United States Set from Historical Board Gaming!


  • Coach, I am in for pre-orders.  Excellent choice of a stand alone USN fleet.  May I suggest a Baltimore Class heavy Cruiser and a Birmingham Class Light or Atlanta Class.  Otherwise excellent potential line up.  My Marines arrived today, but I can’t check them out until I get back from ND.  I am sure that they are a high quality product.  Bring on a USN line up you have my support. :-D :-D :-D


  • Tall Paul and Coach, excellent idea, I would truly enjoy an AA Naval only game,  Might leave in Islands that you must capture using our new Marines for attack and defense air and naval bases.  Ships normally do not control a sea port or air base you have to have a small land force to maintain it.  This is where the Marines can come into play in a big way.  If Coach develops landing craft you need the proper forces to use them. THE USMC.

  • '14

    Here is my list:
    B-29
    PBY
    LCM
    LST
    Montana BB
    South Dakota. BB
    Alaska.  BC
    Atlanta. Light CA
    buckely. DD escort
    oiler
    sea plane tender.
    And the Essex class also!

    This would give alot of diversity in any game made or played!

  • Customizer

    Some ideas for a WW2 Naval game:
    The Marianas “Turkey Shoot”. 
    The Battle of Leyte Gulf.  I believe this is the battle that pretty much ended Japanese Naval Air power.
    The Battle of Suriago Straight.  This was the last time in history where fleets of battleships faced off and pounded each other.
    The Battle of Midway.
    The Battle of Coral Sea.

    There were also some big fleet battles in the Med between Royal Navy and the Italian Navy, but except for Taranto I can’t remember the names.  I know there was one during the invasion of Crete.


  • Cape Matapan was a big naval engagement between Regina Maria and the Royal Navy.  Coach, your line up for the USN just got better.
    I wondered why for years Avlon Hill never went for the Essex class seeing over 24 ea where built and used and several are sitting around as Naval memorials.  Keep up the excellent work.  Question, your B-29 Superfortress is it going to be a 1-700 scale model?  I have 4 of them and they look nice but are massive looking on the AA boards.  I like the idea of the Alaska Battle Cruiser and the Buckley Destroyer Escort.  Subs and Cruiser Forces will be hard pressed in the future.

  • Customizer

    @WARRIOR888:

    Tall Paul and Coach, excellent idea, I would truly enjoy an AA Naval only game,  Might leave in Islands that you must capture using our new Marines for attack and defense air and naval bases.  Ships normally do not control a sea port or air base you have to have a small land force to maintain it.  This is where the Marines can come into play in a big way.  If Coach develops landing craft you need the proper forces to use them. THE USMC.

    Warrior888,

    Yes, in describing a “universal” naval game I expected there to be several small but important land targets, whether they be resources, bases, potential new bases or whatever.  I just meant I wanted a game where the NAVAL aspect of the game is primary, not only an accessory to the land(IPC point) game.

    I’m thinking that base defense, recon, convoys, convoy escort, surface warfare, carrier warfare, bombardment, amphibious warfare, etc. would all be important facets of the NAVAL game I’m hoping for(hint hint Coach).  I also think a large open area allowing for naval battles on the map would be good.

    You know, what I’m describing sounds a bit like the Solomons Campaign.  The A&A GUADALCANAL game is already out.  I have this game but have yet to play it.  My gaming group is still too engrosed in 1940-Global, right now.  I originally bought it for the Hellcat fighters and airbase markers.  The Hellcats look so much better on my CV’s than P-38s,… and I buy the Victory marker houses(from HBG) paint them Gray and decal them(I-94) for somewhat 3D air/naval bases.  although I’ve read some discussion somewhwere that either HBG or FMG were to someday make air/naval bases as well as ICs.

    Anyway, with all the collective brain-power that is available on this forum I think A “universal” A&A NAVAL game would not only be possible, but FUN.  And if if would serve as another reason to develope all of these additional naval units,…great!

