RE: Almost forgot

Matrix Games Forums

Command Ops gets a Massive Update!

Lost Battles AAR: Smolensk 41

War in the East: Lost Battles is here!

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear! Let's Play video

Lost Battles Scenario Manual excerpts available!

A sneak peek from Allied Corps!

Harpoon 3 ANWs Free Ultimate Update!

All good Deals always come in threes

Distant Worlds: Shadows Approaches!

Lost Battles AAR: Moscow 41

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

RE: Almost forgot

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Almost forgot

Page: << < prev 8 9 [10] 11 12 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: Almost forgot - 11/15/2012 9:21:45 AM

obvert

Posts: 3658
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Erik and Francois,

I noticed you had mentioned some classical music you both enjoy listening to. I enjoy some classical, but frankly find it overwhelming trying to pick out CD's and such to listen to. Often I want to hear just the music, without the associated opera singing, but fail miserably. If you find the time and are inclined, I'd really appreciate some suggestions as to some pieces and composers you enjoy.

I'm going to start utilizing my local library in a big way to see what's available, but the selection is overwhelming. I'd like to find the good stuff right off the bat for a change.

Here is some Glen Gould. Maybe the best modern pianist playing Bach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2YMSt3yfko

If you listen closely you can hear him humming at times!

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 271

RE: Question regarding stacking limits. - 11/15/2012 9:42:06 AM

obvert

Posts: 3658
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton

Hi Joseph,

Killing two birds with one stone... While working on your Java turns, you might enjoy listening to Java Suite by Leopold Godowsky. Here are three excerpts. The first two are very influenced by balinese music (gamelan), maybe the most "classical" asian music. The last one is a more classical virtuoso piece, in the tradition of Liszt. All those pieces are obscenely difficult (the score is displayed in the first piece, if you can read music, you'll sure notice), which makes the seeming calm moves of Hamelin in the last piece all the more fascinating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZGM_IY_Gug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oMPoZisSb8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbXialUks4Q

I am with you about the forum discussions. I believe this forum is a very nice change from most, but discussions on game mechanics, balance, and realism, have a tendency to go awry at times. The AARs are a world of their own, much more bloglike...

Francois

Really great stuff that I didn't know of. Thanks from me too.

I was brought to a gamelan orchestra at age 9 by my mother, who loves music from just about everywhere in the world. I lasted about 25 minutes before falling asleep in during the 3-4 hour performance. It's very soothing music.

Here is some of the actual stuff. Cool to see it played as well because there are a lot of players and parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZZTfu4jWcI&feature=related

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 272

RE: Almost forgot - 11/15/2012 4:55:02 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

Here is some Glen Gould. Maybe the best modern pianist playing Bach.

I was in a store yesterday and actually looked at a Glen Gould CD. The price wasn't bad, but I think I'll be able to get a lot of his stuff from the library with him being Canadian.

Soothing is definitely what I'm looking for these days. I'm quite ecclectic in what I listen too, but notice I'm definitely mellowing as I get older. It's really funny how that seems to happen. Next thing you know I'll be going to IHOP and Whitespot more often and thinking it's great food.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 273

RE: Almost forgot - 11/15/2012 5:20:21 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

I was pretty bagged last night and didn't get the turn done. Jocke's mentioned he needs a few days to do a proper turn and get caught up on all the stuff he's let slide in order to get turns my way. This will be perfect for me, I'll get him a turn tonight which will be his early Friday morning and he can go take all weekend.

I need to do some work around the house and it may give me a chance to get some details posted in the AAR. My model access is still limited and I can't get to my paints right now, but I'm plugging away on a few kits right now. My problem is I bounce around too much and work on any old kit any old time, rather than focus on one and finish it. Sort of like how I play WitPAE.

On that note, I've been picking up a large volume of reports from Perth lately. I believe the Allies are using it as a major naval base at the moment and also bringing in large merchant TF's. KB needs to get to the IO to shut this down. My Wake Island invasion force was spotted last turn west of the base. KB has not be detected yet. As soon as Wake is under control, KB will redeploy to Rabaul, support Port Moresby and Darwin operations. It will then be available to interdict enemy shipping trying to reach Australia or seek out enemy naval forces for destruction.

