The First Team: Take Two!

[ny59giants]

Aircraft and Bases Umnak and Amchitka are about to up one in AF size (6 and 4 respectively) and we have a large BF on its way to help Amchitka along with support. (I suddenly cannot remember if this is Adak or Amchitka--I think Amchitka--Michael???)

Change Amchitka to Adak for these comments. An Aviation Rgt is just leaving northern Japan on 4 large APs at Full Speed.

They both are in the high 80s in percentage of build to the next level. Thus, they should go up in two days time. Then, at Umnak, the forts will start to be built while at Adak, the port will be built to size 4 before forts.

[Canoerebel]

Okay, if I'm the Americans, I've been fearing the KB the entire time.  I'd have worried about it showing up day one, and each day I'd be growing more and more worried.  I also wouldn't want a fight on unequal terms, so I'd refuse combat here.  For weeks, I'd have been trying to come up with some other offensive operation far, far away to try to catch you guys by surprise (turning Cold Bay into a huge diversion).  But from what I've seen in this game thus far, my thoughts are often very different from your opponents.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Okay, if I'm the Americans, I've been fearing the KB the entire time.  I'd have worried about it showing up day one, and each day I'd be growing more and more worried.  I also wouldn't want a fight on unequal terms, so I'd refuse combat here.  For weeks, I'd have been trying to come up with some other offensive operation far, far away to try to catch you guys by surprise (turning Cold Bay into a huge diversion).  But from what I've seen in this game thus far, my thoughts are often very different from your opponents.

The last few days they have probably said a prayer before opening the turn, praying KB doesn't show up and trash the CVs. They have lost over 60 Wildcats, which would make those CV's easy pickins.

Unfortunately they will be back at Kodiak by the time KB gets up there, and might have Cold Bay captured as well. We'll have to see, but for sure the ships will be gone. If they are gone, I would actually send in a TF of empty AKs as bait and set up KB to nail the BB's in the day phase, before sending in the actual AKs (Michael, John, what do you think?) Once we either get supplies to Cold Bay or get the troops off (depending on whether it's captured or not), we will have a decision to make on what next. I highly doubt they will take on KB directly, so we will either have to raid Kodiak, or wait for them to come to us, either one.

[ny59giants]

We have the MLE and fast MLs headed for Dutch Harbor. Plans are to set them at Full Speed to plant mine fileds at Cold Bay. This already was in motion before they landed, but I pulled them back to Adak.
 
An Air HQ from Armchitka will dock at Umnak next trun. This should help out by giving us more coordinated air strikes. The Northern Command HQ is prepping for Cold Bay and is headed to Umnak. if we can hold out, this has a chance to add value to our adjusted defense strength.
 
2 small supply TF are headed for Umnak. One is with a PG/PC and two small AKs (5000 supplies) and another with a PG/PC and 3 small AKs (partially loaded with 6000 supplies). They will be used as bait as I should be able to move in another 2 daitai of fighters to Umnak after it goes to AF 6 in two days. I will LRCAP them and "hope" the American CVs go after them. We have a SC TF that will arrive this turn at Attu. I spoke with John about using it for a Fast Transport for supplies, but I think we may use it first as a SC TF to clear out the hex of Allied transports.
 
Last turn, my version of the 001 file replay was out of sync. So far, we have come out better with the original vs the second viewing. [:D] I had 18 Betty from Amchitka fly into the American CVs and lose 14. However, they had only 61 Wildcats and P-38 (LRCAP) over the CVs. So far, they have restricted their CV CAP to 0 hexes as we haven't seen any leakers over Cold Bay. The number of fighters on LRCAP over Cold Bay has been slowly declining. That is partially why I have wanted more fighters than strike aircraft heading for Cold Bay. They probably have plenty of Wildcats in their pool, but I want to get rid of as many of their highly experience pilots as possible.
 
