herbiesan vs Cantona - the actual picture

[1275psi]

Here is the latest Imperial braodcast detailing the glorious events from the front. (read this as you will[:D])

Japanese Army forces have liberated the city of Sinyang from the evil Chinese army, and will now continue the assualt into the heart of the chinese criminal organisation.
This victory it is hoped may encourage the Chinese goverment of American and British lackeys to come to a peaceful settlement.

Our Armies are currently resting in Burma -where the airforce is continuing to destroy large numbers of allied fighters.
Allied reports of bombing raids on Moulimien are vastly exagerrated -no damage has been sustained at all.

Our Navy and army are continuing to fortify the solomons -and are hunting down scattered Australian troops in PNG.

A great Navy battle has been fought in the south pacific
Japanese battleships and cruisers have inflicted a stunning defeat on the enemy -sinking at least 3 battleships, for "heavy damage to the Nagato"
reports of her sinking are denied.
Our Navy bombers "are inflicting a terrible toll" on the allied merchant ships that are supporting an invasion of an island called Tarawa - Navy official spokesperson says that "This island holds no military import -yet will be taken back as part of the continuing southern drive to isolate Austarlia"

Also in a statement to the parliment today supreme war leader Herbiesan denied that the
CV's Akagi and Kaga had been sunk in the operations against Port Moresby -and invited journalists to an inspection of the ships at Hiroshima -"where a routine refit is taking place"
Work on Akagi includes the removal of all of the ship above the waterline -rebuilding of all the hangers and flight decks, fitting of a new improved bridge, new boilers and engines -and associated work.
Navy spokespersons state "that work is expected to be completed speedily"
Work on Kaga includes "some hull repairs and a bum scrape"

readers are assured that the our forces continue to defeat the allies wherever they find them, and that a speedy conclusion to this war is soon to be expected.

[khyberbill]

Very interesting AAR. I have not yet read Cantona's yet to get his perspective of the war, but I enjoy yours. Please keep it up.

[1275psi]

here is the latest imperial report

The imperial navy and navy airforce continue to attrit the Ameriacn merchant marine near tarawa.
Our type 0 fighters have proven to be superior to the allied "wildcat" in all matters of air combat, and is rapidly bring the enemy to despair there

our outer defensive perimeter has been established in burma, the DEI's, the central pacific, and in the Northern pacific
In China the offensives continue - destroying "vast amounts" of enemy material.

reports of enemy success against our submarine arm are greatly exagerrated - the navy reports "that a new area of operations is being chosen, where chances of even greater success are expected"

reports of the Japanese carrier fleet deploying have been reported in several newspapers -bringing a stinging rebuke on"matters of security"

the Japanese army has called for the requisition "of as many flat bottomed boats/barges and the like' that can be gathered -for expected offensive operations in the south.

It is of this newspapers opinion thta the allies have fallen into a gigantic trap at tarawa -one that will soon close, leading surely to a negociated peace settlement as the allies realise the futility of continued attempts to pierce the ring of steel our army is building in the pacific

[1275psi]

Ive decided to concede tarawa for the next month at least - but intend to tie the allied CVs to the area for as long as I can.
2cv, 3cvl enroute

too few to take him on and gain tarawa back -just yet.
the trick will be to be in the area -but not to engage!

[1275psi]

Imperial HQ announces that 'Tarawa island will be nuetralised by a combination of type 0 operations, and the deployment of Japans "B17" equivelant -a glorious testament to japanese industry.

The new 4 engine bomber has struck the atoll - surely the beginning of the bombardment prior to the island again falling under the imperial banner.

further news - allied reports of sinking of our new carrier the Zuiho -are denied - the ship has in fact suffered"some engineering defects" -and requires a minor refit back in home waters.
High command has moved to re assure those "counting carriers" that the Imperial navy is not short on flight decks -as new hulls have been commisioned lately...........

[1275psi]

1/7/42

Its been a week or so since last post
Since then soryu and Hiryu and 3 cvl have come down to truk - had the Zuiho torpedoed by a ss -she is home safe now -announced there prescence near Kwal -and gone home -I think he still has a CV south of tarawa -not sure though.
I am raiding tarawa, and culling his fighters well - intend to simply make this an expensive place to supply and support.
The fleet remains in home waters -I will not risk splitting KB up again -thats not in the great plans interest.

