Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!

Banzai's are not encouraged in this AAR [:-]. Please share them elsewhere. [:D]

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!

Banzai's are not encouraged in this AAR [:-]. Please share them elsewhere. [:D]

Consider it a warning of the potency of the Long Lance!

On the tagent of battleships, any plans to redeploy the US Pacific Fleet elsewhere?

While hardly the stellar ships that the fast battleships are, they've got big cannons on them and are quite hard to sink. If I were you, I'd consider using them in areas with poor airstrips (so the IJNAAF can't get any torpedos to bear on you) or where you can get some decent air cover for them (read the Solomons).

I know a fair few players just bank them away for Central Pacific landings in 1943, but it seems a waste of a year that these ships could be used to harrass Japan.

It also presents a interesting strategic dillema to the Japanese player whenever a BB appears in a particular theater.

Do you:
- send carriers to sink it?
- send your own (limited) BB's to sink it, but possibly be damaged and knocked out of the war in return?
- risk heavy crusiers and hope for Long Lance hits?
- risk nothing, and hope that subs, land-based aircraft or Long Lances from destroyers take care of it for you.

[SqzMyLemon]

CL Boise and CA Houston survive separate encounters with the screening SCTF for CVE Taiyo, I believe.

CL Boise takes a non-penetrating hit from CA Haguro , but lands a 5" in return before breaking contact. During the afternoon air phase she's hit with a 250kg bomb from a Kate from CVE Taiyo. Light system damage of 11 is sustained on the day. The enemy TF's are one hex southwest of Boise near Sorong so there will be another fight tomorrow as she tries to make her way to Timor. KB is well north still off the coast of the Philippines, but moving south.

CA Houston also runs into the CA Haguro and lands an 8" shell, but takes a 12.7 cm before retiring near Ambon.

CL Marblehead and company arrive and depart their patrol zone before a small enemy SCTF of three ships can be intercepted. It's a good thing because CVL Ryujo would have been able to get a launch in. Instead the only ship targeted is a Dutch tanker fleeing Tarakan and is sunk.

Force Z reached Batavia safely and is heading for Soerabaja. There's only a small window of opportunity to do anything until KB arrives. It may be best just to retire to Ceylon or head to Cape Town.

The cruisers did what they could, but ultimately were unable to interdict the enemy CVL. Boise still has a chance for glory, but is also still at risk of being sunk. it will be a coup if I can get her home.

Fun times and I actually like this period of cat and mouse. Oh, and mind_messing, I'll answer your post soon.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

...any plans to redeploy the US Pacific Fleet elsewhere?

While hardly the stellar ships that the fast battleships are, they've got big cannons on them and are quite hard to sink. If I were you, I'd consider using them in areas with poor airstrips (so the IJNAAF can't get any torpedos to bear on you) or where you can get some decent air cover for them (read the Solomons).

I know a fair few players just bank them away for Central Pacific landings in 1943, but it seems a waste of a year that these ships could be used to harrass Japan.

It also presents a interesting strategic dillema to the Japanese player whenever a BB appears in a particular theater.

Do you:
- send carriers to sink it?
- send your own (limited) BB's to sink it, but possibly be damaged and knocked out of the war in return?
- risk heavy crusiers and hope for Long Lance hits?
- risk nothing, and hope that subs, land-based aircraft or Long Lances from destroyers take care of it for you.

Right now the old BB's will remain at Pearl. They will upgrade over time and will not move out until my ASW capabilities improve. I have a healthy respect for Japanese submarines and the BB's are torpedo magnets. I think the long term benefit the BB's can provide should not be put at risk for minor gains. When I feel they will have the most impact and can be protected they will move out, until then they stay at Pearl or redeploy back to the West Coast at some point.

[PaxMondo]

Good Luck!

[SqzMyLemon]

Not much to report other than lot's of fleeing tankers sunk by Japanese submarines. SS S-39 did find CV Akagi off the Philippine coast but unfortunately hit with a dud.

I'm saving what I can and looking for ways of hitting back a little, but right now Andre has everything covered. He knows what to expect and has positioned his forces well to counter.

On another note, I'm going to take a break from the forum for a bit, but it will have no adverse affect on this PBEM. Emotions are high on my end right now dealing with another opponent dropping a game. I can't help but think what a waste of my time. From here on out I keep my mouth shut and simply play.

