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

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Higher forts means higher Allied casualties and longer delays. I see no possible argument against either of those.

If it were not for supply worries I would still be building them everywhere.

Well the argument is only about supplies. I'm really not sure how much supply it takes to build from level 8 to 9 and the fuel equivalent. Because obviously supply is important not to waste.

[Captain Cruft]

21 Jun 1944

It looks like he is finally coming for Mindanao. My festung at Zamboanga got trashed by 4Es and I lost 8 of the DDs stationed there, sunk by CV planes. A large number of carriers have appeared around Manado and Talaud-Eilanden.

Air to air I did quite well, pretty much getting a draw, but my plane losses were doubled by ground losses at Zamboanga.

[Captain Cruft]

Zamboanga will have to be abandoned as an air and naval base but I have some Lily dive bombers at Cagayan along with 150 Tojos for escort. Let's see if they can do anything next turn.

[Captain Cruft]

Meanwhile, over in China a truly vast horde of British, Indian and Chinese ground forces are converging on Canton.

[Captain Cruft]

Canton is reasonably well prepared, or at least I hope.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Zamboanga will have to be abandoned as an air and naval base but I have some Lily dive bombers at Cagayan along with 150 Tojos for escort. Let's see if they can do anything next turn.

Isn't Cagayan in the far north of Luzon? Surely Manila/Clark Field are still safe and probably even bases further south. You sure you meant Cagayan?

[Captain Cruft]

22 June 1944

The Allies have landed at Cotabato & Dadjangas and have taken Jolo by para-drop.

My strike out of Cagayan did really well, and the Lilies proved their worth once more, albeit mostly as kamikazes. The Tojos on escort did a grand job of fending off the CAP too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cotabato at 78,90

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 44
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 63
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 25

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 412

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 17 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Hoggatt Bay, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
CVE Breton, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Marcus Island, Kamikaze hits 2
CVE Nassau, Kamikaze hits 1
CVE Chenango, Kamikaze hits 1
BB Tennessee
CVE Sangamon
CVE Copahee, Kamikaze hits 1
DD Chauncey
CVE Prince William
CVE Altamaha, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Suwannee, Kamikaze hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-48-Ib Lily flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-27 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-76 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-94 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-4 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-5 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VC(F)-10 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VC(F)-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Breton
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Hoggatt Bay
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Marcus Island
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Suwannee
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Altamaha

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cotabato at 78,90

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 64
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 50

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 368

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 23 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Chenango, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CVE Altamaha, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Marcus Island, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-48-IIc Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
2 x Ki-48-IIc Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-48-IIc Lily releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
4 x Ki-48-IIc Lily releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-27 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 3 on standby, 8 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-76 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 3 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-94 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-4 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-5 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-10 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-13 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-14 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Altamaha

[Cribtop]

Nice. That's a good price to extract for these invasions. More delay.

[Captain Cruft]

Those CVEs are worth quite a lot of points, I didn't realise. At least 4 should have gone down.

[Captain Cruft]

23 June 1944

Cagayan gets the 4E treatment and will also have to be abandoned.

Subs take out another CVE, however the wolf-pack responsible is now all damaged and so will seek refuge in Manila.

A Shock Attack is triggered at Canton by some of his horde crossing the river to the west. The resulting battle goes very much in Japan's favour.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Dadjangas at 77,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-179, hits 8

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee
CL Phoenix
CLAA Reno
DD Capps
DD Clarence Bronson

SS I-179 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Sangamon
DD Capps attacking submerged sub ....
DD Clarence Bronson fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Canton (77,59)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 84699 troops, 831 guns, 983 vehicles, Assault Value = 5050

Defending force 40272 troops, 428 guns, 249 vehicles, Assault Value = 1027

Allied adjusted assault: 204

Japanese adjusted defense: 12733

Allied assault odds: 1 to 62 (fort level 7)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3914 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 497 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 57 (2 destroyed, 55 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Assaulting units:
20th Indian Division
19th Indian Division
39th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
Provisionl Tank Brigade
255th Indian Tank Brigade
50th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
11th Indian Division
73rd Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
43rd Cavalry Regiment
14th Chindit Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
5th Indian Division
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
22nd Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
104th Division
60th Division
55th Division
6th JAAF AF Coy
7th JAAF AF Coy
9th Air Division
10th Ind. Field Artillery Battalion
2nd JAAF AF Coy
67th JAAF AF Coy
7th JAAF Base Force
11th Ind. Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd JAAF AF Coy
1st JAAF AF Coy
Canton Special Base Force
28th Army
12th JAAF AF Coy
69th JAAF AF Coy
9th Ind. Field Artillery Battalion
75th Field AA Battalion
88th JAAF AF Coy

[Captain Cruft]

Here's the Intel screen.