I sent out Emily on Recon to Kodiak and Anchorage to see what's there (they remain on 60% naval search). Time to get their worry meter up somewhat. [;)] I'm thinking that they may stay around Cold Bay for some time as we truly start to increase the pressure. If I can chase them back to Kodiak, I would hit them the same day unless recon shows a huge number of fighters present. They will take on replacement aircraft, but they will need a few days for them to be repaired. They will be in a coastal hex and cut their CAP in half. [;)]

[ny59giants]

9 Sept 42

Cold Bay - The Americans have withdrawn their transport and supporting American CVs back to Kodiak. Their troops did not attack this turn (no bombardments either [&:]). Most of the strike aircraft on Umnak have orders to hit the troops next turn.

Kodiak - Emily recon showed only 50 fighters on CAP. The AF (6) can support a lot more, so why so few fighters on CAP??

A small AK was sunk on the way to Umnak and AP with part of an Air HQ was hit by American subs operating north of Adak. I have only one ASW TF operating there, but more PC/PG are headed over from Japan.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Okay, if I'm the Americans, I've been fearing the KB the entire time.  I'd have worried about it showing up day one, and each day I'd be growing more and more worried.  I also wouldn't want a fight on unequal terms, so I'd refuse combat here.  For weeks, I'd have been trying to come up with some other offensive operation far, far away to try to catch you guys by surprise (turning Cold Bay into a huge diversion).  But from what I've seen in this game thus far, my thoughts are often very different from your opponents.

The last few days they have probably said a prayer before opening the turn, praying KB doesn't show up and trash the CVs. They have lost over 60 Wildcats, which would make those CV's easy pickins.

Unfortunately they will be back at Kodiak by the time KB gets up there, and might have Cold Bay captured as well. We'll have to see, but for sure the ships will be gone. If they are gone, I would actually send in a TF of empty AKs as bait and set up KB to nail the BB's in the day phase, before sending in the actual AKs (Michael, John, what do you think?) Once we either get supplies to Cold Bay or get the troops off (depending on whether it's captured or not), we will have a decision to make on what next. I highly doubt they will take on KB directly, so we will either have to raid Kodiak, or wait for them to come to us, either one.

Dan--I have wondered the same thing THROUGHOUT the summer of 1942. Why not attack someplace else instead of up here? Doesn't appear to be happening---so be it!

I just wrote Michael and Brad about using the AKs to sucker the American Fleet in while using the airspace over Cold Bay as a CAP Trap to destroy American strike aircraft. If we can draw the CVs back out again then the KB will be available (FINALLY!) to attack. Doing this should also force the Americans to keep their CVs present instead of heading out for their upgrade.

Michael and I have also spoken about swinging the KB southeast in an effort to catch the American Fleet retiring towards the West Coast. This would be a better fight since there would be no LBA covering the Americans and we would have 12 CV/CVL. We've got the AOs with enough fuel to support this operation so it is a real possibility to think and plan on...

I've asked Michael to go through his notes (he is the ANAL player in our trio!) and see just what we sank and damaged during this operation at Cold Bay. I know we got BB California and a DD but don't know how many AK/AP were sunk and damaged. My guess is somewhere around 12-18 sunk and an equal number damaged but cannot confirm this.

[ny59giants]

10 & 11 Sept 42

The flow of info over the last few days. My response and I did both parts today as Brad is busy, 11th (turn just sent back)

Michael - Karachi gets 200 supplies per day (hard coded). The industry is HI - 350, Oil - 50, Resources 200 with 200 more per day (another hard coding). That's about 750 supply per day. If we don't bomb these assets then the flak will work just find. Thus, I would set up this corner of India by....

Malir: AF 4 - 2 sentai of Tojo/Tony on 70 % CAP, 1 Chutai of Dinah for recon of Karachi, and 1 chutai of Nell set for 80% naval search at 6,000

Ahmadabad: AF 5 - move 139 IJNAF BF from Delhi here. 2 daitai of Zero on escort only with 2 daitai of Betty on naval attack/rest with 20 or 30% naval search.

