6 replies to this topic

[Dave Franklin]

I read through the Operation Landcrab .pdf, and came up with a few questions:1. I'm pretty sure the intent is the US ships begin on the board, as the invasion took place a few days (11 May) before the start of this compaign (15 May). So presumably all the ships of TG51.2 should start at one of the two Attu hexes? Do they have to stay there? I would assume so, since the land battle goes on for something like 2 1/2 weeks.2. However, a follow on: Wouldn't most of the transports be unloaded (and thus be worth less VPs - or the US would already have these VPs) by the time of this campaign (excepting that transporting the floating reserve (1SSF IIRC)? Or do the cargo and VPs reflect what was still afloat/unloaded on 15 May?3. The campaign says "IJN task forces may enter from any Campaign Hex along the North, West or South edges of the campaign map." How can they enter from the north? In order to get up there, they would have to traverse the left corner of the map east of the Kamchatka Peninsula.4. How far off the west edge of the map is Pamarashiro (necessary info since the 752nd Kokutai is based there)?5. How far off the east edge of the map is Elmendorf (necessary info since the 406th Bomb Squadron is based there)?6. Since the special local weather rules refer to the Aleutians, and Elmendorf is not listed on the Aleutian Campaign Local Weather Log, you don't use the special weather rules for Elmendorf right? What about Pamarashiro, since it is listed on the Aleutian Campaign Local Weather Log?7. Very basic question/comment: How is it intended your map coordinate system to work? It seems the numbers indetify vertical columns, but is it inteded the letters go up-to-the-right (Holtz Bay would be at V19)? In which case more letters are needed along the southern edge.

[gregoryk]

co_diver wrote:

I read through the Operation Landcrab .pdf, and came up with a few questions:7. Very basic question/comment: How is it intended your map coordinate system to work? It seems the numbers indetify vertical columns, but is it inteded the letters go up-to-the-right (Holtz Bay would be at V19)? In which case more letters are needed along the southern edge.

I can at least answer this question — they are intended to go straight across. The 'A' in Attu is in M17. Amchitka Island is in P27-28. I have seen this system used in hex grids before and decided to use it here since the map is relatively small.Hope this helps.Gregory

[Dave Franklin]

I see, so when you traverse accross and end up on a hex side (top/bottom), you then go up.

[gregoryk]

Yes.

[Lonnie Gill]

Co_diver,Here are the answers to your questions:1. The US task forces are already present at Jackboot (Attu) as the landing took place prior to the start of this mini-campaign. Operations are proceeding slower than expected. Thus, the transports and most of the warships will be tied to the two landing areas to provide escort and shore bombardment support. However, the US commander must also be concerned with intercepting any IJN thrust before it gets to the landing areas. Since the terrible weather might preclude effective air reconnaissance at any time, the US commander may decide that he needs to detach one or more cruiser/DD patrols further away to try and detect an opposing task force. Given these conflicting requirements and his limited forces, this can make for some tough choices.2. The cargo and VPs for the transports reflect what was still afloat. Landing operations ashore were getting way behind with difficult beach conditions, the unexpected troubles with the muskeg and inadequate forces committed to shore party activities to get supplies off the beaches. Hard lessons were learned here that led to significant improvements in later American landings and taught the Army some of the reasons why the Marines had developed special techniques to solve these organizational problems.3. OK, that's a gottcha'. IJN forces can only enter the North edge of the map east of row 9 - having steamed NE along the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula .4. Paramarashiro is 650 NM West of Attu or 22 of the 30 NM Campaign Hexes. Thus it is four Campaign Hexes off the edge of the campaign map.5. Elmmendorf AFB is near Anchorage in mainland Alaska far off the East edge of the map. It requires half a Campaign Day for US aircraft to reach Umnak on the map edge.6. The campaign notes provide that weather should be determined separately for each airbase using the Aleutains Weather tables. This should include Elmendorf which is near the coast and experiences most of the same weather patterns. I had not included Elmendorf on the Aleutian Campaign Local Weather Log as the reinforcements there do not generally play a part in this limited time frame. It would be more complete to include Elmendorf as well.7. Gregory has already answered the map coordinate system question. Kinda' different; he had to explain it to me tooLONNIE

[Dave Franklin]

Thanks for the answers.I still don't get how the IJN can enter from the north, as they would have to travese the map in the first place to get up there, but that's just my opinion.Very cool possibility for a surface action between old BBs!Now, just have to figure out how to incorporate the possibility for the US to engage in "the battle of the pips"!

[Lonnie Gill]

A northern entry assumes that IJN forces cruised northeast along the Kamchatka Peninsula (far enough offshore to avoid incidents with the Soviets) off the campaign map to reach a northern starting point prior to the starting time of the mini campaign. This certainly does get you the chance to get the older battleships on both sides into action. Very interesting possibilities and tactical situations can occur. We even had one of our test games in which they ended up clashing in foggy conditions. BBs engaging suddenly at point blank range as the fog as visibility changed each Game Turn. That was a wild one!Good luck with those pesky "pips." If you do, the IJN may have another ally. It seems to have been a Mk 3 fire control radar/atmospherics problem on the day of the "battle" as Sante Fe, the only ship with the newer Mk 8 radars, did not find "targets" that day or open fire. We'll look forward to reading an After Action Report on your campaign.LONNIE