The Turning Point: floydg (A) & Coach Z (J) -- Luganville liberated

[floydg]

October 18, 1942

Highlights: Lots of Allied air raids

• The SS Amberjack locates a Japanese barge near Attu Island and sinks it with deck gun fire.
• The Japanese bomb the airfield at Wuchow and do minor damage. Two Spitfires are downed to 4 Tojos. The Japanese also bomb the airbase at Nanning and do minor damage on top of the damage that had still not been repaired.
• 134 Allied bombers hit Luganville, and despite losing 36 bombers and escorts, a decent number of aircraft were destroyed on the ground, along with moderate damage to the airbase.
• Almost 100 Allied bombers then hit Amchitka Island, doing minor damage to the airbase. Simultaneously, 146 B-24D's hit Attu and destroyed quite a few planes on the ground.
• Japanese carrier planes attack a lone AK at Funafuti Island. The AK Kainalu takes 9 bomb hits, but stays afloat. The CAP also downed two Zero's.
• The Japanese attack at Yenen, but the Chinese hold them back, causing almost 1400 casualties to under 600 Chinese.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack the Allies, not realizing that additional troops had just arrived. The Japanese take almost 1500 casualties to a little over 400 Allied.
• Northeast of Hengchow, a Chinese infantry division retreats west across the river as a Japanese armored division attacked it.
• Allies press their attacks at La Foa and Adak Island, forcing the Japanese further into un-defendable positions.
• The Americans also made a probing attack at Koumac, discovering that the Japanese had erected decent fortifications.

Analysis: I really pounded his airfields this turn, but the end-result was almost even on plane losses (58 in the air for me, 60 on the ground for him). But still, it pushes him back a bit and makes me feel a little better.
I was also lucky at Yenen and South of Darwin, so I'm not going to complain too much.
I found that he has level 4 forts at Koumac, so that may take a while to whittle them down, once I get over there. I am making progress at La Foa, but it is slow, as I seem to be only slowly chipping away at his troops, despite 21-on-1 and 16-on-1 attacks.
I am now moving in a baseforce to Adak Island and will try to build that up a little to support my operations in the western Aleutians.

[floydg]

October 19, 1942

Highlights: Allies hold at Thursday Island; one IJN sub sunk

• The Japanese conduct a naval bombardment of Thursday Island, doing some damage to the facilities and destroying some fighter planes on the ground. Later in the day, the Japanese troops attack, but take almost 800 casualties to just over 100 Allied.
• East of Adak Island, six subchasers locate the SS I-4 and hit her four times directly, sinking the sub.
• South of Rabaul, the SS Greenling is hit by a depth charge.
• Japanese bomb the airfields at Chungking, Changsha and Kweilin, causing slight to minor damage.
• Allied bombers hit Amchitka Island again, doing a little more damage to the airbase.
• American planes from Funafuti locate the Japanese light carriers and a small attack is launched. 10xF4F-4's escorts 3xSBD against 33xA6M2 CAP. The CAP downs 6 fighters and one bomber. Two make their runs, but miss the CVL Shoho. The CVL Zuiho is also spotted in the task force.
• American transports unloading support troops at Adak Island are attacked by Betty's from Attu. The AK American Leader and AK Potter each take a torpedo hit.
• 74xB-24D's attack Port Moresby, but the Japanese have a decent CAP of 51 planes and over a dozen bombers are shot down and many abort their runs. One bomb was reported to hit a supply depot for slight damage.
• 15xB-24D's strike transports at Thursday Island, scoring three hits on the AP Burisuben Maru.
• The Japanese fight tenaciously at La Foa, refusing to give up, despite being driven further and further back into the jungles.
• The port at Madras expands to level 8.

Analysis: Sunk another of his subs, so now I've wiped out almost 50% of his sub force in just under 6 months.
Looks like Attu is back in business, so I'll need to bomb it again. Adak now has most of a base force and I'll move in some fighters. I'm getting ready to load up the USMC division to move on Amchitka Island now.
China is still slogging along, but I think I'm at the short end in that area. I have one Chinese unit on the border with USSR. If he attacks and I retreat into USSR (it's on a road), can I still move that unit back into China?
In Australia, it looks like I've slowed him down a little and will begin to push back now.