Pangim: AF 4 - move 140 IJN BF from Delhi here. CD guns work better on the coast vs inland. 1 daitai Zero, 1 daitai Betty on naval attack/rest with 20 to 30% naval search, 1 chutai of Nell on 80% naval search at 6,000.

Poona: AF 5 - 1 or 2 sentai of Tojo/Tony for escort with 6 full strength sentai of Helen/Sally to keep hitting Bombay.

Move 18 Aviation Rgt from Magwe, Burma to Malir.
Bring up all air units to full strength by disbanding other units and/or training runs. The Helen/Sally should have another chutai worth of pilots to account for losses.
Twice they have moved in naval units, but our Betty, Nells, and Zeros have been out of place. They would be set to naval interdiction only. No more using them for base bombing.

Just my $.02

-------Original Message-------

From: Bradley Cue
Date: 7/13/2009 6:47:32 PM
To: Michael Benoit; John Cochrane
Subject: Any Advice on Karachi?

Our bombers are getting killed at an alarming rate above Karachi. I am thinking of halting the bombing for this reason. Tommorow we go at 31K ft, but I doubt we hit much. The Flak is much much worse than Bombay.

At some point the way they are going to get back in the game in India is through Karachi; step one would be to re-open the airbase. That's why I am bombing around the clock. Maybe I just wait until planes appear, who knows. If I am the Allies, I would be loading Spits onto my last CVs to stage to Karachi. They can't get AKs in there, but they can fly fighters off a CV. They may not have thought of that yet.

Notes to my two co-generals/admirals from last turn. Below is a screenshot of Kodiaks CAP.

Guys,

I implemented the reorganizing of aircraft in India along the lines of my prior email. If they try to get anything through, we should be ready as Ms. Betty is now on both sides of Bombay. I left Malir alone, for now. A daitai of Zeros is being broken down at Calcutta. Next turn those repaired will head for Hanoi for rebuilding and training while the remains from 3 chutai will fill up those daitai along the west coast.

Cold Bay - 1168 mines are now there. [:D] The 4 small AKs stopped only one hex away. The Fast Transport should drop supplies next turn (was 5 hexes away). I had a whole Sentai of fighters on LRCAP, but only 5 were overhead when B-17 arrived. No ground combat of any sort. [&:]

KB is now at cruise speed, but some will arrive at Attu next turn. Plans are to re-fuel and rendezvous SE of Adak. The game of cat and mouse is about to heat up. Their anxiety level has got to be high as they haven't seen KB, but must know something is up as the posting on the AAR have increased. I want to position KB within 10 hexes of a launching point that would hit any returning BB TF from Cold Bay.

Screenshot shows CAP over Kodiak.

90k supply in route along with 185k in fuel, excluding AOs.

7th Mixed Bde was bought out from Manchuria and should be on the coast for loading in two or three days.

Michael

[ny59giants]

12 Sept 42

Cold Bay - Same old song. I'm at a lost after the Allies have moved in troops and supplies, but not even a bombardment attack. I had the Fast Transport unload supplies and 4 small AKs are there now to unload 8,000 in supplies. LRCAP did shoot down 3 B-17s today. [:)] I wonder how they will deal with us reinforcing the base.

Bombay - We did a deliberate attack here today. Forts went down to level 6. [&o]
9/12 - 3583 : 20017 forts 6
9/4 - 4967 : 26717 forts 7
8/7 - 3794 : 32829 forts 7
I think it is only a matter of time now. I was unsure after the last attack on the 4th, but they have had their adjusted go down 6,000 each time. 45,000 in supply is almost to Diamond Harbor, will need to be unloaded, and have the AI move it forward before we try again.

Nanchang - The Allies moved in a single LCU here. Its Brad's problem.

[Alikchi2]

Awesome!! Thank God Bombay is cracking.

