The Fleet the Gods Forgot: ALLIED Perspective

[John 3rd]

Will send them to Singers.

I don't know about his timetable being thrown off.  It is now January 3rd and he will have Timor within 1-2 days. 

The Philippine Air Force is a concern.  My Fighters have done well but I could stand a real chance of losing them if he takes Balikpapan.  The moment I see any sort of Landing Force headed that way, I will pull the P-40s immediately.  The B-25/B-26/B-17 cans tay and cause chaos before they have to run.

[desicat]

Were you ever able to run the gauntlet and get some supplies into the PI to help with the upcoming seige? 

[Q-Ball]

Your opponent's AAR reports an attack on some of your cruisers by Car Div 2, and it looks like you took some losses; can you confirm?

[John 3rd]

Things are definitely warm in Malaya. There are now FIVE confirmed Inf Div attacking down the Peninsula. Brad did we use that many? Pretty sure we ENDED UP with that many. This is a lot of firepower.

The 33rd and 55th are about to enter Moulmein.

Believe the 4th and 38th are in Luzon presently.

This should leave the 56th (Brad and I's Pacific unit) unaccounted for. Am I missing any others?

[John 3rd]

The Japanese aggressively move into the area south of Timor and strike at the retreating American Forces.

By the Grace of the AI Gods, the Japanese CVs find themselves just out of range of the American CVs. The Lexington and Enterprise will make good their escape tomorrow and run for the lovely Coral Sea. It is a PRETTY blue sea after all...

The Japanese bring an unexpected 4 CV into the fight. CarDiv1 and CarDiv5 are the CVs that launch the attack.

[paullus99]

Maybe time to swing north again? He'll be tied down at Timor for a bit & you can make life a little dicey for him.

But, if you err on the side of caution, it might not be a bad idea. Concentrate some more assets, get supplies & troops distributed for the next slam.

[John 3rd]

January 4, 1942
Combat Report

CV Update
Actually I think the CVs will move into the Central Pacific next.  I know where the Japanese CVs are and so will look to do some raiding.  Will only do this once I upgrade my Fighters on Lady Lex.  Want those Wildcats!  Enterprise and Lexington make good their exit from the Darwin area.  Darwin is hit by KB but nothing serious. 

GOOD NEWS:  CA Aoba SINKS on the way to Kendari!  That makes 3 CA... 

Yorktown arrived at San Fran today and is moving to Pearl to join-up with Saratoga.  They will cause chaos once together.  I like operating my CVs at the start of the war in pairs of single-CV TF.  It gives them some serious punch but does not put all my eggs in one basket.

Malaya
The Malaya Campaign goes from bad-to-worse.  Just spotted a SIXTH Inf Div coming down the west coast!  CRAP!  This means that he has Imp Guards, 2nd, 5th, 16th, 18th, and 21st deployed there.  Will hold the mid-Peninsula line as long as possible.  The only way to judge whether this defense works or not is to see when I surrender.  If it is anywhere near the historical date then this has been a waste of Japanese resources.  It will be interesting to see what happens.

Philippines
In the Philippines I debut my new bright and shiny B-26 Squadron where they nail an AK with 9 bombs and an AP with 4.  Very nice!  I get the Bolo Squadron to finally upgrade in Manila to B-25.  Will have a bunch of fun using these Medium Bombers.  Love that type of aircraft!  Having 16 B-26 and 24 B-25 will make a dent in shipping.

My B-17 hit Aparri again and destroyed a couple of Lily on the ground.  The B-26 flew from there too.  Thinking he might take a swipe at the very active base, I order my 4 P-40 Squadrons to LR CAP the AF.  Could be a nasty surprise...

Burma
The Moulmein Line speaks for the first time today when they crush a Japanese TK Regiment that arrived early.  Just 32-1!  I have supplies unloading at Rangoon with more on the way.  Meiktila is looking good with Forts almost at 3.  Moved an Indian Division into Burma and split it to cover my mostly empty bases:  Lashio, Magwe, and Myitkyina.  Should prevent any Paratrooper ideas from forming. 

[ny59giants]

HQ usage

SE Asia - If it is at Calcutta, you may consider it moving to Imphal or Mandalay and have it prepping for Moulmein "IF" you think that battle is going to carry on for at least 15 to 20 days. It's range is 9 hexes (includes the one its in).

Malaya HQ - you will have to weight if it is worth changing it over to prep for Kuala Lumpur or another base (non-Singapore) to add possible AV modification

Luzon - change your Army HQ at Manila to prep for Lingayan if you think his main attack will have to be that base.

ABDA HQ - It is set for Port Moresby (I never understood this pre-game setting). If you still have it at Batavia, change it over to Palembang "IF" you think he is going there before going to Java.

Look around at your Army HQ to see if they can be a help.

[Hornblower]

Are you going to Fight for Rangoon (somehow i think i already know the answer) and if so how much will you invest into it ?