[floydg]

October 20, 1942

Highlights: Adak Island cleared of Japanese; some advances

• At Amchitka Island, 6 PT boats encounter 5 Japanese barges. Before the PT boats could open fire, the barges disappear into the fog. Six other PT boats locate an AK and MSW. The AK Tonegawa Maru takes three shell hits and three torpedo hits and sinks.
• East of Attu, the SS Runner is attacked by two Japanese ships and takes two direct depth charge hits.
• Two Japanese CA and 3xDD bombard Thursday Island, doing minor damage.
• Chinese bombers attack Hanoi and score a hit on a factory.
• The Japanese bomb the airbases at Yenen, Changsha, and Chungking, causing minor to moderate damage.
• The Japanese launched a few small strikes from Luganville against ships in New Caledonia. The CAP shot down several planes and scared the remaining pilots into aborting their missions.
• Betty's from Attu attack ships at Adak Island. The CAP downs a few and the remaining miss the ships.
• Japanese carrier planes attack the airfield at Funafuti Island. The CAP downs one escort and one Kate, while the AA downs another 4. The remaining 27 Kates get a few hits on the airfield.
• At the China-Soviet border, the Japanese attack a Chinese unit and force them to retreat into Soviet territory.
• Northeast of Perth, the Allied relief force attacks two SNLF units and forces them to retreat.
• The Allies press the Japanese at La Foa, but the Japanese fight on.
• At Adak Island, however, the remaining Japanese troops are wiped out.

Analysis: I cleared out the last of the Japanese on Adak. Now to prepare for Amchitka (and the closing of Attu airfield). I have an RCT moving in from the West Coast and some other troops will be re-distributed. I found that the USMC divisions seem to rack up disruption pretty easily - is that common?
He's raiding my "rear" areas with carriers now. I guess he doesn't have much for them to do and he's trying to break up my logistics net. Too bad there isn't anything really valuable at sea in that area right now...
And I have a Chinese unit that retreated into Soviet territory. I assume that I can move them out, but maybe I'll use this as a way into Manchuko...

[floydg]

October 21, 1942

Highlights: Progress at Myitkyina; bombing in Aleutians

• At Thursday Island, the SS S-47 puts a torpedo into the AK Shinestu Maru, which was carrying troops.
• The BB Resolution and 3xDD bombard Japanese forces north of Perth again. The Japanese take some casualties and withdraw north.
• East of Thursday Island, the SS S-38 puts a torpedo into the AP Burisuben Maru (which had been previously hit with several bombs).
• 83 Allied bombers hit Amchitka Island and do minor damage to the airfield.
• 84xB-24D's attack the airfield at Attu Island. Twelve bombers are downed and minor damage was done to the airfield, in addition to destroying about a dozen planes on the ground.
• Near Baker Island, four Japanese fleet carriers launch an attack against 6 MSW, fleeing Baker. The MSW Warrnambool, MSW Bobolink, MSW Outarde and MSW Nipigon are sunk; the MSW Wasaga and MSW Ungava are left burning.
• Northwest of Changsha, a Japanese tank division crosses the river and attacks a Chinese division with a portion of an infantry brigade. The Chinese retreat west.
• The Allies attack at Myitkyina and reduce the fortifications again (now 2).
• Panaji expands port to level 5, Bombay port expands to level 9, Cairns airfield expands to level 6 and La Foa airfield expands to level 5.

Analysis: I think he's evacuating troops from Thursday Island. I don't know why he'd have troops on transports and not be unloading them...
North of Perth, he retreated north, so maybe he's trying to break my push west to cut him off from his supply line. I'll have to hurry to catch him, which may not be possible. But maybe I can trap him on the east-west rail branch...
In the Aleutians, it looks like Amchitka Island is now clear of aircraft, so I'll have to concentrate on Attu now. I did do some damage there, however, but the crews' morale is really low, so I can't keep pounding him.
And I'm making decent progress at Myitkyina, reducing the forts again. Maybe soon I'll be able to level them completely and then make some real progress...
Finally, he's got maybe four carriers (Kaga, Shokaku, Zuikaku and Hiryu) raiding the south pacific. He blasted a pile of MSW. Now I'll steer clear for a while and see if he goes away when the targets disappear.

