American AAR : AI Experiments In HoI3

[Wraith11B]

Not very much, but I doubt it would necessarily be impossible. I doubt most of the South American nations would get involved.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter Ninety-Six : Spying On The Enemy

The War Of Calories!​

We open this chapter with another Ground Attack on Kosrae against the Japanese invaders attacking the Island of Ponape.

While that was happening the American pilots who were sent to attack the Japanese defenders in Mili came back reporting that they failed to damage any Japanese warships. Those silly pilots! Getting confused in the middle of a Ground Attack mission again!

Then we got a report from the Ground Attack on Kosrae where the American pilots killed 6 enemy soldiers. Well, at least they didn't get confused.

Then security captured a German spy and tortured him by showing him the American version of German food. He died of homesickness.

I decided to peek at the Japanese in the Intelligence Screens. While there I not only noticed they were building a lot of Marines but I decided to start building up spies for Covert Operations.

I also decided to peek at their leadership. Not really much interest there but I did notice that Imperial Japan only had IC of 243 while I have 457. So no matter what happens I am sure I can throw more stuff at them then they can throw at me. Like Battleships, Air Wings, and Candy Bars! On the other hand they do have more Manpower than I do. How do they have so many men available for the military? Is it because they took parts of China?

Then the Navy reported that we lost another transport out of Boston to German convey Raiders. Those bastards took out a shipload of seafood for the starving children of Europe!

After mourning the loss of so many shrimp I went back to peeking at nations. This time I went to the Diplomacy section and checked out Saudi Arabia.

It seems likely the only way to knock it out of the war is to take its Capital.

On the other hand the Philippines looked like it is about to be taken out by the Japanese invaders. Maybe if my HQ units were backed up by some Infantry Divisions they might be able to do something about it!

The map looks grim either way.

And while looking at the map the game slapped me with a report from Africa. The Italians had launched a attack on my HQ units. *sigh*

The Italians outnumbered us and had better leadership. So of course I assumed we would be defeated.

And we were defeated. The Battle for Kafr el Sheikh was a Italian Victory in which nobody died.

So we close the chapter with a defeat and not much else to talk about. War. War never changes. And now I want smores. I knew I should not had used that image for the chapter title!

 

[stnylan]

I see the American staffers were doing a Brave Sir Robin impression.

 

[Eurasia]

I see the American staffers were doing a Brave Sir Robin impression.

Well, they did put up a fight with their pistols and clipboards for a whole three hours before fleeing.

 

[Bullfilter]

And a whole army still mucking around in Central America?

 

[Eurasia]

And a whole army still mucking around in Central America?

In short, yes. I guess it wants everything to be perfect. I have a impulse to take it over and have them all charge but so far I have only taken over when the AIs are about to kill themselves or have done something really stupid. I don't feel I can step in just because the 2nd Army is being anal.

 

[Bullfilter]

In short, yes. I guess it wants everything to be perfect. I have a impulse to take it over and have them all charge but so far I have only taken over when the AIs are about to kill themselves or have done something really stupid. I don't feel I can step in just because the 2nd Army is being anal.

Indeed. The German AI will be laughing at it though and not yet fearing an invasion of Europe: what with unsupported HQs running away from the Italians and armies sitting scared and idle in banana republics!

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter Ninety-Seven : Victory In Mili!

Mili Is Finally Ours!
​

We open this chapter with a peek at Africa where the Italians are pushing back my HQ units and absorbing British territory. Shouldn't the BRITISH be doing something about that?

Back in the United States the 1st Transport Fleet, under the Navy, was heading towards Seattle for some reason.

But then we received good news. The Battle for Mili was over and we had won! The Americans lost 2,493 soldiers to the Land Combat. The Japanese defenders lost 836 to the Land Combat, another 125 to Ground Attacks, which means they lost a total 961 soldiers. That left 7,996 Japanese soldiers who had no where to escape to and, therefore, were captured.

Funny enough the Japanese warships forced out of port seemed to get past the 1st Marine Transport Fleet. Maybe the Japanese surface ships didn't wish to engage?

But don't worry. Halsey sent them a farewell gift in the form of a Wing of CAGs launched from his Flagship the USS Monterey. Sadly they don't look like they are in any condition to do the enemy ships any harm.

Then I received a notice that Afghanistan was mobilizing. Which could be dangerous towards India if you take into account much of the Allies are likely fighting the Japanese and their Axis allies on the other side of India.

Sadly, at this point I noticed that 1st Army Transport Fleet was in San Diego doing nothing. And an hour later it started on its way towards Seattle.

What is it about Seattle? So we close this chapter with a victory from "Bull" who turns out to be the only AI worth anything. Maybe I should put both the Marines and Navy under his direct command? Oh well at least we took the Island of Mili finally.

 

[stnylan]

Small gains.

As for Seattle, perhaps they just like the coffee?