Everywhere else I'm moving forward men and material in preparation for later offensives. I'm trying to get some PP's saved up, while continuing to buy out smaller suport and air units. I'm up to 245 PP's and would like to maintain a higher base level, sort of a PP's for a rainy day fund, but that's been really hard to do so far.

Jocke's got some serious fighters at Batavia, recon last turn indicated 160+ of them. I'm really tempted to risk a series of bombardment TF's against the CD guns and mines to hit Batavia's airbase. If I embedded a number of DMS's in with the bombardment TF's, I might catch a break suffering a few less mine hits while hammering the airbase. Thoughts? Worth the risk to possibly take out much of the Allied fighter force on the ground? I've heard horror stories about trying to bombard Soerabaja, but haven't read if Batavia is as nasty.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 274

18 Feb. 42 - 11/16/2012 4:00:49 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

The turn for 18 Feb. 42 is off, but I'll I'll not get the turn back from Jocke until Sunday. I thought I'd post what I had planned for the turn.

First off, the invasion force for Wake Island should start landing. I've ordered a surface TF of 2 BB's, 2 CL's and 6 DD's to bombard the base prior to landings. The actual amphibious TF consists of a CL, 2 DMS's and numerous PB's to try and soak up defensive CD gun hit. I'm landing the 90th Inf. Rgt. and a Naval Guard unit. I may regret having no engineer unit. We'll see how it goes.

Mini-KB will take up station 4 hexes N.E. of Wake Island in an anti-shipping role. KB will arrive 6 hexes away and four CV's are ordered to hit the ground troops while CV's Akagi and Kaga remain at naval attack. This is a new tactic for me, I've never used KB in a ground support role before. The Val's are set to dive bomb at 13K and the Kate's are set to 15k and will hopefully level bomb. I'm not 100% sure of the level bombing altitude for the Kate's, but this is a test for me to see what happens against a relatively weak target. I don't expect an enemy naval response besides submarines.

In China, I'm launching a deliberate atatck against the 10 unit force trapped around Nanchang. I have one hex side left to close and the Chinese are moving that direction to try and escape complete encirclement. They are over stacked and most likely out of supply, so I want to see the effects of an attack. I don't want to force a retreat, I just want to slow this force down by using up what supply it might have so I can close the hex side ahead of them. If they do happen to retreat, they will be moving S.E. and will still be at risk of encirclement.

I've ordered a sweep of the base to the S.E. of Batavia with a 45 Zero's. Jocke tends to set LRCAP, so rather than fly into a hornet's nest at Batavia I'll see if I can draw out some LRCAP over this base and whittle down the numbers. I'm going to tease a little and gage the reaction before I commit all my aircraft. I also have to still wait for a level four airbase to be constructed at Muntok before I can launch bombers.

These three operations are the primary focus of this turn and will incorporate some new things for me. I'm also curious to see the effect of attacking an overstacked hex.

I hope to have some time to provide screenshots over the next two days.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 275

18 Feb. 42 - 11/19/2012 4:17:12 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Here's a brief update for 18 Feb 42.

A rare successful ASW attack by two Japanese DD's at Makassar. SS KXVIII is damaged with one direct and 8 near miss hits.

The invasion of Wake Island went perfectly. Most likely overkill on my part, but I don't want to waste time taking these smaller islands. The bombardment TF caused significant damage in the pre-dawn. Nell's based at Roi-Namur strike in the AM air phase followed by the strike from KB. Only one transport ship suffers damage during the landing. The amphibious assault easily overwhelms the defence. Wake Island is Japanese.