[floydg]

October 22, 1942

Highlights: Jockeying for position in China and Australia

• The SS Amberjack, near Attu Island, locates and attacks two AG's. One is sunk and the other badly damaged. The barges were carrying troops.
• The SS S-47 gets a torpedo hit on the SS Hagikaze and later on the AP Enju Maru at Thursday Island. The transport was carrying troops.
• Near Baker Island, the Japanese carrier planes finish off the MSW Ungava and MSW Wasaga.
• The Chinese probe at Hengchow, but the Japanese attack, forcing the Chinese to retreat.
• Northeast of Alice Springs, the Japanese armor attack a Cavalry Brigade, but the Australians hold their positions.
• Northwest of Canton, the Chinese attack, making a slight advance on the Japanese, but take over 3000 casualties to just over 1000 for the Japanese.
• The Allies continue to pursue the Japanese in the jungles of La Foa.

Analysis: He continues to get a good position in China. I think I made a big mistake piling up my troops for a push into Canton. I spent months trying to advance and didn't, and now those troops are pinned down while he breaks through my weak inner defenses. I think I'm gonna be in big trouble up there soon.
In Australia, I think I'm making decenet progress to slow him down, but I've probably over-committed and if he breaks out somewhere, I'm screwed.
In New Caledonia, it looks like it's going to take a long time to weed him out, so instead of delaying things, I'm planning to pack up the troops and start making my way to Luganville or Efate.

[floydg]

October 23, 1942

Highlights: Luganville hit again; Thursday Island safe

• East of Thursday Island, the SS Swordfish attempts to get a position on a Japanese AP and in the process, gets rattled by some ASW. The attack is aborted and the sub makes way back to Brisbane.
• 169 Allied bombers attack Luganville. They are escorted by 20 P-38G's. The CAP of 29 Tonys down 7 of the escorts and 23 bombers. Twenty-one Japanese planes are destroyed on the ground and the airbase takes moderate damage.
• Northeast of Canton, the Japanese push the Chinese back north, towards Kweilin.
• Spies report the airfield at Hanoi expands to level 2. Engineers report the airfield at Funafuti expanded to level 3 and Adak to level 2.

Analysis: The big news this turn is that I noticed a complete evacuation of Japanese troops from Thursday Island. Coach Z reports that his 0-to-1 attacks and my air bombardments all but wiped out his AV, so he decided to give up and run away. Too bad... [:'(]
My attack on Luganville wasn't as effective as I had hoped. It seems my P-38G pilots are no match for his Tony pilots, so I can't make good headway. I'll just have to keep hammering him and eventually I'll shut down the airfield.

[floydg]

This is the situation in SE China:


A = Japanese tank div vs. Chinese infantry div.
B = "so-called half" of the Chinese army vs. a few Japanese units (per Coach Z). This is what bogged me down and gave him an opening in the north. I am now pulling units out, since this will get me nowhere now.
C = 2 ambitious Japanese armored regiments vs. a few Chinese units

As you can see, he's cut me off at Changsha and it will be a miracle if I can break open the supply lines again, since I have only a paltry force on that side of Hengchow.
China is now in a downward spiral for me. I need a miracle. Or a better idea...

[floydg]

October 24, 1942

Highlights: Yenen teetering

• The 2nd NZ Brigade begins to unload at Koumac.
• Several bombing runs are made at Amchitka Island and a few Japanese base forces take some damage.
• The Japanese ships retreating from Thursday Island are attacked. First, some B-24D's go after ships at Port Moresby and are torn up by over 90 planes on CAP. Then, a larger bomber force hits ships without fighter cover a bit west of Port Moresby. The DD Hakaze and DD Minazuki each take two bomb hits and the PG Takunan Maru #10 takes one bomb hit. All three ships are reported as heavily damaged.
• The Japanese attack at Yenen and knock down the last of the Chinese fortifications. The Chinese are preparing for an evacuation of Yenen.
• South of Changsha, two Chinese corps retreat west, as the Japanese solidify their line.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack the Allies, but the Allies hold their position.
• Southeast of Chungking, a Japanese armored division makes an attack on a Chinese Division and the Chinese hold firm, causing the Japanese more casualties.
• Attacks at La Foa continue to root out Japanese defenders.
• The airfield at Canton is reported to have expanded to level 6.

Analysis: Yenen is toast for me - I'm sure I'll lose it next turn, as the disruption is high, the AV is down as are the forts.
I did start unloading troops at Koumac, since it seems that La Foa will take me forever to clear. I'll pull back some troops from La Foa and load some on transports for Koumac or Luganville.