JWE has kindly responded to my post for assistance in understanding the combat report from the other game, but also laid it out he's not impressed with the negative comments I made regarding stacking limits or Babes related changes. He's right. I tend to forget that a lot of people have put their heart and soul into this game and their efforts to improve it. The last thing they want to hear is anyone bashing their baby and then asking for help. Guilty as charged. A humble apology to all concerned and those forum members I may have offended.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Good Luck!

Thanks Pax, I'm going to need it. I better learn how to assault atolls and fast. [:D]

[ny59giants]

Force Z - What to do with this powerful, but limited force.

1) I tend to us her with some American warships added to be my SC TF that has ALL the Allied CV TF following her throughout most of '42. She can be a TT magnet and Prince of Wales high AA value helps protect my precious CVs.

2) Send her over to try to intercept the Rabaul invasion that is often covered by those 4 old CAs. Go through straits at Horn Island. If not here, then to get at a Japanese player who does a quick attempt to grab Port Moresby. Maybe get the American CVs over there for this.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Force Z - What to do with this powerful, but limited force.

1) I tend to us her with some American warships added to be my SC TF that has ALL the Allied CV TF following her throughout most of '42. She can be a TT magnet and Prince of Wales high AA value helps protect my precious CVs.

2) Send her over to try to intercept the Rabaul invasion that is often covered by those 4 old CAs. Go through straits at Horn Island. If not here, then to get at a Japanese player who does a quick attempt to grab Port Moresby. Maybe get the American CVs over there for this.

I've lost track of KB. Last reported position was east of Mindanao. I suspect she's moved east towards Saipan or Truk, because Dutch air search has spotted nothing around Borneo or the Celebes. I've been getting great coverage from the Dutch so I don't think the Japanese CV's have slipped through. In light of this, POW and friends remain off the radar until I get a clear picture of where KB is.

[SqzMyLemon]

A brief update.

Andre is moving fast. Manus, Morotai and Miri have been lost with Kuching likely falling next turn. Makin, Nauru and Ocean Islands have also been captured.

Allied moves have been little. I've gotten a crack at both CV Akagi and CA Myoko with SS S-39, but this submarine is snake bitten. A 'hit, but no explosion' on the CV and a 'torpedo failed to detonate' on the CA. Dutch boats are being deployed around Ambon, Kendari and Sorong.

All merchant shipping in the DEI with the range are withdrawing to Australia, Cape Town and Aden. The priority is to be able to lift reinforcements into various theatres as quickly as possible. American air units are already in transit from the East Coast to Cape Town. Some surface assets are withdrawing to safer waters while others are waiting in the wings out of current Japanese air search range looking for opportunities. The CV's are in Hawaii with the exception of CV Saratoga which is being deployed to escort air transport TF's to Australia. Most Commonwealth air units that can be re-deployed have been sent to Australia or India. I'm with Sir Hugh Dowding on this, the air battle over the SRA is over and I will not lose a single plane or pilot over a lost cause more than I need to. The real battles will be over Australia or India in a few months.

While KB is still out of range I'm trying to get reinforcements to both Hawaii, Palmyra and Christmas Islands while I can. I'm also sending forces to Lord Howe Island in anticipation of a Japanese move against New Caledonia and Fiji. I'll try and reinforce Alaska and the Aleutians, but it's all a question of PP's. India is being reinforced with the 18th British Division. My priority is get the logistics in place to be able to strike back effectively anywhere on the map.

A note on my Allied philosophy. I'm still a novice with this side and I have no clue how to provide a real monkey wrench early for Japan as the better Allied players often do. I got steamrolled in my only previous experience playing the Allies in a Scenario 2 PBEM where my opponent effectively divided the map in half capturing all of the Aleutians up to Cold Bay and taking New Caledonia, New Zealand, Fiji as far as Tahiti in the south. I was ambushed moving forces into Alaska and raids against Prince Rupert devastated my lift capacity. The extra troops Japan gets early makes any kind of forward defence extremely risky. With this in mind, I fully expect to get streamrolled early so I will not throw good money after bad. I will make preparations to stave off auto-victory, but in so doing will not fight too far forward against overwhelming strength unless absolutely necessary. I'd like to secure Alaska, the Line Islands, Australia, Lord How Island and India before I worry about any offensive moves. In my other game my opponent left me no option but to strike from the IO, where I launched a full scale offensive against Sumatra in late 1943 from Cape Town, Ceylon and Diego Garcia rather than advance across the Pacific as he had hoped. I will mount another such operation anywhere on the map if necessary, but that depends on what Andre leaves me to play with. My experience playing Japan showed me no matter how aggressive a Japanese player is, the Allies can only lose out if they play according to Japan's wishes. I don't plan on accommodating. I'll play my game and do my best to prevent an auto-victory. Other than knowing I have to protect high VP locations, avoid losing major naval assets and prevent Japan blanketing the map with air search capability, I really don't care what Andre does. Right now I have to wait and see just how aggressive Andre intends to be before I panic. [8D]

[Lokasenna]

If you get really creative, you can reinforce the Aleutians with restricted units... Use those restricted PBYs in California, fly them up to Canada, and start air transporting.

