An Idiots Guide To Losing Your CV's Before 1942: WiTP:AE KyzBP vs UCG

Started by KyzBP, June 22, 2015, 04:02:39 PM

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Sir Slash

I love this AAR. It's the more entertaining because of the fact you're having to adjust your plans quickly rather than just plodding ahead with a pre-conceived strategy. What's the status of the US sub fleet? Any chance it can get deep into the Geek sea space and hit some juicy shipping, maybe peel-off some of Jap surface fleet from the front lines?
"Take a look at that". Sgt. Wilkerson-- CMBN. His last words after spotting a German tank on the other side of a hedgerow.

KyzBP

Quote from: Sir Slash on October 26, 2015, 10:04:19 AM
I love this AAR. It's the more entertaining because of the fact you're having to adjust your plans quickly rather than just plodding ahead with a pre-conceived strategy. What's the status of the US sub fleet? Any chance it can get deep into the Geek sea space and hit some juicy shipping, maybe peel-off some of Jap surface fleet from the front lines?

Thanks Slashy!  I'm nearly 100% reactionary at this point.  Geek is moving much faster than the AI so I found, probably historically, that I'm woefully unprepared and under equipped to handle Geek's well oiled machine.  I can only hope to force him to start reacting rather than acting.  I've done a more thorough search of units for Arctic Monkey and may be able to hit 2 islands after all.  Unfortunately I have to go in blind.  Any recon action will grab his attention and surely raise his suspicions.

The subs are in Geekanese waters but are finding, and much less, hitting anything.  I'm still trying to pin down his convoy routes.  once I do I'll be sending more subs in that direction.

Sir Slash

Damn, that's too bad. Surely if Geek tries an Australia invasion, that would take a huge commitment of his resources. Or would it? It just seems to me the Japanese player shouldn't be able to be on the offensive everywhere indefinitely. Or is it possible in this game?
"Take a look at that". Sgt. Wilkerson-- CMBN. His last words after spotting a German tank on the other side of a hedgerow.

JasonPratt

Depends on what you mean by "indefinitely". Historically, the Japanese were on offensive operations for a while, until a few key American counter-attacks sharply altered their naval force constitution; plus they eventually got to the point where continuing offensive operations would spread them too thin in manpower (with air and naval support) to defend their Co-prosperity Sphere, whether on the Asian mainland or on the Pacific Islands.

Once that happened, they themselves shifted into defensive holding mode, hoping to defensively smash the Allied will to fight while benefiting from the increased supplies of conquered areas.

The game models these general phases of development pretty well. Geek is still in "Take" mode, and hasn't entered into "Hold" mode. If he overreaches, you'll have an easier time mopping him out later. From the Jap side, it's a hard choice about when to consolidate and how far can be safely pushed, or whether pushing more than safely is worth it. After all, as in real life, there's a definite advantage to pushing so hard that the other side gives up early.
ICEBREAKER THESIS CHRONOLOGY! -- Victor Suvorov's Stalin Grand Strategy theory, in lots and lots of chronological order...
Dawn of Armageddon -- narrative AAR for Dawn of War: Soulstorm: Ultimate Apocalypse
Survive Harder! -- Two season narrative AAR, an Amazon Blood Bowl career.
PanzOrc Corpz Generals -- Fantasy Wars narrative AAR, half a combined campaign.
Khazâd du-bekâr! -- narrative dwarf AAR for LotR BfME2 RotWK campaign.
RobO Q Campaign Generator -- archived classic CMBB/CMAK tool!

KyzBP

Quote from: JasonPratt on October 29, 2015, 03:32:28 PM
The game models these general phases of development pretty well. Geek is still in "Take" mode, and hasn't entered into "Hold" mode. If he overreaches, you'll have an easier time mopping him out later. From the Jap side, it's a hard choice about when to consolidate and how far can be safely pushed, or whether pushing more than safely is worth it. After all, as in real life, there's a definite advantage to pushing so hard that the other side gives up early.

If he pushes hard enough he'll trigger the Auto Victory and this will have been a short game. :(

JasonPratt

ICEBREAKER THESIS CHRONOLOGY! -- Victor Suvorov's Stalin Grand Strategy theory, in lots and lots of chronological order...
Dawn of Armageddon -- narrative AAR for Dawn of War: Soulstorm: Ultimate Apocalypse
Survive Harder! -- Two season narrative AAR, an Amazon Blood Bowl career.
PanzOrc Corpz Generals -- Fantasy Wars narrative AAR, half a combined campaign.
Khazâd du-bekâr! -- narrative dwarf AAR for LotR BfME2 RotWK campaign.
RobO Q Campaign Generator -- archived classic CMBB/CMAK tool!

KyzBP

January 17th, 1942

Today was a busy day.  It may take a few posts to get everything in.  Let's start at Sabang.

I was hoping Geek might give up on his Sabang folly.  He had been losing a fair amount of troops and I was pretty well dug in and supplied.

He didn't.


He began re-bombarding Sabang and off loading troops.  Since I have NO help on the way in the form of ground combat units, I decide to do a little preemptive strike.  My hopes were to catch him on the beach and disorganized.  My goal is to make Sabang too expensive to take.

I failed miserably!  Not only did I not inflict many casualties nor disrupt him much, I basically got everyone killed who, 24 hours prior, were safely tucked away in their foxholes putting up solid resistance.  He now merely has to preform any type of offensive action, or drive by in a "Free Puppies" van and Sabang will fold.  This was flat out stupid on my part.  Lesson learned.  This kind of result makes me seriously reconsider Arctic Monkey.