[n01487477]

Floyd,
You seem to be facing an ever deteriorating situation in China, something that Stock allows for more than other mods ...

How is your supply situation in China ? Do you have enough Base Forces here ?

I just think combined arms are required here to stem the tide... Large [edit] number of Aircraft ground attacks can utterly disrupt and destroy his forces buying you some time and ultimately rendering his forces into paper tigers...it will be hard for him to rebuild these units in China. Bomb his resources (although reciprocity might be of concern).

How is Burma ? March some troops into China - or better still transport them in, I really am starting to see how good players use these so effectively.

Jump behind his lines with a para-drop into a lightly or non-defended base (would be nice to do in China, but as the Japanese have to garrison it would be hard to find) and then load up a div or two if possible.

Disrupt, redirect etc.

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: n01487477

Floyd,
You seem to be facing an ever deteriorating situation in China, something that Stock allows for more than other mods ...

How is your supply situation in China ? Do you have enough Base Forces here ?

I just think combined arms are required here to stem the tide... Large [edit] number of Aircraft ground attacks can utterly disrupt and destroy his forces buying you some time and ultimately rendering his forces into paper tigers...it will be hard for him to rebuild these units in China. Bomb his resources (although reciprocity might be of concern).

How is Burma ? March some troops into China - or better still transport them in, I really am starting to see how good players use these so effectively.

Jump behind his lines with a para-drop into a lightly or non-defended base (would be nice to do in China, but as the Japanese have to garrison it would be hard to find) and then load up a div or two if possible.

Disrupt, redirect etc.

Thanks for the ideas.

Supply in China is so-so. After I hit a few of his resource centers in China (just to see if I could do it), he unleased the hounds and decimated mine. Then he pounded my airbases so I'd waste supply repairing them.

I have about one BF per base, with a little more Aviation Support in a few cities, if that's what you're asking.

Burma is a mess right now - I have a large contingent going for Myitkyina right now (~1100 AV). I did air transport a Chinese Corps in one area (near Lanchow), which really saved my skin there.

[floydg]

October 25, 1942

Highlights: Yenen falls; minefields annoy everyone

• The New Zealanders continue to unload at Koumac. This time, the AK Memphis City and AK Panaman hit mines. The SS I-123 then locates the AK Steel Scientist and puts two torpedoes into her.
• The PG Hong Kong Maru hits a mine at Kiska Island.
• American PT boats enter the waters around Attu Island and the PT PT-162 hits a mine and sinks. Another group of PT boats encounter the AP Mitsu Maru #3 and riddles it with shells (129!), sinking it.
• East of Attu Island, the SS Amberjack finds an Japanese barge and sinks her with the deck guns.
• The Japanese bomb the airfield at Kweilin, doing minor damage, but the escorting Tojo's downed 5 Spitfire's to just one Tojo.
• The Japanese bomb Baker Island with 27 Betty escorted by 20 Zero. A CAP of 18 F4F-4's intercept and down 8 Zeros and 4 Bettys – the remaining Bettys abort or miss their target. Four American fighters reported some damage to their planes.
• Japanese carrier planes bomb the airfield at Canton Island, doing minor damage, but lost 6 Val out of 44 that attacked.
• West of Baker Island, 11 Hudson attack two Japanese AP's and an escorting PG, but do no damage.
• In the Malacca Straits, the SS Snapper puts a torpedo into the DD Fubuki.
• The Japanese attack at Yenen, and despite a long defense of the city, the Chinese cannot hold any more, and are forced to retreat west, giving the Japanese uncontested control of Yenen.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack, but the Allies hold.
• The Allies make a probe near Mandalay, but a Japanese Division and a portion of the Imperial Guards Division force an Indian Brigade to retreat (a Chindit Brigade also involved in the operation was too late arriving).
• Spies report that Marcus Island expanded their airfield to level 3. Engineers report expanding the airfield at Calcutta to level 9 and the port at Prince Rupert to level 6.

