American AAR : AI Experiments In HoI3

[Eurasia]

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

Oh, there are dozens of different versions. I'm just happy they have not added peanut butter to it.

 

[Bullfilter]

I see the merry men of the USS Bullfilter are really trying to do the peaceful travelogue of domestic port visits, rather than going any actual, well fighting! Tut tut. Mind you, those subs look tastier than the Japanese variety prowling around the Pacific ...

 

[Bullfilter]

Oh, there are dozens of different versions. I'm just happy they have not added peanut butter to it.

Very cute. At least it wasn’t Kentucky Fried Kitten!

 

[serutan]

Hmmm. Would another way to phrase that hint you referred to be "Tora! Tora! Tora!" ?

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter One Hundred-One : A Calm Moment

Taking A Moment To Eat And Rest​

The next session started slowly. First I went to peek at Africa and could see the Italians pushing towards the Suez Canal. And it looked like the British don't have any plans to stop them. Not the best news.

Then I heard Turkey was leaning towards joining the Allies. Those crazy Turks! Still, that was good news. But I doubt they would do it. They're trapped between the Axis and the Comintern. Becoming a member of the Allies would be suicide.

The Great and Powerful Halsey was resting his Fleet in the port of Mili. No doubt using this time to stock up on supplies and fill up on fuel. I hoped for him to rejoin the war soon. So I pushed the button to give the Fleet priority in reinforcements and upgrades. This would help to rebuild their CAG Wing and repair the ships just a little faster. I want the "Bull" back in action as soon as possible! Eat up and grow strong!

The four Divisions on the Island of Mili don't look too bad. But they are not the only units available. The Marshall Islands are full of Divisions who are running about looking for work!

Then we captured a German spy. Seeing how much the Germans seemed to hate Boston he was forced to eat Boston Clam "Chwoda" Bread Bowls till he exploded. A most horrible way to die. Also very salty.

I noticed that the Polish were not yet crushed. They were planning and scheming against their German masters.

And what I can see, barely, is that Western Europe may have a few hidden cells. I just can't see them because of all the German units. I wonder if the German AI is paranoid or up to something?

Then I noticed the Italians had invaded the Island of Sardinia. Again. I guess the AIs DO like this island for some reason.

I went to make sure that supplies WERE, in fact, going to Mili. There was already a convoy set up by my own AIs to send supplies and fuel to the Island. At least that worked.

Then I noticed that the British had been kicked out of Malaya completely. It is doubtful the Allies will be taking back Singapore anytime soon.

There is still fighting on the border of India but it seems to be going nowhere at this point. Not sure how the British are going to keep in touch with India if the Italians take the Suez.

On the other hand in Africa it looks like the British were invading the German territories. This is not a game of Axis & Allies guys. Those troops could be more useful elsewhere!

As my attention was now focused on Africa I peeked at Liberia. They had yet to pick sides. If I could bring them to the side of the Allies I could use them as a base of operations to REALLY annoy the Axis in Africa. But I'm not bitter. So, yes, I started to Influence them.

So we close the chapter which was mostly me scouting about the world and laying down plans for future operations in Africa. The general picture we get of the world is one where the Allies are not doing too well. If only my AIs did things!

 

[Wraith11B]

I love me some New England Clam Chowdah... especially in a bread bowl.

 

[stnylan]

Your AIs do things! Admittedly they seem to operate under the assumption that a small group of staff soldiers armed with paperclips are able to take on tanks and infantrymen...

 

[Bullfilter]

That’s right: bring Liberia into the Allies so your AIs can send a bunch of HQs there and the USS Bullfilter has another friendly port to move towards and then reverse course back to Seattle. Sorry, but you give them all the toys and no one except perhaps Bull Halsey has the least clue how to play with them.

 

[Eurasia]

That’s right: bring Liberia into the Allies so your AIs can send a bunch of HQs there and the USS Bullfilter has another friendly port to move towards and then reverse course back to Seattle. Sorry, but you give them all the toys and no one except perhaps Bull Halsey has the least clue how to play with them.

