The Shattered Sword: John 3rd vs. Anachro--BTS

[Canoerebel]

Shaddap, you miscreant!

Little do you know, I've been working on a new mod: The Reluctant, Reluctant, Reluctant, Reluctant Admiral in which the Allies get to re-do any turn that makes me perspire.

[John 3rd]

Would that be EVERY TURN my noble opponent????

[Canoerebel]

[John 3rd]

August 7, 1942
SE Pac

I believe that date has historical connotations within the Pacific War.

This day also carries some powerful portents in my match with Sean.

As guessed, Canton, Vaitopu, and Baker appear to be logical targets for the next Allied set of moves. Several weeks ago, IHQ noted this possibility and began moving small warships and minelayers into the area. Supplies and reinforcements were also dispatched from Japan to augment what is already present at these bases.

A week ago, the freshly upgraded Combined Fleet left Singapore and Soerabaja heading for Truk.

The enemy appears to be doing exactly what has been foreseen.

On this day, a Surface TF built around BC Renown moves to bombard Canton. Evidently my opponent has not noticed the CMs moving in-and-out of the area. Nearly 450 mines fill the area around the atoll. There are 3-5 distinct mine explosions heard as well as SINKING sounds. NICE! Someone forgot to bring his minesweepers... The VP screen showed THREE US DDs sunk. I'll be happy for one but three would ROCK.

Let's see what he does. Two small STF depart Vaitopu for Canton as well as another from Baker. We'll see if they catch anything.

Two large Daitais of Betty and Nell sit at Tabitueau. They are tan, rested, and ready. Range is a depressing 17 but we'll see if they can get lucky. Leave a Daitai of Zeros at Canton for CAP but move the Recon Nells and Emily to other locations.

Will he come???

I truly hope the mines buy me a few days. If they do then this could turn into a major opportunity.

Arriving this day at Truk is the first major echelon of the Combined Fleet. Four CV and three CVL refuel. Tomorrow will see Junyo, Hiyo, and two CVL refuel as well. They will immediately be dispatched towards the theatre of operations. We could have a serious clash within days...

[John 3rd]

August 7, 1942
Kido Butai

Here is a screenshot of the TFs on the previous turn.

KB-1
3 CV (Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku), 3 BC, 4 CA, 5 DD with 130 Zero, 73 Val, 108 Kate, and 6 Kate-Recon

KB-2
2 CV and 1 CVL (Junyo, Hiyo, and Ryujo), 2 CB, 3 CA, 2 CL, and 5 DD carrying 63 Zero, 42 Val, and 46 Kate


Departing this day from Yokohoma is our first Shokaku Kai (Kaimon), a CVL, 2 BB, 2 CA, 2 CLAA, and 10 DD.

[John 3rd]

August 7, 1942
Battlefield Arena?

This is my 16,000th Post. HOLY CRAP! I have absolutely no life...


The Battle Area is here.
1. The RED arrows reflect three small STFs of 1 CL and 4 DD each.
2. The PINK arrows are two TFs of reinforcements heading for Baker and Vaitupu.
3. Canton has a garrison just over 6,000 men with CD, Inf (AV 120), and Forts 4 near 5.
4. The two YELLOW circles are the DD TF that got pummeled by mines and a Cruiser--DD TF approaching from Pago Pago. There are Allied TFs at Suva, Palmyra, and Pago Pago presently.

I need three days. Four would be much better...

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
This is my 16,000th Post. HOLY CRAP! I have absolutely no life...

I know. Right? [;)]

[AcePylut]

Holy pow CB - 24,5000 posts?

[Lecivius]

ORIGINAL: AcePylut

Holy pow CB - 24,5000 posts?

He's not real. He's a spambot [:D]

[ny59giants]

Choke..Cough, Cough...Choke!!



How John feels now that his KC Chiefs blow a 14 point lead.
What defense??

[Lecivius]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

Choke..Cough, Cough...Choke!!



How John feels now that his KC Chiefs blow a 14 point lead.
What defense??

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

Choke..Cough, Cough...Choke!!



How John feels now that his KC Chiefs blow a 14 point lead.
What defense??

Had the eldest child all prepared for a sacred voodoo sacrifice and then time ran out before I could complete the ritual! CRAP! I just sat on the sofa stunned last night...

STUPID!

[John 3rd]

August 7-9, 1942

It has been a pretty decent period of days for the Empire.

India is very quiet. GOOD!

China has seen the continued kicking of Chinese troops. GOOD!

Carnavon, Aust sees a supply convoy of 1 PC and 3 AKL sunk by six maruading Japanese DDs. NICE!

NoPac calm. Good!

CenPac calm. GOOD!

SoPac sees the probable loss of FIVE US DDs through mines and surface action at Canton. VERY GOOD!


There are Allied TFs everywhere between the Line Islands, Canton, Pago Pago, and Suva.

Both Japanese Carrier TFs have fully refueled and are moving on Canton. Given two days, Japan is going to RAISE SOME HELL!

There is a good lesson here for Japanese players. Though the Fleet was getting upgraded for a period of six weeks, I took all of Japan's AOs and used them as extra Tankers hauling fuel out to important bases. During that time, I bumped fuel number by 50,000-75,000 at Truk, Kwajalein, and Saipan. Totals were bumped by 25,000 at Jaliut, Tabitueau, Attu, and Tulagi. These freshly added amounts fix it so that Japan can operate with enough fuel in a given area for at least a week-to-ten days or if forced to get there quickly. None of this fuel came from the Home Islands. All of it came from the DEI while the 'normal' Tankers simply did their thing...

[John 3rd]

August 10, 1942
SoPac

Step into my parlor gentlemen.

As hoped, Sean takes the bait. Several CVs arrive east of Baker. Might be just a CV and CVL.

Morning Strikes:
25 F 16 SBD Hit CL Ayase with 5 1,000lb B as well as a DD taking 1B. Ayase sinks at the end of the day.
Baker Isle gets 18 F 15 SBD that sink an AK

Afternoon Strike:
33 F 16 SBD hit the same DD a second time


LOTS of TFs moving around.

We are weak...weak I tell you...VERY WEAK...

Come on Sean...

KB-1 3 CV and 3 CVL passes Nauru
KB-2 2 CV and 1 CVL three hexes behind
KB-3 1 CV and 1 CVL is two days from Truk

If my guessimate is correct, KB-1 should easily be enough but I want -1 and -2 together so there is no doubt.

[Canoerebel]

Yer serving up a CL as bait? Intentionally? Is she a modern CL or a Kitakami?

[John 3rd]

Antique 1921 four stacker!

[John 3rd]

August 11, 1942
SoPac

CV's Enterprise and Wasp--confirmed--hit Canton this day.

Stay put...I am soooooooo terribly weak...just stay put...

[Canoerebel]

I, for one, am utterly relaxed. For once, there's no chance that I'll be on the wrong end of a patented John III "BANZAI!!!!!!!"

[Canoerebel]

Was that an airfield strike or a ground troop strike? Unlike the real war, those are seldom effective and often counterproductive in lowering sorties and giving the evil enemy too much information. Zoiks.

[adarbrauner]

Think your fleet can catch up at striking range from the Us fleet (before them to leave)?

Are you moving at flank speed?

And "what if" if this's an elaborated trap? what precautions have you set up (in term of recon)?

Do the subs flottillas take part,are they vectored?

If you move at flank speed, have you arranged for oilers to trail back, given that the destroyers shall run out of fuel soon?