Return of the Sheep! - JocMeister(A) vs. MrKane(J)

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BBfanboy
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RE: Allies land in the Gilberts!

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Starting to wonder if something is up with those huge Manchurian guns

IMO, their TO&E should be changed to include a static device that doesn't upgrade to a non-static device until at least mid-42 or beyond. They would have taken months to move IRL, not less than two weeks.
+1
IRL I'm sure there were few Chinese bridges that could take the weight of these monsters and their prime movers. And soft roads plus rain would bog them right down.
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mind_messing
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by mind_messing »

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: BattleMoose

After China get cleaned up, what do you suppose he will do with all those LCUs? Seems like Java and Sumatra got reinforced. Do you think he will send a number of them to reinforce Burma?

Cape Town to Perth is a slower but much safer option for getting things to Australia.

Very good question! He will no doubt use a good amount to make the mountains to Burma rock solid. With the rest...not sure. Garrison requirements are ridiculously low so he will no doubt have the ability to buy out a huge amount of troops.

But as I have noticed SL will make it harder for him to create massive fortresses. But no doubt he will pack all the possible approaches to the limit. Marianas, Marshalls, Sumatra, DEI... much will go to Burma I´m sure. He can probably buy out an ID every second month or so. So I will be facing at least an extra 6 IDs in the coming year besides the 3(?) he has already bought out.

Speaking as someone who's knocked the Chinese out of the war, expect MrKane to have an abundance of medium to large LCU's ready to deploy where he wants them. You'll likely find yourself up against a fair number Ind. Mixed Brigades dotted all over the place.

The IJA in China is particularly flush with brigades that can be combined with reinforcement units to form a division. These units are ideal for those locations where MrKane will want more than some Naval Guards/SNLF or a IJA brigade to defend.

However, don't let the notion of having 3 or 6 or 12 extra "divisions" get you down. Most of the IJA divisions that start in China are little more than a few hundred infantry squads with some field guns and mortars. They're cheap to buy out and should do a good job holding behind forts and support units, but they're not the monster IJA divisions that have a nice artillery train and some tanks - they cost a fair number of PP's.

Once China falls, there's also the support assets that are freed up. There's no longer any need for any excess engineers or aviation support, so Japanese engineering efforts get a nice little boost, and the extra aviation support goes some way towards solving the AS crunch at the frontlines.
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RE: Allies land in the Gilberts!

Post by JocMeister »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

About those engineers sitting in the USA that you haven't found a use for: if you move them to OZ they can build the bases there to improve supply flow. They will also be closer to the islands that you will conquer and need to build up in SOPAC/SWPAC.

Working on that. Lacking fuel in SOPAC right now though. Don´t want any more convoys stranded without fuel in the middle of nowhere! [:D]
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by JocMeister »

ORIGINAL: mind_messing
Speaking as someone who's knocked the Chinese out of the war, expect MrKane to have an abundance of medium to large LCU's ready to deploy where he wants them. You'll likely find yourself up against a fair number Ind. Mixed Brigades dotted all over the place.

The IJA in China is particularly flush with brigades that can be combined with reinforcement units to form a division. These units are ideal for those locations where MrKane will want more than some Naval Guards/SNLF or a IJA brigade to defend.

However, don't let the notion of having 3 or 6 or 12 extra "divisions" get you down. Most of the IJA divisions that start in China are little more than a few hundred infantry squads with some field guns and mortars. They're cheap to buy out and should do a good job holding behind forts and support units, but they're not the monster IJA divisions that have a nice artillery train and some tanks - they cost a fair number of PP's.

Once China falls, there's also the support assets that are freed up. There's no longer any need for any excess engineers or aviation support, so Japanese engineering efforts get a nice little boost, and the extra aviation support goes some way towards solving the AS crunch at the frontlines.

Good info! Thanks! [&o]

I encountered a bunch of those IDs in the Marianas. As you say they didn´t have much stopping power. At least not against a -44 USMC ID and Shermans... [:)]



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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Sangeli »

ORIGINAL: JocMeister
Man, SL makes things annoyingly difficult at times. I have a crapload of Engineers sitting at San Fran. But nowhere to send them. There simply isn´t any room to put them.
BS! There are half a dozen islands in the Gilberts with 10k+ stacking limits that can be built up to level 5 air bases. They are just sitting there waiting for SeaBees. Especially Tabiteuea with its 40k stacking limit as it can be brought up to level 6; I wouldn't hesitate in dropping 10 SeaBee battalions here.

Also certainly you can use engineers in Burma/India to build up some of those jungle bases. OZ can also use some engineering assets in the far north like Portland roads which is only 8 hexes from Port Moresby. If you can't find uses for engineers throughout 1942 you're doing it wrong. And I know this because I had the same thoughts in my last game and I know for a fact I underutilized my engineering assets and paid for it in 1943.

