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

[Lowpe]

Yankees take a base in the Kuriles -- he bombarded the poor defenders with his battleships prior to the attack. Those troops had only been there for about a week, not even long enough to pitch their tents.

Still no torpedoes in Bihore yet. Hopefully this next day.

Other news, uncontested Allied bombing of Ramree Island in Burma, and the Allies switch to bombardment attacks at Tjilatjap which is cutoff but does still control two hexsides.

I am going to show the KB to the Allies south and east of Java -- this might prevent me from nailing any relief convoy to Java, but will hopefully lull him to sticking around in the Kuriles for a day or two. The KB will be providing air coverage for troops landing in southern Java, another division.

[Lowpe]

August 31, 1942

Launching a 100 Betty torpedo attack against his forces in the Kuriles, but I bet I miss the battleships. They bombarded yesterday, and will probably head back to rearm.

Other than that fairly quiet, moving troops on Java, sank a 10,000 ton tanker near Karachi with 3 torpedoes from a sub.

Landing another division in Java this turn, and have heavy CAP over it.

I get the first Tojo, and I think the armored Helen on the morrow.

[Lowpe]

Sept 1, 1942

Java: Allies have retreated into three strongholds: Batavia,Soerabaja, and Tjilatjap.

2nd Division has landed in the south, ready for to help take Soerabaja.

Lost a destroyer to a minefield in Soerabaja and then a submarine attack.

[Lowpe]

Missed my chance here to hit his big ships.

[Lowpe]

In Java, I think only the Dutch fighters are left. Shot down 6 Hudsons that were attacking cargo ships last turn.

This Day I have scheduled more shore bombardments and a heavy port raid on Soerabaja. I know the CL Birmingham is in port in addition to many other ships and I have over 500 bombers, army and navy, assigned operations around Soerabaja with port, airfield, and naval attacks.

I am again sweeping his minefields, so the ships at Soerabaja might come out and play.

I have wanted to hit the port for a very long time now, but was always afraid of Allied fighters.

After today, there should only be three bases in Allied hands: Soerabaja, Tjilatjap, and Batavia.

When I started this game, I had my doubts that I could get here...and I think if the Allies had better planned out their defense I would have been in deep trouble.

The Allies had so much oil in range of his 4e bombers, with very little to stand in his way, that they weren't bombed...

Now to clean up Java quickly, take Rangoon, and evict the Allies in the Kuriles while still building defenses in the Pacific and Coral Sea areas.

[Lowpe]

Aug 2, 1942

Heavy bombing raids on Soerabaja, shore bombardments at Batavia & Soerabaja, and Madioen is captured destroying 11 Hudsons on the ground.

Pretty much into wrap up here.

[Lowpe]

Not all the planes flew, which is not new given the advanced weather and flying from many bases. No Allied fighters in the air, and I am quite happy with the result.

Heavy AA...

[Lowpe]

Coming back from a bombardment run the Maya takes a torpedo...the damage looked impressive on the replay, but hardly a scratch!

[Lowpe]

The Bettys fly in the north -- right into severe storms. Not the ideal conditions for a torpedo attack I bet.

[Lowpe]

Haguro damaged by two torpedoes and 90 percent flooding a week or so ago managed to limp into the closest port where an AR ship was ready for her and a few days later all the counter flooding is pumped out and she should be able to make it to Singapore in a week or two for major repairs.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Haguro damaged by two torpedoes and 90 percent flooding a week or so ago managed to limp into the closest port where an AR ship was ready for her and a few days later all the counter flooding is pumped out and she should be able to make it to Singapore in a week or two for major repairs.

Where is Langsa? Doesn't Georgetown have a level 4 port? That would greatly speed along repairs for her System damage.

[Lowpe]

Langsa is across from Georgetown. Heck, I was worried about making Langsa without being finished off with either the flooding or another sub which I deemed the greatest threat. I have got an ASW task force on the way to escort her to Georgetown and then to Singapore or straight to Singapore depending upon her speed.

[Lowpe]

Sept 3, 1942

American forces move east, avoiding a night time engagement with destroyers.

[Lowpe]

September 3, 1942

Burma: Heavy Allied air attacks on Moulemein with Martlet II, Blenheims, Wellingtons, Mohawks, B24D, and B25C.

