Turnaround? Lowpe (J) vs Tiemanj (A) Stock

[Lowpe]

Java. In one day two paratroop units will be in striking distance of the southern Java bases. In addition there is plenty of transports, both fast and amphib to reinforce the paratroops to secure the bases however most of the troops are simply Naval Guards units, some art and eng to work the airports.

I miss all my depeleted infantry divisions...still one of them will have to rebuild and be sent to southern Java. In city terrain they should be able to hold ok.

But by grabbing southern Java I should doom any attempts at ABDA air dominance in Java despite him flying his carrier fighters there. I am quite happy to see those fighters based in Java rather than on his carriers and a threat to the KB.

I worry about the carrier bombers. Where are they? If in southern Java they could make operations a little tricky.

[Lowpe]

Plane losses.

[JocMeister]

Remember that his plane pools are extremely fragile at this stage. Right now I think he gets 45 or something F4Fs per month. Only 35 P40Es and 25 Aircobras. While your losses may seem heavy you just took out a month worth of Wildkittens and almost a month worth of Aircobras. In a day. Not too shabby I think. [:)]

If your opponent is inexperienced in PBEM he may not keep a close enough watch on his pools and drain them before he realize. This has happen to many very experienced player too!

[Lowpe]

Good points. He has a fair number of Hurricane and Airacobra losses to date.

I was commenting more about my plane losses for the entire campaign game...ugly. [:(]

The recent action over Java was a great win for Japan I think. A far cry from my first turn two weeks or so ago where 8 lightnings shot down 5 oscars & zeroes and I was questioning my ability to even contest the skies. Two weeks of retooling have done wonders.

I think this replay might get the Allies rethinking. Certainly all the allied shipping I have sunk must make him start to question the Java defense. Everything in Java favors the Empire right now...lines of supply, pools, troops, reinforcements, ships, leadership, etc. A sharp enough defeat here for the allies will give me enough time to establish a solid perimeter and take advantage of realist r&d off.


And on the positive side I haven't committed all the fighter units in the area as several good ones are resting, refitting and training in Singapore, Palembang, Ternate, Oosthaven, Toboali and Balikpapen. So I should be able to keep the pressure on him while rotating in and out fighter squadrons.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Good points. He has a fair number of Hurricane and Airacobra losses to date.

I was commenting more about my plane losses for the entire campaign game...ugly. [:(]

The recent action over Java was a great win for Japan I think. A far cry from my first turn two weeks or so ago where 8 lightnings shot down 5 oscars & zeroes and I was questioning my ability to even contest the skies. Two weeks of retooling have done wonders.

I think this replay might get the Allies rethinking. Certainly all the allied shipping I have sunk must make him start to question the Java defense. Everything in Java favors the Empire right now...lines of supply, pools, troops, reinforcements, ships, leadership, etc. A sharp enough defeat here for the allies will give me enough time to establish a solid perimeter and take advantage of realist r&d off.


And on the positive side I haven't committed all the fighter units in the area as several good ones are resting, refitting and training in Singapore, Palembang, Ternate, Oosthaven, Toboali and Balikpapen. So I should be able to keep the pressure on him while rotating in and out fighter squadrons.

Things are looking up.

*singing* Springtime, for Hit-

I mean, Springtime for Hirohito...

[Lowpe]

Here is even more good news...

[Lowpe]

I really stream lined and focused plane production and r & d this turn. Planes actively being produced and researched are those that are generational: zero (both branches), oscar, tojo, helen, betty, judy. myojo Even a little Jake for the radar improved version. An inherited a huge Frank factory so that line is also in there for late war. I should be able to really accelerate those planes and the better frames earlier should help with pilot losses.

No r&d for tony, jack or most others. Sad, because I like the lines on the Tony....

Could be a risky turn if the SBDs are in southern Java, but I have taken some precautions in that likelihood. Shock attack in Manila...could be ugly depending on the rolls.

[Lowpe]

Aug 8th, 1942

The KB had orders to head south and east outside the range of Soerajba while I dangled a destroyer task force...however, I neglected to select remain on station and the KB moved back where it was within range of the airbase at Soerabaja. Oh no...

[Lowpe]

While SBDs were attacking the KB, he launched another full raid on the beach head at Kali...where for the second day heavy dogfights ensued. But the air attacks came uncoordinated...

[Lowpe]

The SBDs and TBs kept coming at the KB...the Allied pilots were brave...

[Lowpe]

Despite overwhelming losses...they kept coming.

[Lowpe]

But by the late afternoon...the KB was unscathed. Not a plane broke thru to make a bomb run on any ship...then, the carriers turn into the wind seeking payback...and find it. One large, coordinated strike! Sweeps found no fighters over Soerabaja and then the Vals and Kates made their runs...

[Lowpe]

And as the Sun sets over Java, the butcher's bill is counted...a great day!

[morejeffs]

SBD-３　replacement rates are not good...That is a painful day(unless he sinks some IJN CVs...which he did not do)....

[Lokasenna]

Well. That will takes his USN CVs out of action for several months. IIRC, SBD-3 replacement rates are 21....per month.

[Lowpe]

The question is will he keep trying to reinforce Java?

On another note, the sub war has gone very quiet. No allied attacks for several days. I think he is trying to catch a CV...

I am gradually getting the IJN subs into his convoy routes as evidenced by another successful attack near Karachi.

[Lowpe]

Shock attack at Manila. I thought I could get a 2-1, but fell short. I know I should send more troops here, but I just don't have any to spare right now and a victory here would aid the Java operation immensely. Oh well...

[Lowpe]

The dog put a fresh minefield up and caught two of my PBs on fast transport to Denpassar. Luckily, all the other ships that go there on the east side of the island.

Denpassar is turning into a good base with engineers, construction, AA, and paratroops holding it. The airport took a pounding, but seems to be forgotten with all the excitement around Soerabaja, Kali, and Xmas #10.

I am launching some low level ground attacks in southern Java and increased my recon there as the my troops are in position to attack. I just don't want to throw any troops away recklessly.

With those SBDs down, I feel I can go a head and attack in Southern Java with a lot less risk. Well, the area is crawling with Allied subs...

[Lowpe]

I was worried about this....

[Lowpe]

Another day, more dogfights over Java. During the morning phase his Wildcat Sweeps from the stratosphere get lots of Oscars allowing a few planes thru costing me three xaks hit and one destroyer lost. But large amounts of troops unload and precious supplies.