BanzaiCat

I think you need to take the offensive whenever you can, or whenever it looks like an opportunity presents itself. You need to try to put Geek-san on the defensive to react to your moves for once, even if relatively a pinprick. Anything that makes him hesitate or rethink his strategy will help you slow him down.

KyzBP

Quote from: Banzai_Cat on November 04, 2015, 12:39:10 PM
I think you need to take the offensive whenever you can, or whenever it looks like an opportunity presents itself. You need to try to put Geek-san on the defensive to react to your moves for once, even if relatively a pinprick. Anything that makes him hesitate or rethink his strategy will help you slow him down.

I agree BC.  Although, being highly competitive, I hate the idea of knowingly doing something that may cause me to lose.  However, when I started this game I fully intended to do things in unorthodox ways, and I still do.  All in the name of fun, right?  :uglystupid2:

BanzaiCat

Sure thing...hey, bottom line, it's your game and we're along for the ride! Do what you think is more funner.

KyzBP

The remnants of my Dutch raiders trying to make their way to OZ.

The CL Java goes down.  It feels like an Omen.

The bombing of Soerabaja (Java) continues.

Soerabaja is basically the last city/port remaining on Java.  Geek has hit the city with multiple air raids and will bring the troops in very soon.  Everything that can float or fly has been sent away in hopes of contributing later.  The floaty things probably won't make it.

Geek continues his illegal actions against the peace loving people of Tarakan.

Actually it's more like the Red Light District of Borneo which explains why they're fighting so hard...no pun intended.

The beginning of the end is starting in the Philippines but it won't end quietly.

In case you didn't recognize it, that was a Sea Unicorn.  An actual American sub doing damage to a real Geekanese ship...with a torpedo!  I think according to the House Rules Geek has to surrender now.  I'll have to look those up again.

Here we see the last effort of the 24th Pursuit Group/ 35th Pursuit Squadron (Honey Badger).


Without planes or hope I was finally forced to disband them.

I wish the game kept track of tonnage sunk by aircraft.  These guys more than earned their pay, admiration, and thanks.  A unit citation is in order.


KyzBP

Geek has begun landings on Timor starting with Koepang.

He's getting ever so close to Darwin.

B-17's, launched from a secret base, attempting to do some damage at Port Moresby.

They ended up turning back without doing any damage.  I may try to increase the raid size and add some drop tank equipped escorts.  I need to harass PM
as long as I can.  Next will be a blockade using subs.

Down near Pago Pago, at Savaii, the detached destroyers catch up to the transports disgorging troops at Savaii.

They didn't do much damage though. As a matter of fact, hardly any at all.

That allowed Geek to take the island.

I've landed some troops and aircraft at Pago Pago.  I'll begin a campaign, much like the Baker Island one, to turn Savaii into a meat grinder.  I should be able
to deny him use of the island.  It is starting to become apparent that Geek won't be able to protect everything.

Speaking of Baker Island...

JasonPratt

Quote from: Banzai_Cat on November 04, 2015, 12:39:10 PM
I think you need to take the offensive whenever you can, or whenever it looks like an opportunity presents itself. You need to try to put Geek-san on the defensive to react to your moves for once, even if relatively a pinprick. Anything that makes him hesitate or rethink his strategy will help you slow him down.

Also known as the Doolittle Raid Doctrine.  O0
ICEBREAKER THESIS CHRONOLOGY! -- Victor Suvorov's Stalin Grand Strategy theory, in lots and lots of chronological order...
Dawn of Armageddon -- narrative AAR for Dawn of War: Soulstorm: Ultimate Apocalypse
Survive Harder! -- Two season narrative AAR, an Amazon Blood Bowl career.
PanzOrc Corpz Generals -- Fantasy Wars narrative AAR, half a combined campaign.
Khazâd du-bekâr! -- narrative dwarf AAR for LotR BfME2 RotWK campaign.
RobO Q Campaign Generator -- archived classic CMBB/CMAK tool!

KyzBP

The Beast known as Baker Island continues to demand sustenance in the way of Geekanese troops, ships, and planes.
The Beast's appetite knows no bottom.
It takes little bites...


...and big bites.


It doesn't mind reaching for it's food either.


The only way the Beast of Baker Island will stop eating is if Geek stops sending troops.  Until then, it will continue to consume.

At Palmyra, the relief force from Hawaii has arrived and has found a lone Geek ship hanging out a little too close.

I had to shuttle these guys over to cover for the group of CL's, CA's, and DD's that were hitting everything in the area. 
That group is headed to Pearl for some much needed repairs.  The bomber filled CV TF is inbound and will be here shortly.

The first order of business for the CV bombers will be to rid Palmyra of these overambitious lads.

This is why I think Geek may be a bit over extended...for now.  He can't hold onto Palmyra, Baker or, probably, Savaii. 
Soon though he'll be able to free up troops from Java and other already conquered places.  He'll either strengthen his gains or,
most likely, prepare for Australia.  It all seems to keep coming back to AM.  If I can force him to react for a bit it may buy me enough time
to keep him from launching an invasion of Oz or the further taking of islands in the South Pacific.

Airborne Rifles

It's always coldest before dawn! I think even if Arctic Monkey fails it may be able to pull just enough away that you can start to stem the offensive.