Rebels (Canoerebel) vs. Redcoats (Miller) - Big B 192

[Canoerebel]

5/28/42 to 5/30/42
 
Phillipines:  Miller continues his mop up operations in the Phillipines, taking several islands and bases in the central part of the island chain.  What I'd really like to know is how badly fatigued and disorganized his forces are now that Manila has fallen.  Will he rest and refit, or is he anxious to get on with his major offensives?
 
Burma & Vicinity:  Miller lands at Port Blair on the 28th, but doesn't yet have enough to take the island from the Rangoon CD force garrison.  I forgot to mention in a previous post that Miller reconned Lashio for weeks and finally tried a paratroop assault perhaps a week ago.  It was one of those bad timing things - I had two Chinese divisions on the way and one got there the same turn the paratroops did.  Result:  300 paratroop casualties and the survivors retreated into the jungle.  The balance of Burma remains in a holding pattern at the moment.  I have Akyab, Mandalay, and Lashio while Miller has units close by.  He may be awaiting reinforcements or envelopment before taking further action here.
 
Miller's plans?:  With Manila gone, I'm most worried about Burma and NW Australia.  My least protected area - offering Miller easiest gains - are PM and New Caledonia and vicinity.  I think it most likely Milller will strike hardest in one or more of these areas.  Should he strike India, I want to be prepared to counter-strike on the "other side" of the map.
 
China:  I've ordered a deliberate attack at Kanhsien for the 31st.  I have 2200 AV there.  I believe Miller has about 30,000 troops.  His may well be prepped for Kanhsien while most of mine are prepped for Changsha.  On the 29th I receive sigint that Miller's Chinese Expeditionary Army is preparing for Changsha.  I only have about 1100 AV there at the moment while attending to Kanhsien and vicinity, so I want to wrap up this operation and redistribute my forces to bolster Changsha or press Nanchang.
 
CenPac:  A month or so ago I redeployed a strong CA force to Palmyra awaiting a chance to strike any Japanese supply convoys to Baker.  One was sighted several days ago and I issued the necessary orders, but for some reason my TF is dilly-dallying around.  It should have struck on the third night (which would be tonight), but instead it appears to be set to strike on June 1.  I feel exposed, but I'm proceeding.
 
SoPac:  A troop transport just arrived at Noumea and is unloading a base force (my first in New Caledonia).
 
SWPac:  Another troop transport just arrived at Brisbane and is unloading a base force there. 
 
West Coast:  I've gathered quite a few APs here and send a CD and 2 engineer units to Pearl, and another a base force to Pago Pago.
 
 

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

One question is what to do with my CVs.  I have four in Pearl, one in Melbourne, and Wasp is only about a month out of San Fran.

Best place to have your CV is where you can cover them with LBA. If you have sufficient air support in Noumea, that is where I would base them.

Alfred

[Canoerebel]

5/31/42 to 6/7/42

This stretch of turns covers the three days of the actual Battle of Midway.  But nothing remotely similar takes place - words and phrases best describing these eight days include: The Big Quiet, All Quiet in the Pacific, languid, relaxed, lethargic, zzzzz:  [>:]  I shouldn't complain though.  I know Miller is organizing and planning, and that eventually I'll face a massive strike force heading somewhere vital and making me sweat.

Reply to Alfred:  My strongpoints are Aukland, Pago Pago, and Pearl Harbor.  I don't want to venture too far forward until I'm sure I have the means to hold a base like Noumea.  I have started the build-up there - Noumea has two Australian brigades, a recently landed coastal artillery unit, and a newly landed base force with 90 aviation support.  I just deployed two PBY squadrons there.  The 1st Marine Raiders just left San Fran for Auckland, and the 1st Marine Division is loading and will soon head that way.  If they make it unmolested and the coast looks clear, I then may send the 2nd Marine Division (currently at Pearl, but fully prepped for Noumea) to Noumea.  That's probably 45 days off.

Air and surface combat:  There really was very little to report from the 31st through June 8th.  My surface combat TF hit a Japanese merchant convoy at Baker Island on the 1st, sinking two AKs and an MSW.  Tit-for-tat, though, as Miller's Ceylon airforce struck a transport convoy in a port in SW India, sinking two APs and damaging several others.  Fortunately, the transports had already unloaded an Indian division, which I then moved to Mangalore to serve as a reserve in case Miller invades Madras or another beach in southern India.  There was a pitched battle over Madras on the 31st, with Miller losing 10 aircraft to my 14.  The Allies (Blenheims and B-17s) also hit merchant shipping in Rangoon on the 5th, scoring a total of about 6 hits on several AK and an MSW; none have yet been reported sunk.