Analysis: As predicted, Yenen fell. The weary troops all retreated west, so now I need to figure out how to defend the rest of Northern China. [:(]
It appears that he's going to stage an invasion of Canton Island. I spotted two groups of transports heading east, about 8 hexes away. This explains why the KB is parked just north of Canton Island. I'll let the defenders do what they can, since I can't bring relief in with the KB there.
In the Aleutians, I have two TF of PT boats which will attempt to disrupt whatever his barges are doing (evac of Amchitka, supply of Amchitka, not sure). One engagment with a barge yielded 129 hits; that seems a bit excessive to me -- the barges usually sink with just 5 hits, and it wastes my ammo.

[floydg]

October 26, 1942

Highlights: Push-back in Australia

• The remainder of the 2nd NZ Brigade unload at Koumac.
• Near Amchitka Island, 6 PT boats encounter four Japanese barges and sink one. Then a group of 5 PT boats sink another two barges.
• Southeast of Kweilin, the Chinese force two Japanese armored regiments to retreat south.
• North of Alice Springs, an Australian Cavalry Brigade forces a Japanese Armored regiment to retreat north.
• North of Perth, another Japanese Armored regiment retreats east after being attacked by the 6th Australian Division.
• Spies report the airfields at Pusan expands to level 4, Inch'on to level 6 and Haiphong to level 5. Engineers report expanding the port of Auckland to level 9 and Unmak Island to level 2.

Analysis: I'm pushing him back a bit in Australia. So I hope this is because of my good luck or good playing and not a trap he's laying to tie up my troops while he invades the east coast of Australia. I'm going to need to get ready for that unfortunate event.
In the Aluetians, I just realized that I'm only 5 days from "winter" and slower operations. I'll be paradropping on Ogliuga Island and my "big" invasion will probably be Attu, since I need to strike him hard and not slog through so many islands. I'll hit with 2 Divisions and an RCT, which I hope will be enough. First I need to close the airfield (once the blizzards blow through)...

[floydg]

Here is the situation around Perth:



A = 6th Aus Div + HQ
B = 2 Japanese armored reg
C = 7 units, comprised of artillery and infantry
D = 3 units, not sure what they are, but most probably some armor
E = 2 more units, unknown
F = 2/3 of 4th Aus Div, 2nd Aus Cav Div, 3rd Aus Bde, Aus Armor Rgt, Aus AT (436 AV) vs. 2 x SNLF and a Mixed Rgt
I also have another AT unit and a HQ unit on the way, but ~10 days out

I'm really hoping I can pin him in at the hex marked "F", since that would cut off his supply, but he's not that stupid.
I can dream, anyway...

[floydg]

October 27, 1942

Highlights: No progress at Myitkyina; Japanese closing in on Canton Island

• The Japanese bomb the airfield at Changsha and do slight damage, but down 3 of the 9 planes on CAP.
• 110xB-24D bomb Attu Island. They are met by 31xTony, which shoot down over 20 bombers. The remaining bombers do very little damage to the airfield and destroy about 10 planes on the ground.
• In the Malacca Strait, the SS Truant puts three torpedoes into the TK Hakko Maru, sinking her.
• Two Japanese infantry corps enter the area around Ichang. The Japanese notice them and attack, forcing the Chinese to retreat.
• The Allies attack at Myitkyina. The Japanese defenses hold well and the Allies notice that the fortifications had been increased (to 3).
• Northeast of Perth, the Australians attack, but the Japanese hold their positions well.
• Chinese partisans report that the Japanese have expanded the airfield at Wenchow to level 4.
• Engineers report expanding the port at La Foa to level 2.

Analysis: The big news is that the Japanese are going to invade Canton Island. It seems they are about 3 days out now. He has 4 CV's covering, at least a BB and a CL probably going to bombard, and maybe 20 transports. I started flying in more troops, but it'll just be a small amount, I suspect. I'll have to hope that the RCT, BF, CD and level 6 forts will hold him off.
Up in the Aleutians, I think he's pulling troops out from Amchitka Island by barge, so I'll try to break up the convoy with PT boats, subs and strafing. I'd rather him keep the troops away from my main target of Attu, which is where he's pulling them back to, I'm sure. We'll see how that goes. Oh, and I got creamed over Attu Island, losing too many B-24's. With winter approaching, I hope this hurts him more than me (of course).

