Gaishu Isshoku: John 3rd vs Cribtop Between the Storms

[John 3rd]

We have FINALLY entered the restart of action within Cribtop and my game. The Invasions of Jaffna and Diego Garcia are just a day or two away. The enemy has seen the size of the armada bearing down upon Ceylon and has 'officially' commenced (his words) his response. The world is about to get quite exciting in the Far East. If I do not miss my guess it will also get hot in the Pacific where Dwain will try to draw my attention (thinking I am weak).

The test of wills and strategies is about to truly start and I cannot wait.

We will begin daily updates again and Post planning, building, tactics, and strategy from this point on...

BANZAI!


BANZAI!!


BANZAI!!!

[John 3rd]

Here is the screenshot from the last turn.

The Invasion Force is approaching Jaffna. Forces included:

BB TF 4BB, 2 CL, 8 DD
Cover TF 4 CL and 6 DD
Invasion Force 1: 3 Full Strength Infantry Divisions
Invasion Force 2: Multiple Engineering, Base Force, and Air Flotilla

The whole force is protected by 3 CVE (57 Zero and 12 Kate).

D-Day is tomorrow March 5, 1942.

[John 3rd]

March 8, 1942
Diego Garcia

The Japanese had spent a great deal of time worrying about Diego Garcia. In many ways I was more stressed about landing here then all of Ceylon. Was going to use a Brigade, then a Division, and finally two Divisions.

Didn't need to stress whatsoever. Only a Base Force is present and they fall to a 897-1 assault.

Immediately begin unloading 3 Engineering Regiments, two Base Forces, and an Air Flotilla.

Other then subs there is no resistance ANYWHERE...

[John 3rd]

March 8, 1942
Ceylon
Operation Shimakaze

NUTS! My opponent ain't putting up a fight for anything. No planes, ships (other then SS), and nothing that appears threatening whatsoever.

Jaffna falls on the 7th. Three ID head out driving south. All sorts of HQ and Air Units quickly begin working to expand the AF there.

The 8th sees the Armor and Artillery begin landing at Koggala. It is undefended.

There are TWO Allied units in Colombo and THIRTEEN in Trincomalee. As soon as possible I will LRCAP both locations to shot down transports if any are flying in or out. CAP is murderous to Japanese planes attacking the Port at Trincomalee. I shall assume that Michael's FAVORITE Allied AA units are still there.

Order one ID from Diego Garcia to immediately reload and head for Koggala to reinforce the attack.

This total abdication of any form of DEFENSE is unnerving. Looks like I will work to make the Right Hook into eastern India within 7-10 days. Viza and Cocanada (as well as many other sites) shall immediately begin getting recon flights. I KNOW That there are only three units in Calcutta presently. If he is letting me take what I want then I shall have it...

[John 3rd]

Since there is no meaningful resistance anywhere on the map, I have tried to place myself into my opponent's head. If it was me, I would KNOW that most of the Kaigun is now in the IO. I would try to stage a mini-offensive somewhere relevant in the Central/Southern Pacific. An early attack while Japan is preoccupied makes sense to me.

I have ordered the KB to make for Kwajalein. They are two days from Port. Plan to slowly gather the Fleet there to serve as a reaction force if something occurs. Currently CARDIV1 (2 CV-1CVL), CARDIV5 (2CV-1CVL), and two more CVLs are here. A good number of BC and cruisers are also present. They should be enough of a Fleet-in-Waiting to be a deterrent. What Cribtop doesn't know is that I shall withdraw CARDIV2 (2 CV-1 CVL-2 BC) tomorrow from the IO. No resistance equals no need for them. This will leave 2 CVL and 3 CVE to finish covering the landings.

CV Junyo, BB Yamato, CL Agano just joined the fleet over the last 5 days of March. Junyo and the modern CL (plus 6 DD) head to the IO. Yamato goes to join the KB in the Marshalls.

[ny59giants]

Calcutta or Bust!! [:D]

If Cribtop has 'turned turtle' on defending India, I would go for the greater Calcutta area to reap the economic benefits of having that area produce supplies and Heavy Industry. Recon Diamond Harbor to see if its feasible to land there with at least a division or two (maybe those from Diego) with some construction engineers and BFs.

