The Fleet the Gods Forgot: ALLIED Perspective

[John 3rd]

No planes at Georgetown.  I think he is low on Betty and Nell right now. 

My Fighters have really done some damage to those Daitai.  Over PM this current turn I shot down 2 Zero and 4 Betty.

His Invasion Force turned around and moved within 2 hexes of PM.  I moved two full strength SBD Squadrons back into the AF with orders to attack only at Range 1.  Those 36 SBD might inflict a bloody nose on the Invasion Fleet.  Fuel could have been a problem for him because his CVs are 4 hexes ESE from PM and I spotted several TK present. 

The Bombers at Rabaul have to have crappy morale right now.  I keep wondering why he doesn't pound the base with the KB?  There is only an average of 8-12 Fighters flying from the AF.  If he doesn't attack it by air tomorrow then I will have a good day attacking AP--AK. 

Would love for 2 more days there.  Just noticed I get an Aussie Brigade as reinforcements there at that point.  If I remember right a scheduled reinforcement won't arrived if the hex is contested.  RIGHT?

[Hornblower]

Sounds like he is trying to wait you out.  Perhaps moving more assits in?

[ny59giants]

No planes at Georgetown. I think he is low on Betty and Nell right now.

That will may be true. But, "IF" he were to move in 2 daitai of them and place them on 20 or 30% naval search while on Naval Attack and the "dice gods" smile on him, then you are screwed. [X(]

[John 3rd]

That is true Mister DOOM AND GLOOM!  [:D]  Prince of Wales WILL SURVIVE!  It is that simple and I will use my evil mind control and grooming skills to make it so.

As to the other thought, he might have been waiting for more to arrive.  Definitely refueling so that answers a part of the question.  I would also expect that American Carrier planes flying out of the base is--to say the least--a concern and unexpected.  The magic cursor also notes about 7 units there and since I have been fighting every step of the way it might seriously concern him as to what is present.

The base looks stronger then it is.  There is presently 35,000 Supply, Forts are 3/54, and about 175 AV to defend the base with.  2nd Corps HQ is there so there will be a stout fight.  If he has brought more then a Division then he will take the base.  If he hasn't then it could stalemate for a while and I would LOVE to tie-down his CVs protecting his beach-head.  Is beachhead one word or hyphenated?  Hmmm...

Speaking of Beach-heads, I am gathering a large force at Dutch Harbor to create some mischief and sow the seeds of panic fro the Japanese.  Look for some fun to occur off of Attu sometime after March 1, 1942!    Course we're not going to get there with my Hearing in 10 days...  [X(][&o][X(]

[Hornblower]

Not hyphenated

[John 3rd]

Thank you Sir!

[Hornblower]

I looked it up  [:D]  ..  mi speling not soo good

[John 3rd]

I may be a Professor of History but SPELLCHECK is one of the greatest creations ever made!

[Hornblower]

I'm a Phi Alpha Theta.  To much time spent on History, not near enough on English Comp.

[John 3rd]

Understand avoiding the English. For me it was Math and Science!

Am quietly chuckling here at Port Moresby. Not sure what the Japanese are going to do. Doubt if they have an answer either.

Will happily note that IJN Furutaka sank this turn in Kendari Harbor!!! The Lexington--Enterprise attack has now yielded 3 CA bringing the total to FIVE! HUZZAH!

[Capt. Harlock]

Will happily note that IJN Furutaka sank this turn in Kendari Harbor!!! The Lexington--Enterprise attack has now yielded 3 CA bringing the total to FIVE! HUZZAH!

And it's interesting to note that CA's are the one class of ships that the IJN never gets more of. The Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere doesn't look like it will be quite as great this time. . .[;)]

[paullus99]

He'll be missing those cruisers when the surface engagements start heating up.

[Canoerebel]

He's as well as admitted he's not very experienced and is distracted by real life issues.  With John's ability, experience, and absolute knowledge of Japan's at-start capabilities, he's hurting.  This game has already been decided.

[Hornblower]

I would think the IJN needs a reverse Midway at this point..

[John 3rd]

If I can tie him to Port Moresby there may be a real chance of that happening.  I could gather 4 CVs down there and we might have a REAL fracas.  Only time will tell.

[John 3rd]

The Japanese finally unleash their naval air against the Allied forces and don't get the result they probably hoped for! Additionally the Invasion Force has disappeared from sight. With 35,000 supply at PM this will only allow the Allied units to fill out and dig in further.

[John 3rd]

After the sting given to the Japanese planes over Port Moresby on the 17th, the 18th is a very quiet turn.  Here are the major events:

Soerabaja
The Japanese sneak a Chutai of 9 Nells into the harbor and hit two Allied DDs!  No fighters flew to intercept and so I lose DD Alden with a Dutch DD heavily damaged.  This unit constitutes my only real naval striking power in the DEI now.  I have 4 CL and 8 DD in Soerabaja waiting to be used.  Since I have a fuel shortage at Soerabaja (for some reason), I may move them to Balipapan for fuel and await the inevitable invasion.

