GreasyLake Vs Vettim89, The Japan side

[GreasyLake]

Thanks for the encouragement. Oil from Borneo or farther west is pretty much a no-go. Found 80K resource at Sasebo and dispatched some transports to pick-up.

I pretty much made up my mind today to invade Ohka for oil. One isolated base, still have transport close by, and just spent PP to change 4 Div HQ to northern force. My feeling is I gotta get it now while I can still sail unmolested.

I do have a tanker convoy headed to Brunei right now but may recall it as it is 50% of my tankers. Only like 20 total left.

If I can take Okha I will be happy, do bot care if I end up loosing a few bases in Manchuria as a result. And I need a boost in morale, gotta create forward momentum somewhere.

[JeffroK]

Be VERY careful about awakening the Soviet Union, especially for such a limited objective.

In addition to their LCU, their Airpower is competent and would also allow US airpower into bases which they could dominate all of the Home Islands plus the Northern China/Korean bases which are reasonably protected at the moment, plus the Soviet Navy is suddenly in your backyard.

[GreasyLake]

Thanks JeffK for the warning. Been having serious doubts the last 24 hrs myself. Not only learning there is a huge air force there to reckon with but that I would instantly give Tim bases closer to home for 4E bombers. May take my 4 Div to try an Aleutian island (suicide?) or just reinforce the north. Transport convoys just sailed 1 days ago.

The biggest question is do I wanna end the game like this? It would probably make it too easy for Tim, but I do need the oil. Better check some other AAR to see what happened when the Soviets became active. I have naught air force to defend another front after all.

[GreasyLake]

Having given my situation due consideration the attack on Russia has been approved. Not well received as a wise choice but none the less approved. I can either wither and slowly die without oil, or speed up my demise by capturing some new sources.

Hopefully Ohka is lightly defended and some of the initial assault divisions can be quickly landed on the Russian mainland. Overland attacks all along the border will pin down those units. Still need to move fighter units into the theater for protection. Hopefully the Russian air force is at its historical low quality. This will keep my airbases open to help deal with the Russian fleet.

For higher stakes I would never attempt this but this is only a game. Might as well give it a try to see what happens. Who knows with my brilliant maneuvering and skillful strategic planning I might be able to pull it off ........................
.....................................................NAAAAAAAAAH!

[GreasyLake]

All air assets pulled out of Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Manila, Clark field, Takao. All fighting will soon be close to home. Concentrating air may actually create a viable force, hopefully.

[Capt. Harlock]

Hopefully Ohka is lightly defended and some of the initial assault divisions can be quickly landed on the Russian mainland. Overland attacks all along the border will pin down those units. Still need to move fighter units into the theater for protection. Hopefully the Russian air force is at its historical low quality.

Well, this will certainly put some interest into the game. You may even grab some quick victory points. But I think that combat in russia will be a bit different from what you're used to. For instance, there will be considerably more tanks involved.

And I think you'll find that the Soviet air arm is pretty good at ground support, if not a match for your aces in fighter-to-fighter combat.

Looking forward to some major action!

[GreasyLake]

I will be happy to take a hex or two and not being immediately annihilated. Not being annihilated a little farther on may become difficult. Will find out soon but am wondering if Okha and base hex SE of Vladivostok (Skula?) really have no units in them. They probably do but as of now Russian units show up other places but not there, guess I will find out when I land.

5-10 turns away from that still. But transport convoys seemed to have escaped US CVTF carriers attention, thankfully.

[GreasyLake]

2 DIV and ENG REG loaded on transports have reached staging area with BB TF. 2 DIV with tank REG on trans, CA bombardment, and CV escort near Sapporo. Will send orders to sail to objectives next turn. Will order land units to cross borders also. Will not attack across river border. So only limited invasion near Vladivostok.

Hopefully this will come as a complete surprise to Tim. Think I better hold the 2 Div on trans near Sapporo as reserve in case Okha is heavily defended. Will find out soon.

[GreasyLake]

Yes there is another Div on ships in Sapporo, makes 5 afloat.

[GreasyLake]

Info one Div at Iwo pretty disrupted

[GreasyLake]

It is this one.

[GreasyLake]

Did I actually increase my HI stockpile??? I must of done something right for once. Gotta remember to turn on production for the Frank c factories that converted.

[GreasyLake]

Quick snapshot. Vet pilots trickling back in from Hospital.

[GreasyLake]

Need oil now. Before sea lanes around Japan completely shutdown. Better move some resource to Takao also.

[GreasyLake]

Turns out you cannot amphibious invade Russia while it is inactive. Had to send units across the border. Moving at 3mph a day through the country, not going to tie down anything like that! Moving down the main railway nicely, into the largest troop concentration. Now TF are parked waiting for land war to activate things. No comment from Tim yet but I am sure the bag will be up soon.

[Capt. Harlock]

Now TF are parked waiting for land war to activate things.

Any chance of doing a Pearl-Harbor type strike on the Soviet Navy?

[GreasyLake]

No idea where the Soviet navy home port is. I can find out and take one carrier up there, sounds good to me. Just gotta do it before Tim shows up with some US CV's.

[GreasyLake]

Less than a week into fighting in Russia and I feel I am getting SPANKED already. Too much disruption on landing s of Vladivostok, evacuating now before I loose the units completely. Going to deliberate attack Okha next turn. Hope that goes quickly, need oil.

Have lots of air to attack soviet shipping but I think Tim is too wise for that. Wish I was as smart about Sturms, where did those come from??? Did not help CV Aso followed a convoy into a coastal hex and lost it's CAP. Everything been going sour since.

If he makes a land mass of units like he should I will be getting pushed out to China and beyond. Glad there is that river on the border now. Gotta put the units below strength at Hailar on accept replacements quick!

[GreasyLake]

Getting out of here. Too many Soviets show up too quick. Was a good distraction.

[GreasyLake]

Try and load up as much as I can. Does not look like there is enough un-disrupted to hold.