I would say I had confused my AIs but the Navy is the only one, I think, with too few units and too many tags. The 1st Army has only two tags and they are in Europe so I am not sure why it wants to go to Africa. But to be honest I am thinking once the 2nd Army is finished in Latin America to give it the next wave of transports and warships and putting Objective Tags on the African coast line.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter One Hundred-Two : Ponape No Longer In Danger?!?

Japanese Rations - Rice And Pickled Plums​

We open this chapter with a report from our Head of Intelligence Vincent Astor. Seemed Afghanistan was going to honour its alliance with the Axis. They had declared war on Poland, the UK, France, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, Bhutan, Nepal, Australia. New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Greece, the USA, and the Philippines. The last one confused me but maybe they had a government-in-exile?

This was somewhat dangerous because it meant that India could now be threatened from the northwest. And I am pretty sure most, if not all, of their units were on the eastern border.

And I was able to confirm that Burke, and the 3rd Marine Transport Fleet, was indeed heading towards the West Cost. San Francisco had a bunch of Divisions. Maybe he wanted to add to the Mountain Division? I hope it does not dump the Mountain Division. There are mountains in the Philippines Burke! *sigh*

Then we got an advancement in Light Artillery which, to be honest, does not sound like much but helped ALL my ground units in Toughness.

Then I received two units to deploy. Two Wings of Naval Bombers! Which will prove useless because we all know MY AIs don't know how to use them. Both Wings are made up of Catalinas.

I put them together into the USN Patrol Bomb. Group 2 and attached them directly to the Navy Theater.

I went to peek at the units waiting outside Boston. I noticed a Cavalry Division and decided to upgrade it while it waited.

At this point the only Cavalry Divisions not being currently upgraded are in the Pacific Theater. Speaking of the Pacific I noticed that the Japanese on the Island of Kosrae had stopped trying to move to Ponape. I am not sure why but I think it may have to do with being low on Organization. I mean, they don't have a port so they have no incoming supplies. Which means all they have in the way of food and ammo and fuel is what was dropped with them. I believe they used up so much of it I don't think they CAN move at this point.

Back at the West Coast Burke dumped the Mountain Division, picked up the 45th National Guard Division, the 24th Cavalry Division (which I seemed to have missed in my upgrading spree), and the 21st Cavalry Division (which was in the process of upgrading to a Tank Division). And it was off to invade Mati. Where is Mati?

Oh, that Mati. Right next to a perfectly good American occupied port. Well, at least they were taking fighting units to the Philippines. That should help. Right?

But I received some bad news when the Germans sunk a transport and a escort coming out of Boston. More food went to the bottom of the ocean. Tons of Boston baked beans, fried eggs, and thick bacon! Poor Europeans. All they are eating is German sausages and beer. Not that I don't like German food. But let us move on.

Hey, look, the 1st Army Transport Fleet is in Seattle. Looks like it is waiting for the 1st Army HQ to arrive.

So we are closing this chapter with things looking up. Ponape may be saved and the Philippines will have American soldiers arriving soon. What...could go...wrong..?!?

 

[stnylan]

What could go wrong?--- everything

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter One Hundred-Three : Surprises!

Japanese Attack On Hawaii!
​

We open this chapter on the East Coast. It looks like the 2nd Army Transport Fleet is in Philadelphia filling up on supplies and fuel. And I assume Philly sandwiches.

Then we received the news that Vichy France was thinking about joining the Axis. That's okay with me. Just more territory the Axis powers would have to protect because the Vichy French were not going to be able to protect all that land by themselves!

I peeked at the Island of Ponape and noticed a stalemate. The Japanese were not moving and neither were the Americans attacking them. If this continued the Japanese Marines would likely run out of supplies and be trapped on their tiny little Island of Kosrae.