As for your current OP, it seems like the KB isn't going to show up. The fact the Gilberts were so undeveloped tells me that Japan isn't planning on risking the KB for the OP. That being said, I would be willing to bet the Japanese match your invasion of the Gilberts with a buildup of the Marshalls in the coming months.
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by JocMeister »

ORIGINAL: Sangeli
ORIGINAL: JocMeister
Man, SL makes things annoyingly difficult at times. I have a crapload of Engineers sitting at San Fran. But nowhere to send them. There simply isn´t any room to put them.
BS! There are half a dozen islands in the Gilberts with 10k+ stacking limits that can be built up to level 5 air bases. They are just sitting there waiting for SeaBees. Especially Tabiteuea with its 40k stacking limit as it can be brought up to level 6; I wouldn't hesitate in dropping 10 SeaBee battalions here.

Also certainly you can use engineers in Burma/India to build up some of those jungle bases. OZ can also use some engineering assets in the far north like Portland roads which is only 8 hexes from Port Moresby. If you can't find uses for engineers throughout 1942 you're doing it wrong. And I know this because I had the same thoughts in my last game and I know for a fact I underutilized my engineering assets and paid for it in 1943.

As for your current OP, it seems like the KB isn't going to show up. The fact the Gilberts were so undeveloped tells me that Japan isn't planning on risking the KB for the OP. That being said, I would be willing to bet the Japanese match your invasion of the Gilberts with a buildup of the Marshalls in the coming months.

I´ll ship a lot of the engineers there for sure. In fact most are already on route directly from the WC since PH is stacked to the rafters.

Working on getting more Engineers to OZ. Fuel issues!

Don´t know if Tom will build up the Marshalls or not. Havn´t done so yet but as you say this might trigger it. Would be kind of cool if he did. Never fought in the Gilberts or Marshalls before so it will be a new experience for me. [:)]

To be honest I havn´t even looked at the Marshalls yet. Not sure its worth grabbing at all. If Tom invests heavily I will probably just bypass it.
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Cribtop »

Good show!

Re Burma. How well is Ramree Island defended? An amphib there can quickly burst into the plains and take Rangoon. Meanwhile, a slower infantry thrust down from the Chittagong region along the coastal road will create a land LoC. Jungle bypassed! Nemo did this once very well, but most Japanese players now know to secure Ramree to the hilt. Still, if Burma is really emptyish for now, hmm.
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Lokasenna »

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: BattleMoose

After China get cleaned up, what do you suppose he will do with all those LCUs? Seems like Java and Sumatra got reinforced. Do you think he will send a number of them to reinforce Burma?

Cape Town to Perth is a slower but much safer option for getting things to Australia.

Very good question! He will no doubt use a good amount to make the mountains to Burma rock solid. With the rest...not sure. Garrison requirements are ridiculously low so he will no doubt have the ability to buy out a huge amount of troops.

But as I have noticed SL will make it harder for him to create massive fortresses. But no doubt he will pack all the possible approaches to the limit. Marianas, Marshalls, Sumatra, DEI... much will go to Burma I´m sure. He can probably buy out an ID every second month or so. So I will be facing at least an extra 6 IDs in the coming year besides the 3(?) he has already bought out.

Speaking as someone who's knocked the Chinese out of the war, expect MrKane to have an abundance of medium to large LCU's ready to deploy where he wants them. You'll likely find yourself up against a fair number Ind. Mixed Brigades dotted all over the place.

The IJA in China is particularly flush with brigades that can be combined with reinforcement units to form a division. These units are ideal for those locations where MrKane will want more than some Naval Guards/SNLF or a IJA brigade to defend.

However, don't let the notion of having 3 or 6 or 12 extra "divisions" get you down. Most of the IJA divisions that start in China are little more than a few hundred infantry squads with some field guns and mortars. They're cheap to buy out and should do a good job holding behind forts and support units, but they're not the monster IJA divisions that have a nice artillery train and some tanks - they cost a fair number of PP's.

Once China falls, there's also the support assets that are freed up. There's no longer any need for any excess engineers or aviation support, so Japanese engineering efforts get a nice little boost, and the extra aviation support goes some way towards solving the AS crunch at the frontlines.

Chinese territory is not the same as the Chinese [;)].

There's a key difference between this game and ours - stacking limits. MrKane will be limited in where he can send all those "extra" units.
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Spidery »

Expect more divisions released than you have suggested. If he starts deliberate attacks at Chungking he will have divisions, including some of the better ones, suffering heavy disablements. If he plans ahead he will have the PP available to buy these out at a cheap rate.
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by offenseman »

ORIGINAL: Spidery

Expect more divisions released than you have suggested. If he starts deliberate attacks at Chungking he will have divisions, including some of the better ones, suffering heavy disablements. If he plans ahead he will have the PP available to buy these out at a cheap rate.