The attack in China against the enemy force of 10 LCU's near Nanchang did not go well. Despite being overstacked, behind my lines with no clear supply path and periodically bombed over the last few weeks, the enemy force easily held with 1:2 odds. So far, overstacking has had no apparent effect on the enemy whatsoever. They are neither reduced in combat effectiveness or have their movement rate reduced from lack of supply. Early stages yet, but so far there seems to be no reason not to overstack. I have to remember though, the whole point of attacking was to burn whatever supply the Chinese may have had. If I can close the trap, this enemy force will be rendered combat ineffective. AAR follows:

Ground combat at 87,54 (near Anking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27369 troops, 232 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 1030

Defending force 43484 troops, 195 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1170

Japanese adjusted assault: 585

Allied adjusted defense: 1427

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-) No (-) supply modifier. I find this hard to believe considering the enemy has been cut off for weeks.
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3170 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 292 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 31 (2 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (2 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1363 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 135 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
56th Infantry Brigade
58th Infantry Brigade
52nd Infantry Brigade
62nd Infantry Brigade
22nd Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
86th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
32nd Group Army
3rd War Area
25th Group Army
10th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 276

RE: Question regarding stacking limits. - 11/19/2012 4:29:48 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: fcharton

I believe this forum is a very nice change from most, but discussions on game mechanics, balance, and realism, have a tendency to go awry at times.

Francois

Totally agree. I'm done contributing to these threads in an effort to try and understand what is going on with game mechanics. I have no clue what is WAD or not.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to fcharton)

Post #: 277

Brief 19 Feb 42 Update - 11/21/2012 7:21:28 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

I know these updates suck and are pretty boring. I really need to get motivated and do some screenshots...soon!

An American submarine takes a direct DC hit from a PB at Makassar. That's two enemy submarines hit in as many days. Hopefully, they head to Soerabaja for repairs where I might be bombing soon.

The first test against Allied air power in Java will occur at Batavia today. I've ordered two sweeps by Oscar's against Batavia where enemy fighters total over 150 aircraft. I've also allowed for a naval strike by Betty's escorted by Zero's within range of Batavia, where a small SCTF was indicated from recon consisting of at least one CL.

It's time to move against Java.

China is heating up and I'm launching an important deliberate attack against forces N.E. of Pingsiang today. If I can dislodge this force the road to Changsha from Nanchang is clear and I'll have isolated another six Chinese LCU's.

I hope to get a turn back today, but Jocke's usually busy on Wednesday. If I do, the next update will provide screenshots to clarify the situation.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 278

Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 4:15:25 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Sweeps went against Batavia as planned, but the results were less than stellar. Facing large numbers of enemy fighters I certainly expected to take losses, but once again it hinged upon altitude. I'm not going to cry about the air model. It's simple, fly higher...survive, fly lower...die.

Enemy CAP was set to 15k and 20k, while my two sweeps were also set to 15k and 20k. The first sweep was at 15k and got massacred, the second sweep at 20k got the bounce on the lower enemy CAP and performed much better. 31 Oscar's were lost, or roughly 38% of the fighters committed. Allied losses were about 18 aircraft. Oscar's and Zero's will perform the next sweeps in a few days.

A bloody beginning, but I made the decision to try a sweep at 15k and paid the price. It's asking a lot of a player to willingly avoid using stratosphere sweeps in order to reduce losses. However, I've made a concious decision to fly within my better maneuver bands and just take my lumps. The air model be damned.

In China, the road from Nanchang to Changsha is open. A Chinese Corps was routed taking heavy losses.

It's a race to close the last hex side and trap 10 enemy LCU's near Nanchang. The Chinese are attempting to break out and I'm attempting to close the door permanently. I've a bad feeling I'll be too late. I'm bombing the enemy force to slow movement as much as possible.

I'm almost in position to assault Yenan in the north. Only two Chinese LCU's of less than 10k troops are defending. I hope to take this base quickly and begin flanking Sian to move on Lanchow.

I'm loading up troops at Makassar and will begin landings against Eastern Java within a week.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 11/22/2012 5:47:56 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 279

RE: Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 5:50:52 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Erik,

I've been enjoying the Glenn Gould doing Bach. Fired some up last night while working on the turn. Next thing I knew an hour and a half had gone by. Thanks for the suggestion. Tonight I'm trying out some Chopin.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 280

RE: Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 6:52:05 PM

obvert

Posts: 3658
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Erik,

I've been enjoying the Glenn Gould doing Bach. Fired some up last night while working on the turn. Next thing I knew an hour and a half had gone by. Thanks for the suggestion. Tonight I'm trying out some Chopin.

