The Hive - Cruft PBEM (Japan, Scen 2 Beta + Stacking Limits)

[Captain Cruft]

ORIGINAL: Miller

I would put a decent size (say 100AV) garrison at Prome and Touongo, otherwise he could capture them with Paras and cut off any retreat from Mandalay, whilst sending more troops in by air transport. Its 9/43 in my game and I have 12 divs in Burma but I'm still struggling to stem the tide.

I have no intention of stemming the tide. Burma is not a place where I can be strong. As soon as his troops cross the river at or near Mandalay the division stationed there will attempt to withdraw to the Rangoon/Pegu line. If it should get cut off then so be it.

Key point - all activity beyond the Hive border is just a raid ...

[Captain Cruft]

New Guinea

Rabaul is now a size 4 airbase, but currently only has fighters present. He is clearly worried about a response by the KB to the "incursion", but this will not be forthcoming.

Although he has also recently taken Kavieng, Manus and Aitape these bases have not yet been developed.

[Captain Cruft]

Marshall Islands

These are now as fortified as they are going to get, other than building forts. There are Netties at Ponape and Roi-Namur. No Japanese troops are south of Mili.

[Captain Cruft]

Secret Weapon ...

Eventually all Patrol groups will look this, following a mass transfer of NavT pilots out of the Netty groups once these become useless in the attack mode.

When the Allies arrive in the Marshalls, this particular group will re-base to Ebadon (a dot base) and attempt to deliver torpedos at night.

[Captain Cruft]

The Kuriles

Note: The Allied TF east of Paramushiro-jima is BB Nevada & BB West Virginia, which have just bombarded the place, though to little effect. I don't know if they hit any of the mines I laid there, but they have certainly managed to avoid the sub picket line ...

Nothing worries me half so much as this area, and as you can see I am still in the process of garrisoning the islands. A slow process, and it's difficult to find small units that are fit for purpose. I am loath to present a whole division for the taking on an "island prison".

To compensate for this, and the difficulties of doing air operations from land bases in the area I have assembled a fleet at Ominato which comprises of the following:-

CVs Hiyo & Junyo
CVL Ryujo
CVLs Shoho & Zuiho
CVE Hosho
BBs Nagato, Mutsu, Fuso, Ise, Hyuga & Yamashiro
A couple of old CLs.
Sufficient DDs to accompany.

So basically it's a large portion of the "obsolete crap" that the IJN possesses. Hopefully it should be enough to blunt any American landings, but frankly I doubt it.

[AcePylut]

Ah, so... torpedo bombers at night

[Captain Cruft]

Just a theory at this point ... [:)]

[Captain Cruft]

Oct 27th 1942

New developments in Northern China ...

A vast Chinese horde is advancing towards Loyang, a clear hex where we have two divisions behind 4 forts. There is no Swarm in this area but what air I do have in the vicinity has been directed to bomb this stack. I am also hastening two spare tank regiments to Chengchow via rail.

[Captain Cruft]

Now for some industry.

First, the totals. I don't use Tracker because I am lazy, but I do look at the J screen every turn. Things I check are that HI is ticking up, that there no failures anywhere and that Nav Shipyards are not too close to 0.

[Captain Cruft]

IJN Aircraft beginning with A

[Captain Cruft]

IJN Aircraft beginning with B, C & D

[Captain Cruft]

IJN Aircraft beginning with E, F, G & H

[Captain Cruft]

IJN Aircraft beginning with J

[Captain Cruft]

IJN Aircraft beginning with K & L

[Captain Cruft]

IJN Aircraft beginning with P & Q

[Captain Cruft]

IJN Aircraft beginning with S & T

[Captain Cruft]

IJA - Oscar II

[Captain Cruft]

IJA - Oscar III, Tojo & Nick

[Captain Cruft]

IJA - Sonia & Transports

[Captain Cruft]

IJA - Ki-74 & Ki-83