anteroom of the barracks Command Post of the Hyderabad garrison. Their immediate superior, Lieutenant Murray Gaines, greeted them with a perfunctory salute before getting down to business.
“Right. So apparently there is some sort of disturbance in the City, and we need to turn out the men to deal with it.”
Harashwami spoke first. “What sort of disturbance, Sir?”
“Well, it appears there is a bit of a demonstration getting out of hand,” replied Gaines.
“What about the police?” said Purushottam.
“They are the ones who contacted us – they need our Company’s help putting down the riot,” stated the Lieutenant.
“I thought you said it was a demonstration,” said Sanjiv, suspicion creeping into his voice.
“Don’t argue semantics with me, Sergeant,” Gaines replied with an edge in his tone.
“What are they protesting?” said both Sergeants simultaneously.
“Who knows! Ever since word got around about Mandalay, things have been touchy with the locals,” replied Gaines, who immediately regretted his choice of phrase.
The two Indian Army sergeants shared a look, and then turned back toward their commander. “Sir, are you asking us to turn out the Company to attack our own countrymen?”
“Of course not! It’s just some rabble rousers and we need to deal with them,” blurted Gaines, who by then was quite off balance.
“I don’t think we can do that, Sir,” Rahul said.
“Are you refusing a direct order, Sergeant?”
“I suppose I am,” said Rahul. He pointedly did not finish the sentence with “Sir.”
“Sanjiv, place this man under arrest for insubordination immediately,” Gaines said with iron determination.
Sanjiv pulled out his sidearm, and Gaines visibly relaxed – Until the barrel of the gun swung toward him rather than Sergeant Purushottam.
“I think I shall place you under arrest instead, Lieutenant,” Sanjiv stated.
Gaines looked at him with a mixture of fear and anger. “And what about the demonstrators?”
“I believe we will join them. And by ‘we,’ I mean the whole Company,” Sanjiv replied.
Hyderabad, India
Sergeants Sanjiv Harashwami and Rahul Purushottam walked into the anteroom of the barracks Command Post of the Hyderabad garrison. Their immediate superior, Lieutenant Murray Gaines, greeted them with a perfunctory salute before getting down to business.
“Right. So apparently there is some sort of disturbance in the City, and we need to turn out the men to deal with it.”
Harashwami spoke first. “What sort of disturbance, Sir?”
“Well, it appears there is a bit of a demonstration getting out of hand,” replied Gaines.
“What about the police?” said Purushottam.
“They are the ones who contacted us – they need our Company’s help putting down the riot,” stated the Lieutenant.
“I thought you said it was a demonstration,” said Sanjiv, suspicion creeping into his voice.
“Don’t argue semantics with me, Sergeant,” Gaines replied with an edge in his tone.
“What are they protesting?” said both Sergeants simultaneously.
“Who knows! Ever since word got around about Mandalay, things have been touchy with the locals,” replied Gaines, who immediately regretted his choice of phrase.
The two Indian Army sergeants shared a look, and then turned back toward their commander. “Sir, are you asking us to turn out the Company to attack our own countrymen?”
“Of course not! It’s just some rabble rousers and we need to deal with them,” blurted Gaines, who by then was quite off balance.
“I don’t think we can do that, Sir,” Rahul said.
“Are you refusing a direct order, Sergeant?”
“I suppose I am,” said Rahul. He pointedly did not finish the sentence with “Sir.”
“Sanjiv, place this man under arrest for insubordination immediately,” Gaines said with iron determination.
Sanjiv pulled out his sidearm, and Gaines visibly relaxed – Until the barrel of the gun swung toward him rather than Sergeant Purushottam.
“I think I shall place you under arrest instead, Lieutenant,” Sanjiv stated.
Gaines looked at him with a mixture of fear and anger. “And what about the demonstrators?”
“I believe we will join them. And by ‘we,’ I mean the whole Company,” Sanjiv replied.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
May 24, 1943
Washington, DC
The White House
The Third Washington conference of the Western Allies had been forced to alter its planned agenda. The surrender of the Burma Army at Mandalay, rather undiplomatically described by some American officers as “the Saratoga of the East,” left little to stop the Japanese from invading India for a second time, and the revolts spreading across the Subcontinent showed that Britain’s grip on the Crown Jewel of her Empire was slipping. The argument of how to respond to the crisis had gone on for hours, and now the leaders of the two great democracies were down to brass tacks.
“Look Mr. President, the answer is simple – we need to commit the US Army,” said Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
“Winston, with all due respect, you know how the American public feels about supporting what they see as European Imperialism,” replied President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
“I’m not saying they need to restore order, leave that to us. But your troops could man the front lines – stop the Japanese.”