Port Moresby
The Japanese do not attack in any way, shape, or form.  The KB is sitting in the same place as the last screenshot shows (about 3-4 hexes SE of PM).  Don't see the APs anymore so I am hoping he has called off his planned invasion.  That would be REAL COOL if he doesn't try landing for a while.  My position there will only get stronger as units continue to fillout.


Phillipines
Dadjangas
I retake this base with two Philippine Inf Div and order them on to Davao.  There are only 2 units present there so I will try to retake the base.

Tuegegarao
My initial troop move into the hex to find the 48th Inf Div present!  Oooppsss....  Guess he is getting more focused on the Philippines.  Order the boys to fallback but I am sure they will be kicked out tomorrow.  Luckily only about 50% of the units crossed so I can stop the rest from moving in there tomorrow.  This is a good thing.



My Forts are looking GREAT in Baguio, Lingayen, and Bataan.  He will need to drive me from those northern positions fairly soon or it will be VERY tough to blast the Americans and Philippinos out of their positions.  Supplies are still excellent so I don't have any fear there either.

Do something interesting over the last couple of turns.  I had an AK and President Madison in Manila Bay repairing.  Both are under 20 in terms of damage so I decided to move them to the Central Philippines.  They were not attacked whatsoever and so they are picking up a Philippine Inf Div and moving it to Legaspi to aid the defense of Luzon.  IF they accomplish this then I will move them back to Cebu and pick-up more units to move as well.  Figure that I cannot get them elsewhere but CAN use them to fight so why not?


Malaya
Johore Bharu
The Japanese have attacked here twice and drawn 0-1 results.  It isn't being held by much so am not sure why he hasn't moved down another Inf Div or two.  With the screw-up along the east coast I now simply hope to hold out until February 1st.  Probably being optimistic at that!


Burma
I have a ton of supplies unloading at Rangoon.  The convoy was carrying 100,000 and is now down to less then 40,000.  There are the 3 Armored units and a Burma Rifles Brigade sitting in Rangoon filling out FAST with all these supplies.  A good chunk of the supplies is moving north to Meiktila and Mandalay.  It isn't often that the game moves the supplies to where we WANT it to go!!! 

Still just the two Jap Inf Div at Moulmein and they do nothing but bombard.  My troops keep digging in and strengthening their position.  The funny thing is that I plan for Meiktila to be my real stand but am perfectly content to keep using Rangoon for a long as possible. 

In terms of aerial units Burma is looking darned tough at the moment.  I have the 3 AVG Squadrons rebuilding and training, 2 P-40 Squadrons from the Philippines, and 3 Hurricane Squadrons up in Mandalay.  In addition to the fighters I have about 75 bombers flying daily strikes at the Japanese troops in Moulmein.  Given about 2-3 weeks I will have a somewhat formidable air force in Burma.

[Capt. Harlock]

My Forts are looking GREAT in Baguio, Lingayen, and Bataan.  He will need to drive me from those northern positions fairly soon or it will be VERY tough to blast the Americans and Philippinos out of their positions.  Supplies are still excellent so I don't have any fear there either.

At this rate, what do you think your chances are of holding on to some of the PI until the counter-invasion?

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

My Forts are looking GREAT in Baguio, Lingayen, and Bataan.  He will need to drive me from those northern positions fairly soon or it will be VERY tough to blast the Americans and Philippinos out of their positions.  Supplies are still excellent so I don't have any fear there either.

At this rate, what do you think your chances are of holding on to some of the PI until the counter-invasion?

You are a FUNNY man!

[John 3rd]

We are now at January 24, 1942 and Burma is looking rock solid at the moment:

1. The aerial battle has begun in a rather so-so opening. Several TF have been attacked while unloading at Rangoon and/or Moulmein. The screenshot details action there.

2. There are still just the two Inf Div (33rd/55th) at Moulmein and I have about 500 AV to stop them. Forts just climbed past 4 and might make 5 before a serious assault develops. PLENTY of supply here is helping my AV climb as units continue to fillout.

3. I feel so confident about holding Moulmein that I have pulled my three TK Units back with a Brigade of Burma Rifles to Rangoon. They are rapidly gaining strength and looking pretty good. Have nearly 100,000 supply in Rangoon presently.

4. Meiktila has moved past Fort-4 and is climbing. There are four small BF present doing the digging. Moved two Squadrons of P-40s there to rest and train some.

5. Magwe has part of an Indian Division and a BF present. Forts are now past 2 and I will move a Base Force from Meiktila over there to help with the digging.

6. Mandalay and Myitkyina look similar.

7. The Chinese Hordes are about 30 miles from Lashio and will garrison the eastern portion of Burma. They will move into Taung Gyi, Lashio, and Myitkyina.