[Captain Cruft]

Industry.

[Captain Cruft]

Industry Summary.

[Captain Cruft]

24 June 1944

Another CVE bites the dust. His assault on Mindanao has cost him 10 of these ships either sunk or out of action, and I am still just skirmishing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Talaud-eilanden at 78,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-157

Allied Ships
CVE Shamrock Bay, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Phoenix
CLAA Reno
DD Capps
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Braine

Ammo storage explosion on CVE Shamrock Bay
SS I-157 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Shamrock Bay
I-157 diving deep ....
DD Clarence Bronson fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Braine fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Braine fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Braine fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Braine fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Braine fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Talaud-eilanden at 78,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-157

Allied Ships
CVE Shamrock Bay, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

CVE Shamrock Bay is sighted by SS I-157
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Shamrock Bay
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Shamrock Bay
SS I-157 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Shamrock Bay

[PaxMondo]

Your ARM numbers are pretty low for this stage of the game. That's less then 1/2 of an ID ... you've got a lot of reinforcements coming in the next 6 months.

Just a thought.

[Sangeli]

And to think this was a limited strike with a sub-par bomber and you still caused a ton of damage. Not a good sign for the Allies that you can severely cripple his CVEs when you are barely even trying. Maybe time to take advantage of the local situation by committing the KB if he is attempting to land more units? At the very least I would bring more LBA to the area to up the ante. Surely you have a lot of capacity in Luzon to bring more units in, no?

[Captain Cruft]

The KB will not be getting involved. I might try something else though.

We are now on hiatus over the Christmas break. Continuation will hopefully be on the 27th.

[Wuffer]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

The KB will not be getting involved. I might try something else though.

Invading Alaska or San Diego? He would be surprised, that's for sure

Honestly, just finished reading, while in the first moment your idea looks like a bit absurd, the results are very interesting.
You are running out of Navy pilots? a pity. Theoretically, you had a lot of time for training.
Keep the good reporting, as things getting heaten up now.

[Sangeli]

I still think if he's going to do something crazy he should attack the Soviets. At this point a showdown is becoming inevitable, unlike a battle at San Diego or Alaska. The Allies can't control any Soviet units at all right now which leaves them vulnerable to a spoiling attack. Could end up destroying some divisions which would make the inevitable Soviet offensive later that much weaker. I know it's risky but IMO it's a calculated risk with a better expected result than letting the Soviets get activated and letting a human have all the time to redeploy and get things in order which will surely mean the destruction of much of the Manchurian defenses - all at a time when the Allies will be pushing hard in the Pacific and China. Could have especially big rewards if you managed to capture large stockpiles of supply and/or fuel which could be brought back to the home islands with relative ease. Last time I suggested it you said this:

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

If there was a time to attack the Soviets it was on Dec 7 1941. I have no air to deploy against them whatsoever and I have stripped most of the arty and flak out of Kwantung.

Obviously come August 1945 I will be faced with a bit of a problem. Should be fun

Honestly I don't consider that a serious answer because the lack of air units, arty, flak, etc, will be just as much of a problem in August 1945 regardless of whether or not you go on the offensive. A spoiling offensive upon the opening of the hostilities in August might just what you need to give yourself enough breathing room to make it to 1946.

Seriously though how hard would it be to prepare 20 divisions for eastern Manchuria, land them there, then pull them out after a few months of combat back to defenses in the Pacific? If you have the transports IMO this is completely doable considering the distances involved are going to be relatively small compared to what needed to be done in 1941-1942.

[PaxMondo]

SOV:
I don't think the IJ can attack successfully against the SOV after their ARM upgrades. Even early on it would be tough, but '44? VERY difficult to hold a defensive line in 3x terrain. Attack? I don't see it.

Sandbox it for us and let us know your results. [;)]