    “Tall Paul”

  • Customizer

    Also, here is my “list”, and why.

    an AO Oiler                To add a logistics capability to the game.
        an LCVP “Higgins” boat. The most iconic and necessary of the WW2 landing craft.
        an LCM                      Especially if "Coach"s new Sherman tank will fir IN it.
        an LST                      Another iconic and very useful ship for our gameplay
        an AV Seaplane Tender  To add Recon capabilities to the game
        a  PBY seaplane            "  "      "          "        "    "    "
        an Essex class CV        A necessary item to any WW2 US Navy
        an Atlanta class CLAA  For additional anti-aircraft defense
        a Montana class BB      WOW!  Need I say more?
        as many OTHER CLASSES of (BB) Battleships, NEW and OLD as can be made.
        a B-29 Superfortress.  Would add a VLR Heavy Bomber capability to the game.

    Other units such as a Alaska class BC would be welcome, and I would certainly buy it also, although it’s not on my “necessary” list.

    With these new units a very real improvement/evolution can be made to our A&A gameplay.  I feel very good that the “Coach” is the one throwing out ideas for new units as HE is the one that will get them produced!

    And if it would help get these units produced, I would right now be very happy to put money towards a pre-order.  I’m sure a lot of others would, too “Coach”, but it’s you’re call on that.

    p.s.–I also think an OIL DERRICK would be useful but the “Coach” might be able to get the ones already made from the “Wildcatter” game(BIG HINT HINT).

    What does everyone think???
                                                                                  “Tall Paul”


  • Tall Paul
    A 100 percent Naval game that would pitch ships and air squadrons against each other would be awesome.  You would most likely want D-12s.
    This could eliminate the two hit battleship, make it a 4 hit ship instead.  All ships would represent single units not an entire fleet of warships.  You would have ports to build ships based on IPCs from controlled sea zones and Islands.  If some player only wanted to build say Battleships let him, You could build a well balanced fleet that would totally defeat such a player.  Convoy routes would have to be defended by Jeep carriers, Cruisers and Destroyers.  Additional IPCs could be gained by say moving a 20 ship convoy from Pearl harbor to New Caladonia if 12 ships get thru to the seaport than you gain 12 or 24 IPCs.  It might take 4 to 6 turns to make the crossing.  This would give an aggressive IJN player if he had built the right forces several times to attack the same convoy.  If he didn’t you would gain alot of IPCs in short order. You could even add wolf packs and super subs to a Naval game like this with ease.

  • Sponsor '17 TripleA '11 '10

    I was going to take on the task of making such a game ( Midway / Coral Sea) this winter, but it sounds like I better step it up. What do you say everybody? I will start a new thread for ideas on layout, rules, etc. so everyone can air ideas.

  • Sponsor '17 '13 '11 '10

    I’m working on a Pearl Harbor game that will have some neat twists.

  • Customizer

    “Coach”,

    The Pearl Harbor attack is my primary interest in WW2.  It being so unequal as the actual attack was it would seem an uphill challenge to make a game out of this.

    @coachofmany:

    I’m working on a Pearl Harbor game that will have some neat twists.

    I guess you might have alternate storylines, such as the Americans were alerted before the attack or something???

    I would be very interested in finding out what your neat twists might be???

    There was an EXCELLENT book that just came out about Pearl Harbor only a few months ago.  It was an analitical overview of the plan, it’s goals, and it’s execution,…down to the individual bomb hits/misses.  It had a LOT of reasearch that went in to it.  It de-bunked a lot of rumors and myths.  I consider it a “MUST READ” and it tells what really specifically happenned.  I’ll find it and give the title/author soon.

    Anyway,  Thanks again for all your work in making our A&A experiences better.

    “Tall Paul”


  • like the sub that got into the harbour and sank the arizona?

  • Customizer

    cminke,

    @cminke:

    like the sub that got into the harbour and sank the arizona?