[John 3rd]

It would appear that we might have a chance to actually take Bombay.  If the Forts continue dropping with our Deliberate Attacks life will look pretty good.  The destruction of the Royal Navy Fleet CVs has got to REALLY put some nails into Bombay's coffin!

The aircraft re-arrangement makes good sense to me and should better utilize the planes present.  I noticed in the Combat Replay that we have planes still bombing/training in China.  Could those planes be moved into India and "Train" by actually hitting Bombay?  AA is pretty much non-existent there...

We need to be wary that if Bombay truly begins to collapse then the Allies might try a breakout from Karachi to save the garrison. 

My .02 in this area...
 

[John 3rd]

Michael--What did we sink up there while the Allies were unloading?

The supply drop is HUGE!  Glad that Fast Transport Force got in there and placed 5,000+ Supplies in the harbor.  With the AKs unloading I wager we shall see a response from the Fleet.  I'd add more Army Fighters to the CAP over those AKs.  Be nice to shoot down a good number of bombers!

The mines will make life much more interesting.  Run them in AGAIN!  Remember that we have a mine restriction House Rule of 1,000 + 1,000/Port Size.  A second mine delivery will run us against the top end of that. 

If the Americans come in with their BBs again we might be able to damage one or two and them catch them in the hex or the hex next to the base with our Betty/Vals/Kates.  Saw that we are hitting the troops on Cold Bay with our LBA.  Make sure there is a good amount still on Naval Attack!  Want to bag anything we damage.

I would refuel the KB and wait until all your small TF have made it to Attu and then sortie SE.  Like the cat-and-mouse angle a lot.  With the CAP over Kodiak the real thing I would like to see is us spot the Americans heading to the West Coast and then POUNCE on them! 

[ny59giants]

Ships sunk list (to get Sir John off my back ). It is on Tracker.

I have to do a balancing act on fighters and mission from Umnak. I have 1 sentai each of Tony and Tojo assigned LRCAP on the base and AKs. Part of the third sentai and the Zeros here are on escort. The two Vals and a Nell on on Naval Attack/Rest. Vals would get killed by flak and I didn't want to lose them to ground attack (waste of their high experience). The Nell's morale was below 60 and needed resting.

Most of KB will arrive at Attu tomorrow or the next day, if not there already. They will re-fuel and head SE. I put the sentai of Helen at Adak on 80% ASW search (3 hex range effective). I saw 5 subs last turn, so I want to try to avoid running over them and giving out our position.

Bombay - I have part of 7 sentai of Sally/Helens at Poona. I have part of 4 more in the area that were used to ground attack last turn. They need rest, so I'm standing them down until next attack.

Any more questions??

[Canoerebel]

I'm not sure what John wants to glean from the roster of ships sunk around Kodiak/Cold Bay recently.  In my game with him I lost scads of AKs and APs without dramatic effect on my ability to carry out the war.  In fact, due to the pounding my combat ships and carriers had taken, often times I committed big transport TFs to operations without protection, knowing that losses would be high but that I could afford them.

[John 3rd]

Dan--Good Morning!  I am only following the game through the Combat Reports, talking with Michael, email, and AAR.  Am not actually watching the turns play out and I am anal in wanting to keep track of damage done to the enemy.  When a big fight occurs I like to post the totals as the battle develops and concludes.  Provides me a better feel of the ebb and flow of things.

Admiral Benoit initiated a high-level conference email between all three players regarding strategy and plans in THE NORTH.  I'll leave it up to him and Brad about divulging any commentary from this set of on-going emails.  Very good (and DEVIOUS) thinking occurring between the triad of players!

We are now in mid-September 1942.  Perhaps if Brad and/or Michael could post a screenshot of the current Victory Point totals from the game it might help to see where we are after the victory in the IO and the battle UP NORTH.

[John 3rd]

I did notice on the last Combat Report that we had an excellent, large-scale strike (200+ Bombers) hit Bombay and cause 5 supply losses.  We need more of that!
 