Then all Hell broke loose. First I got a report of Japanese Carrier Planes launching a Ground Attack on Honolulu!

Then the 1st Transport Fleet launched their own Ground Attack on the Japanese on Kosrae.

THEN I got a report that American pilots had launched their own attack on the Japanese CAGs. It seems the P-36s stationed at Pearl had bounced on the approaching Japanese planes. The Japanese carrier pilots were now going to face land based American fighter pilots. A Japanese CAGs Group vs. a American Fighter Group!

THEN the American Infantry Divisions started the invasion of Kosrae. The Americans outnumbered the Japanese and were better Organized. The American Leader was also Superior to their No-Leader.

Still, it felt like a waste of men and equipment. The Japanese were pretty much trapped there and were harmless at this point. But I guess it is better to clean up and not just leave them there to cause trouble.

Still, I did get some good news when it was reported we sunk a Japanese Transport out of Tokyo on its way to Truk. So I assume fuel and supplies went down to the sea floor. As Truk was a Objective Tag of the Marines this was very good news indeed!

Yet we know what is going to happen next. If the Japanese bomb an island they invade that island! The Japanese are going to try to invade Honolulu!

 

[Bullfilter]

Well, this could get interesting! At least Honolulu is defended by more than just HQs. I suppose it would be too much to expect one of the US fleets to saunter on over to perhaps disrupt the attacking fleet? Those Philly sandwiches are quite tasty I’m sure, but the USS Bullfilter might be better value fighting the Japanese. What is its fleet commander AI thinking? Oh, not very much.

 

[stnylan]

The Japanese AI seems to be rather more ambitious than your own.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter One Hundred-Four : Air Clashes Over Pearl

"Oh No You Don't!"
​

We open this chapter with me peeking over at the Battle of Kosrae. Things don't look good for the Japanese. I was right about their supply problem as their lack of supplies is hurting them. They have dug in and are fighting for, what they think of, their own soil. But it won't help them if they don't have ammo for their rifles.

Then I got a report from Honolulu. 89 American soldiers were killed in the Japanese Ground Attack.

And hour later I got a report from Kosrae where American CAGs had killed 32 Japanese defenders.

I also noticed that the 1st Transport Fleet was leaving the port of Ponape. And yes, it was heading east but I had no idea where it was planning to end up. Even while it was on the move it looked like it planned to bomb the heck out of the Japanese on Kosrae.

In fact they launched another Ground Attack on Kosrae even as they sailed away.

The Japanese also launched another Ground Attack on the defenders of Hawaii.

At this point I am somewhat worried. Honolulu is going to be invaded. I know it. And it will be a rich prize to the Japanese if they took it!

As I worried the P-36s went up to clash with the Japanese pilots.

This planes were not the outdated biplanes of the US Carrier Attack Groups. There were Curtiss P-36s which made up the 1st Naval Fighter Group. My hope they would be able to take on the Japanese pilots as equals.

The American pilots who bombed Kosrae reported killing another 40 Japanese soldiers. The defenders in Hawaii reported the death of 32 American soldiers to the Japanese Ground Attack.

Sadly, the Japanese CAGs were not done yet. They launched another Ground Attack on the American defenders of Pearl Harbor.

I noticed that the Japanese CAGs were already showing some losses. I am not sure if it was to the anti-guns or the American pilots but they had lost 38 aircraft and their pilots.

Wishing to make sure my own pilots lasted as long as possible I gave the 1st Naval Fighter Group and the USN Patrol Bomb. Group 1 priority on upgrades and reinforcements.

Even as I did so the Fighter Group launched themselves into the skies to clash with the Japanese pilots. Let us hope they can keep this up!

So we close this chapter without a sign of the invasion force but we know it is out there. Coming right at us! Hide your daughters and grab your guns boys! Time to protect American territory! We'll show those Imperial Japanese that they can't take out imperial possessions! Oh wait....forget that last part...

