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

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: Lowpe
Kind of a fun place to fight, but perhaps what is most fun is neither is bringing overwhelming force and bludgeoning their way thru.

Yea, because it then becomes a full campaign instead of a single battle with a decisive moment. I also like the dynamic of the escalation of force. Neither side is willing to commit the most valuable powerful forces; just enough to have the edge over the other guy. This creates a situation with frequent naval skirmishes where each side is just jockeying for the slight advantage in the campaign. It's a good place for this sort of fighting too given the lack of large bases in the area so there is a large no-mans land where naval forces can go at each other without too much worry of LBA interference. Interested to see how how long you an keep the Allies stalled in the Andamans.

Ok, it is not a fun place to fight anymore. [:D] Way too many Allied paratroop units here. Way too few troops for me.

I suspect I will have to bring everything I can here and let the Allies move forward in the CentPac. Need oil more than anything else at this point.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Ground reinforcements are starting to show up in the arrival que....and they are needed everywhere.

Luzon: PaxMondo always said you need to amass 3000 AV to hold against the AI; I suspect you cannot hold it no matter how much AV you put in there especially in a non-stacking limit game. At this point, not sure how I would get close to 3000 AV there unless I strip China dangerously thin.

You know my thoughts regarding Luzon.

From your last screenshot of China, it looks like the war there is starting to wind down. Once you get Chungking surrounded and start work on reducing it, you can move troops out as you please. I'd also look at optimizing your garrisons: you can free up quite a number of big units with careful management of the Mongolian and RGC units.

At the end of the day, the 3000 AV required to hold Luzon will come as reinforcements in late '44 or early '45 - look at the reinforcements for the first three months of 1945 alone. Quite a lot are restricted, but you shouldn't have much left to spend PP's on by this point. All you need to do is make sure you hold Luzon long enough to get those troops there.

Easier said than done.[:)]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Can we get a screenshot and details on your defense of northern Sumatra?? If he gets over there, it will put Palembang under 4e bomber range.

I will put one up when I get home from work...really it is pretty distressing given the number of parachute units he has in theatre, and everything that needs be covered.

Sabang is strong, but will get overrun when he flies Thunderbolts into the area. So nothing is really strong. As a matter of fact the whole SRA is very weak, just not enough troops to go around.

Allies will push a multifront war and I will be very hard pressed to buy time. Very hard pressed.[:)]

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe
I suspect I will have to bring everything I can here and let the Allies move forward in the CentPac. Need oil more than anything else at this point.

Well at the very least I think this is where you should concentrate your surface fleet. The situation allows you to bombard the Allied positions in the Andamans to prevent them using it as a base to attack Sumatra until they can stop you and at this point you need all the help you can get. If you can stop the current attempt to take Trinkat I think that will buy you some valuable time and force the Allies to regroup to take the base.

In the meantime it may be wise to start thinking about pulling back from Burma. With the Allies building up the Andaman area the Burmese coast from Moulmein to Victoria point is very vulnerable. You've already lost Rangoon so at this point if you pull back you don't really even need to surrender any important bases.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli
You've already lost Rangoon so at this point if you pull back you don't really even need to surrender any important bases.

I never had Rangoon![:D]

I have pulled back from Burma all base forces, almost all construction engineers, most aviation support, all but some very selected AA units, 2 full divisions (well, one kind of worse for wear the old defenders of Tuang Gyi), 3 tank regiments. Most of that stuff is arriving daily at Raheng and Pisanuloke.

I can't pull back yet...yes, the invasion risk is horrible, but I have to stick it out for now. I can't give him those bases yet. I have got to keep the thunderbolts 10 hexes away, otherwise I can't strike.

Medan is at terrible risk, not to mention the rest of Sumatra oil and fuel. Gotta fight, gotta stall. No choice.

[Lowpe]

Turn is away, and I forgot to get a picture of Sumatra for NYGiants. Next day, first thing. I promise.[:)]

I am sending two task forces into Car Nicobar, it is very low light now, and hopefully the CL/DD will not fare too poorly. I suspect he might move in a heavy destroyer force or that CA force of his.

I have quite a few bombers ready to go, they are back from the lines unspotted. Betties, Lilly IIb (5 full squadrons), Vals (yes, I still have them), Jills, Kates, Helens, Nicks.

Chumphon is a neat base currently, 10 hexes away from the Allies, just out of Thunderbolt reach. I have two air HQs that should make Pisanuloke this turn (they are refugees from Burma) and then they can spread their benefits down in the Trinkat area of operations.

Starting to position lots of AA at the Sumatra oil. I have almost every 12 cm gun here...guess they won't really do much. Ki100s stand ready at Medan...not reconned yet but it is only a matter of time.

[Lowpe]

September 26, 1943

Japan night bombs! Wow, 9 bombers: 3 betties and 6 Helens in three groups hit Car Nicobar and damage some planes and get a hit on the airbase. Wow. Severe storms and low moon hamper their activity, but still...a great success for Japan.[:D] Hopefully he will clutter up the airbase with nightfighters.

A couple of surface engagements off Car Nicobar probably helped the bombers find their way.

In the first fight Japan loses a destroyer...

[Lowpe]

And the followup:

[Lowpe]

And then everyone is gone...