Kanhsien:  A deliberate attack on May 31 achieves 8:1 odds and the Chinese easily evict the Japs, though losing 2708/125 to just 449/24 for the Japanese.  I think this will discourage Miller in the area for awhile.  He has to be worried about the number of troops I have in the vicinity of Changsha, Kanhsien, and the two hexes north of Canton.  I even wonder whether he will send some of his Phillipines conquerors to reinforce his troops in China.  Following my victory, I order some of the troops to march to the hex midway between Changsha and Nanchang.

Yenan:  Miller has pulled his forces back to Yenan and doesn't show any hostile signs at the moment.

Burma:  Ground units don't seem to be moving at the moment.  Both sides send bombing raids against forward infantry units, inflicting light casualties.

[Canoerebel]

6/7/42 to 6/11/42
 
Quiet continues as Miller marshalls his forces and I continue supply and reinforcing various bases around the map. 
 
Phillipines:  I have but one outpost left manned by a deciminated Phillipine division.  Miller bombs it for the sake of training.  It should fall soon.l
 
China:  Miller has pulled his defeated forces back further away from Kahnsien.  No movement by his Yenan garrison. 
 
Burma:  Nothing major happening.  There was a sizeable air battle over Mandalay on the 10th which cost Miller 5 Zeros and 5 Oscars, and cost me 2 Mohawks and 6 Hurricanes.
 
India:  ditto.  Another of the transports hit by Miller at Mangalore sank, bringing the total to three.
 
Alaska/CenPac/SoPac/New Caledonia/NG/Australia:  No signs of enemy activity.
 
Roads to Mandalay and Dahlonagay:  While Miller prepares to attack (at least that's what I think he's doing - surely he isn't going to resort to a "Japanese Defense Strategy" yet), I am leaving for a backpacking trip on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail.  The plan is to cover 83 miles in about 6 or 7 days.  So there will be a lull in the game - hopefully it will last a week, but it could be shorter since there about a thousand things that can cause a backpacking trip to end prematurely.  Until next time then, y'all have a good one.  (Oh, I should mention that Dahlonega is a small city in the Georgia mountains not too far from the trail).

[Canoerebel]

6/12/42 and 6/13/42
 
Over three days, my son and I backpacked 40 miles on the Appalachian Trail from Amicalola Falls to Neel's Gap (Georgia).  It was the most exhausting thing I've ever done.  After a shower, a few good meals, and a good night's sleep, I was ready to resume the contest with Miller.
 
China:  Miller sends the largest air strike of the war against Kahnsien (or largest since Pearl Harbor).  180+ Zeros and 260 other aircraft vs. 15 P-40s.  In the past, my P-40s have come out way ahead in these contests, but not this time.  Miller downs 13 of them and loses only a single Zero.  I don't know what happened to cause the one-sided losses to change to my side. 
 
India/Burma:  Nothin' happenin'.
 
New Guinea/Solomons:  Nothin' happenin'.
 
New Caledonia:  Auckland is a level 7 port.  As soon as it reaches 9, I'll send a minelayer or two there and begin laying mines at Noumea, which at present only has about 180 mines.
 
Cen- and SoPac:  Miller has several Glen equipped subs snooping around east of Canton and Pago Pago.
 
Reinforcements:  I have a backloads of units in San Francisco awaiting transports to the "fronts."  On the 13th I form a large convoy to transport the 125th RCT and 31st Naval Base Force to Pago Pago.  A smaller transport convoy is formed to take the 102nd RCT to Suva.  Once these two missions are complete I'll send a naval construction batallion to Suva, then, as time and resources permit, important reinforcements to Auckland, Noumea, and Brisbane.  Assuming, that is, that Miller doesn't take the offensive prompting me to reassess priorities.

[Canoerebel]

6/14/42 to 6/20/42
 
There were a few big air battles over this stretch, but there are still no signs of naval or ground troop offensives.  What is Miller doing?
 
China:  The air forces clash over Kanhsien on the 14th with Miller losing 24 aircraft to my 10.  On the 18th, B-17s hit the airfield at Canton destroying 10 planes at a cost of 2. 
 
Burma:  A big dust up over Mandalay on the 20th costs Miller 33 aircraft to my 14.  He's hitting Akyab regularly, but I'm not putting up any defense.  Nobody seems to be moving on the ground here.  I still think this is the most likely target for an invasion/end around move.
 
India:  A pitched battle over Madras - also on the 20th - costs Miller 18 and me 27 (including 20 Hurricanes).  I've lost so many Hurricanes over Madras and Mandalay that I can't come close to replacing them.  I will have to pull back if he continues frequent attacks.
 