The President considered this for a moment, but he knew the political calculus of his countrymen well. “No, I’m afraid that’s out of the question. Besides, with the Imperial Navy in full control of the seas, I don’t know if we could land our men safely even if we wanted to.”
Churchill thundered back, “Look, Franklin, if we lose India, we lose everything!”
“Winston, there is another way. I’m not proud of contemplating it, but we MUST defeat Hitler. Perhaps Japan can wait.”
“You can’t mean a separate peace!”
“It may be the only viable option, Winston,” said the President in a quiet voice.
The air went out of the room. The top Allied commanders and their staffs looked around uncomfortably, but a consensus was forming.
Washington, DC
The White House
The Third Washington conference of the Western Allies had been forced to alter its planned agenda. The surrender of the Burma Army at Mandalay, rather undiplomatically described by some American officers as “the Saratoga of the East,” left little to stop the Japanese from invading India for a second time, and the revolts spreading across the Subcontinent showed that Britain’s grip on the Crown Jewel of her Empire was slipping. The argument of how to respond to the crisis had gone on for hours, and now the leaders of the two great democracies were down to brass tacks.
“Look Mr. President, the answer is simple – we need to commit the US Army,” said Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
“Winston, with all due respect, you know how the American public feels about supporting what they see as European Imperialism,” replied President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
“I’m not saying they need to restore order, leave that to us. But your troops could man the front lines – stop the Japanese.”
The President considered this for a moment, but he knew the political calculus of his countrymen well. “No, I’m afraid that’s out of the question. Besides, with the Imperial Navy in full control of the seas, I don’t know if we could land our men safely even if we wanted to.”
Churchill thundered back, “Look, Franklin, if we lose India, we lose everything!”
“Winston, there is another way. I’m not proud of contemplating it, but we MUST defeat Hitler. Perhaps Japan can wait.”
“You can’t mean a separate peace!”
“It may be the only viable option, Winston,” said the President in a quiet voice.
The air went out of the room. The top Allied commanders and their staffs looked around uncomfortably, but a consensus was forming.
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
May 24, 1943
Imperial Japanese Embassy, Geneva, Switzerland, 1900 Hours
Ichisada Jisaburo, Assistant Attache for Cultural Affairs, sat at the Embassy’s reception desk. He swirled his tea, disappointed he had drawn the night shift. At least he had just locked the front door and could soon retire to the signals room for the duration of his internment.
His reverie was interrupted by a persistant knocking. Two unfamiliar men stood outside. Glancing at the armed Embassy guard behind him for assurance, Jisaburo went to the door, holding up his hands to bring an end to the pounding.
“Can I help you?”
The men were tall and well dressed, both Anglos. One introduced himself as Thomas Jones of the American Embassy, the other as Sir Reginald Hyde of the British Legation. Jisaburo was startled by this, carelessly spilling his tea on his suit. He later reflected that this was not exactly the best way to begin a moment of great historical importance, but real life was often messy in his experience.
“Why are you here? We are at war.”
The Englishman spoke first. “True, but isn’t the Swiss Embassy the designated liaison between the belligerent powers?”
The Japanese Attache recovered his balance a bit, as matters of protocol were the mother’s milk of the diplomatic corps. “I suppose. However, I am unaware of that channel being used at any time since the war broke out. Further, in theory any such communications are required to use the Swiss as intermediaries.”
The American chimed in. “Yes, yes, but we were instructed this was a matter of highest urgency, so we came directly. We are in possession of an offer from our governments that should be of great interest to Japan. We need to see the Ambassador immediately.”
“You may leave your request with me. The Ambassador is having dinner at his residence. I cannot imagine anything urgent enough to recall him at this hour,” Jisaburo replied.
“Even an offer for an immediate Armistice across the entire Pacific Theater of Operations?” said Jones.
“With the further enticement of the commencement of negotiations for a full Peace Accord?” said Hyde.
Jisaburo stared at the two men blankly for a moment.
“Won’t you gentlemen please come in? Would you care for some tea?”
Imperial Japanese Embassy, Geneva, Switzerland, 1900 Hours
Ichisada Jisaburo, Assistant Attache for Cultural Affairs, sat at the Embassy’s reception desk. He swirled his tea, disappointed he had drawn the night shift. At least he had just locked the front door and could soon retire to the signals room for the duration of his internment.
His reverie was interrupted by a persistant knocking. Two unfamiliar men stood outside. Glancing at the armed Embassy guard behind him for assurance, Jisaburo went to the door, holding up his hands to bring an end to the pounding.
“Can I help you?”
The men were tall and well dressed, both Anglos. One introduced himself as Thomas Jones of the American Embassy, the other as Sir Reginald Hyde of the British Legation. Jisaburo was startled by this, carelessly spilling his tea on his suit. He later reflected that this was not exactly the best way to begin a moment of great historical importance, but real life was often messy in his experience.