AMcs sweep Trinkat, where we just miss getting a 2-1 attack, but Allied paratroopers are short supplies, disrupted, and fatigued. Got to keep it up.

Here is a look at Sumatra...very weak.

[Lowpe]

Burma:

The meat grinder. Allies bombard at Rangoon, no damage. 700 AV of mine in level 4-6 forts with a fair amount of artillery versus 1600 for the Allies.

Southeast of prome 2nd Guards Div and one art, one aa, one rapidfire and one regiment make up 680 AV and they pound it out against 1600 AV of Allies including the 4th USMC.

[Lowpe]

Last 30 days of Allied sub losses...some will come off, I hope to add a few more from recent days.

[Lowpe]

Port Blair is just a hive of shipping with but 100 fighters protecting them.

Two 10 ship CA/DD task forces.

One big tankers fleet.

Misc smaller fleets.

[Lowpe]

Just think how this game would be different if my predecessor had taken Port Blair early, and Rangoon!

I guess I should be careful what I ask for -- the Allies are always going to attack somewhere.[:D]

[mind_messing]

Don't neglect Malaya and the eastern coast of the Thai panhandle. I see you've got Georgetown and Chumphon garrisoned: both those bases make Sumatra a much more dangerous venture for the Allies. I'd also look at Singora as a possible airbase to hold the Strait of Malacca - it's on a rail-line, it can be built up to a large size and there's no way the Allies are going to get ships in range.

Regarding Burma, if I were you, I'd feel pretty worried about all those units north of Pegu. Now that Taung Gyi is in Allied hands, Pegu is there only escape route other than a couple months marching through the jungle.

I think the Burma road is opened for the Allies, and you don't hold the oil any more, so fighting in central Burma serves no purpose. Plus, you've got the Allies mounting an amphibious landing on your flank, so you've nothing to lose abandoning Central Burma and focusing on defending the Moulmein - Chang Mai axis and quite a lot to gain - a shorter frontline and rivers between you and the Allies.

Basically the only thing that you can do to get anything out of Burma is to deny the Allies use of Rangoon, and you can do that from Moulmein.

[Alfred]

The Burma Road is not open for the Allies.
 
Alfred

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

The Burma Road is not open for the Allies.

Alfred

Darn right![&o]

If the Allies want to advance they have to fight here. Every jungle or jungle ridge hex I hold here is the best place to delay the Allies.

I still need time in China. I need plenty of time at Medan and Sumatra.

It is only late Sept 43, I can't afford to give up territory to make lines shorter yet. Giving up Pegu puts thunderbolts in range of the central plains airbases west of Vinh and I need them. It also puts those lousy Assault bombers one hex closer to Saigon, Cam Ranh Bay and the Chinese coastal convoy routes. And a general retreat to Moulmein unlocks Burma road and 500 supply to the Chinese in the mountains.

Not insignificantly, a withdraw to the line m-m postulates also shortens Allied lines. That would free up troops for TOE upgrades/reinforcements and troops to do a large scale amphibious invasion. He will get those troops eventually, but hopefully not before 44.

Am I nervous. You bet! But I am betting I can hold here till end of 43 and then withdraw slowly. I am aware of the dangers.[:D] Calculated risk.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

The Burma Road is not open for the Allies.

Alfred

Sorry, you're correct, never noticed the hex direct NE of Rangoon.

[DanSez]

Keep up the good fight.
Very interesting story. I check in every day but rarely post.

[Lowpe]

Keep the advice, strategy and warnings, and jokes coming!

Top Secret!!!

I should have several nasty traps for the reckless Allies today.

40 torpedo carrying Betties striking out of Burma. Allies have stripped their rear area bases and have lots of shipping. Hm..., they must feel safe. Strike goes from 1 hex north of Port Blair to one hex south of Calcutta with ample search.

The Allies will deliberate attack again se of Prome, and instead of 600 AV they will now find 900! Not sure how many tanks will do in the jungle, but he has only organic artillery there now so I am guessing they will do okay on defence.

No night bombing of Car Nicobar, instead a small bombardment of Trinkat, plus 60 low flying bombers and another general attack. 3 fleets screening at Trinkat, and the buildup west of Phuket has started. Could be a good naval engagement at Trinkat, I expect him to dash in ships to try and sink my AMcs, but must of my ships will be waiting with very low moonlight and torpedoes ready.

CAP trap in the lower Solomons. Should net some 4Es.

Naval strike out of the Marshalls...surprise, surprise. I see 4 juicy tankers. Sweeping first with George, 30 Oscars escorting and 20 Betties striking. They might get thru.

More unit movement...

If only one trap works I will be happy.

[Lowpe]

Midget Sub Carriers:

Anyone use these? I have two out and about, and the first is nearing the port where she will drop off a minisub. Or can you stay and attempt a recovery (Ok - found out that midgets can be recovered but not refueled or rearmed by the mothership).

I would like to sneak in at night, drop the midget sub, and steam away...much like laying mines, but I don't think that is possible.

Or does the sub automatically drop the midget upon reaching the destination?

Seems like it might be very tough for the mothership to survive -- this makes the port you target very important if you don't want to lose your mothership.

I plan on running these operations for a long time, if I can keep the mothership alive that is.

I am not expecting much, just fun & games.[:D] Really, it is a distraction for the Allies...