American AAR : AI Experiments In HoI3

[Bullfilter]

Halsey - he old bull in the China (Japan? ) shop - gets away with it. Phew. You could have a Jollibee burger in that sunflower garden in Tagum - their logo is not dissimilar. I wouldn’t though - it could be more hazardous than a Wimpy burger (if they are still a thing) in England!

 

[roverS3]

I say we thank the weather for this one. That Heavy Cruiser is very lucky to remain afloat, if the skies had been clear, the combination of Battleship fire and massed naval strikes would have crippled her. Of course, we might also take into consideration the possibility that Halsey actively sought to retreat from the Battle as quickly as possible...

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Five : Losing Control

"See This Nation Mr. President? They're Kicking Our Butt."​

This chapter starts with the Japanese pilots launching another Ground Attack on Phoenix Island.

​

As this was happening I went to cheer myself up by peeking at the 1st Army Transport Fleet. Look! It's almost to the Mediterranean Sea. Soon my own "Operations" will begin. Yes, I have three planned before giving the 1st Army HQ control of the 1st Army again.

As time was allowed to roll on the results of the Ground Attack on Phoenix Island was reported. Another 78 American soldiers had met a sad fate.

At the same time the Japanese pilots were withdrawing from the sky over Phoenix Island their grounded counterparts in the Philippines launched an attack on the Province of Tagum. A Maine Division against the 10th Mountain Division commanded by Bradley.

This attack was somewhat weird because, from what I could tell, if the Japanese won they would end up abandoning the Province of Manay to occupy Tagum.

I also noticed that the 7th Armoured Division was heading north. Wonderful! They could do some damage if they got deep behind the enemy lines. There's a Port right next to Tacloban! Even if they get cut off as long as they take a Port they can get supplies and bring in Divisions BEHIND the Japanese!

On top of that there was a Research breakthrough. We had an advancement in Armoured Car Armour.

Then bad news. We ran out of Diplomacy. And we could no longer Influence other nations. Bad news. Real bad news.

Sadly, there isn't much I can do about this. I can't shift all my Leadership Points into Diplomacy. As it is my Intelligence kind of sucks and I am not taking anything away from my Research or Officers.

I hope half of the Americans don't join the Axis. That could turn it into a war zone as the other nations were forced to choose sides.

As I thought about a three-sided war in South America it was announced that the Japanese pilots were back launching a Ground Attack on Phoenix Island.

A few hours later they left behind another 96 dead American soldiers.

​

So we close this chapter with the threat of South America becoming a chaotic battle zone as Nimitz gets closer and closer to the Port of Cagliari.

 

[stnylan]

Well, a lack of (AI) leadership seems quite in keeping with the rest of this campaign

 

[Eurasia]

Dear Citizens! As you know our boys in the Pacific Ocean are fighting hard to keep you safe! But are you DOING your part? Sure, you go to work, building those Liberty Ships, casting those gun barrels, and canning that Spam(TM)! But how many sick days do you take off? Are you as effective at work as you could be? Do you feel tired and unmotivated?

To help you become a more efficient employee we'll be showing you this very important short brought to you by our friends in Hollywood! Enjoy!

Thank you Citizens! We hope you enjoyed this public announcement from the Food Police. Remember, we're watching. Every cake you bake, every pie you make. We'll be watching you. Even while you sleep.

 

[Bullfilter]

Food for thought, indeed.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Six : Chaos In The Americans

Catching A Few Zs (1)​

This chapter starts off with some good news. In a way. A small Japanese Fleet was pounced on by some of the American CAGs. And to be honest I am not sure which Carrier Group they came from. I was just happy they were doing their job!

Looks like a Light Cruiser and a Landing Craft flotilla that was already suffering some damage. I wonder where they were heading?

Back at Phoenix Island the Japanese pilots were back with some bombs for the American defenders.

I was soon told that the Naval Strike against the small Japanese Fleet had come to an end. I wish I knew how much damage had been done but I guess, realistically, reports from the many pilots would have been sketchy at best. Even if they could agree on who hit what.

At least the 1st Marine Transport Fleet was heading into the Port of Ponape Island. That's kind of a safe place. It had a Infantry Division on guard and plenty of allied patrols in the nearby waters. That cheered me up a tad.

A report from Phoenix report ruined my cheer. Another 41 American soldiers had died.

The Japanese were soon back, shortly after lunch, with fresh bombs. They killed another 50 American Soldiers.