I feel a cantona offensive will come very early in this game................

[1275psi]

And here is the news...

Goverment sources today announced the sinking of 4 large warships at Tarawa -probably heavy cruisers -by our naval bomber force operating from the Kwalejien islands.

This confirms that the high commands strategy of a ring of impenetrable "floating aircraft carriers" manned by lethal naval bombers, is one that the japanese nation can surely depend upon to bring this war to its conclusion.
When questioned on the continuing American occupation of tarawa, a japanese naval spokesperson stated that"there are no delays, or interuptions to our plans -that the island could be retaken"at our leisure"

Navy spokesperson also denied that the light carrier Zuiho was also damaged by enemy action -"allied submarines are incapable of hitting a barn door" -let alone a fast moving carrier.
In China -the Army announced that "a major offensive has successfully concluded" -it is believed that Pucheng may have fallen -although this has yet to be confirmed.

The Ministry of defence today announced that all domestic production of house hold goods"would be temporaily suspended" to aid military production - "a house wife can do with out a new pot -if it means one of our brave men has a rifle'

Comments by this reporter that Japan was very vulnerable to a naval blockade were dismissed as "stupid" -as the ocean is so big -enemy submarines will never even locate our ships -let alone sink any

[1275psi]

very nice day today
had withdrawn all fighters in burma back to rangoon and moulmien ect -and let cantona bomb mandalaby for a few days -no opposition
today moved all fighters back to the front -lots of a/c symbols -and just 12 planes to mandalaby
put every fighter on LRCAP over mandalaby -and cantona -seeing the symbol -swept it with 32 hurricanes and met 69 oscars, then 16 hurricanes met 74

he lost 36 planes for 2

a good day[:'(]

[1275psi]

Another update for those following cantona2 AAR

Last week has seen blows exchanged over Tarawa island by both air forces -I am just trying to attrit his supply convoys -occasionally showing him capital units to the north -just to keep him tied to the Area - I am hoping that my betties get a shot or two - last turn the Oklahoma was attacked -but missed.

Cantona is slowly growing stronger -and its starting to get more expensive to fight -another month or so and I will be the weaker here than him.
Very frustrated with repairs on Akagi -stuck on 53 system damage for nearly 2 weeks now -all other ships are repairing really well -just not her[:@]

Kaga is now at 15 system

Kido Bharu is at home -and not going anywhere
having a tough time now in Burma with my oscars -the pools are empty of them -I need Tonies!
game is good fun - Allied bombing starting to get heavier -and i am stretched.
awaiting next move...............

[1275psi]

merry christmas -back in a week or so!

[1275psi]

another update

The turns are rolling along very quickly at the moment - but nothing significant is happening

I think Cantona is still awaiting the counter attack on tarawa - it aint coming!
Sent some cruisers in to tarawa - sank a AK , out we go.
Steady air battles over tarawa - his heavies are gaining annoying experience bombing from the stratosphere -not hurting anything -and actually very good for the experience levels of my fighters

On this -I am bleeding air power -that for him is working -some zero units have been withdrawn for the 60 days, one unit disbanded in the gilberts.

Grand strategy remains on track -Im already defending -Akagi is STILL at 50 system damage -kaga at 11

47th sentai is back in the war at full strength -better catch that AAR up[8|]

[1275psi]

back from holidays -war updsate soon.

KB is lurking north east of Kwalejien - and his CVs are further east -could be a clash very soon!
(I think Cantona thinks most of KB near parishimo =it aint!)

[1275psi]

OK -a bit to relate so that you can see what Cantona's opponent has been up to -

last 2 weeks saw probes by cantona against Parishimo - these scared the crap out of me -
I detached Junyo and Hiyo up there -and detached Akagi's planes and sent them there as well

I think he took the sighting of CV planes from Akagi as a sign that KB was there - and has stopped what ever he was doing - hopefully it was a diversion.