Colombo - On 14th March, the 16th & 17th Aussie Brigade of 6th Aussie Div show up here due to Symon's latest version of DBB that we are using. Destroy them here and force him to use the limited Aussie replacements to rebuild them.

CarDiv 2 - Before leaving IO, how about a run up towards Aden (and maybe over towards Karachi) to see if you can find anything?? The very least would be to put a scare into Cribtop and force him to heavily escort his TFs coming into India fro Aden or Cape Town.

[John 3rd]

Thoughts:

1. I'm already loading one Infantry Division to add weight to the Ceylon work. The other one--plus a new ID coming up from Singers--could form the initial landing force for an eastern India Landing. What kind of CD would I face at Diamond Harbor?

2. Made a big boo-boo but will not be paying for it. The Invasion Forces got crossed at the Koggala Landing. A bunch of Construction and AA units landed INSTEAD of my Armor. Forgot to change the 'do not unload' order for the TF so it arrived, the other one unloaded (with no AV whatsoever), and all those Tanks headed back towards Port Blair. OK. STUPID--rookie--mistake. Re-Order them back so that landing will take place on the 10th. Base will fall on the 11th. Looks like those two Aussie Brigades will get to arrive just in time to be utterly destroyed. Funny when one doesn't plan on something and then it happens.

3. I already did a Sweep past Bombay with my CVs. Always willing to do it again! Little nervous about getting nerar Karachi. There must be a BUTTLOAD of capable planes based there!

Just so everyone knows, I have deployed the entire 9th Air Fleet to this theatre. This unit is the only major addition tot he Japanese Air OOB. The Air Fleet HQ, three Air Flotilla, and three large BF provide the support component for 3 Daitai of Zeros, 2 Daitai of Betty-Nell, 1 Daitai of both Val and Kate, and 3 Chutai of Emily+Jakes. Total aerial addition is about 200 planes. Following the RA/BTS Model in history, these units (ground and air) begin at cadre strength (20-25%) with old aircraft. It has taken me three months to get everyone full strength, somewhat trained (low-to-mid 60s), and in new planes. There are other Naval Units added, plus about 400 Army aircraft, and 150+ Transports. The army air and transports are in Burma, Sumatra, and Malaya awaiting orders to move north.

[John 3rd]

Here is a POSITIVE story of Japanese damage control.

On March 1st, KB-2 neared Diego Garcia looking to pass just north of it when O21 hit CVL Shoho with a single torp. Preparing for the CERTAIN ending of this young CVL's life, I watched as the turn ended with no other damage alerts. On initial inspection, the Shoho had 35 SYSTEM, 41 FLOTATION, and 7 ENGINE damage. Pretty bad. She could move 6 hexes at 10 knots (Cruise Speed). It would take FIVE days to make port. Basically certain death.

I watched as the damage improved or held steady over the next few days:
2nd SYS 35, FLOT 39, ENG 8
3rd SYS 35, FLOT 39, ENG 8
4th SYS 35, FLOT 38. ENG 8
5th SYS 36, FLOT 37, ENG 8
6th SYS 36, FLOT 36, ENG 7

7th--MADE PORT! BANZAI BAY!!!

Always remember to sacrifice a cat, dog, or child when one of you AE Japanese babies is hit, set to cruise speed, and PRAY!

[John 3rd]

Well....Michael and I appear to be in the same boat. Turns with Dwain have slowed to a crawl and he is exploring shutting off one game to focus on the other. Since ours is the junior game, it only makes sense for Michael and his match to continue.

Just when it gets EXCITING...things blow up...

[Malagant]

Oh no! That's heart-breaking!

[John 3rd]

TOTALLY concur...

[paradigmblue]

Are you open to another opponent stepping in? It would be a shame for the inaugural game of BtS to end this way.

[John 3rd]

Yes: You are correct though Michael and Cribtop's is farther along.

[John 3rd]

This game is officially dead. man I wanted to see what would happen.

Guess we're looking for a new opponent...

Get a chance to work on polishing all three Mods I guess.

[zuluhour]

[:@]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

[:@]

[:D]