Phillipines:  Cebu falls on the 18th - the last Allied outpost in the PI.
 
CenPac:  DD Jarvis hit a mine at Johnston Island on the 19th, suffering moderate damage.  She was escorting ML Oglala - thank goodness it wasn't the victim!  An AK hit a mine at Midway.  I've sent MSW to both islands to deal with the mines.
 
Reinforcements:  Large convoys are currently at sea:  1st Marine Raiders are due east of Pago Pago and heading to Auckland with 1st Marine Division just a day or two behind.  Two RCT are at sea and heading to Pago Pago and Suva.  A base force is nearing Noumea.  As soon as these LCUs make it safely I may send 2nd Marines to Noumea and begin concentrating on a forward defense there.  I still hold PM and it's possible Miller may concentrate on that area before probing as deep as New Caledonia.  I'm hoping he'll begin probing somewhere - let's get on with the contest!
 
 

[Canoerebel]

6/21/42 to 6/25/42

Miller's air offensives continue over Madras, Mandalay, and Kanhsien:

Madras: On the 22nd, Miller loses 5 aircraft and I lose 16. My Hurricane squadrons are decimated and the Buffaloes and night-fighting Blenheims are useless. I pull my aircraft back to Hyderabad.

Mandalay: On the 21st, Miller loses 18 to my 6. On the 24th we each lose 14. My Hurricanes are decimated here too, but still dishing out more than they take, so I'll leave them here for at least one more attack.

Kanhsien: On the 21st, Miller loses 32 to my 11. I pull my fighters back to regroup. They'll be ready for action again around the 28th.

Upgrades: On the 21st, I finally figure out how to upgrade my aircraft. I replace the Buffalo squadron on Lexington and then over a few turns upgrade all CV fighters to F4Fs. Some of the B-17D squadrons in China and India also upgrade.

Andaman Islands: Port Blair finally falls.

Karachi: 8 Jap subs sighted here on the 25th - probably mine laying.

Johnston Is: A US DD ASW force drops 9 depth charges on I-28, hopefully putting her out of commission.

[Canoerebel]

6/26/42 to 7/1/42
 
Battle of Mandalay:  On June 26 and 27, Miller's fighters tangle with mine over Mandalay.  I lose 50 aircraft to his 17.  Daunted, I pull my decimated squadrons back to Dacca.  On the 27th, I notice that seven enemy ground units are in the hex across the river, where before there had been just one.  Plussed (as opposed to non-plussed), I order one of the Chinese corps a hex away to reinforce Mandalay.  There's a rail link, so the unit arrives in just a day, which is a good thing because on June 29 Miller's 18th and 56th Divisions cross the river and launch a shock attack, losing 2218/50/3 to my 223/8.  I have about 600 AV at Mandalay, and I know Miller has more troops coming, so I maintain my defensive posture and order forward two more Chinese reinforcements.  On the 30th, Miller's two divisions are joined by a third (the 5th) and a mortar battalion.  The resultant shock attack costs Miller 2293/89/3 to my 66/1.  On July 1, a tank regiment, 2 more mortar battalions, and 2 heavy field artillery regiments join Miller's besieging forces.  Currently, I have 5 Chinese divisions at Mandalay, 2 British HQ, and Indian Division, and two small British/Burmese units.  My AV is 1410, forts 6, and full supplies.  All of Miller's troops have now crossed the river.  I have three more Chinese divisions - one in Lashio and two in the hex between Mandalay and Lashio.  I order one of the latter forward to occupy the now empty hex between Mandalay and Meiktila.  British and American bombers based in China and India have been hitting parts of the Japanese force for weeks now.   Can my 1400 AV hold against three Japanese divisions and support?
 
China:  Miller sends a "recon" tank regiment across the river into Sian, assuredly to find out what I have there.  His regiment is repulsed with losses of 866/74.  To my surprise, a few days later additional units are seen advancing from Yenan.  I think the Chinese AV in Sian is something like 5,000.  What's Miller thinking here?
 
Cen- and SoPac:  Large troop convoys are nearing Auckland, Pago Pago, and Suva.  I'm crossing my fingers that the KB doesn't pick this moment to project itself into what have been quiet waters the entire game.  Once I get these troops ashore I believe Pago Pago and Auckland are secure.  Then I'll worry about Suva and Noumea.

[Canoerebel]

7/2/42 to 7/7/42

After months of the "Big Quiet," things are beginning to happen:

Tokyo:  On 7/5/42, SS Guardfish mines Tokyo Harbor, but hits a mine and sinks two days later.