That's great. Chopin is my favorite for piano. I actually used to be able to play some of the easier ones, but not anymore. The preludes and etudes really put you in a mood. Good winter music.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 281

RE: Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 6:58:59 PM

obvert

Posts: 3658
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Sweeps went against Batavia as planned, but the results were less than stellar. Facing large numbers of enemy fighters I certainly expected to take losses, but once again it hinged upon altitude. I'm not going to cry about the air model. It's simple, fly higher...survive, fly lower...die.

Enemy CAP was set to 15k and 20k, while my two sweeps were also set to 15k and 20k. The first sweep was at 15k and got massacred, the second sweep at 20k got the bounce on the lower enemy CAP and performed much better. 31 Oscar's were lost, or roughly 38% of the fighters committed. Allied losses were about 18 aircraft. Oscar's and Zero's will perform the next sweeps in a few days.

A bloody beginning, but I made the decision to try a sweep at 15k and paid the price. It's asking a lot of a player to willingly avoid using stratosphere sweeps in order to reduce losses. However, I've made a concious decision to fly within my better maneuver bands and just take my lumps. The air model be damned.

In China, the road from Nanchang to Changsha is open. A Chinese Corps was routed taking heavy losses.

It's a race to close the last hex side and trap 10 enemy LCU's near Nanchang. The Chinese are attempting to break out and I'm attempting to close the door permanently. I've a bad feeling I'll be too late. I'm bombing the enemy force to slow movement as much as possible.

I'm almost in position to assault Yenan in the north. Only two Chinese LCU's of less than 10k troops are defending. I hope to take this base quickly and begin flanking Sian to move on Lanchow.

I'm loading up troops at Makassar and will begin landings against Eastern Java within a week.

I like your choice about the altitudes. I've done this in some ways, more as an experiment. If your sweep goes in low first and then the high comes in strong with your better planes, you can do very well. Risky though against a big CAP as you found. For defense I've done better with layering, at least I think it works better based on some turns in Burma where strata sweeps came in and then had to deal with masses of planes lower, between 15-20k.

You also might try sweeping surrounding bases to see if the CAP is set to react at a distance. If that is the case you should have numbers advantages. I find if I know the offense is concentrated on one base I can fly 0 hex react and do better at that base. I'm not sure Jocke does this often though. Worth a try to hit Bangoeng at two hexes away, or Kalidjati. Maybe Merak or Oesthaven.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 282

RE: Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 7:24:39 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

You also might try sweeping surrounding bases to see if the CAP is set to react at a distance. If that is the case you should have numbers advantages. I find if I know the offense is concentrated on one base I can fly 0 hex react and do better at that base. I'm not sure Jocke does this often though. Worth a try to hit Bangoeng at two hexes away, or Kalidjati. Maybe Merak or Oesthaven.

I tried that first. Jocke's keeping to a range of zero over Batavia. In fact, most times I've swept a base, occupied or otherwise. there's been no CAP. He's been training mostly, or had aircraft set solely to LRCAP protecting other bases. Unfortunately, I've not been able to counter with bombing raids as I'm not set up properly to take advantage yet.

I layer my CAP as well and it does seem to help providing you survive the initial dive. Last game I got pretty stressed out with the air model, I vowed to relax this time. I know what to expect and will live with the losses, but I refuse to simply resort to higher altitudes. It's all good as long as I keep reminding myself it's not my fault that it was designed this way. I just wonder how many Buffalo and B-339D aces were made today.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 283

RE: Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 8:32:24 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 4424
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: online

If he is not CAP'ing bases, you have to punish him for that. Hit them with bomber, destroy ac on the ground ... etc.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 284

RE: Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 8:51:48 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

If he is not CAP'ing bases, you have to punish him for that.� Hit them with bomber, destroy ac on the ground ... etc.

Pax, you're talking to the guy who liberated Lunga, all in good time.

You are dead on, but I'm trying something a little different this time. To be honest, I'm also still trying to figure out Jocke's play style. I don't want to show my hand just yet, so I'm saving some of my tactics for later. I have to anticipate his CAP traps as well and that means escorting as opposed to sweeping, never good in my opinion. Once I get some more airfields built up, I intend on deploying the bombers.