    First off, the ARIZONA was NOT sunk by a sub, and after the sunken ship had a thorough inspection, was to a large degree of certainty believed not to have been struck by any torpedo in the attack.

    I’m sure I know exactly what you’re making reference to.  A picture showing the
    “alleged” rooster tails of a subs screws after firing on the OKLAHOMA.  I myself thought this might have some substance to it, especially as it was the subject of a TV show converning this.  But you should really check out this book.  All of the disenting viewpoints that contradicted what the producers of the “sensationallizing” TV show were deliberately NOT shown so as to extremely slant the viewpoint of the show.  Get the book, read it, you will find out HISTORY the way it really happenned.

    It’s a real shame that so much of what the world knows about this attack is theory and/or myth which many people regard as FACT,…and therefore our HISTORY suffers.

    The name of the book that I’m recommending is:
    Attack on Pearl Harbor: Strategy, Combat, Myths, Deceptions. by Alan Zimm

    I just looked it up on Amazon Books.  You should at least read the Product Description and Reviews even if you don’t by it.

    This book is an IN-DEPTH research of all aspects of the battle and by his thorough analysis reaches significant conclusions.  For example he completely accounts for all of the Japanese midget subs as well as other evidence to disprove the above
    theory of a sub firing at the OKLAHOMA.

    The author starts with a clean slate and no predetermined bias or theories to prove and lets the evidence speak for itself.  A few issues aren’t capable of being completely determined beyond any doubt and he says so.

  • Customizer

    So there are some people that believe the Japs actually got a sub INTO Pearl Harbor?  Interesting.  I heard that the US Navy sunk a Jap sub but it was outside of the harbor.

    A game that re-writes Pearl Harbor?  That’s kind of interesting.  Like what if the US was alerted and mobilized it’s battleships instead of having them all sitting there like prime targets?  Or better yet, got some planes up into the air? 
    OR, what if the US carriers were in the harbor?  Then it would be even worse for the US.
    Would this game stand alone or would it show an effect on the rest of the Pacific war?


  • The history channel or miltary channel had a show called Myths of Pearl harbour it was excellent. If you guys get a chance watch it. Very well done. They actually found the sub that we fired on with the shell hole in the turret. Kind a cool knowing that was the first shot fired in the Pacific conflict.

  • Customizer

    YES,…There WAS a mini-sub that ENTERRED the harbor, shot a torpedo(a miss at a Cruiser), and was rammed by a Destroyer.  However it did NOT fire at the USS ARIZONA or any of the other Battleships!

    The book I just posted about, Attack on Pearl Harbor: Strategy, Combat, Myths, Deceptions by Alan Zimm accounts for ALL of the mini-subs, their accomplishments(if any), and their fate.  It gives an analytical report coverring ALL aspects of the attack, practically down to every bomb or torpedo.  It’s a real eye-opener and done through many personal interviews with IJN pilots, staff, US sailors and soldiers, and a LOT of RESEARCH !  One of the BEST books I’ve read in a long time.  I wish every AMERICAN would either read this book, or have it taught to them in school.  It debunks a lot of the myths concerning this very important battle.

    Such As:

    The attack was “brilliantly” planned and executed.  A lot of information here.  You will have your eyes opened.

    No 3rd wave attack was ever requested by Fuchida.  This is verified by the planner of the mission Genda, and several other leading pilots or ships staff that were “there” and had a large “Say” in the matter.

    An attack on the Oil Tanks would NOT have forced the retreat of the fleet  back to the US mainland coast.  Admiral Nimitz said it would have,…but that was to “cover up” the existance of the underground oil storage facilities just coming into existance.

    An attack on the Repair Shops and Facilities couldn’t have had any major effect on the fleets capabilities.  For many, many reasons this attack couldn’t have been successful in even “denting” the repair capacities on Pearl Harbor.

