Imperial Japanese Player Needed

[histgamer]

Hey everyone,

My name is Matthew and I’ve been running a WITP series for about 2 years now, it's been a slowly progressing series because I’ve been featuring it on my YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/thehistoricalgamer) and while I want to play it at a reasonable pace, I also don’t want to make it the only thing I post on my channel, so 2-3 turns per week have kind of been the fastest pace I’ve been able to maintain, though 3-4 per week might be doable now that my daughter is a bit older.

I’m looking for a new IJN/A opponent. The game is currently in late April 1942. Admittedly my three opponents so far in this game have been new to WITP. So per my understanding from my most recent opponent, additionally logistics is apparently also a mess, I’ve also been lead to believe the fighter pools and pilot pools are not in great shape.

Japan has done well in some regards and not well in others, they’ve managed to push the allies into a corner on the PI and will likely win there before too long, the DEI has been taken (though later than ideal) excluding Batavia which still holds out, the Japanese have pushed south and taken as far south as New Caledonia and Espiritu Santo, and even took Port Moresby, but in Burma/India Japan has been dealt a major blow as they’ve made almost no progress there and even had some very good arty units wrecked. In China Japan has failed at a Northern Push near Sian, but did manage to take Changsha and clean up most Chinese units in the interior.

On the shipping side, Japan has lost 1 BB (The Haruna) and had 1 CV damaged recently by Subs (I don’t believe she sank, she was basically in the Singapore hex when hit by 2 Dutch torpedoes). Japan has not managed to do much damage to the allied fleets thus far. Air losses for Japan are heavy.

I've been told the Japanese economy is not in terrible shape, though obviously every player has their own preference when it comes to RND so we can discuss that.

This is the picture as far as I can tell. It may not be as bleak as I’m painting it, but the prior opponent was pretty devoid of hope.

I’m wondering if any of you who specialize in salvaging Japanese situations are interested in picking up the game. I have been told from advisors of myself that the situation for a truly experienced Japanese player likely isn’t as bleak as I’m painting it. Not that Japan is setup to win, but WITP isn’t really intended for Japan to win anyway, that said my advisors all think Japan has the tools and resources to still put up a major fight, and think it would be worth reaching out rather than ending the series.

Anyway, that’s a long-winded intro… in short, is there anyone out there whose Is anyone interested in picking things up for Japan?

[LeeChard]

I am an experienced player but have only played online once a few years ago. If you can give me a hand getting started I find this challenge is intriguing. I've been playing the AI from both sides since the game hit the market. I'm retired so I'll be able to make my moves reliably.
I play the beta version without mods and would insist on PDU. House rules are welcome(I have my own rules when playing solitaire).
Lee
Closed

[YeOldeWargamer]

Hi Historical gamer,
I've been following your series, great content and commentary, and would be interested in playing against you as Japanese and post replays on YT.
However, late April '42 is IMO too late for me to salvage the situation in regards to production, R&D and objectives. Others may be up for it.
But if you want to start a new series, let me know.

[histgamer]

Hi Historical gamer,
I've been following your series, great content and commentary, and would be interested in playing against you as Japanese and post replays on YT.
However, late April '42 is IMO too late for me to salvage the situation in regards to production, R&D and objectives. Others may be up for it.
But if you want to start a new series, let me know.

Does that hold if we edit the database somewhat with respect to supplies so you can shift R&D as you like?

[YeOldeWargamer]

Historical Gamer,
the Japanese has a huge logistical mess on their hands, they haven't achieved anything in China, PI has not been fully taken yet and they've been kicked out of Burma already. I can't even begin to comprehend such a failure. Their production and R&D is most likely a hopeless mess as well. Then add 1 Japanese carrier out of action or sunk, never mind the Haruna, against your 0 losses and that 1 of your now 4 or maybe even 5 US fleet carriers can each carry 20-30% more aircrafts than any Japanese fleet carriers which mean even KB will not be able to engage them in battle if they're in 1 TF. I have tried. It did not end well. All of KB was sunk. You can't change enough data to ever get anywhere close to an equal playing field let alone the advantage that a Japanese player start with.
I understand why you would like to continue but in my humble opinion, you should celebrate the earliest allied victory in the Pacific ever. If you do not find anyone willing to take up this vertical climb of a challenge, I will be available for a new game.