Absolutely correct. Damaged divisions can be bought out much more cheaply.
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by JocMeister »

Disaster. [:(]

Any chance to avoid AV is now completely gone. I´ll most likely throw in the towel tomorrow. Havn´t gotten the turn file yet only CR/Replay. But I´m pretty much looking at the total annihilation of the entire USN including all attack shipping. Deja vu! [:D]

Given the VP situation (31761:7951) was touch and go already there is no longer any chance to avoid it. Especially considering Chungking has yet to be captured. I know Tom wants to play on despite the result but given the situation I think an allied surrender is in order. Tom will most likely end up around 7:1 or even 8:1. Astounding victory!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Baker Island at 147,136

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 129
B5N2 Kate x 57
D3A1 Val x 48

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 destroyed

Allied Ships
APD Ward, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP W.A. Holbrook, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
AP Zeilin, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AP American Legion, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP George F. Elliot, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Kennison, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Schley, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Barnett
AP Heywood, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
APD Crane
AP U.S. Grant, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Hunter Liggett, Torpedo hits 1
AP J. Franklin Bell, Bomb hits 2
AP Fuller, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
AK Fomalhaut, Torpedo hits 1

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Baker Island at 150,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 165
B5N2 Kate x 114
D3A1 Val x 151

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 17
F4F-3A Wildcat x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 64

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 25 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 18 destroyed, 15 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 1
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 12, on fire
DD Blue
CA Astoria
DD Bagley
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1
DD Aaron Ward
CA Chester
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 150,132

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
A6M5 Zero x 111

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 11
F4F-3A Wildcat x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51
SBD-3 Dauntless x 163
TBF-1 Avenger x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
F4F-3A Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 8 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 46 destroyed, 24 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CV Kaga
CV Akagi
BB Haruna
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 1
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Shoho
BB Kongo
CV Hiryu
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
CVL Zuiho
BB Kirishima
CA Suzuya
DD Akebono
CVL Ryujo
CA Kumano

Not really sure why the DBs couldn´t hit anything. Over 150 got through CAP but they just didn´t hit anything. If they had....well things would have looked very different. Seems like I just can´t catch a break in my CV battles. [:)]

Atleast it wasn´t a 7 hex strike or I would have been furious! [:D] Off to bed now. Don´t take my silence tomorrow as grieving or anything. I´m just back to work tomorrow and will be back tomorrow night. I´ll give it a good thinking tomorrow but when you are beat you are beat! (And yes I know the allies can back from anything. Been there remember [;)])

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Lokasenna
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Lokasenna »

Ouch.
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offenseman
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by offenseman »

Ouch says it all. My sympathies. [X(]
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Sangeli »

[X(]

Didn't expect the KB to show up so late to the party. And it seems they ruined it.

You probably should have gotten more hits with your DBs but I think you were doomed from the start of this battle. The Japanese 6 CVs and 3 CVLs while you brought 6 CVs which includes 1 British; the Japanese could field more planes. Moreover, the Japanese had more BBs than you. Based off the report you posted it seems aircraft on both sides were targeting BBs but the Japanese had 5 to your 1 which meant your strike package against CVs was more diluted than Tom's.

As for the DB accuracy I think that is probably mostly due to the number of escorting fighters vs fighters on CAP. Even if many of your DBs got through to the CVs I think their accuracy was greatly compromised by the fighters inevitably shooting at them as they approach their dive. You had only 64 escorts to 159 Japanese fighters on CAP; that's quite a large difference. On the other hand, the Japanese had 165 escorting fighters to your 101 fighters on CAP. I think that really makes a world of difference.
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Encircled
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Encircled »

Ouch indeed

Think you might well be right in throwing in the towel to be honest
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Cribtop
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Cribtop »

Ouch indeed.

I had a similar CV battle with Cuttlefish once where his DBs in '42 just didn't hit jack. He referred to them as "epileptic circus clowns." IIRC weather in the hex was a big factor - light rain over the USN, t-storms over KB.

He sure got there in a hurry. I would ask how close KB was on day 1 and how much he knew about your intentions. Was it a trap?

As I've said before, that Mr. Kane is a good player.
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Ouch indeed

Think you might well be right in throwing in the towel to be honest
I agree. Even if the Allies can fight their way back and start being aggressive again, it will take until late 1943 before that happens.
At that stage there is not enough game time left to get to the home islands by late 1945. Better to negotiate a peace treaty now and then provoke a new war in 1945 when you have the A-bomb![:D]
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Lowpe »

That is an eye-opener and no mistake!
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by HansBolter »

I see sickeningly typical IJN game invincibility that is as ahistorical as it gets.

Of course we all know the Japanese will always slaughter the Allies in CV duels in '42 while getting away unscathed.

Results like this make me want to break the game DVD in half and send it to the circular file.
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Q-Ball
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RE: Japanese land in OZ!!

Post by Q-Ball »

For what it's worth, I found Allied DBs similarly pathetic in 1942 in terms of hit ratios. I'll have to look at my AAR vs. Greyjoy, but I can remember a similar combat, and simliar CV result......ouch.

EDIT: Looked it up, I had a 200-plane Allied CV strike acheive ZERO hits in one combat. Nada. So it happens....
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