And while this was happening a American Submarine Group sailed RIGHT through the Japanese Invasion Fleet. Thanks a LOT Navy! You're so helpful. *sigh*

I KNOW they couldn't have done anything about it, really, but COME ON! The Marine AI KNOWS what is happening! Why not send in SOME of the Fleets?!?!

Moving on to better news it seems the Americans have launched another attack on the Province of Manay. Looks like the 98th Divisions is crossing a river but still I think the deck is stacked in favor of the Americans. I don't think the Japanese Marines have anything that can handle Tank Armour. How many Tanks are you going to run into in the jungle?

Well, now that I think about it...in this timeline...a lot.

Than bad news as the rest of the Americas, and a few other nations, escaped my influence. NOOOOOOOOO!

Well, that WAS a lot....what? There are a few more. Oh boy....

Done? Good. That WAS a lot of Nations. So much for the Pan-American Union! But hopefully other Allies start to influence them or even, maybe, the Comintern picks up a few. Anybody but the Axis!

But at least I get to end this chapter on a good note. Victory! The American won the Battle for Manay!

It cost the US 13 soldiers while costing the Japanese 16 Marines which suggests both sides are REALLY starting to feel the pressure of prolonged combat. But as long as we OCCUPY the Province before something else happens I will be happy.

So a mixed chapter. But at this point a mixed chapter is about as good as it is going to get for the American military.

We have been fighting since November 11th, 1941. Just about ten months. Ten months and the Japanese have swept the Americans from most of the islands and have occupied part of Hawaii. The only spot where they have been stopped has been in the Island of Mindanao. Talk about the world turned upside down!

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Author's Note:

1. That foxhole looks like a grave. Just saying.

 

[roverS3]

Finally, the two tank Divisions have a good chance to be linked back up with the rest of the Philippines front. Let's hope that they manage to grab a second port, that could be a game-changer, squeezing Japanese supply lines and augmenting your own.

 

[Bullfilter]

I think that was more good than bad. A US CAG attack and victory in Manay, reuniting the units on the western Mindanao coast? Hoorah!

Yes, it does look a bit like a grave, but if the mortars start hitting when you’re asleep, less likely to end up in a real one. It’s quieter, too, good for a sleep.

 

[stnylan]

Well if Manay can be secured, and some supplies - however few - get delivered than all in all a positive event.

 

[Eurasia]

AI Experiments In HoI3
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Seven : So Salty

So Tired​

This chapter opens with the Japanese hitting the Island of Phoenix with another Ground Attack. Very early in the morning. I pray some of the soldiers got SOME sleep.

The result was 142 American soldiers dying in the attack. As this report came in I went to peek at 1st Army Transport Fleet. It was almost off the coast of Spain. Yes, I was growing impatient.

The Japanese pilots were back with the morning sun to launch a Ground Attack on Phoenix Island. As you can see the battle is almost lost to the Americans. Defeat will likely happen within a few days.

The result of the Ground Attack was another 70 American soldiers dead.

At the same time this is happening the 7th Amoured Division did something stupid. It sensed the Marine Division behind it trying to cut it off and turned around to attack it. Never mind that there was a Japanese occupied Port it could liberate that could easily supply it AND allow American units to land behind enemy lines. NOOO! Let's do the short-sighted stupid thing.

Of course the Battle was a failure. The American Tankers lost 2 men while the Japanese lost 7 men.

And back at the Phoenix Island the Japanese CAGs had returned shortly after lunch. I hope the Americans were able to finish their meals before the bombs started to drop.

The end result was another 50 American defenders dead. I wonder how many of them are looking forward to being captured and being sent to a nice peaceful POW camp?

And the 7th Armoured Division attacked the Japanese Marines again. Of course they did.

Look at that. They have burned through half of their Supplies already! They got to focus! The one thing a AI in a war game HAS to do is FOCUS on the long term goals! And the one thing the Hearts of Iron Three AIs can't do is FOCUS! They can't even remember what they were doing in past Save Files!

And so I close sounding very tired and salty. Sorry about that. But even a new player would had directed the 7th north and would have ignored the short term threat of being cut off. This could have changed the balance of power in the Philippines! *sigh*

Oh, and Radio Range for the HQs really need to be longer. How can the units get bonuses from the OOB when they are too far away from their HQs?

 

[stnylan]

I guess it is a matter of perspective. In my recent HoI4 Australia game the Japanese AI was so focused on seizing Rabaul I lost count of the number of amphbious attacked they launched, or the tens of the thousands of dead, over a three year period.