Small Craft:  Seadragon torpedoes an AP near Taiping.  This is the first torpedo hit either side has scored in a month or more, I believe.

Burma:  We're at a standoff at Mandalay at the moment.  Miller has 70,000+ troops and I have nearly as many. We exchange bombardments most turns, but on the 6th Miller tries a deliberate attack and is repulsed, losing 761/39/3 to my 940/11.  My AV peaked at about 1500 and drops about 10 or so each turn.  In about a week, a Chinese division will move to the hex across the river from Mandalay.  This should interrupt Miller's supply line.  My forts will increase to 7 in a few days.  Miller has three divisions here:  5, 18, and 56 (the latter two were in the Phillipines in early May).  Also, the 33rd and 55th should be somewhere close by; Miller used a third of the 55th in his unsuccessful invasion of Akyab in May.  A 72 plane unit of P-40s arrived at Akyab on the 6th and gets transferred to Mandalay. I may break this up soon and deploy to several "hot spots."

India:  On the 2nd, 55 B17s and 7 B24s hit the airfield at Trincomalee, destorying 16 Japanese aircraft.

China:  Miller hits my airfield at Kunming and destroys a bunch of B17s (something like 20, ouch!).  He continues to advance toward Sian, with about 7 units now gathered across the river.  My Sian garrison has an AV of 5,000+, so I don't think Miller will accomplish much here.

US CVs:  Wasp arrives at Panama City, and Lexington replaces her Devastators with Avengers.  All Allied CVs have received their July upgrades.  Once Wasp joins her sisters at Pearl Harbor and all the Devastators have been replaced, the US CVs will be ready to move. I have an early plan, but in all likelihood Miller will move in the near future and I'll be reacting to his offensive or offensives for awhile yet.

Cen- and SoPac:  Glens fly recon missions over Suva and Pago Pago on the 7th, just in time to note the arrival of the reinforcing RCTs, one at each base.  The Marine Raider batallion landed at Auckland and the 1st Marine Division will arrive in another day or two.  My AVs are now:  San Fran (1300), Pearl Harbor (2200), Pago Pago (1100), Suva (400), Auckland (700 plus another 500 when the 1st Marine Division lands).  The next steps will be to fully deploy aircraft to these bases plus Noumea and then to consider reinforcing Noumea and Suva.  In addition to these key cities, Midway, Canton, Johnston, and Palmyra each have at least a RCT.

Japanese Division Availability:  Miller started the game with the following divisions:

Southern Area Army (9):  4, 5, 16, 18, 21, 38, 48, 56, Imperial Guards.
Burma Army (2):  33, 55
Home Islands (4):  7, 52, 53, 54
Kwangtung (15):  1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 57
China (20):  3, 6, 13, 15, 17, 22, 26, 27, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 51, 104, 110, 116

So Miller had 11 divisions (Southern and Burma) available to hit my periphery (India, Burma, SWPAC, SoPac, CenPac, Aleutians, etc) at the start of the game.  He may have more available now if he accumulated and paid sufficient political points to transfer some of the other restricted divisions.  Right now, 5, 18, and 56 are at Mandalay and I think 33 and 55 are in the vicinity.  A few days ago I received intel that the 29th Division is prepping for Noumea.  That's interesting since it is (or was) part of the Kwangtung garrison.

[Alfred]

Canoerebel,
 
I'm not certain you can automatically assume that the 29th Division has had PP expended to make it available for a Noumea offensive.  Some players sometimes set restricted command divisions to prep just to provide false intel to their opponents.
 
Alfred

[Q-Ball]

A smart Japanese player will prep all kinds of units with destinations to provide false intel. I have tons of those going on, so much that I hope my opponent reads this and assumes that intel is all garbage! Because alot of it is. A garrison unit in Rabaul, or Home Island, or other reserves can do this.

There is no consequence to prepping the entire Kwantung Army to other places. Unless it's 5/45 I guess, then you better get to 100 days for the Soviets, but before then, no consequence.

[Canoerebel]

7/8/42 to 7/13/42

Burma: The Battle of Mandalay continues. See map below. Miller is bombing my air field, which is preventing my engineers from raising the fort level from 6 to 7. One of my Chinese divisions has interdicted Miller's supply line. Does this pose a problem for him? How will he react? With disastrous results for his troops, Miller tries a paratroop assault on Myitkyina. He also has a unit on the road from Rangoon - probably reinforcements. On the 8th, Zeros tear into my fresh P-40 squadron based at Mandalay, destroying about 35 while Miller loses just 5 Zeros and 10 Oscars. Ouch. I reposition the surviving aircraft to Dacca.