[Capt. Harlock]

I'm still a novice with this side and I have no clue how to provide a real monkey wrench early for Japan as the better Allied players often do.

A minor suggestion: get some engineers to Palembang -- they sabotage the oil facilities when the Japanese take the base.

[SqzMyLemon]

The Dutch submarines are proving to have some teeth compared to the unlucky Americans. A Japanese APD and xAK have been sunk with another transport heavily damaged in the last few days. Dutch coastal guns damaged a number of enemy transports during landings at Kuching.

Japanese submarines have been busy laying various minefields around the SRA. Batavia, Soerabaja and area have been swept with local AMc's, but an enemy minefield laid at Bathhurst Islands went undetected and nailed an American DD. The DD is heavily damaged and is limping towards Perth.

However, the first small bloody nose has been dealt to Japanese amphibious operations. A small enemy amphibious TF was spotted heading to Canton Island on the 12th and the closest Allied ship was the CA Louisville located at Pago Pago. A full speed 18 hex intercept was plotted and surprisingly the cruiser arrived in time to smash the attempted landing. AAR follows:

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 153,143, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
PB Nagata Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Tenyo Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAK Kamikaze Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 5

Japanese ground losses:
1088 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (12 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Thoughts:

It's all Japanese at the moment. No surprise there of course. Some Chinese units are getting smashed in clear terrain but overall the withdrawl into better defensive terrain is proceeding. Andre is moving fast all over China with Changsha already invested. I only have 2000 AV at the base.

I've bought out a number of Chinese air units and deployed them to India. I like to use them as low CAP in Burma/India and find they perform pretty well in that role. The Vanguard is a rugged little fighter. Next up is to buy out a number of Indian divisions while they are cheap and prior to them filling out their TOE. I'll then switch to pulling American units out from West Coast HQ.

I think I'm going to lose both Luzon and Singapore quite quickly, then the Japanese floodgates will be open wide.

Getting reinforcements out to the Line Islands is a priority. Perhaps upsetting the landing at Canton Island bought me a few extra days to get men and material to Midway, Johnston, Palmyra and Christmas Island. Fast troop transports are inbound from San Francisco carrying whatever is not restricted for deployment to Pearl and the Central Pacific.

I've been transferring restricted American units to the North Pacific via PBY, but I'm building up the bases along the Canadian and Alaskan coast before deploying heavily to Anchorage and area.

I've got a British Bde. heading to Diego Garcia to prevent an easy grab of the island. Commonwealth shipping is bolting for Cape Town and as soon as units arrive at CT or Aden they are rushing to India. I've already got some supply and fuel TF's heading to Australia. Getting the merchant shipping out of the DEI and IO quickly is key for me.

I've lost track of KB, but the Japanese CVL's are spotted heading towards Ternate in the DEI. Dutch submarines are patrolling heavily around Kendari and Ambon. Dutch CL's and DD's looking to engage some small enemy SCTF's near Balikpapan before the carriers arrive. The cat and mouse game right now is quite fun.

I think that's it for this rather unorganized update. I don't plan on posting daily for this AAR during 1942 unless something major is happening. Right now it's the usual Japanese blitzkrieg and I'm just trying to nibble where I can without making too many mistakes. I'll definitely post anything out of the ordinary though.