[Evoken]

Historical Gamer,
the Japanese has a huge logistical mess on their hands, they haven't achieved anything in China,Southern and Central China is taken , Sian area can be taken with a little bit of effort. Supply from what i have heard is a bit low but thg is offering some supply to help that , Japan produces nearly 1m supply per month nothing that cant be fixed in couple months.
PI has not been fully taken yet and they've been kicked out of Burma already. Both PI and Batavia can be taken in a month by a player that knows what they are doing , Japanese side never tried to take Burma , i believe it can also be taken with a bit of effort
I can't even begin to comprehend such a failure. Their production and R&D is most likely a hopeless mess as wellFrom what i was told by 2nd player that took over , RND program was workable (everybody has different goals with RND stuff so there is always gonna be disagreement and Thg is offering supply to help fix it to players liking. Then add 1 Japanese carrier out of action or sunk, never mind the Haruna, against your 0 losses and that 1 of your now 4 or maybe even 5 US fleet carriers can each carry 20-30% more aircrafts than any Japanese fleet carriers which mean even KB will not be able to engage them in battle if they're in 1 TF. I have tried.KB+MKB still outnumber Allies on the carrier front by couple hundred planes ,i believe Japanese pilots are still better shape because THG didnt pay too much attention to pilot training It did not end well. All of KB was sunk. You can't change enough data to ever get anywhere close to an equal playing field let alone the advantage that a Japanese player start with.
I understand why you would like to continue but in my humble opinion, you should celebrate the earliest allied victory in the Pacific ever. If you do not find anyone willing to take up this vertical climb of a challenge, I will be available for a new game. This game is far from decided , a competant Japanese player can turn this game around with a little bit of work

[YeOldeWargamer]

Hi Evoken,
firstly, Japan occupied all the cities in Burma, which are included in the game by mid/late '42 (including Myitkyina in the far north) and blocked the Burma road completely. True, there were some villages further north but in this game that doesn't matter.
https://ww2db.com/images/5534a2ed09834.jpg
By now, the logistics in attempting to try to take Burma now have little to no chance of success.
As for China, the Chinese units destroyed in southern and central China will recuperate in Chungking before you get there so it's practically pointless to try. Especially considering the situation in Burma where the Burma Road is open.
Sure PI and Batavia will fall in a month or so, but those units and those in China would be needed for other purposes by now. New Caledonia is worthless due to Allied bomber range and the fact that Historical Gamer still has all his CV's and BB's.
KB+MBK may outnumber the 4-5 US CV's but there a few Brits as well. Maybe a US CVE/CVL too. Not sure. I never play Allies.
If the Japanese has suffered huge casualties in the air war, as stated, they likely lost a lot of their good pilots as well. It's now all defense for Japan. Especially in Thailand. So no thanks. Thanks for all your encouragement though.
Maybe you could take up such a challenge ? It would be very interesting to watch.

[YeOldeWargamer]

Hello again Historical Gamer,
I just watched XTRG's first turn and yours. He likely wasted up towards 50 Zero's on low level strafing at PH and in PI. He lost many of his best pilots for nothing on day 1. His attack on PH and PI were total disasters. So no matter what Evoken say, I will definitely pass on this "challenge". That game was lost for the Japanese very early on. But my initial offer still stand.
Best regards,

[Evoken]