India: Allied 2- and 4-engine bombers from Bangalore hit Trincomalee, and in response Miller pulls his planes out of harm's way. On the 13th, Blenheims from Madras hit a damaged ML. Intel shows Miller's 33rd Division at Colombo. He's got to do something about India, or Ceylon eventually becomes an Allied bombing target and prison camp for his units there.

China: Miller is gathering a sizeable number of units across the river from Sian, but I don't think they have a prayer against a garrison with an AV of 5,000+ and 9 forts...at least I hope that's the case.

CenPac: On the 11th, I-173 hits a mine at Midway. I hope the bugger sinks. Intel reports the 54th Division is at Truk. That unit begins the game as part of the Home Island gaurd. A second US CV replaces its Devastators with Avengers. It won't be too much longer before the US CVs begin to move.

SoPac: All reinforcements safely unloaded at Auckland, Suva, and Pago Pago.

Japanese Recon: Miller has expanded his recon missions considerably. He is actively looking at Darwin, Port Moresby, Noumea, Suva, Pago Pago, and Canton Island. He occupied a few of the vacant bases in southern New Guinea.

Miller's Capabilities: I'm wondering whether Miller is willing to invade a key Allied position that is beyond range of his land based air (or at extreme range). His forward bases right now are Buna/Lae; Lunga (level 1 airfield); and Baker Island. Certainly Port Moresby, Canton Island, and possibly Luganville are within range, but if he's cautious, I doubt he's willing to risk invasions of Noumea, Suva, or Pago Pago yet.

I think my biggest worry is that Miller is looking ahead toward's year's end and perhaps trying to figure out how many points he needs to achieve an auto victory. He could then create a massive invasion force to strike at a critical base (Pearl? West Coast?) to gain the necessary points. That's the sort of gambit he used in Uncommon Valor. So I've got to keep Pearl and San Fran strong until he commits his forces.

[Canoerebel]

7/14/42 to 7/16/62
 
SoPac:  On the 15th, recon aircraft detect a sizeable Japanese convoy about 300 miles NW of Canton Island.  This is one of my most exposed outposts; the defenders have an AV of 170 with 5 forts and about 550 mines.  Two small PT boat TFs were already heading this way from Palmyra.   The first should make it by the 18th, the second by the 20th.  This could be the real thing or it could be a decoy or bait.  No sign of the KB yet.  I organize the 4 CVs in Pearl Harbor into four air combat TFs set to follow a surface combat TF.  This force leaves PH on the 15th heading toward Palmyra.  At the same time, Wasp is organized into a air combat TF and heads from Panama City toward Christmas Island.  Enterprise, far away at Melbourne, becomes the hub of a TF and, on the 16th, heads toward Sydney. At this point, I really just want to get a feel for what's happening.
 
CenPac: Miller's I-173 reported sunk (after striking a mine at Midway several days earlier).  On the 16th, I-22 hits a mine at Midway.  Miller has several subs in the area. 
 
India:  Allied bombers continue to hit the airfield at Trincomalee.  No response yet by Miller.
 
Burma:  The standoff at Mandalay continues at the moment.  We exchange heavy air strikes.  I think mine, which include B24s, B25s, B17s, Wellingtons, Hudsons, and Blenheims, are somewhat more effective.  No visible response by Miller yet to the Chinese unit that interdicted his supply line.  My AV continues to drop for 10 or so each turn; I wonder how his units are doing?
 
China:  Intel reports the Imperial Guards at Canton.  This comes as a surprise.  Elsewhere his troops near Sian haven't made a move yet to cross the river and attack.  Each turn he bombs Sian and Honan and on many turns he hits Kanshien.
 
I wouldn't be surprised to see invasion convoys moving on Port Moresby and/or Midway. 

[Canoerebel]

7/17/42 and 7/18/42
 
Canton Island:  Miller's invasion force arrives on the 17th and begins the lengthy task of clearing mines.  One unlucky AP hits six mines and sinks.  Shore guns fire about 250 shots, damaging a number of ships and inflicting about 1500 casualties.  Then the Japanese come ashore - four Naval Guard Units (63, 64, 65, and 67) launch a shock attack, losing 1445/31 to my 140/11.  Emboldened by these results, I order a deliberate attack for the following day.  Miller's troops don't attack, but my effort results in 196/2 to the Japanese while costing me 590/31.  On the afternoon of the 18th, three PT boats arrive and tear into the invasion fleet, putting single TTs into an MSW and an AK and two into a PG.  Miller's invasion fleet leaves the hex on the 18th.
 