Jocke's a little like Bart in some ways. If I caught Bart he usually got off lightly, but the jig was up and he simply moved out of danger. I don't want to give Jocke that option. I want to catch him offguard with a first strike that hits him the hardest and most effectively. That requires me to hold back a little and create an ideal situation where I can then hammer him.

That's the plan at least.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 285

RE: Brief 20 Feb 42 Update - 11/22/2012 10:15:47 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 4424
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: online

'k.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 286

Brief 21 Feb 42 Update - 11/23/2012 6:00:13 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

I learned some important intelligence about Palembang today. The base in not mined. In an effort to start mixing it up, I sent two DD's and a DMS to Palembang to engage enemy patrol ships (TM's I think) and no mines were swept or hit. That's the good news. The bad news is I think the DMS slowed my DD's so much that they couldn't engage the enemy effectively. Range never closed less than 10k and no hits were scored on either side in daylight.

My TF remained at Palembang for the remainder of the turn and no enemy bombers launched from Batavia. Another good piece of intelligence to know. That may allow me to stage my invasion forces closer to Java without risk of LBA attack.

I picked up an enemy TF just south of Oosthaven listed as a BB and three DD's. Jocke tried a bombardment of Toboali a few days ago with a couple of Dutch CL's and a number of DD's, but damage was negligable. I believe he's attempting another bombardment of the base with a little more muscle. I've just layed 40 mines via submarine at Toboali and have moved a strong SCTF of 2 BB's, 2 CL's and 6 DD's to Muntok. They appear to not have been spotted. This force will be ordered to Toboali just in case the base is going to be targeted again and will be covered by LRCAP from Muntok.

I've refuelled a number of submarines at Balikpapan and they are moving to patrol zones west of the straits separating Sumatra from Java. I think this is a high traffic area for enemy surface forces and I may get a lucky torpedo hit in. Mavis search planes are re-deploying to Denpasar. This will improve my search capability immensely, and should provide me fair warning of enemy naval forces in the area. I'm about to do the same on Sumatra. I don't want any surprises when I move against Java.

KB has returned to Truk and I've decided I want my CV's to start making their way towards the DEI. First up is Port Moresby and Horn Island. I'll be using KB to support these operations and then swing into the DEI along the north coast of Australia. Mini-KB is at Saipan and will be ordered to Babeldoab and then deploy to Singapore via the north coast of Borneo.

In China I'm moving on Yenan. The 26th Division and an Ind. Mixed Inf. Bde. supported by three tank regiments will make the assault. The infantry go first to absorb the shock attack crossing the river and the armour will follow up. I don't expect Yenan to hold out long.

In the south of the country I'm pushing westward. Kukong is abandoned and will allow me to shift forces easily for an assault against Liuchow to cut the railway. I'm going to have strong forces here and should have no problem dealing with Chinese forces in the clear terrain. I want to suck troops to Changsha while I make a strong flanking move against Liuchow and Kweilin.

Thoughts:

Overall, I'm playing pretty conservative right now. However, operations against Java will no doubt heat things up and once KB arrives in the DEI theatre I will move to interdict enemy operations to/from Perth. I'm trying to set things up for a crushing defeat of the Allied forces remaining in the DEI then move quickly on Australia.

I'm giving Jocke a free hand in SoPac. I may or may not return here in strength. I think the priority is to get to Perth as quickly as possible rather than dither in SoPac.

More to come, tonight is screenshot creation and a proper AAR update for a change.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 11/23/2012 6:02:34 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 287

Thoughts - 11/26/2012 5:36:15 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

A brief update. Jocke and I were able to get in about 4 turns over the weekend so things picked up nicely. The pace will slow again, but there is a lot going on right now, at least with Japan. We've reached 26 Feb 42.

I plan on providing a thorough update shortly, but wanted to hold off until a certain operation in China concludes. Essentially, the large enemy force of 10 LCU's near Nanchang will indeed be surrounded at the conclusion of the next turn. This will allow me to move on Liuchow and Kweilin in strength and sever the railway to Changsha. Another possible encirclement is forming S.E. of Changsha, but will be much harder to pull off if the Chinese try to counter from Changsha itself.