[SqzMyLemon]

Bases are falling quickly to Japanese forces. Baker and Canton Islands have fallen in the Central Pacific followed by Kuching and Singkawang on Borneo. Morotai is in Japanese hands in the Celebes Sea. Davao and Jolo have fallen. Japanese forces have landed at Tarakan, but a follow up amphibious TF was mauled by British CL's operating from Balikpapan. AAR follows:

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Edo Maru, Shell hits 38, and is sunk
xAK Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 31, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Taifuku Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Macassar Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Shinsei Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Shell hits 2
CL Durban

Japanese ground losses:
2970 casualties reported
Squads: 90 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 77 destroyed, 104 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 42 (34 destroyed, 8 disabled)

China:

In China some good, some bad. The pace of the Japanese advance is frightening, but some Chinese troops have been able to hold their ground in 3x defensive terrain, or against smaller Japanese units. I'm trying to form a defensive position in the rough terrain around Sian. Holding Changsha may prove troublesome and it looks like the Japanese are making an early attempt to turn the flank at Luichow and Kweilin. I'd rather lose Changsha than have an early drive on Tuyun and Kweiyang. Unfortunately, strong Chinese forces are slowly moving towards Patung through the rough terrain and may be out of the fight for months. In hindsight it might have been best to try the Ichang to Changteh route.

Thoughts:

Lots of Japanese movement and TF all over the map. Andre sent small CL and DD's TF's into both Palembang and Batavia and avoided hitting mines while sinking some HDML's, ML's and CMc's. The fall of Hong Kong forced Allied shipping out of the harbour with Japanese surface ships waiting. A large number of small transports were lost.

The recent losses were offset by the smacking of another small Japanese amphibious TF at Tarakan, so I'm still able to get a few licks in when given adequate sightings of Japanese dispositions. As I lose bases the light of opportunity provided by air search will grow dimmer though.

Still no sighting of KB, but near Babo two CVL's and a CV were spotted. Originally anticipating KB to operate in the SRA supporting operations against Sumatra and Java, the lack of sightings makes me believe they will be committed to operations in the North, Central or South Pacific instead. The small CV force spotted near Babo appears to be heading towards Merauke and Horn Island unless it's actually meant to support a landing at Ambon.

I'm a little nervous in the Central Pacific. Considering the best fighter available is the P-40 and not in great numbers, am I crazy to be worried about an enemy CV strike against Pearl Harbor after all? The majority of the American Fleet is at the base including two CV's. With Canton Island falling I've lost a great base for PBY's and the last line of defence are the Line Islands and Johnston before Hawaii is vulnerable to a raid. I won't have much advance notice of any Japanese designs on these bases until too late and I don't have the strength to risk a confrontation with KB if she's committed. My only hope would be a surface engagement if a raid on Pearl Harbor is a possibility and I doubt that would go well. I could also withdraw the Fleet to the West Coast. The way Andre is moving, I think he wants to quickly push my eyes and ears as far away as possible. I know Andre is aggressive, but just how much so I'm not sure yet. A port strike on PH in late December if he gets a whiff of what's based there could be quite a coup.

There's also the possiblity that KB could be re-deploying to the Aleutians to secure that theatre before I can reinforce. Same goes for the South and Southeast Pacific theatres. An enemy force has already landed at Tulagi. I don't plan on trying to reinforce New Caledonia or Fiji at the moment as I don't have the troops or logistics to support an adequate defence. I'd actually prefer to see KB committed North or South. I've sent substantial numbers of my remaining submarine force to patrol between Midway and the Aleutians in case Andre tries to swing KB in around to raid the West Coast to Hawaii LOC.

KB's out there somewhere...

Fun times, but for some reason I don't feel safe at PH.

[PaxMondo]

Joseph,
I would want him to come to PH ... your AA should wreck his air groups. Maybe you lose a few ships, but you have supply and time to rebuild everything.

[SqzMyLemon]

Out of commission from work with a stomach flu I have some time to update the AAR.

Andre is moving very quickly on key bases preventing any chance for me to create problems for his advance. I think I prefer having the option of any kind of a forward defence taken away from me. It allows the chance to concentrate what little assets I do have for more important battles. Here's a theatre by theatre update with a few screens thrown in.

Aleutians:

No sign of an early Japanese offensive in the area. Only at start Allied units are present. Dutch Harbor needs supply.

Alaska & Canada:

The main Allied effort here is base expansion and moving restricted combat units forward to garrison key bases. An airbridge is being formed to allow restricted P-38 units to transit to Anchorage. PBY's are airlifting what they can, but Ops losses are becoming a concern.

The Line Islands:

I've slightly reinforced Palmyra and Christmas Islands with Marine Defense units from Pearl Harbor and artillery that was originally bound for Pago Pago. I'm not willing to move too much forward yet until I know the extent of Japanese expansion. Dec. 24th reported high radio traffic and multiple TF icons between the Ellice Islands and Canton Island. No idea if these are further amphibious TF's or simply follow up support for Baker and Canton. PBY's and submarines will hopefully provide more intel in the coming days. Until I know more, operations to reinforce the Line Islands have been suspended.