The sitatuation at Canton Island is uncertain.  My RCT's AV has dropped from 170 to about 95 over the two day period and supplies are running low.  Miller's invasion force doesn't seem to be large enough to take the island (I think), so he will probably scramble for reinforcements.  I'm sending in more supplies for FT convoy (from Pearl) and Dakota (if the squadron can reach it from Pago Pago once it arrives there).
 
Still no sign of the KB and that worries me.  This certainly isn't a major Japanese effort - it looks more like a sideshow.  No sign of invasions elsewhere (yet).
 
My 4 Pearl Harbor CVs continue on a course SSE and are now east of Palmyra.  If they do not become directly engaged in the Canton Island invasion, the 4 CVs will rendezvous with Wasp at or near Christmas Island and then move SSW, linking up with Enterprise somewhere in SoPac (Auckland or maybe Pago Pago). 
 
Burma:  Section C of Miller's 55th Divsion arrives at the hex across the river from Mandalay on the 17th and attack my Chinese division on the 18th.  Miller gets 3:1 odds and pushes my  Chinese back toward Lashio.
 
China:  Miller's "frontier" force arrives at Lanchow.  He's outnumbered something like 4:1.  I've ordered a shock attack for the 19th.  His troops continue assemble across the river from Sian.
 
New Zealand:  Auckland becomes a level 8 port.  It should reach 9 within a month and will then become an important mine-laying port.

[Canoerebel]

7/19/42 and 7/20/42
 
Canton Island:  Miller launches a deliberate attack on the 19th at 0:1, forts 5, and loses 183 to my 229/15.  Ouch!  Neither Miller or I launch any attacks on the 19th.  The AV of my RCT drops to about 60.  From the combat report for the 19th, it seems that two of Miller's four Naval Guards units might have been wiped out by losses during the invasion and subsequent combat (only two of the four involved were listed in the account of his attack).  My FT supply convoy is still several days away.  My 4 CV TF is SE of Palmyra.  Wasp is probably a week away and Enterprise at least that far.  Miller definately didn't put a great deal of emphasis on this invasion - no pre-invasion bombardments or air strikes and no overwhelming troop commitments.  This has all the earmarkings of a diversion - which has succeeded in drawing my CVs south from Pearl.  So Midway is pretty much left to fend for itself.  There's no sign of any movement towards Midway, but on the 20th a convoy is sighted north of....
 
Suva:  Jap convoy sighted perhaps 8 hexes north of Suva.  Intel also reports that Miller's 4th Division is on an AP heading for Suva (wow, how's that for  specific info!).  I have room for about 40 aircraft at Suva's airfield.  I send a recon unit back to Pago Pago, and then deploy a Dauntless squadron from PP to Suva.  Other than that, there's not much I can do in the short run.  Suva isn't within support distance of my other bases.  I have a NZ Brigade and a RCT in place along with an artillery regiment.  Batten down the hatches.
 
Mandalay:  Miller tries a 0:1 deliberate attack on the 19th, losing 1567/27/8n to my 500/15. 
 
China:  The Chinese launch a dedliberate attack at 4:1 odds at Lanchow on the 19th and boot Miller's troops back, though the Chinese suffer the great losses (2100/44 to just 303/9).  Nothing happening at Sian yet.
 
Overall:  I'd like to keep Canton if possible; Suva is more important.  But my real concerns are Darwin, Noumea, Pago Pago, and Pearl.  I think the latter two are well garrisoned.  There's not much I can do about Darwin right now - AV there is about 475 and there's an Aussie divison in reserve at Katherine.  At the moment, Noumea is my first priority.  A US Cavalry regiment is loading on transports at San Fran and heads to Noumea in a day or two.  As soon as Auckland's port reaches level 9 (perhaps two weeks away), I'll send two minelayers there and begin intensive mining of Noumea (which has about 600 mines already, mostly from sub activity).  The Marine Air Wing will arrive at Auckland in just a few days, giving me the ability to base 400-500 aircraft there.  As soon as the US CVs finish doing whatever they end up doing in Cen- and SoPac in response to Canton and Suva, I will base them at Auckland.  That should offer Noumea far more protection.  At present, Miller doesn't have any ports close enough to shelter damaged ships were a battle to occur near Noumea, so he may be reluctant to send the KB so far afield.  If he takes Suva, that might change.