Everywhere else:

I got my first squadron upgraded to Tojo IIa, although I don’t plan on deviating from my strategy of only protecting oil and ships. Ha-35 engine pool to 250 – halfway there.

I showed the KB, north of Oz. Hopefully, this will give him the confidence to have the CVE Long Island loiter in the north -- 4 hexes east of the Kuriles. I bombed his invasion forces in the north with unescorted Helens hoping to entice the Long Island back a hex or two, or simply to stay where she is.

The mini KB plus Junyo is at Truk, while the Hiyo finishes her repair work at Singapore and sails on the morrow. The Shokaku is on a semi secret mission…

Subs spotted a BB and escorts heading southeast from Ceylon. Perhaps a damaged BB heading towards Capetown…I will try to intercept. Maybe the Valiant, she jumps around on the sunk ship page. Also several small cargo ships spotted in the Indian Ocean, and again I am trying to intercept.

Moving troops on Java, more shore bombardments hit Tjilatjap, Ambon and an invasion force is headed for Timor. The bombardment of Tjilatjap damaged Allied fighter forces on Java – over 50.

The 2nd Division is landed and headed towards the siege of Soerabaja safely.

Another large port attack on Soerabaja is ordered. Hopefully, I will be able to put down a cruiser or two or some of the submarines that are working out of there.

[Lowpe]

Americans wander back in the north and the Bettys' fly! Scratch one baby flattop!

[Lowpe]

Reinforcements have arrived in the North, and I will try to punish the temerity of the Allies.

The Shokaku has been hunting down the Long Island for about a month now, first covering reinforcements to Nauru and Xmas Island in the Central Pacific and now up north. I believe the Allies think that all Japanese CVs are around Java.

His carrier force must be very weak in planes, given his losses in Java...so we will see what the morrow brings...hopefully it is not an elaborate trap.

[Lowpe]

A disappointing half day raid up north. Should be plenty of fireworks this next day, as I assume he will be very aggressive.

[Lowpe]

Allies stage night and day raids on Magwe. Not Good!

During the Night, the Oscars on CAP disrupt the attacks so no damage is done, but during the day he is able to damage the airfield to the tune of 11%.

I did manage to damage some of his planes, but if he throws everything at Magwe, I am in deep trouble. Tojo IIa are still several days away from being deployed, and my pilots, the best I have, are simply inferior to his.

I suspect he will hit Magwe with everything he has this next day.

[Lokasenna]

I think you are doing a fantastic job. Your fighter losses are heavy overall, but pretty much before your takeover, no?

Also I think he has squandered his naval airpower, the Dauntlesses in particular but also the Long Island. That more than anything has leveled out the playing field IMO.

[Lowpe]

Yes, most of the fighter losses were before I took over....but still, it is horrendous.

I am glad I saved the Nick for point defense of Magwe and Palmebang. The brute did outstanding work on his bombers. I have one factory of 30, which I expanded from 24 when I took over, and wish I had more Nicks now, but Tojo IIa will be stepping into battle shortly and that should turn the tide for me I hope. I am starting to get some decently trained pilots up and around.

The Nicks performance, especially her staying power, makes me think I should allocate a factory now to building the Night Fighter version. I had planned on simply creating a Nick NF factory one month before she is available...have to think on this as I have burned thru quite the supply in revamping the air r&d and was looking to economize. Nick NF is normally available 4/44 but I could get her earlier if I do something now.

This turn coming up will see a mad scramble in the North, where I expect to see his CV's race in, if they have planes, and my SAG forming up.

Some heavy shore bombardments happening at Tjilatjap with ships remaining on station which will allow them to bombard during the day. Allies have 50-60 planes there, and I find that my ships concentrate on the airfields and leave his troop concentrations alone -- which is okay for now since he fighters rule the skies. I am sending in the bombers there this turn focusing on both the port (a CA and xAP there) and his ground forces.

Deliberate attack in Timor does well, and I will shore bombard and attack again in 1-3 days. Soerabaja should be invested in two days, so siege warfare in Java now. It is a royal pain having to do these amphibious landings with 30-60 percent preparation and no ambib bonus, but I feel I don't have time to waste.