In the north, Yenan fell and that clears the way for moving against Lanchow and Sian to prevent fuel reaching Chinese industry.

In the Pacific, the big news is the pending invasion of Java. I'll provide a detailed OOB and plan of attack in the upcoming update. Air battles are raging over Batavia and Allied fighter strength has been reduced by almost half. Committing the Zero's has turned the tide, but Japanese losses have been high. A mistake in setting orders last turn cost me 7 Zero's for 5 Allied aircraft, not a good exchange by any means.

Bad news, KB was spotted and CV Soryu was hit by a torpedo dud. A real pucker moment for me, but despite the luck KB's cover is blown just west of Truk. I decided to try and slip KB into the DEI via the west coast of New Guinea. I want to capture Darwin and prevent the Allies seeing any further naval movements of mine off the northern coast of Australia in preparation for operations agianst Perth.

In the Philippines, more Allied troops are leaving Bataan and deploying to Manila. I believe there are only three units remaining at Bataan, while Clark Field has been completely abandoned. I'm diverting the 38th Division from Singapore to land on Luzon and capture Clark Field, then move on Bataan. With the fall of Bataan, once the minefield is gone, I can apply pressure on Manila via naval bombardments.

The 5th Division is being airlifted into Sumatra to begin the siege of Palembang. Armoured units have landed in the north and captured the base S.E. of Medan and Sibolga.

The committment of the 5th Division to Sumatra and the 38th Division to Luzon still leaves me with six divisions for Java. I may reduce this to five and send the 33rd Division to Burma, but not sure if I should at this stage. I really need to avoid getting bogged down in Java, so the 33rd most likely will stay for operations against Batavia.

Everything will be much clearer tonight after I post screens. Japan is finally on the move again and Java is squarely in the gun sights.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 11/26/2012 5:38:01 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 288

Thoughts on PP's - 11/26/2012 9:41:03 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

I've been thinking a lot about PP's right now and their best usage. Right now, I'm using PP's to buy out air support, engineer, and AA units and reassigning air units from the 2nd Air Division to other HQ's. I'm starting to think I should have done this first, rather than worry about changing leaders or buying out many ground units initially.

I think the pace of my advance would improve dramatically if I concentrated on support and air units first. The extra armour bought out has helped in China, but I also could have achieved the same results with the 14th and 16th Army tank units. The 90th Inf. Rgt. was only used to take Wake Island so not really worth the expenditure yet. One infantry regiment costs the equivalent of EIGHT AF Bn.'s alone. It seems with Japan you constantly have to reassign leaders to replace poor ones, but that also eats up a lot of PP's and not really a priority early, with the exception of getting aggressive air unit commanders.

I've found what has slowed my advance the most was lack of support troops to build up bases, provide aircraft service/support and crucially...fuel. I have enough fuel, but not where I need it the most. The main reason is I'm loathe to risk tankers in submarine infested waters and don't set of major TF routes until I can insure some measure of safety. Many transports have been idle due to lack of fuel at forwad bases, and also limits my surface ships from conducting aggressive moves.

Right now I'm hitting my stride. I have fuel at Balikpapan, Miri and Brunei to distribute. Surface ships are in position, fueled and ready to go. Air units are moving forward and have adequate support and supply to hit the enemy hard. The problem is it's already the end of February. I'm happy with my progress to date, but I think if I'd spent my early PP's on support and engineer units initially, I'd be much further ahead then what I gained from replacing leaders and the combat LCU's bought out.

Just some thoughts, and yet another way to improve my next performance playing Japan. It really comes down to being organized to getting what you need, where you need it and at the right time. There's always room for improvement.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 289

Update break - 11/27/2012 6:43:37 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

With Jocke house shopping, I'm taking a few days off to update the AAR properly and will send him a turn on Thursday.

Right now I'm resisting the urge to buy three 1:32 scale WW1 aircraft kits ($200) before the holiday international shipping deadline of Nov. 30th. I'd also like to order about eight 1:48 WW1 scale decal sets ($125) from a company in France. Ugh, so many kits and accessories, so little time and a dwindling amount of "fun" cash to spend.