 

[Bullfilter]

Huzzah for Halsey - it seems there is at least one Admiral who doesn’t need his bull to be filtered! But, nice though it is to see a battle won in Mili, at this rate it’s going to take a long time to defeat the Axis! Especially if the SU continues to sit it out.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter Ninety-Eight : Stalemate In The Pacific

Fuzhou Jinshan Temple (1)
​

We open this chapter with the 1st Army HQ still on its way to deploy in Seattle. I'm not sure why. Boston would have been WAY closer. But I guess the city has something special.

I also decided to do something with the four Cavalry Divisions that were converting to become Buddhists....er...I mean Tank Divisions. The 23rd, the 27th, the 26th, and the 25th were all placed under the command of the 11th Corps. Lt. General Bowen is the Leader. Not much skill and no experience but he is a Battle Master and Commando which should help the Division Commanders under him.

And I decided to give them all to the 2nd Army so, when the Divisions are 100 percent converted, the AI has some decent Tank Divisions. I also prioritized the Corps for upgrades and reinforcements. I hope that speeds up the process. Unless I have to do that for EACH and every Division in the Corps? *sigh*

Then the Japanese sunk one of our transports and one of our escorts on their way to China. Now the poor Chinese will have to do without our horrible Tanks/Armored Cars.

I decided to go peek at the Island of Ponape where my Marines are still holding on. But I fear we will lose the island, the Marine Division, and the 2nd Naval Corps HQ. Which means a reorganization of the Navy Chain-Of-Command sometime in our future. Retreat is not an option. I mean, game-wise it is, there is the Retreat Button. But where would they? That's just a automatic defeat. Let the Japanese pay for it!

Then I noticed the 1st Marine Tactical Group is in Kwajalein. Looks like just arrived and now have to refuel and get supplies. So I doubt they were going to be doing anything soon.

And in Latin America the troops are slowly getting into position and complaining about lack of food, fuel, water, lemon scented wet naps. Just ATTACK them for SpongeBob's sake!

And I found the 1st Battleship Fleet and two of the Submarine Fleets just chilling at Johnson Island. Guys, there are Japanese conveys to hunt and Japanese warships to sink! *sigh*

And the 3rd Marine Transport Fleet has arrived at Kwajalein and no doubt started sucking up the incoming supplies. The Tactical Group is going to starve!

On top of that there are ground units now on the island which means they are also sucking up some of the supplies.

Finally I was notified that there was combat going on. The 3rd Marine Transport Fleet sent its pilots to launch a Ground Attack on the Japanese on Kosrae. The Tactical Bombers would have been better but I can't have everything.

So we close this chapter with the feelings that nothing much is happening in the Pacific and that much of the action is happening in Africa and the Middle East. BUT what happens when the Japanese have to help Germany and the other Axis powers against the USSR. Can it handle both the Soviet Union and the United States? Is this war pulling sources away from other regions?

But what happens if the war with the USSR NEVER happens? Will Germany invade the UK? Will Italy take North Africa? Will India become occupied by Axis forces? Is this going to become my French AAR? Will @Bullfilter end up crying again as the Land-Down-Under becomes the Japanese punching bag? (2)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Author's Note:

1. In our time line this port was under control of the Japanese (I think). Because of how the game handles the Asian conflict the Chinese are not doing so BADLY.

2. Yes, yes he will.

 

[stnylan]

I feel that another AAR was starting to impinge on ths one

 

[Bullfilter]

Oh, I’m resigned to the inevitable invasion of Australia. It will no doubt start with the invasion of an undefended Sydney then spread like an ugly tumour from there. Unlike in every Hollywood movie that depicts Australia being invaded by aliens, there won’t be any newsreel footage of the Sydney Opera House in the background shots (because it hadn’t been built yet) but they will be able show Japanese troops marching over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which had been completed a few years before then.

Of course, it’s an honour to be considered important and recognisable enough to be the regular cinematic target of alien invasions. Something that really irritates people from Melbourne (generally pronounced as ‘Malben’ or ‘Melben’ by its residents, not ‘Mel-born’: just like we’re incapable of pronouncing New York as Noo York, even if we know we should ).

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter Ninety-Nine : Defeat In The Pacific

Welcome To Cagliari
​

We open this chapter with the sad news that the Americans lost the Battle of Ponape. 101 soldiers died to Japanese Ground Attacks while another 891 died in the Land Combat. The rest, which not only included the "Custer" Division but the 2nd Naval Corps HQ, will end up in POW camps. 8,977 Marines and Staff will be sent to eat rationed out boiled rice, coconut flesh, roasted dog, and the hearts of young palm trees.

The Japanese lost 86 soldiers to American Ground Attacks and another 860 of their men in the Land Combat for a total of 946 lost in the Battle. This means not just the loss of the Island but that the 12th Armored Division, the 3rd Armored Division, and the 90th Infantry Division are all leaderless. Instead of making another Naval Corps HQ to attach them to I decided to attach the three orphan Divisions to Marine HQs.

I'll have to make it up to the Navy later. Dump a few of the future units into their hands. But at least the Divisions will still end up fighting in the Pacific. One was already stationed in Honolulu. While the other two were already on their way to Seattle.