[Canoerebel]

7/21/42 and 7/22/42
 
Suva/Noumea/Pago Pago:  See map in next post which details the situation at Suva.  I wish my CVs were within striking range, because Miller's invasion force is penetrating deeply into my territory and is, consequently, quite a ways from his closest refuge (Tarawa or Kwajalein, I believe).  There is no question that Suva will fall.  That means Pago Pago and Noumea will become the focal points in the Pacific.  Intel shows a Japanese tank regiment prepping for Noumea.  I order an Australian division and tank regiment (in Sydney) to begin prepping and  gather the APs needed to transport them to Noumea, which currently has an AV of just 200 (two Australian brigades).  A US Cavalry division (AV 130) just left San Fran for Noumea and two US divisions (2nd Marines in Pearl and an army unit in San Fran) are also prepped.  I'll base my CVs at Auckland (assuming there aren't developments elsewhere that take priority).  I believe the Battle of Noumea will be a decisive conflict in the Pacific.
 
China:  No developments on the ground.  Miller keeps bombing Sian, opposed by a motley group of aircraft (2 AVG, a few Hurricanes, and a Chinese squadron).  I've pulled out the motley crew and replaced them with about 50 P-40s. 
 
Mandalay:  The situation on the ground is unchanged.  Miller's daily bombardments are more effective (he has a bunch of artillery units); I think my aerial attacks are more effective.  My AV is down to about 1410.  I have a Brit division and artillery unit coming, but they are several weeks away.  Miller bombs the airfield nearly every day and I pulled out my decimated Hurricane squadrons several weeks ago.  On the 21st, I issued orders for a P-39 squadron (24 aircraft) and 2 AVG squadrons (7 planes each) to move from Kunming to Mandalay.  On the 2nd, they bite Miller's attack, downing 3 Oscars, 1 Sally, 1 Lily, and 3 Helens without suffering any losses.  Now I've ordered a P-40 squadron (30 aircraft) from Dacca to join the group.  This may give my troops enough of a breather to raise the fortification level at Mandalay from 6 to 7 (it's currently at 82%).
 
Ceylon:  Miller pulled out his aircraft when I began daily bombings from Bangalore several weeks ago.  I've moved my bombers to Madras and they are continuing to hit Trincomalee daily.  On the 22nd, I begin working on a large diversion force that will make a feint at Ceylon, hoping to worry and pressure Miller.  It will take several weeks for this to develop.  Stage 1 will be minesweeping runs from Tivandrum to Colombo.  Stage 2 will be a bombardment force hitting Colombo.  Stage 3 will be a Air Combat TF approaching Ceylon.  Stage 4 will be a multi-TF transport group (carrying supplies only, which I'll later unload in India) approaching the island.
 
Midway:  No sign of Japs in this area.  I'm toying with developing another "mock" invasion force to threaten Wake or Baker Island.

[Canoerebel]

The situation at Suva as of 7/22/42:

[Canoerebel]

7/23/42 to 7/25/42

Suva: A Marine Dauntless squadron from Suva attacks the invasion TF on the 23rd, encountering 35 Zeroes on CAP - likely the KB or at least a generous portion. The Dauntlesses are decimated and don't score any hits. I send the survivors to Pago Pago. The invasion force arrives and begins to unload the next day. A pre-landing bombardment by a combat TF including 2 BBs doesn't accomplish much, and my shore guns cause 2,000 casualties. The defenders and attackers exchange bombardments and I discover, to my surprise, that the invasion apparently includes but a single division (4th). Will this be enough to overcome my AV of 340 with forts about to reach 8? Miller apparently didn't bring any support troops nor did he choose the "easy" option of landing at Nandi and then marching to Suva. But wait, there's a bigger surprise....

Pago Pago: The invasion force that arrived at Suva had split off from the main force, which continues east toward Pago Pago. This sizeable congregation of TFs is so large that it may have objectives in addition to PP. It's huge! But my PP garrison is pretty stout and I think Miller needs at least two divisions, maybe three, to take the island. This will be a battle royal. I am diverting a troop transport TF carrying another base force - it will head south and then west to Auckland rather than to PP.

Canton Island: Weird stuff happening here. Miller sends in a transport convoy (troops? supplies?) on the 23rd; it tangles with and sinks two PTs and then apparently withdraws a hex - I say apparently because my FT supply convoy comes in at the same time and drops its cargo without engaging Miller's TF in surface combat. On the 24th, he has a surface combat TF (or perhaps it's a FT convoy) show up, but my ships have temporarily vacated. I have a FT convoy (troops) coming in a few days, so there may be surface action here. My troops on the island soak up the supplies and rebuild their strength a bit. My total AV is now 100. Miller tries a couple of bombardments which result in more casualties to the attackers than to the defenders. I've deployed a B-25 squadron to the island, set to naval attack, to try some hunting.