[floydg]

October 28, 1942

Highlights: Japanese at the doorstep to Canton Island

• The SS S-35 locates a Japanese carrier task force north of Canton Island and tries to maneuver for an attack on a carrier, but can't. On the third attempt, a Japanese DD lands a depth charge hit on the sub.
• The BB Yamato, CA Chikuma and CA Tone bombard Canton Island. Only slight damage is done, and the coastal batteries report hitting the Tone numerous times. When the sun rose, 5xSBD, escorted by 4xF4F-4's attack the bombardment TF. 11xZero are on CAP and down an SBD, but three make it through and one plants a 1000lb bomb on the BB Yamato.
• The Japanese bomb Changsha and do moderate damage.
• Kittyhawks from Adak Island strafe a Japanese barge near Amchitka Island and riddle it with bullets, killing some troops on board.
• American paratroopers are dropped on Ogliuga Island and secure the base.
• The SS Shad, hit by two depth charges on the 17th finally succumbs to the damage and sinks on the way back to port.
• The Japanese quickly get the captured airfield at Yenen up to level 2. The Amercians get the airfield at Adak Island up to level 3.

Analysis: Coach Z has many task forces right by Canton Island now. Two have CV divisions, 4 are transports and one is a bombardment TF. He should be hitting the beach tomorrow. I got in a small amount of the RCT, but I think he suspects that now, since he's been flying CAP over the base. I have LBA at Wallis Island and some Wildcats and SBD's at Canton. Let's see what happens...
In China, my supply situation is starting to deteriorate. I need to find a way to get supply there...

[floydg]

October 29, 1942

Highlights: Canton Island invasion

• The SS Peto at Canton Island puts a torpedo into a troop-laden AP Tenran Maru and then later the DD Ikazuchi.
• South of Rabaul, the SS Gar gets hit with one depth charge.
• The BB Yamato, CA Chikuma and CA Tone bombard Canton Island again. This time doing even less damage and the BB Yamato was hit 9 times from coastal batteries.
• Japanese troops begin to unload at Canton Island. Coastal batteries plaster some of the ships, sinking the PC Ch 5 and the MSW Himejima Maru. Unloading troops suffer many casualties under intense coastal gunfire and defensive fire from the Allied troops on the island. Allied planes attempt to hit the ships, making several runs on the CVE Chuyo and CA Tone, but all miss and most of the bombers were shot down.
• The Japanese bomb Changsha again, doing more damage.
• The Allies send 192 bombers at Luganville. Numerous planes are destroyed on the ground (about 20 Tonys) for a loss of about a dozen bombers and escorts. The airbase took many hits on the runway.
• West of Yenen, the Japanese pursue the retreating Chinese and attack them. The Chinese hold their positions.
• The Japanese stage a fierce attack at Canton Island, but the defenders are well dug-in and the Japanese are easily contained to their initial beachhead.
• Chinese spies report that Japanese engineers have expanded the airfield at Nanchang to level 5.

Analysis: He is unloading two Naval Guard units and two Mixed Brigade units at Canton. That should be an AV of around 800, but with how his troops got disrupted unloading and in his shock attack, it'll be tight for him, especially with my level 6 forts. We didn't think Canton Island was an atoll, but he shock-attacked, so it must have been... Right now, I think he'll keep unloading and bomb my troops with his carrier planes. I'm tempted to attack, but with the shock attacks, I'll let him maximize his disruption and then kick him when he's down.
I also have some DD's in striking range (quick in, quick out), which may interrupt his unloading of supplies, which should be soon.
His bombing runs of Changsha are doing well - I need to beef up the CAP to protect that base.
I think I closed down Luganville airfield, so I'll make some more runs and see how many planes I can destroy on the ground. Once he can no longer conduct air operations out of Luganville, he can either try to re-deploy to Efate (given enough aviation support), or just pull back to the Solomons, which would be quite nice.

[floydg]