I also need to go carpet shopping for our newly renovated basement, which we'd like installed before Christmas if possible. It never stops.

Later with the updates.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 290

RE: Update break - 11/27/2012 10:06:19 PM

obvert

Posts: 3658
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

With Jocke house shopping, I'm taking a few days off to update the AAR properly and will send him a turn on Thursday.

Right now I'm resisting the urge to buy three 1:32 scale WW1 aircraft kits ($200) before the holiday international shipping deadline of Nov. 30th. I'd also like to order about eight 1:48 WW1 scale decal sets ($125) from a company in France. Ugh, so many kits and accessories, so little time and a dwindling amount of "fun" cash to spend.

I also need to go carpet shopping for our newly renovated basement, which we'd like installed before Christmas if possible. It never stops.

Later with the updates.

Have you posted any pics of these so-called models you profess to create? I do not remember having seen any, but maybe i have missed them. Please direct me if they are up somewhere.

I'm just about set up to begin my winter enterprise. I went nuts on 1:700 scale ships this summer and just now have been getting some time to get going on them. My first stop is the Yubari!

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 291

RE: Update break - 11/27/2012 10:39:41 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

Have you posted any pics of these so-called models you profess to create? I do not remember having seen any, but maybe i have missed them. Please direct me if they are up somewhere.

I'm just about set up to begin my winter enterprise. I went nuts on 1:700 scale ships this summer and just now have been getting some time to get going on them. My first stop is the Yubari!

I never said anything about building the damn things.

I'm a classic model collector (hoarder) Eric. I'm always working on something, but never get around to completing many. I'm still in limbo right now with no access to my paints or painting area on account of our renovations. It's effectively sealed off with furniture until we get the carpet down and I'm taking my life into my hands to try and find anything in there right now.

I hear you though, I really need to complete some. I don't really have an area set up to display though, that's another project for this winter.

What ships did you get? We should compare lists and I could always send some your way. Give you a great deal and whittle down the hoard here.

I've started the CL Nagara myself. Perhaps we could share pics as we work on them. I won't say race, as I know I'd lose.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 292

RE: Update break - 11/28/2012 3:16:12 AM

obvert

Posts: 3658
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: London, UK
Status: offline

Sounds great. I will enjoy having a goal and a partner in the project. I am blessed with a GF who thinks it's 'cool' to build a model, so I will have that aspect going for me. (Interestingly she had bought a WW1 Sopwith Camel kit because she thought she would like to make it at one time! That I've also commandeered and plan to build for her eventually).

At my favorite ever model shop in Dorking, Surrey, I picked up the already mentioned Yubari, a Ryujo that I'm pretty excited to see made, an Akitsushima, an Aoba and a Tsugara for the bigger ships. Oh, and a Liberty Ship. I also got as many small DD and TB ships as I could find, mostly IJN, but I did find a flower class corvette which is really cool! I love the small intricate ones. Not that I can really do them justice. I'd like to try my hand at some photo etch, but I haven't gone there yet. I'm still just learning how to get a clean build of the actual kit and put some paint on it.

So I am also a bit of a hoarder. I think it goes with the territory.

Here is the first pic of mine. The box!

It's an old kit but I have some detail sets to add better features.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 293

First of the screenshots. - 11/28/2012 5:09:49 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Southern China, 27 Feb 42:

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 294

RE: First of the screenshots. - 11/28/2012 6:14:04 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Northern China 27 Feb 42:

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 295

RE: Update break - 11/28/2012 6:28:03 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

I am blessed with a GF who thinks it's 'cool' to build a model, so I will have that aspect going for me. (Interestingly she had bought a WW1 Sopwith Camel kit because she thought she would like to make it at one time! That I've also commandeered and plan to build for her eventually).

It's an old kit but I have some detail sets to add better features.

Good stuff Eric. I think I'm inspired too. Here's a quick shot of the "box" of CL Nagara. Also an old kit, but I'll be adding photo-etch as well. Sorry for the quality, a quick i-phone shot. My spouse's hobby is photography and she gave me her old digital Canon SLR, but I'm completely clueless on using it so far.

Oh and the GF Sopwith Camel thing, just sold me on ordering those WW1 aircraft kits from New Zealand. Thanks Erik!