4cv, 3cvl are just east of Kwalejien at the moment - and Im sure his CV's are further east as well.
Juno, HIYO are coming south to rebuild KB to almost full strength - Kaga and Akagi refuse to repair no matter what I do - 5 points each in 3 weeks[:@]

The Gilberts are getting harder to hold against his bombers -more fighters coming -but in Nik mod they always get through - so I will just use enough to make it expensive for Him
Abandoned tarawa re invasion plans- not worth the pain it would cause.

i had plans to hit next convoy coming in to tarwa -but want to avoid a CV battle until KB is 100% -to lose even one CV now is still not worth it -I remain committed to a early 43 , mid 43 battle -no earlier now

cantona seems committed to central pacific drive -not PNG invasion -based on planes in Aussie compared to central pacific

Suits me!
SS war is intense around gilberts - he is sinking a lot of barges -I can handle it

Boring game for cantona as I have already gone defensive - losing 2 fleet CVs early hurt -I need em back!

[1275psi]

Another update

The nasty Imperialists sent a small raid of 2 DDs to parishimo area -met by the only surface forces I can scrape up -a pg ASW group -but the bombers I have a plenty

One DD sunk I think for 1 pg lost overall

Kaga takes torps from a SS -that fail to explode -at kagoshima -THANKYOU GODS of WITP!
Tojo's and Tonies arriving now - Im truly hunkering down already(its only the 8th month of 42) -but Im sticking to the plan - hold fire until early 43.
Industry is ticking along very well -how nice to play a game with fuel to use -and despite a lot of cantona ss effort -I have no problems with the main convoy routes.

Its annoying how he squats SS in ports -but I live with it -Ill continue to use 90 experienced helens to kill em enroute

Game is highly enjoyable -and cantona is a great opponent -house rules of airfield size equals number of units you can operate from it is a real winner -great feel to the game.

Tarawa is deadlocked - I don't want to wreck multiple divisions and a lot of ships trying to take it back -and he certaintly does not have the strength to go any further -and I continue to kill AKs at a steady rate.
Tojos and new zero units have helped to I think

My view -based on base strength in Australia vs Noumea and the pacific -is its a central pacific push he is building, and not the PNG route

Last word -China -big clash west of nanning? coming- 4divisions about to enter the fray there -enough I think.

[1275psi]

Psssssst

Don't let cantona know -but I got a very firm fix on his CVs yesterday ---

Think it might be time to go raiding now!

[1275psi]

Update for the 27/8/42

War has gone quiet on my behalf
(about to change though)

Am pulling most navy planes out of gilberts, swinging to solomons -Tojos to defend gilberts as they arrive online

Burma -Tonies at the front -I will get aggressive again -for a while i suppose

Main news -KB about to strike Wake -purely a raid, annoyed with his bombers hitting me from there -so I will try to make em leave.

Intend this to be a raid, fade, come back again raid.
Scared stiff he will do another Akagi/Kga thing, but surely he can't be that lucky again!

[1275psi]

For those following Cantona's AAR against me - just a few words on the Wake "effort"


The most borked, woefully played turn I have done in years[8|]

Nothing worked
The BBs did not go in as planned ( 1 hex too far out)
I forgot the chance of mines ( IDIOT!)
Ships refuelled when I said don't -so KB did not move in and hit wake, or any ships there

Bork, bork, bork


I go home, much embarresed.

[Mike Solli]

Just for your info, when you set a TF to "Do not refuel" that means they won't refuel in port.  It has nothing to do with refueling any ships that are low on fuel (usually DDs) while steaming.  It's one of those persistant rumors that just never goes away.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Just for your info, when you set a TF to "Do not refuel" that means they won't refuel in port.  It has nothing to do with refueling any ships that are low on fuel (usually DDs) while steaming.  It's one of those persistant rumors that just never goes away.

I can confirm this by learning the frustrating way.

[1275psi]

Thank you!

Im still going off sack some captains -and to give myself the DUH! award for the week!

I bet cantona was pleased[:'(]
This whole Tarawa thing was pretty brilliant on his behalf -timed very well indeed.

My whole "antenna " tells me -get KB to Singapore - I have seen nothing of the brits for ages -and now he knows Im way east...............