Wake Island

Gary Grigsby's strategic level wargame covering the entire War in the Pacific from 1941 to 1945 or beyond.

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Chaplain
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Wake Island

Post by Chaplain »

In your games, does Wake Island fall quickly or not? Kimmel's initial reaction to the PH strike was to formulate a reinforcement plan for Wake (a potential disaster, if you ask me). Playing as the Allies in my first game, Wake beat off the initial Jap attack and I raced in considerable reinforcements. Playing in my second (PBEM) game as the Japs, Wake collapsed on Day 1.

What kind of results are you getting?
Hammer2001
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RE: Wake Island

Post by Hammer2001 »

I started 2x campaings as Allied and Wake fall first day, and a another with Japan and my forces captured Wake first day.
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foliveti
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RE: Wake Island

Post by foliveti »

I have done turn 1 a number of times. Wake seems to fall about 1/3 of the time on turn one. Other times it holds off and the Japanese AI withdraws the troops. Still other times you end up in an ongoing battle on Wake.
Frank
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Larz6235
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RE: Wake Island

Post by Larz6235 »

Both times for me Wake held. However, I was just thinking it may have to do with difficulty level?

I'd like to reinforce, but from where and with what. Maybe part of the 24 Div in Pearl? On subs and fast transport?

Sure like to hold it.
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captskillet
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RE: Wake Island

Post by captskillet »

In my Campaign I still have Wake and the Japanese pulled out as in History. It is about 12/20 and I am trying to get the stuff ready to send to both Wake and Midway. Boy how sweet would that be to be able to hold Wake!!!!
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PeteG662
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RE: Wake Island

Post by PeteG662 »

Try using the planes there (VMF 211/1) in Naval Attack mode and transfer the rest of the squadron (VMF 211) from Pearl Harbor on day 1 to Johnson, then Midway, then Wake. The Carrier TF will arrive at Wake around day 3 or so and you will also get the rest of the squadron there as well. You can take on any further invasion fleets with your one carrier since the Jap carriers will still be retreating from the PH attack. Send the subs around the island too. It can become a nice little battle.
Chaplain
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RE: Wake Island

Post by Chaplain »

I hustled a USMC Defense Bn out of San Diego to Wake, and got them there in about two weeks. Two supply convoys enroute, and a full RCT from SF is on the way, too. I also did the fighter-plane island-hopping air transfer, as noted above. It would be great if I can hold onto it!
CTB123
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RE: Wake Island

Post by CTB123 »

Defending Wake is my pet project in my "learning to play" game I am playing now. The Wake defenders drove off the Day 1 invasion on the "Historical" difficulty level. If the combat reports are to be believed, several Japanese ships took some serious damage. The Enterprise caught up with several cruisers and destroyers south of Wake several days latter and did more damage, though I did not confirim anything sunk.

I am sending minelayers to lay some mines (a good chance to try out minelayers). I am sending a Seaplane tender and a PBY squadron to increase my search radius and to try out using the tender. I have left the Enterprise and Lexington on station near Wake and have just attemtped to refuel them with a replenishment task force form Pear. (I learned it helps to load the tankers with fuel before sending them all the way out to Wake). I am moving VF211 from Pearl via the Saratoga. It did not occur to me to send them via Johnston Island.

I have just shipped an aviation support battalion from the West Coast towards Wake. I am worried with all the aircraft of VF211 on Wake, I will be short on Aviation Support.

I don't know if any of this is good strategy, but it is fun and gives me chance to try out all my neat stuff.
Tony
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The Gnome
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RE: Wake Island

Post by The Gnome »

s my pet project in my "learning to play" game I am playing now. The Wake defenders drove off the Day 1 invasion on the "Historical" difficulty level. If the combat reports are to be believed, several Japanese ships took some serious damage. The Enterprise caught up with several cruisers and destroyers south of Wake several days latter and did more damage, though I did not confirim anything sunk.

Might want to send some AAA, it's in range of Enemy LBA. Don't want to get the fighters destroyed on the ground. The aviation support may run low as the support units are very tiny that early - I'm not sure when they start building up.

One thing I might try, if the av supoprt is ok, is throwing a squadron of SBD's there and seeing how the hunting is. Might catch some unescorted transports.
ZOOMIE1980
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RE: Wake Island

Post by ZOOMIE1980 »

ORIGINAL: Chaplain

In your games, does Wake Island fall quickly or not? Kimmel's initial reaction to the PH strike was to formulate a reinforcement plan for Wake (a potential disaster, if you ask me). Playing as the Allies in my first game, Wake beat off the initial Jap attack and I raced in considerable reinforcements. Playing in my second (PBEM) game as the Japs, Wake collapsed on Day 1.