“Why are you here? We are at war.”
The Englishman spoke first. “True, but isn’t the Swiss Embassy the designated liaison between the belligerent powers?”
The Japanese Attache recovered his balance a bit, as matters of protocol were the mother’s milk of the diplomatic corps. “I suppose. However, I am unaware of that channel being used at any time since the war broke out. Further, in theory any such communications are required to use the Swiss as intermediaries.”
The American chimed in. “Yes, yes, but we were instructed this was a matter of highest urgency, so we came directly. We are in possession of an offer from our governments that should be of great interest to Japan. We need to see the Ambassador immediately.”
“You may leave your request with me. The Ambassador is having dinner at his residence. I cannot imagine anything urgent enough to recall him at this hour,” Jisaburo replied.
“Even an offer for an immediate Armistice across the entire Pacific Theater of Operations?” said Jones.
“With the further enticement of the commencement of negotiations for a full Peace Accord?” said Hyde.
Jisaburo stared at the two men blankly for a moment.
“Won’t you gentlemen please come in? Would you care for some tea?”
RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)
June 15, 1943
Tokyo, Japan
Daigo Yoshino and Genda Minoru stood at attention in their dress uniforms. After attending to the standing down of Combined Fleet as the Armistice took hold, they had flown back to Japan for consultations with the Peace Delegation before it left for Geneva. Now it was their honor, along with several thousand other sailors and airmen, to participate in a victory review of the Imperial Navy by the Emperor himself. The Emperor would be preceded on the balcony by Admiral Yamamoto, who would make a short speech to prepare the men for the Imperial Presence.
The crowd went silent as the Commander of Combined Fleet approached a microphone installed for his use.
“Brave Samurai of the Imperial Japanese Navy, it will soon be my distinct and eternal honor to introduce His Imperial Majesty, who has graciously consented to participate personally in this review of our Kaigun heroes.”
“But first, I owe you all an apology.”
There was a slight rustling in the mass of men, which by Japanese parade ground standards was practically a catastrophic breakdown in decorum.
“Yes, I humble myself before you and beg your forgiveness. I have lost face. You see, before the war, I was asked to give my opinion on the commencement of hostilities. I had been to America and seen its vast industrial might, so I urged that we avoid conflict. I frankly believed that Japan would lose.”
“But I was wrong, and I bear the shame of my timid counsel. For I underestimated you, brave warriors. I did not realize that you had such supreme skill, such boundless courage, such amazing fighting spirit. Truly, you have honored our ancestors by your superhuman efforts in battle. You were the difference, the edge I could not foresee when I considered the dangers of this war. You have made me proud beyond my wildest hopes. Please accept my humblest apologies and know that this victory is yours.”
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the square positively reverberated with one cry, repeated over and over and over:
“BANZAI!”
“BANZAI!”
“BANZAI!”
THE END
Tokyo, Japan
Daigo Yoshino and Genda Minoru stood at attention in their dress uniforms. After attending to the standing down of Combined Fleet as the Armistice took hold, they had flown back to Japan for consultations with the Peace Delegation before it left for Geneva. Now it was their honor, along with several thousand other sailors and airmen, to participate in a victory review of the Imperial Navy by the Emperor himself. The Emperor would be preceded on the balcony by Admiral Yamamoto, who would make a short speech to prepare the men for the Imperial Presence.
The crowd went silent as the Commander of Combined Fleet approached a microphone installed for his use.
“Brave Samurai of the Imperial Japanese Navy, it will soon be my distinct and eternal honor to introduce His Imperial Majesty, who has graciously consented to participate personally in this review of our Kaigun heroes.”
“But first, I owe you all an apology.”
There was a slight rustling in the mass of men, which by Japanese parade ground standards was practically a catastrophic breakdown in decorum.
“Yes, I humble myself before you and beg your forgiveness. I have lost face. You see, before the war, I was asked to give my opinion on the commencement of hostilities. I had been to America and seen its vast industrial might, so I urged that we avoid conflict. I frankly believed that Japan would lose.”
“But I was wrong, and I bear the shame of my timid counsel. For I underestimated you, brave warriors. I did not realize that you had such supreme skill, such boundless courage, such amazing fighting spirit. Truly, you have honored our ancestors by your superhuman efforts in battle. You were the difference, the edge I could not foresee when I considered the dangers of this war. You have made me proud beyond my wildest hopes. Please accept my humblest apologies and know that this victory is yours.”
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the square positively reverberated with one cry, repeated over and over and over:
“BANZAI!”
“BANZAI!”
“BANZAI!”
THE END