US CVs: Three of my six CVs carry Avengers now and I hope one or two of the others will replace their Devastators before they see any action. My 4 CV TF is south of Christmas Island and well east of Pago Pago, awaiting arrival of Wasp, which is approaching the mouth of the middle "channel" that leads to Panama City. They should rendezvous in three or four days. Enterprise just left Auckland and is steaming ESE and should be in a position to rendezvous with the other five in a week or less. The rendezvous point would probably be SE of Pago Pago. If I still hold PP and Suva, then Miller is far, far away from any port that would be able to take and help damaged capital ships. So it should be the time to "go hunting." I'll have six CVs against his force, which in all probability is everything he has. PP has three good fighter squadrons totalling about 75 aircraft, so it may be able to help with LR CAP if the airfield is still operational.

Auckland: Marine Air Wing arrived and the airfield can now base 370 aircraft. The port is 40% to level 9. I've ordered one of my ML based at Sydney to lay mines in Noumea and then head to Auckland.

Sydney: Transports will begin loading tomorrow to take an Aussie division, tank regiment, and HQ to Noumea.

Darwin: Recon shows that Koepang is lightly held. Miller hasn't done anything aggressive here since early in the war. I'm greatly increasing the number of supply TFs heading to Darwin and nearby cities. I'm also increasing the number of supply TFs to Perth from Aden. The coast seems clear at the moment. I could possibly take Koepang, but at the moment reinforcing Noumea is my priority.

Ceylon: Recon shows that Miller has 40,000 troops in Trincomalee and 30,000 in Colombo (but no aircraft to speak of). That's a heck of alot and too many for me to take on right now, especially since I'm engaged so heavily at Mandalay. My MSW TF will arrive at Colombo in two days. Depending upon the level of mines encountered, the bombardment TF will follow a few days later. On the 25th, bombers sank an already damaged ML in Trincomalee.

Mandalay and vicinity: Same ol' things going on here, although Miller has gotten the best of the air-to-air action. The fighters did provide enough defense that the ground troops are 92% of the way to reaching level 7 on forts. Miller has a force moving towards Lashio - it could be one element of his 55th Division. I have two Chinese divisions with a combined AV of 200 (and 2 forts) there, and another about 110 miles away and moving slowly.

China: Miller's air arm has bloodies my fighters at Sian. I've pulled all of them out. Still no movement by ground troops.

Overall Situation: I don't believe Miller brought enough troops to overwhelm either Canton Island or Suva, which may both turn into those annoying situations requiring him to "scramble" to send in additional forces. The real question will be Pago Pago - does he have enough to take it and will our CVs clash? Am I correct to conclude that this is a battle worth fighting, or would it be better to keep my CVs out of harm's way for another month or so? Stay tuned....

[Canoerebel]

7/26/42

Pago Pago/Canton: See map in next post for detailed explanation. I don't know if Miller is aware of the location of my CVs. He landed serious reinforcements at Canton Island. The resulting shock attack at 0:1 costs him 383/16 to 123/5.

Suva: The invasion seems limited to the 4th Division. I think Miller will have to supplement this force to take the base. I don't know whether he's detailed any CV support for this group. CV Enterprise is SE of Auckland and is within potential striking distance. Something to consider.

Noumea: The Australian reinforcements begin loading on transports in Sydney.

Ceylon: My MSW arrives at Colombo and finds and begins clearing mines; apparently it hits a mine and is almost certain to sink (the "out of sync" bug hit this turn; my combat replay didn't show anything happening to the MSW, but when I opened the turn file it had suffered grievous damage). My bombers hit Trincomalee this turn; the intel gathered reveal that Miller ends his part of the turn by bringing in 300 aircraft (I am nearly certain these were based in Rangoon and Moulmein and were the bombers hitting Mandalay). I conclude that he spotted my CV and bombardment TFs steaming south off the SW coast of India, and wishes to hit them. So I order those fleets to reverse course and head out of harm's way. Later, after sending Miller the turn, it dawns on me that he probably didn't sight those ships; more likely he is organizing a massive raid against Madras and my bombers there. Uh oh.

Mandalay: Standoff continues. By shifting his bombers to Trincomalee, Miller allows my ground units in Mandalay to continue working on fortifications, which now stand at 6 plus 98%. Reinforcements are on the way - a UK artillery unit is in Imphal with the 2nd UK Division a day away from Imphal.

China: Miller's 36th Division crosses the river and launches a shock attack against Sian, losing 3461/131 to my 67. The unit promptly retreats back across the river.

[Canoerebel]

7/26/42