What kind of results are you getting?
6 times starting Scn #15. Wake fell on turn 1 twice. Four times Wake held and Japan eventually withdrew
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PeteG662
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RE: Wake Island

Post by PeteG662 »

You also have that SBD squadron at Pearl if you want to do the island hopping transfers as well. I also ship out the CD forces (4th CD from Pearl and out of the west coast to beef up the folks on Wake.
John B
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RE: Wake Island

Post by John B »

Wake held off the intial Japanese attack and they withdrew. As of 1/17/42 there's no sign of them coming back.
John
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Lemurs!
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RE: Wake Island

Post by Lemurs! »

I have left the Enterprise and Lexington on station near Wake and have just attemtped to refuel them with a replenishment task force form Pear. (I learned it helps to load the tankers with fuel before sending them all the way out to Wake). I am moving VF211 from Pearl via the Saratoga. It did not occur to me to send them via Johnston Island.

That just cracked me up! I love when i send several Japanese invasion convoys from Pescadores, Tainan, Kagoshima etc with Construction units, Aviation support, AA weapons etc but forget the troops. Oops!

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pad152
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RE: Wake Island

Post by pad152 »

I lost Wake on day one but, plan on taking it back[;)], once I do I'll use my layered defence, mines (1000+), Coastal Guns/Arty, PT's boats and keep a Carrier TF on standbye at Midway.
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Charles2222
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RE: Wake Island

Post by Charles2222 »

Have played as the Japanese with historic/surprise and about 50% of the time Wake falls.

I think one of reasons the PH area JA subs get spotted so easily, has some little something to do, in theory, with all them that have float planes launching them. I make sure and shut the them down the first chance I get. I wonder if launching a float place from subs makes them ride ont eh surface continually, or, if not, cuts their submerged time down a considerable percentage? I haven't done much sub data searching in the manual.
CTB123
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RE: Wake Island

Post by CTB123 »

You also have that SBD squadron at Pearl if you want to do the island hopping transfers as well. I also ship out the CD forces (4th CD from Pearl and out of the west coast to beef up the folks on Wake.


That's something I would like to do. I'm still concerned about adequately supporting everything. For what it's worth, I am now on Dec 20th, and our forces have not seen any Japanese ships near Wake since the for a week and a half. The PBY's have been based at Wake for several days, so hopefully they will give me some notice.

That's a good idea on moving in some AAA.

I'm putting all this effort for a tiny, one hex island with a port size of 1. It will be interesting as I get to the real fighting! [:)]
Tony
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von Murrin
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RE: Wake Island

Post by von Murrin »

Wake survived in my case as well. I'm going to beef up it's defenses and cram some fighters in there. Then I'll be expanding facilities, followed by an AV and supplies. My goal will be to cram in an AR and an AS for sub ops.[:D]
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The Gnome
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RE: Wake Island

Post by The Gnome »

I think against a good human opponent any forces sent as reinforcements to Wake will be doomed, but you'll force him to spend time and resources dealing with them. I figure it buys you a good month and a half if you catch your enemy off guard.
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dwesolick
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RE: Wake Island

Post by dwesolick »

ORIGINAL: John B

Wake held off the intial Japanese attack and they withdrew. As of 1/17/42 there's no sign of them coming back.

Keep an eye on those intel reports. I have the same situation (it's 1/22/42), but a few turns back saw this message in my intel screen: "Fourth Fleet planning for invasion of Wake." No sign of them....yet.
"The Navy has a moth-eaten tradition that the captain who loses his ship is disgraced. What do they have all those ships for, if not to hurl them at the enemy?" --Douglas MacArthur
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Nikademus
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RE: Wake Island

Post by Nikademus »

ORIGINAL: pad152

I lost Wake on day one but, plan on taking it back[;)], once I do I'll use my layered defence, mines (1000+), Coastal Guns/Arty, PT's boats and keep a Carrier TF on standbye at Midway.

heh, gotta love all this "take the offensive right away" spirit in the game. Enjoying it myself (as Japan) my score is already up to 90+ Allied ships sunk (including about 5 battleships and counting now!)

[:D]
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