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 11/28/2012 6:35:57 AM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 296

RE: Update break - 11/28/2012 9:54:51 AM

obvert

Posts: 3658
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: London, UK
Status: offline

Cool. Do you have a good source online for getting photo-etch? I think I should take the plunge and get some smaller tweezers to try it out. It does look so good when done well.

About the Chinese troops in spot 2 on the Southern map, I wonder if you could keep them surrounded with like a division in the hex and just let them die over the next 6 months, not killing them off at all so as to avoid respawn. I haven't tried this, so no idea how long it would take. Maybe not worth utilizing a whole division there for so long.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 297

RE: Update break - 11/28/2012 4:17:14 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Hi Erik,

I'm thinking of using some of the smaller sized divisions to hold those Chinese in place. The ones that combine from two brigades and amount to roughly 360 AV. I'm not overly concerned about tying up a division or two for as long as it takes. I definitely need to be strong enough to prevent a breakout, then I can lower the amount of troops as the Chinese numbers are reduced. Enemy AV was roughly 1000 AV at last count.

The stacking limits have changed my mindset, whether my planned tactics will work is another matter. I'm looking for smaller actions to wear down Chinese forces over time with constant pressure. The terrain will obviously come into play, but Jocke has a tendency to overstack. I may not make immediate headway, but you have to figure wasting the limited Chinese supply from overstacking will have an impact over the coming months.

As to photo-etch, I've been using Lucky Model in Hong Kong lately. I think the prices are reasonable and they have a good selection from numerous manufacturers. Some brands I've been getting are Lion Roar, Flyhawk, Eduard, Tom's Model Works and Gold Medal Models (GMM). I've never had a problem with orders, they often have coupons and discounts while offering free shipping on most of their photo-etch and other manufacturers. You just have to shop around, but I've been pleased with the service from them. I've also ordered directly from GMM and Eduard.

Tom's Model Work's and GMM offer some nice generic photo-etch sets for a number of different ship types and offer various cable reel, railing and hatch sets. They are nice because you can add as much or as little of the etch as you want to any number of ships and classes and have stuff left over for the next project.

I'll drop you a PM with my e-mail address and we can talk more if you like.

< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 11/28/2012 4:19:41 PM >

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 298

Armaments, Vehicles and replacements - 11/28/2012 9:49:46 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

I pretty much set every unit to replenish and upgrade last game and went with it. I ran into the problem of never having enough vehicle points to replace losses. I'm being much more judicious in allocating war material this time. Rear area units have been set to no replacements, recuperating units must first recover diablements before receiving new equipment. The priority for replacements and upgrades will go to frontline units currently engaged in offensive operations.

I've expanded vehicle production to 240, but recent turns have seen no additions to the pool so I know I'm just covering losses or what is being used in creating new formations. Armaments have been scaled way back, but I may have to increase the points generated to get the pool growing faster. I'm still banking over 6k HI a day so I have excess capacity available.

I'm still accelerating five CV's and an equal number of DD's. Once the BB Yamato is complete I'll decide on whether to add BB Musashi or not. I like my BB's, but E's and DD's may be more important this time around with the reduced effectiveness of Japanese ASW.

Resources are flowing into the Home islands now and I'm steadily increasing the stockpile. I do not plan on using Singapore for resource extraction this time. This should conserve fuel and utilize more of the road/rail network to shorten the route for many transport TF's. I don't like using Babeldoab as a fuel hub and Jocke aggressively patrols likely routes with submarines. I will still utilize Singapore for fuel/oil export to Japan. I don't want excessive spoilage loss trying to move it overland.

Aircraft R&D is starting to repair much faster now that I resized many factories to 30. Frank, George, Judy, Tojo IIa and Tony models are repairing at a constant rate. I'm researching the Karyu and Shinden heavily as well. Supply is recovering in Japan and I'm able to ship overseas again since the initial rush to move supply forward and for production expansion.

It's all coming together.

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 299

More screenshots - 11/29/2012 4:15:00 AM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 2127
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Batavia, 27 Feb 42:

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

(in reply to SqzMyLemon)

Post #: 300