Hi Evoken,
firstly, Japan occupied all the cities in Burma, which are included in the game by mid/late '42 (including Myitkyina in the far north) and blocked the Burma road completely. True, there were some villages further north but in this game that doesn't matter. I am talking about in this game , japanese player never tried to take over Burma and i think its possible to take it in this game
https://ww2db.com/images/5534a2ed09834.jpg
By now, the logistics in attempting to try to take Burma now have little to no chance of success. Only way allies get supply into Burma is by ships , gain air superiority and naval superiority , its possible
As for China, the Chinese units destroyed in southern and central China will recuperate in Chungking before you get there so it's practically pointless to try. Yes they do come back at %30 strength but without any artillery , Chinese artillery production is close to non existent , most of the AAR's that captured China , captured it by around 1943 so you have a lot of timeEspecially considering the situation in Burma where the Burma Road is open.
Sure PI and Batavia will fall in a month or so, but those units and those in China would be needed for other purposes by now. New Caledonia is worthless due to Allied bomber range and the fact that Historical Gamer still has all his CV's and BB's.I have used New Caledonia like a guadalcanal in my games before , its even better place to interdict Allied supply convoys etc , Noumea itself being JR makes it really tough target for allies to take back, calling it worhlesss sounds like your opinion
KB+MBK may outnumber the 4-5 US CV's but there a few Brits as well. Maybe a US CVE/CVL too. Not sure. I never play Allies.British CV's were in my mind when i made that statement , also British CV's withdraw at some point
If the Japanese has suffered huge casualties in the air war, as stated, they likely lost a lot of their good pilots as well. It's now all defense for Japan. Especially in Thailand. So no thanks. Thanks for all your encouragement though.
Maybe you could take up such a challenge ? It would be very interesting to watch. 1400 Allied planes lost vs 1650 Japanese , managable imo. I would like to take this game over but i am on THG's side helping with Logistics so that makes it awkward

[YeOldeWargamer]

Evoken: "I am talking about in this game , japanese player never tried to take over Burma and i think its possible to take it in this game".
Reply: Burma is a priority for me, to close off China and protect Thailand early on, so I do not agree with you on this one. Maybe it's because I live in Thailand IRL, but still...I think taking Burma early on is important.
Evoken: "Only way allies get supply into Burma is by ships , gain air superiority and naval superiority , its possible".
Reply: Again, considering previous air losses, especially in regards to pilots, and that it's late April '42, it's no longer an viable solution IMO. Allied player already has better fighters with armor there. It would only worsen the pilot/aircraft situation (KIA/MIA).
Evoken: "Yes they do come back at %30 strength but without any artillery , Chinese artillery production is close to non existent , most of the AAR's that captured China , captured it by around 1943 so you have a lot of time".
Reply: I don't know when other players capture China. I'm usually done with China in June/July '42. Some of those units are needed elsewhere way before '43.
Evoken: "I have used New Caledonia like a guadalcanal in my games before , its even better place to interdict Allied supply convoys etc , Noumea itself being JR makes it really tough target for allies to take back, calling it worhlesss sounds like your opinion".
Reply: If the Allied player is aggressive, and Historical Gamer can afford that, Noumea is of little use. It's port/airport can be struck over and over by B-17's and Liberators. I consider Noumea of little to no value until much later. But you're correct. It is my opinion.
All in all, I do not think it's worth it. If we were in January or early February, I would definitely give it a shot. Late April...no thanks. I do hope someone will give it a go. If not, you know who to call.

[Encircled]

You need someone who is very good at playing the Japanese from here

Try Lowpe or rader

(I've just finished a game with rader in Sep 1944 due to a combination of fatigue and other commitments, but he's comfortably the best Japanese player I've played against and understands the economic side and how to maximise it)

[histgamer]

I reached out to Lowpe a little while ago and I believe he has a full plate at the moment. I would need to reach out to Rader, to see if they're interested.

[DesertWolf101]

I would be shocked if Rader accepts as he generally likes to play Scenario 2 and this game is too far gone.

I considered taking it on but I would rather play a game where there is at least a small a chance of winning.

[YeOldeWargamer]

I suggest that if anyone is considering this "challenge", they should watch the last of THG's opponent's videos of this game on Youtube. He is the great, The Devilish Mr. Lodrik. Pay attention to his last turn and the comments to that video.

[histgamer]

New opponent found, thank you all for your consideration.

Matt

[Macquarrie1999]

Your series got me into WitP. Glad you found another opponent, although they are going to have a tough time with it.