[Q-Ball]

Combat Report, Sept 14

I just did the combat replay, and sent to Michael. VERY interesting developments in both the Aleutians and India. I'll go over India first.

India

As noted, Bombay is starting to crack, and I have been bombing it around the clock. I had a similar bombing cycle at Karachi, but raised the altitude recently due to very high flak losses (3-6 A/C a day!) from the 45 units there. Sure enough, they populated the base with Wellingtons and B-25s, along with some Buffalos, the Buffalo probably being the only fighter that can stage from Aden. The bombers hit Malir, but didn't take out the base.

We are reacting STRONGLY to this; I packed Malir full of fighters, with some sweeping Karachi, but mostly to keep that base open hoping they attack again. I packed Ahmadebad full of bombers, who will hit Karachi tommorow. I expect alot of flak unfortunately, but I need to let them think we can close Karachi anytime we want.

If they ever figure out they can load Spits on their remaining CVs and stage them to Karachi we are in serious trouble.

Planning another attack at Bombay shortly; we are now probably racing against the clock as they are going to try a Karachi breakout, it's the only move they can really make at this point to save Bombay, since the RN is out of commission.

Darwin

As a quick note, I noticed what appears to be a Sub and an AS in port. They are using Darwin as a sub base. Can't have that, can we? Only 7 Kittys on CAP yesterday, we are going to sneak in bombers to Wyndham and see if we can get a sneak port attack off.

Aleutians

Here is the real action. During the Night Phase, a TF consisting of CA Chicago plus 5 DD hit Cold Bay again, sinking an AK unloading supplies. The following morning though found that TF only 1 hex from Cold Bay; the DDs must have topped off. A large strike from Umnak put 9 bombs and 5 torps into Chicago, and you can guess how that turned out....yes, CA Chicago is SUNK!

The other interesting thing during the day was a raid of 66 SBDs on Cold Bay! They had no escort, so our small CAP of Tojos shot down 5 of them. But that definitively announced the presence of CVs!

Now, what appears to be a large BB TF is set up, moving West, 4 hexes from Cold Bay. No doubt at all they will be bombarding tonight. We have a cruiser TF in that hex unloading supplies, but we probably need to move it ASAP, as that could get ugly against BBs. Michael, I think they have to forget the unload and run, otherwise with their fuel status it could get VERY ugly tonight for that TF.

I have attached a map for visual; Michael, John and I had been exchanging notes about how to position KB, anticipating that they would need to get more supplies/troops into Cold Bay. At this point, we may just go straight in.

I personally think this is a quick raid; there are no transports coming from Kodiak (yet), and this may be just to get a bombard on the base so they can start attacking, since they have no air support. Even though it is a raid, I think they may hang around a bit, to hit the base a couple times for attack.

Should be interesting tommorow!

[ny59giants]

A behind the scenes look at our three way discussion on using KB I started and their responses.

Michael's

Gentlemen,

6 CV and 3 CVL will be leaving Attu this turn. The other 2 CV and 1 CVL will join up after refueling. I will have the AOs follow along this last TF. I have chosen a point 4 hexes due south of Armchitka for rendezvous. This is 6 hexes SE of Attu. I plan to move south of the American sub picket line. Hopefully I do not run over any and firm up Allied Intel on where KB is.

Next is how to use KB. I have two immediate thoughts. First, is to have her be within 10 hexes of a full speed run to hit warships between Kodiak and Cold Bay. Second, is to move her SE of Kodiak and move in to hit Kodiak and hopefully the CVs if they move significant forces towards Cold Bay again. To date, they haven't launched any ground combat in any manner. Why not??

It would seem to me that they have decisions to make. If they don't use their CVs, then they will need to use P-38s and P-40Cs to provide LRCAP for any SC TF that they run into Cold Bay. Last turn naval search failed to spot the CA and 7 DDs.