Southeast Pacific:

Japanese forces have already seized Manus, Lae, Kavieng, Rabaul, Shortlands, Tulagi and Luganville. A small enemy SCTF of a CA and DD's has been spotted off the coast of Australia where CA Kako is reported to have hit a mine at Brisbane. Another enemy SCTF (or possibly the same one) was spotted near Noumea and Suva. New Zealand bombers proved ineffective trying to score hits operating from Suva. The enemy TF has since disappeared. No Allied reinforcement is possible in this theatre due to the lack of unrestricted forces and available shipping.

Australia:

Lord Howe Island is being reinforced by air and supply shipped in. Southeast Australia is fortifying while air units are training for a planned enemy invasion of Australia. I want to protect against a move directly against Sydney and area before I worry about Perth or the Townsville area. Darwin is on it's own. My reaction to any enemy lodgement in Australia will depend solely on what is landed where.

Allied merchant shipping surviving the initial Japanese onslaught is already loading supply, fuel and troops for the long trip from Cape Town to provide the logistics needed to keep Australian defencible.

Burma:

I've pulled back substantially which in hindsight was a mistake. I've made it far too easy to capture Rangoon which will see the Chinese supply situation reduced by 500 daily soon.

The Philippines:

Manila has fallen after being essentially abandoned. My main defence is at Clark Field while support units scramble to get Bataan's forts up. However, once Clark falls forts are Bataan will mean little without supply. Clark Field is bombed daily and fort construction impossible.

Java:

My main defence will be Soerabaja. Many choose the rough terrain at Bandoeng, but without a supply source it simply won't make much difference. I hope to deny and damage as much of the facilities at Soerabaja in defending it. The longer I can deny the use of the port the better.

Sumatra:

Japanese forces have landed at Palembang. It will fall shortly.

India:

Base and fortification expansion is the order of the day. I expect some form of Japanese expansion against India. I believe Andre likes to go for Ceylon from previous posts he's made in the forum. I will not reinforce until I can guarantee the survival of LCU's committed to the island. The Allied priority is securing the major bases like Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Karachi. I will not risk committing to defending Eastern India and the Burmese border until the Commonwealth airforce can provide some measure of protection. As with Australia, my means of defending India will be determined by where, if any, invasion of the country is mounted. I am attempting to reinforce the country will American air and aviation support units, but that takes time.

Malaya:

A major Japanese effort to sweep the country and get to Singapore quickly is underway. I relied on a forward defence to slow the initial assaults. A number of LCU's were lost, but that allowed Singapore to build up forts while Japanese air power forcused on supporting ground operations. The plan to delay the Japanese ability to use the railway to move south is in jeopardy because I failed to secure Mersing. I left the base open and Andre took full advantage. My problem now is trying to prevent the Japanese massed rail movement south by somehow blocking the railway and forcing the Japanese to push me back hex by hex. Screenshot follows:

[SqzMyLemon]

China:

A mess, but I'm doing my best to fall back relatively intact. Huge losses in China can't be avoided of course and I've already had a number of Chinese units get completely mauled. My biggest problem is around Kukong. I made the mistake of not sending units towards Changsha on day one from Nanyang and then was forced by Andre to move towards Kukong instead. At risk are six corps facing destruction. I'll try to get through Kanshien, but I'm not optimistic.

I've hunkered down three corps at Wenchow where forts are now at level 2.

Luichow will fall quickly which can't be helped, but I will try and hold Tuyun and Kweilin as long as possible.

Changsha has 2100 AV behind level 4 forts. I'll hold the base against assault for as long as possible, but as soon as Japanese forces attempt to flank from Hengyang and area I'll withdraw first to Changteh and then to Chihkiang. I've already begun putting blocking forces in the hex southeast of Chihkiang to prevent a river crossing.

Changteh is secure with 800 AV.

I've been able to block a move towards Sian from Nanning along the main road in the rough terrain. I've also been able to secure the secondary road leading to Sian from Loyang and Chengchow with fresh units. Forces that were caught in the open withdrawing from the plains are beat up badly, but are attempting to slow the Japanese advance to Sian while additional units are moved in. It appears the main Japanese effort is going to move along the secondary road from Chengchow since I've got the main road secure. I'll slowly fall back along the main road as necessary. A large number of units are successfully withdrawing from Yenan and along the secondary road towards Sian north of the river. These can act as a reserve if I can hold long enough to get them in place.