[John 3rd]

I am not sure how to take "somehow I think I already know the answer" comment!  

The battle for Rangoon is at Moulmein.  I will hold it until forced out by the Japanese.  Once I have been forced back across the river I will stand there and force the Shock Attack.  After that we fall back on Meiktila to stand again.  I will be doing this while preparing for the decisive stand at Mandalay.  By planning three defensive lines prior to my MLR I hope to buy up to a month or so of time.

With only 2 Inf Div and 2 TK Reg I expect the Japanese will not be able to easily force me out of Moulmein.  I have BUNCHES of supplies unloading at Rangoon to help units expand and be fully supplies. 

I will also be fighting tooth and nail in the skies over Burma.  That won't help the Japanese very much...

[Big B]

So John,  ....how do you like playing the Allied side for a change? (early war is always their biggest challenge, but probably the most fun)
Any thoughts in general? (and by the way - your audacity is inspiring - as usual [;)])

Brian

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Big B

So John,  ....how do you like playing the Allied side for a change? (early war is always their biggest challenge, but probably the most fun)
Any thoughts in general? (and by the way - your audacity is inspiring - as usual [;)])

Brian

BRIAN! Good to see you on the AAR! How are you?

I love ducking and weaving at the start of the war as the Allies. It reminds me of mid-143 on as the Japanese. Fun to see what sorts of chaos one can do to one's opponent!

Only comment I have is did the Allies actually have ALL THIS supply to start the war with. Good Lord. As the Japanese what I wouldn't give for what San Fransisco STARTS the war with---damn...

Beyond that am two weeks out from my final Hearing and am looking forward to life getting resolved one way OR the other.

You want audacity check my NEXT post...

[John 3rd]

My 12 PBY spot the incoming Japanese Invasion Force two days out from Rabaul. I have been waiting for this for two weeks and now is the prefect time to try to completely defeat a Japanese Invasion BEFORE it lands! HUZZAH!

Orders:
1. I immediately shift planes around so I have 24 Wirraway and 6 Hudson flying out of Rabaul next round on naval attack.

2. My STF at Milne Bay moves to Rabaul. It consists of 3 CA, 2 CL, and 4 DD. SHOULD outweigh anything the Japanese have...

3. The STF at Noumea (3 CA, 2 CL, 6 DD) starts a high speed run towards Rabaul.

4. Lexington and Enterprise are too far away with too little fuel to directly intervene but that does not mean their AIR GROUPS cannot. I move Lex's SBDs and TBDs to Port Moresby. They couldn't make it to Rabaul in one hop. The following turn will see them at Rabaul on the attack.


The only thing that can ruin my fun would be some CVs but I don't think they are near...

Hee-Hee...

[Hornblower]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I am not sure how to take "somehow I think I already know the answer" comment!  

i was refering to your proven agressiveness. Rabaul could be a serious bloody nose for them..

[Big B]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ORIGINAL: Big B

So John,  ....how do you like playing the Allied side for a change? (early war is always their biggest challenge, but probably the most fun)
Any thoughts in general? (and by the way - your audacity is inspiring - as usual [;)])

Brian

BRIAN! Good to see you on the AAR! How are you?

....

Only comment I have is did the Allies actually have ALL THIS supply to start the war with. Good Lord. As the Japanese what I wouldn't give for what San Fransisco STARTS the war with---damn...

Arsenal of Democracy Baby...enjoy.

Good Luck Johnny[;)]

[marky]

Good Hunting.

heres to hoping that that invasion force doesnt have KB with it [X(]

[ny59giants]

After you take off the TBs from Sara and Yorktown at Pearl and replace with more fighters and/or DBs, what about them escorting a RCT and possibly a combat command from the 24th or 25th division to retake Wake Island?? I'm thinking of adding more distractions to Ken's offensive and not a suicidal misssion. More thought is needed before doing so, but I thought I would throw it out here. [:D]

[flaggelant]

it's still a bit early for an atoll without air supremacy on the sea, remember john is only 1 week past '41
IMO it costs more than what it might result in
* maybe costing a full division if KB comes in for some Hammer Time
* demanding regular visits by Allied CV's would seriously limit John's manouvrability (not to mention that the CV's, or transports could be lost in the proces)

[John 3rd]

I tend to agree with Flag (this would be somewhat CONSERVATIVE of me) that doing something like this would be highly risky.  The differing idea I have is to strike but not into the teeth of Japanese power.  What about retaking Attu?  There are NO AF that can cause trouble with the attack and I do have several RCT available for a landing...

Not TOO crazy but definitely HIGHLY aggressive!

[paullus99]

His carriers can only be so many places at once. If he starts sending his carriers out in "penny-packets" it is more likely he will lose them - if he stays concentrated, it opens up opportunities for you along the perimeter. Hit and fade - you have the combination of rapier skills, soon to be backed up with broadsword resources.