The first Glen equipped sub was dispatched to this area after repairs. I have moved subs around to some degree now that the warships have moved out to use up more of the repair shipyards. It will take some time before they get back in significant numbers.

John spoke of picking up the Gds Mixed Bde at Adak and shipping it in to Cold Bay. If so, then KB will need to be used. Before hand, supplies need to be increased and the port needs to be increased to size 2 to help the unloading process.

Lets use this e-mail to throw some ideas back and forth on what we do now.

Admiral Benoit

BRAD's

Allied Intentions

First question is what the Allies are going to do? They haven’t attacked at Cold Bay yet; that is either because the troops are still too disrupted and they want to recover that, or it’s because they don’t think they have enough troops there to take it. The former is possible, since we hit a lot of transports on the way in, the surely lost a lot of equipment coming ashore.

Do we agree that they are coming back to Cold Bay? I think they will, not just to land more troops, but also to bombard our guys there to soften them up. They have nearly all their operational BBs up there it seems. This is backed up by the fact that the fleet is remaining at Kodiak. I haven’t seen recon reports, are there Wildcats on CAP over Kodiak still?

Given this, they could get stuff to Cold Bay one of two ways:

Cover via P-38 from Kodiak as you mentioned. At that distance, there wouldn’t be a lot of CAP; they know that, and would figure to lose transports on the way in.
Same setup as before; covered by distant CV force. I think THIS is what they do, as long as we see Wildcats over Kodiak. They can augment with P-38s. It worked last time, right? J

Given this, it’s just a question of where and how we position KB.

Now what?

Do we keep KB out of range? I advocate that we keep it hidden if possible, even at the expense of a few AKs into Cold Bay, and at the expense of getting Gds Bde to Cold Bay. After all, our objective here is NOT to hold Cold Bay; it’s just a frozen rock. Holding it is only important because of the position that we have the Allies in right now.

Where to keep it? The ideal position is about 8 hexes SSE of Cold Bay or thereabouts; ideally, we spot them sailing to Kodiak, and in the day or two it takes for them to get to Cold Bay, we sail to intercept CVs at a point 2 hexes E of Cold Bay. Because they are moving away from their search, other than Sub they would have no way to spot it. The only issue with a “blue water” position is that we could be sitting there awhile waiting for them to do something. We would need AOs available to run fuel out to the fleet. If they move it will be pretty soon, but it could also be 2-3 weeks, we would need to prep for that.

The other possibility is anchored somewhere on the Aleutians chain, (docked, but not disbanded). This position would make it more difficult to pursue the USN after round one of combat, as we would have to come around Cold Bay. It will be easier to lay in wait however. I would probably advocate for this, but either way; if #1, we just need to have a search plan, and AOs very handy.

As a final note, I would have a surface TF or two handy to hit Cold Bay after KB appears. I see KB attacking turn 1 in daylight; once that happens, they may send the transports in anyway, figuring the CV’s will be tied up attacking warships. The surface TF’s will engage at night, force them to withdraw one hex from Cold Bay, where they can get nailed during turn 2 daylight by LBA, as they will have no CAP. The surface TFs can just anchor in the Aleutians somewhere.

Hiding KB

As long as we see Wildcats at Cold Bay, I would even run KB “DARK”, meaning turn off all Nav Search. A risk, but I don’t see them taking their CVs into the wide North Pacific. OR, a way around this is to load GLENS onto a couple cruisers and ONLY use those; that way if there is a sub sighting, they will think it’s just a Glen Sub. Either way, I would recommend right now that at least turn off all VAL search, and only use Jakes (that way they may suspect surface ships, but not CVs).

John's

Brad and Michael:

Damned good thinking from both of you regarding creating a Plan of Action up North. Enjoyed both sets of comments so I will throw in my .02 regarding the topic:

1. The Americans MUST come back to Cold Bay. Realistically they will have to use the CVs for serious support. We'll have to knockdown those damned Wildcats again so be it.