    -----------------------------

    So much of what Americans mistakenly believe as “history” are what we see in the movies, correct or not.  These movies are usually based on a book or books.    Many of the historian/authors of the Pearl Harbor attack and the Battle of Midway were based on Fuchida’s book: “Midway, The Battle that Doomed Japan”(? I think I have the title correct) that has been proven by other Japanese to be a  self-serving face-saver for him and his accomplishments.

    To read a FANTASTIC book that really puts the record straight on these two battles, as well as many other facets of the Japanese Naval war effort, you should read:
    Shatterred Sword, The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway", by Parshall and Tully

    –---------------------------

    As far as “alternate” storylines for the “Coach’s” game,…

    The Carrier USS ENTERPRISE was expected to have been back at Pearl Harbor on Saturday Dec. 6, 1941 but was delayed due to heavy weather.  This is what happenned in REAL LIFE.  The “Coach” might say it wasn’t delayed by weather, or was “alerted” to the unfolding attack in his game.

    The attack on the Japanese mini-sub just off the harbor entrance by the Destroyer USS WARD and a PBY seaplane was acted upon quickly without waiting for confirmation and the alarm was sounded(as it should have been).

    The report of a large incoming air formation from the radar station on Opana Point(?) was believed and acted upon(as it should have been).

    -----------------------------

    Their are so many Ifs and Possibilities that I guess it would make for an VERY INTERESTING “what if” game.  Plus, I’d love to see the A&A sized “Old” Battleships that “Coach” has proposed to make.  The book mentioned above also gives several differrent possible outcomes due to changed possibilities.

    -----------------------------

    “Coach”,…Sign me up as a DEFINATE SALE !  I will buy your Pearl Harbor Game because it sounds like it would be so much FUN and have so many differrent  possible outcomes.

    Do we get any more hints about it,…or when you might release it for sale???

    “Tall Paul”

  • '10

    @GoSanchez6:

    The history channel or miltary channel had a show called Myths of Pearl harbour it was excellent. If you guys get a chance watch it. Very well done. They actually found the sub that we fired on with the shell hole in the turret. Kind a cool knowing that was the first shot fired in the Pacific conflict.

    You can find it online here:

    http://documentaryheaven.com/the-myths-of-pearl-harbour/

    There’s also a decent doco out there about the midget subs that got into Sydney Harbour in an attempt to sink allied shipping. I can’t remember the name of it though.


  • tall paul,

    thanks for reminding me…i was doubting my own facts(does not happen often.)
    i think you saw the same documentay as me on the decovery chaned about the “fish tails”. 
    all i could reber was ARIZONA so i just took a shot at it (i missed :P)


  • or was it the histoy chanel… i can remember :P

  • Customizer

    cminke,

    Yes, I’m certain it was the same show you’re talking about.  I certainly NOT call it a documentary though.  After reading about how the producers of that show intentionally deleted any and all evidence that conflicted with the SENSATIONALIZED program, I would call it what it is,…a TV show made simply for the ratings by sensationallizing (and falsely slanting) the story.

    By the way, if you have even the slightest interest in the Attack on Pearl Harbor you should at least look at the Product Description and Reviews of it on Amazon Books,…even if you don’t buy it.  It’s REALLY worth it’s price, though.  Great Book!

    Are you interested in the “Coach’s” Pearl Harbor game like I am?  It sounds like it could be a very interesting game that might not ever have the same outcome.  A bit refreshing if you ask me.  And all of the COOL old Battleship in A&A scale!  I hope we will all be able to “Climb Mount Tanaka” and have our very own “Tora, Tora, Tora” games soon(Hint, Hint, “Coach”).
                                                                                    “Tall Paul”

Suggested Topics

  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 16
  • 11
  • 3
  • 10
  • 185
Axis & Allies Boardgaming Custom Painted Miniatures

47

Online

17.0k

Users

39.3k

Topics

1.7m

Posts