 

[VonMudra]

This is just awful. I know I keep saying it, but please, end this nightmare, take control, get some kinda semblance of order and supply....

 

[Bullfilter]

Frustrating, but that’s also what the AI gets for sending an armoured division to do a leg infantry division’s job. They have to keep supplied and fuelled. Ah well, it seems the US AI has a lower IQ than the Japanese one.

 

[diskoerekto]

. Ah well, it seems the US AI has a lower IQ than the Japanese one.

That's one thing I fail to get. If the problem was with general AI of the game, Japan would be as hapless as USA regarding handling two separate and faraway fronts. It seems Japan AI can do things while USA AU cannot. Weird.

 

[Eurasia]

That's one thing I fail to get. If the problem was with general AI of the game, Japan would be as hapless as USA regarding handling two separate and faraway fronts. It seems Japan AI can do things while USA AU cannot. Weird.

I think it has to do with the fact that nation's AI are kind of hardwired to research certain technology and build certain units. In other words I think Japan is kind of geared for Naval warfare. For example, every time I peek at it via Intelligence it is making more Naval Bombers, Marines, and ships than anything else. This gives it a clear advantage in operations in a ocean. AS my forces were designed with more of an balance in mind they are not doing so well. The AI are not that different - just the Japanese has more equipment designed for marine operations.

 

[Eurasia]

This is just awful. I know I keep saying it, but please, end this nightmare, take control, get some kinda semblance of order and supply....

I have taken control - of the 1st Army.

 

[diskoerekto]

I think it has to do with the fact that nation's AI are kind of hardwired to research certain technology and build certain units. In other words I think Japan is kind of geared for Naval warfare. For example, every time I peek at it via Intelligence it is making more Naval Bombers, Marines, and ships than anything else. This gives it a clear advantage in operations in a ocean. AS my forces were designed with more of an balance in mind they are not doing so well. The AI are not that different - just the Japanese has more equipment designed for marine operations.

In @Bullfilter ’s AAR, Japan is strong in pacific and fighting on the ground to get to Ural Mountains. Apparently some country specific AI adjustment is not right but I don’t know what. Have you ever thought about editing the USA AI files?

 

[Eurasia]

In @Bullfilter ’s AAR, Japan is strong in pacific and fighting on the ground to get to Ural Mountains. Apparently some country specific AI adjustment is not right but I don’t know what. Have you ever thought about editing the USA AI files?

I would have no idea how to start with editing the AI files. I would fear making them stupider.

 

[Eurasia]

Folks,

Just to let you know I am not as salty or as depressed as I may seem. First, I have the "Good" AAR to love - I am talking about The Road Of Queens. Also I am using what I learn here to work with the AI more effectively.

Spoiler: Future AAR

I am testing out playing Japan. Japan was always a nation that kind of scared me game-wise. Spread out, lacking resources and IC, kind of a small military. But I wanted to try it out and maybe write a detailed, mostly text, AAR of it. So I have been testing what I have learned again and again about the AI. And what I have learned is better simple. You have to work WITH it.

The AI had control of the Kwantung OOB while I had control of the Imperial General OOB and all the Naval and Air units. In the first year, by the way, I let the AI Auto-Trade. Trying to keep Japan above water is very hard and the math-crunching AI is just going to be better at it. All ground units created in that year (a Mountain Corps and a Cavalry Corps) were given to the Kwantung while I did my best to produce some more air units AND build roads AND increase the number of Convoys/Escorts we had and....there is never enough ICs.

I mobilized the military forces in May of 1937 and triggered the Marco Polo Incident on the 2nd or 3rd of June.

As you can see Japan won by October. Doing this time period much of the Chinese Navy was destroyed and the rest killed by the Carrier Task Forces while hiding in port. The Submarines and Naval Bombers hunted out and killed a lot of enemy convoys while my own was, mostly, untouched. The AI also tried to do it's best to keep up with our soldiers moving south by sending supplies to each port as I occupied them. With the enemy Navy out of the picture the Carriers could hit enemy troops while the rest of the Navy hunted convoys.

So within just over four months the Republic of China (and Shanxi) became part of the Empire of Japan.

True, my Industry still sucks and I need more convoys and in order to take those ports I have to strip the main islands of most of its Infantry Divisions which will have to be returned to home islands . But Japan won.

I plan to continue to play the game to get a feel of Japan and then, once the American AAR is over, I want to see if I can make a realistic, third person, Japanese AAR. Maybe.