2. I thoroughly concur with positioning KB in a position to strike at the next American move. Thinking:
a. Run it dark with NO NAVAL SEARCH of any kind. No Cruiser/BC Float Planes and no Vals. That is good thinking Brad.
b. I would place it somewhere due south of Dutch Harbor sitting at Cruise Speed with the AOs. This placement keeps us away from Naval Search and sets us up to either: 1. Hit the American Forces when they approach or 2. Be ready to move SE for a mid-ocean intercept of the Fleet moving away.
c. Michael and I have already spoken about having a STF of BCs ready to hit anything entering the hex (as long as it is NOT 7 BB!!!).

3. LURE the Americans into action by using those AKs and more to unload and try to draw them out. Could look at the prospect of using the Guards Brigade up there to entice them into battle...

4. Make it appear that we are strictly relying upon our LBA up there. Michael--Can we move any Emily into Cold Bay? Are they currently at Dutch Harbor? I think we should blanket the area with at least 3 Chutai of Emily flying their max range from as far EAST as possible. We need to be able to spot incoming convoys and the withdrawl of the American Fleet (if that happens).

5. With Cold Bay getting supplies now, I think we need to raise its AF to 2 and also get the Forts up another to at least 5 (SIX would be far better!). To do this we should probably move a small Base Force from one of the other bases (perhaps once that big Aviation Regiment arives?) to Cold Bay so it can support planes. We get the airfield up to 2 then we can move in 2 Sentai of Army Fighters (or at least have the ability to...) and some of those Emily's mentioned earlier.

6. As to that Wildcat number we saw at Kodiak, we must be careful to not ASSUME all the CVs are there. They might rotate them (stupid) for the coming upgrade. HAS A CV ACTUALLY BEEN REPORTED AT KODIAK? Recon and Air Search...

Those are my initial thoughts...

John

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[Q-Ball]

Combat Report Sept 15

Interesting day today, alot of non-combat, but the events up north are certainly unfolding.

India
200 IJA Bombers hit Karachi, taking huge flak losses (12 shot down!), but also putting 100 bombs on the runway. The Wellingtons and B-25s are gone, there was only a CAP of Buffalos over Karachi; of course, most of those were shot down (27 in all). We'll have alot more trouble once they get a real fighter there, but for now, I expect them to withdraw the shattered remnants of those Buffalo units, and leave the air to me again.

Our readers will probably remember we have a HR allowing Allied transit between India and Australia; I can observe traffic off Addu, but only Sub attacks are allowed. We had an interesting exchange as I-175 hit DD Stewart, sinking it, then took damage from the other DDs and sinking itself.

We are looking at an attack on Bombay in about 2 days.

Aleutians
Some good luck for us, some bad, overall I think the air is out of the balloon on our plans up there a bit, though it's not all bad for us.
Night Phase: As predicted, 6 BBs bombarded Cold Bay, causing only 55 casualties. Michael had prudently moved a Fast Transport TF back to Umnak, otherwise they would have been crushed.
The other event is that SS Whale attacked CVL Zuiho, spotting KB assembling SW of Umnak. That pretty much blows our plan of sneaking up around from the South up onto the USN CVs. More on what to do next later.
Day Phase: What we didn't predict is that they would move their Carriers forward! SBD's spotted that Fast Transport TF of 4 CLs and 8 or so DDs, and I held my breath all day, expecting a rain of 1000lb bombs to nuke that TF. Weather was a big factor, as NOBODY launched today. We didn't get a strike off either, not that we would have sunk a CV with LBA, but a couple hits would have been nice.

What Next?
I'm sure my compadres will chime in, but the cover is blown on KB. That is unfortunate, because a sneak attack would have likely resulted in a USN loss and probable VP and AE induced surrender.
At this point there is probably nothing else for it but to sail straight for Cold Bay. They would be absolutely insane to stand and fight there, but you never know. More than likely, they will flee to Kodiak, and the skies and seas around Cold Bay will once again belong to the Empire.