 

[Bullfilter]

Shaping up to be a good aerial battle over Oahu - both sides showing some wear and tear. A side-by-side intel report comparing the P-36s to whatever the Japanese CAGs are using (some Zero variant I assume) would be interesting, to compare their key characteristics at this point, if such is possible. If not, no probs, we’ll just sit back and enjoy the fireworks. You should get that Mauser out and take some defiant pot shots at those marauding Japanese: that’s what it was originally made for, after all!

 

[Eurasia]

Okay, @Bullfilter, I went and peeked at the Japanese and the UK. I did get a brief glance at the Japanese Fleet near Hawaii. This information will not help me as the AIs are in control of my Armed Forces. And this information was gathered from the current save which is the one after this last session and, therefore, will not change the outcome of the upcoming chapters.

Enjoy!

This three aircraft have been pulled from three different nations. The Japanese aircraft from their Carrier Attack Groups, the Americans aircraft from the Fight Group, and the British Aircraft, for comparison, from one of their Carrier Attack Groups. Please take into account that the Japanese and American aircraft had recently been in combat when these stats were taken and does not reflect them at their full strengths.

 

[Bullfilter]

Thanks very much @Eurasia! So the US P-36s are a bit sub-par compared to the IJN CAGs, but not by too much. Should be a decent fight!

 

[stnylan]

I love the Swordfish

Well hopefully the Japanese aircraft will suffer greatly regardless of what happens on the ground.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter One Hundred-Five : Japanese Invasion Of Hawaii

American Infantry Taking Cover​

We open this chapter with a report from Honolulu. The Japanese aircraft had killed another 99 American soldiers after their last Ground Attack.

Hoping to toughen up the Divisions defending the Island I prioritized the Honolulu Garrison Division's right and 90th Marine Division's right to upgrades and reinforcements. Hawaii needs to be protected at all costs. Problem is the two Divisions are controlled by two different Theaters and I fear, in this case, they may not decide to help each other. The Navy may not understand that just shifting the Garrison one province over could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Because I knew what was about to happen. I knew we needed to combine the Divisions together to protect Honolulu.

At this point I was notified that a Mexican spy had been captured. Of course we dealt with him by feeding him Mexican-American food. He died crying out in horror.

At this point I wanted to see if the American soldiers on Ponape were getting enough supplies and fuel to keep them in the fight with the Japanese. It looked like they could get the supplies and fuel they needed but had not? Maybe a convoy had been sunk or stopped?

I went to peek at the convoys and found a few were not working out of the 43 Convoys Running. So I closed two of them. To be honest, as the USA, we had enough resources already.

The convoy to Ponape from San Diego already had as many Transports as it could handle so I just added another Escort to the convoy to help protect them.

An hour later the American CAGs launched another Ground Attack in the Japanese on the Island of Kosrae. It looked like the Japanese defenders were in deep hurt. At least from the look of their stats.

And the Japanese CAGs were launching their own Ground Attack on Honolulu. I just hope the HQ units can give the Marines some additional firepower against the Japanese aircraft.

Once again all hell broke loose. First one of our convoys heading to China was attacked by the Japanese. They destroyed a Transport and a Escort. Darn it. I wonder if they are planning to attack China again?

Then the American pilots launched into the skies to take on the Japanese CAGs.

But even as the aircraft screamed and clashed in the skies like angry birds the Japanese started to land soldiers onto the beaches. At least two Divisions.

The Americans were outnumbered. True, the Japanese were still unloading from their landing craft and the defending Americans were dug in. But everything pointed to defeat unless some NEW factor changed. It didn't help that the Japanese invasion Fleet was also supporting their men with their big guns.

So now the 98th was being bombed by the Japanese aircraft and slowly being encircled by the Japanese soldiers swarming onto the shores. It was not good.

If only the Garrison would join in. After all it was their own HQ Theater that was at threat.

So we close this chapter with the Invasion of Hawaii and the fate of the Navy in the balance!