My main source for a reserve are the units withdrawing from Ichang and area around Patung. Eleven corps are making their way back towards Central China. In hindsight this was the long way to go, but it avoided unneccessary losses trying to reach Changteh.

Everything will depend on how long I can hold in the rough terrain while I try and get a solid line built up in the rear. So far I'm happy, but it can change quickly in China and without stacking limits it will be hard to hold out anywhere indefinitely. I'm using Chinese supply to build forts as I'm going to run out no matter what I do. I figure I might as well make it as costly to move forward for Japanese forces as possible.

Screenshot folllows:

[obvert]

Just kep holding the line and make him push you back. Don't retreat unless you are made to in China. You have troops to spare, but only so much territory.

[SqzMyLemon]

Thoughts:

Against a Scenario 2 Japanese force led by an aggressive player like Andre I don't believe in throwing good money after bad. My submarine force was shattered at Manila, but my entire Pacific Fleet has been left intact. It's my job to see that I don't fritter away this force in half baked efforts to slow the Japanese juggernaut. Andre can take whatever he wants at this stage and trying to pick where I may be able to stand is nigh impossible at this early stage. If he wants it he can take it regardless of what I commit. I also can't support any kind of forward defence with the necessary logistics, so for now I save what I can.

I rescued a lot of merchant shipping and their availability to move supply and reinforcements to India and Australia is already paying off. I'd like to strike back where I can, and have done so on a couple of occasions severely mauling two Japanese amphibious TF's at Tarakan and Canton Island. More importantly the units that did so survived to fight another day. If there's an opening I'll take it, but Japanese preparations are leaving most areas adeqautely covered.

I'm planning on trying to interdict Japanese operations moving forward. One thing I find as an Allied weakness in attempting to slow the Japanese advance with surface forces is the lack of DD's. I was able to save Force Z and withdraw a large number of Allied CL's and DD's from the DEI while only sacrificing the small Dutch CL's and DD's. I'm now in a position to provide adequate DD support for all the Commonwealth BB's, CA's and CL's. This should reduce the ability of Japanese submarines to act against my surface assets without the risk of DD support. I've further sent a large number of Pacific Fleet DD's to Cape Town since they were not lost at Pearl Harbor.

Having played Japan a fair bit there's a price to be paid for an overly aggressive opening. In this case I'll let Andre do as he wishes where he wishes, but I'm also preparing to be able to offer susbstantial resistance in a few months simply by the fact I haven't thrown away assets defending what can't be defended at the moment. Time will tell of course, but so far I'm happy with the state of affairs.

[SqzMyLemon]

Just had to provide a small update. In the wake of a large number of Japanese conquests quickly increasing the red on the map there were a few Allied tactical successes to raise morale somewhat on Christmas Day.

A Dutch DD sank a Japanese DMS clearing mines at Merak. The minefield at Merak has accounted for two Japanese submarines heavily damaged as far as I can tell.

The big surprise was at Manila today. I've had the remaining fighters stood down while Japan hammers the airbase. However, in a last ditch effort to cause some damage to Japanese air before the base is shutdown for good, I scrambled the remaining fighters. Despite the runway and service damage both being at 58, the P-40's scrambled and encountered unescorted Japanese bombers! The enemy fighter sweeps and escorts did not fly due to weather most likely. Tracker shows 26 Lily's and Sally's downed for no loss. That's one for the Allies, albeit by pure luck. The fighters have been moved to Bataan and the pilots that scored kills were spirited away by submarine to live to fight another day.

Palembang will fall tomorrow as Andre has landed the equivalent of two full divisions. I've played enough Japan to know that once the base falls the victors will most likely head south towards Oosthaven. The CD guns at Palembang have been stellar though, damaging a large number of Japanese transports. A number of sinking sounds were heard today. I can't say the same for the Dutch bomber force based out of Manado and Balikpapan. Even at 2k the Dutch bombers can't hit anything at sea despite a large number of attacks against Japanese merchant shipping in the Celebes Sea. The fact that Merak has been cleared of mines and the large number of troops landed at Palembang signals to me the Oosthaven to Merak route to invade Java may be in play. Then again, considering I'm basing my defence at Soerabaja anywhere on Java is a prime landing location right now. [:D]

These little victories feel good. They better as the real pain for the Allies is only beginning. Japan is gearing up to capture some prime real estate and destroying large numbers of Allied troops in the process. Add in China and it's going to get ugly.