If that happens, we will go ahead and get a proper supply convoy in to Cold Bay, and maybe more troops, and start thinking about wiping out the Allied beachhead. Even if we just park there for 45 days, that will get us to winter, when the Allied troops will start to freeze to death.

We still have an opportunity, because they will probably have one of two bad choices: One, stand and fight the IJN and hope for the best, or two, allow 30,000 troops to freeze and surrender. They may roll the dice on a low-odds CV combat and hope for the best. They have made some good moves in this game, but this Cold Bay adventure is a pretty classic case of getting impaled on a minor objective, and not bringing sufficient force to the party. Bringing not enough troops is much worse than doing nothing.

I have attached a map of the area (a crude one, I'm not too good at this).

[ny59giants]

I have ordered KB (6 CV, 3 CVL, 2 CS) to launch FPs (I had stood them down hoping I would not give away our position last turn) and placed Vals and Kates on 10% naval search with range set at 5 hexes. They are ordered to do a short full speed move to be 2 hexes due south of Dutch Harbor.

The LBA on Umnak is set for 5 hexes and the naval LBA on Adak is at 11 hexes (max Zero range). The Fast Transport mission was stopped and withdrew to Umnak will it will stay. Hopefully, as bait. [;)]

CV Hiyo and Junyo along with AOs at Armchitka are ordered to move to 1 hex SE of Adak. The DDs are getting low on fuel and this is our only supply (77k) at the moment. 24k in fuel will arrive at Adak next turn.

Weather - this will be our "other" opponent to face tomorrow. [8|]

[John 3rd]

WOW!
 
I hope the readers enjoyed the posting regarding our conversation over KB usage yesterday.  This is why I REALLY enjoy a multi-player game because we actually TALK, bounce ideas around, and formulate strategy.  While slowing down the game (a turn a day) it makes for a lot of fun and serves for great spirit and camraderie.
 
This was my response to the last turn just emailed to my fellow Admirals:
 
DAMN!  We move KB south to AVOID being spotted and run over a damned SS!  In highly tactical language I will say---SHIT!
 
The Cat is out of the bag.  What to do NOW? 
 
Thoughts:  Lurk or ATTACK?
 
Lurk
1.  They spotted only a CVL.  If we continue to manuever without attacking the pressure should simply mount.
2.  Move further Southeast and head for a position South-Southeast of Kodiak (14-16 Hexes) and try to draw the US CVs AWAY from LBA CAP (HATE LBA CAP!!!!).
3.  We have the fuel to move slowly and pick WHEN to attack.  Get the AOs over to stay with the Fleet.
 
ATTACK
1.  BANZAI!
2.  It is exactly what they would expect and they will place every DAMNED Army Fighter over the CVs.
3.  Following 1 and 2--It Would be VERY bloody but fun!
4.  BANZAI!!
 
My recommendation is to LURK.  Anyone suffering from a Heart Attack with this advice coming from me?
 
John
 
PS  Nice work on our SS sinking a Brit DD.  Will the SS survive?

Those who have been longtime readers of my AARs probably don't know what to make of my taking a PATIENT option! 
 
I think we can move into the Gulf of Alaska, wreak havoc, and FORCE the Americans to fight! 
 
If they choose not to then we hang around there for a bit and load-up the APs and AKs for a massed reinforcement of Cold Bay.  I'd say we shoot to load at least 20-30,000 supply, at least a full Brigade of Infantry (perhaps 2), and a Base Force of some sort.  We can ratchet up the pressure on THEM and force them to either:  A.  Lose the base and 35,000 troops or B. Sortie the American Fleet for Fleet engagement where we have more advantages then THEM.
 
On a different thoughtline:  What if our opponents are actually offering battle KNOWING that AE is about out and they want a new campaign???