Funny enough the Japanese invaders were still being bombed! It seems the Naval pilots were not done with the enemy unit. As long as they were in range they would continue to hit the Japanese Marines! The invaders only lost 5 soldiers but it's the thought that counts.

Then I got bad news. A convoy out of Boston was attacked and lost a transport to the Germans. A shipment of beer from the Boston Beer Company went to the bottom of the ocean.

The American pilots were soon back at the Island of Kosrae with another Ground Attack. No doubt the Japanese Marines were surprised that they were still being bombed even after victory. But the fact is they were now pretty much right next to a chain of American occupied islands. So they would have to deal with that.

After the American pilots withdrew, back to their Escort Carrier, they reported having killed another 19 enemy soldiers.

The next day the 2nd Army Transport Fleet delivered the 1st Corps to Cagliari where the officers and staff could run around with their shirts off, working on their tans while drinking lots of cheap wine, and flirting with dark haired beauties. *sigh*

Then we got news of another attack on a Boston convoy! A ship full of wonder giant chipotle white beans ready-to-eat-meals (MREs) for the hungry children of Turkey was sunk by the Germans.

At this point the 2nd Army Transport Fleet, with its Flagship the USS Bullfilter, was heading back towards....Seattle. *sigh* Maybe to pick up the 1st Army HQ? How about picking up soldiers?

At this point I realized I had over 12 thousand million dollars?!?! I guess? Anyway, I decided to go on a shopping spree. So I went to the UK and asked if I could produce two of their Motorized Infantry Divisions and they accepted.

And yes, I noticed the Navy wanted more. I did take away three of their Divisions while they had more Objective Tags than both the Marines and Armies combined. So they do have good reason to demand more resources. And the other hand they don't seem to do anything with what they DO have so I am not really willing to give them more units at the moment.

Then I went to South Africa and decided to buy the rights to produce FOUR Supermarine Spitfires. And they agreed to it. Every little bit helps.

So we close this chapter with a HQ going on vacation, another HQ being destroyed, and the loss of the Island of Ponape in the same manner of which WE took it. I was also reminded on just how tough the Japanese Marines could be.

 

[Bullfilter]

Ah, Seattle - good to see the USS Bullfilter heading to the thick of the action! The bar action, anyway. A goil in every port?

 

[stnylan]

Bit fun to see the USA buying Commonwealth patents

To be fair to the Germans, they didn't realise they were sinking beer. They just thought it was badly flavoured water

 

[Wraith11B]

Bit fun to see the USA buying Commonwealth patents

To be fair to the Germans, they didn't realise they were sinking beer. They just thought it was badly flavoured water

Well, NattieBo is basically just that.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter One Hundred : The Fall Of The Philippines!

A New Currency for The Philippines
​

This is the last chapter of this playing session. We open it with Burke, with the 10th Mountain Division in his Transports, heading towards the Philippines. Seems logical. Good for him!

And the 2nd Army Transport Fleet is now heading to San Francisco. Well, there are units there but, to be honest, I don’t think any of them belong to the 1st Army.

The 2nd Army is still doing it own thing. Which is building up the perfect Battle Front. But, to be honest, at least what it is doing seems to make sense. He still wants a plane.

As the Marines had taken Mili I decided to give them two new Objective Tags. One is Truk, which my AIs failed to get before, and Satawan which I know has defenders and also has a port which could prove useful to the enemy. So I don’t want them to have it!

Then I got a nasty surprise. The Japanese had conquered the Philippines. I can only assume they had taken the Capital. There is only one problem with that...

My HQ units in Davao can liberate the Province and be a wonderful place for landing reinforcements. IF my AIs do something about it. It is a race between AIs noticing and doing something about it.

Then I noticed that the 1st Transport Fleet had grabbed two Infantry Divisions and was taking them to Ponape. Which was still, officially, American territory. If they could get there before the Japanese the Fleet could land those troops without being opposed.

A many hours later, game time, the HQ units in Philippines liberated the port. Wonderful!

But wait! Burke is now going the wrong way! Looks like he is now going to the West Coast of the US. NO! AAAGGGHHHH! The Philippines is the other way! The OTHER WAY!

Well, at least it looks like the 1st Army Transport Fleet is heading towards Washington DC. But why? Don’t tell me it plans to pick up more HQs to send to Africa? *sigh*

And the 2nd Army Transport Fleet is now longer heading to San Francisco but is now heading towards Philadelphia. Which is a LOT closer to where they are right now. Maybe the crew of the Bullfilter wants some Philly Steak Subs? (1)

So we close this as we normally would. In a game that seems to be going nowhere. But I have already played my next game session. Over three hundred images captured. A game session in which I did something so stupid I almost gave up and rage quit. And yes, I took over a couple of times because it was needed. REALLY, really, really, needed. Here is a hint:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Author's Note:

1. Fact - many people talk about Philly Cheese Steak Submarine Sandwiches as being famous but, in fact, the Philly Steak Submarine Sandwiches was what the city use to be famous for.

 

[stnylan]

Clearly we are in for something explosive.

 

[Wraith11B]

So, Philly went from a Steak Sub to, well, doing the American thing and adding cheese to it?