October 30, 1942

Highlights: Japanese failure at Canton

• Japanese troops continue to unload at Canton Island. Coastal guns report several ships taking hits. The troops then make another attack, but the Americans are still well-emplaced and the Japanese take almost 1500 casualties to under 100 American.
• The SS Grampus locates the CV Kaga north of Canton Island and lets loose a salvo of torpedoes, but they veered off course and missed the carrier.
• The BB Yamato, CA Chikuma and CA Tone bombard Canton Island once again. This time doing still less damage than previous days.
• Allied LBA attack some of the Japanese transports around Canton Island and score a hit on the AP Ryujo Maru and AP Gokoku Maru. Then over 100 Japanese carrier planes bomb Canton Island, doing moderate damage to the facilities.
• In the Malacca Straits, the SS Snapper is hit by a depth charge.
• The Japanese bomb Changsha again, but this time, a portion of the AVG is on CAP and take down several Japanese planes. The airbase takes some damage anyhow.
• The Allies hit Luganville again, this time with only 79 bombers, but there is no CAP and airbase appears to be closed again.
• At Amchitka Island, Bettys attack an MSW TF and hit the MSW Oriole and MSW Tanager (sinks).
• Japanese carrier planes attack Baker Island. The CAP and flak down 6 Japanese planes to 2 Wildcats. The airbase takes superficial damage.
• West of Yenen, the Japanese attack again. The Chinese falter a little, but still hold their positions.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack and the Allies retreat, giving the Japanese access to the route to Alice Springs again.
• The Allies attack again at Myitkyina and make no progress at all.

Analysis: The good news for me is that it looks like he's abandoned Canton Island. At the end of the turn, it said that one of the Mixed Brigades was wiped out. And then when I tried to enter orders to attack the Japanese after this turn, there were no troops left. While I'd like to get in a parting blow, having him run away is just as good.
My CAP over Changsha is making a small dent, but the P-40B pool is empty and those planes can't be replaced.
Looks like Luganville is really shut down now, so I'll hit it again until there is nothing recognizable and then invade. Once I recall troops from La Foa and rest them up.
In Australia, I'm pushing up by Perth. I'm now marching up an Indian Division, so maybe that will turn the tide. On the east, getting pushed back north of Alice Springs will let in some Japanese, but that would be good, since I'll trap them. And I have an Australian Division coming to relieve those troops, too.
In the Aleutians, things are moving slowly, but once my bombers are rested, I'll make a 1-2 punch of air and naval bombardment of Attu. Troops are ready for the invasion.
With Coach Z now on his heels, things are starting to get fun.

[n01487477]

Floyd - about time you have him on his heels [;)] 
 
I note the date is the end of October - I hope you are bringing enough troops to Attu (think how many you need and then double them ). Winter offensives are not pretty especially in this terrain, and maybe have a few fast transports "dumping" troops ashore.  I say dumping cause that is exactly what will occur.
 
--damian

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: n01487477
Floyd - about time you have him on his heels [;)] 

Yeah, I was expecting to slow him down much sooner, but I made a few mistakes and, for the most part, he's a better player than I am. I did get a good dose of excellent luck for a few turns that really did turn the tide for me. Especially in New Caledonia.

I note the date is the end of October - I hope you are bringing enough troops to Attu (think how many you need and then double them ). Winter offensives are not pretty especially in this terrain, and maybe have a few fast transports "dumping" troops ashore.  I say dumping cause that is exactly what will occur.

--damian

Yes, the timing couldn't be worse. But I can't wait until March. I have two divisions and an RCT ear-marked for this action. I hope to close down the Attu airbase, pound it with naval bombardments, and then move in. I believe all he has there is a portion of the 7th Division and support troops. I keep doing recon, so the DL should be up there.

We have a house rule prohibiting invasion by Fast Transport. Imagine if you had that one against Nemo... [;)]

[floydg]

October 31, 1942

Happy Halloween [:)]

Highlights: Japanese hit Canton as a parting shot

• Japanese bombard Canton Island with 2xBB, 2xCA and CL. The base takes a decent amount of damage, aircraft were lost and troops killed. Later in the day, over 130 Japanese carrier bombers hit the base and do significant damage to the facilities and aircraft.
• The Japanese bomb Changsha again. This time the Allied CAP defends well, but 6 of 8 P-40B's are shot down. Moderate damage is done to the airbase.
• The Japanese also bomb Chungking and do superficial damage, but destroy a decent number of planes on the ground.
• North of Alice Springs, the Japanese attack and the Australian Cavalry Brigade holds its position, routing the Japanese.
• West of Yenen, the Japanese attack again, but the Chinese hold.

Analysis: Coach Z said he wasn't sure he would be able to evacuate all of the troops from Canton Island, so he decided to do what he could to supress my forces to prevent me from attacking him. But he did get everything on their boats, so I had nothing to attack. His bombardments were probably what he was originally hoping for, and if he had gotten these before, he would have stayed. So sad he was too late... [:'(]
Australia is starting to look good for me, but all I need is a few bad rolls and I'm in trouble.