Global War : a Japanese AAR

[yvesp]

Except for that naval move, the axis has little to do; the whole Japanese army in China is OoS. Even if a convoy had been present in the North China sea, the weather would have ensured that this was the case. As a result, the imperial army is going to be surrounded by Chinese units in too many places.

[yvesp]

As expected, the USA launch a full attack on all ports containing Japanese ships in Japan. Ominato is a prime target since all ships did not sail. The Japanese send planes to protect the area, but lose a good fighter in the process.

[yvesp]

the AA is efficient and the US lose a good bomber.
However, the remaining bomber damages a carrier and cruiser.

[yvesp]

In Sapporo, nothing happens.

[yvesp]

In Sendai, the convoy is destroyed.

[yvesp]

As is the one in Niigata.

[yvesp]

But in the rain, the bombers just miss Tokyo.

[yvesp]

In Germany, despite the rain, the western allies decide to lend a hand to Russia, unable to commit enough air power against Germany's still strong air defense. 4 fighters of rating 7 or 8 are more than what Russia can reasonnably expect to handle.

The air to air ballet turns in favor of the allies.
Especially since the German planes have a difficult choice for landing: either land in the southerne pocket, where oil is plentiful, thanks to the 2 synth oil plants there. But then they are OoS. Or land north, be in supply but have no oil to reorganize... Then, the places to land south are few and far between... Of course, one could land south to reorg, then rebase north to be in supply...

[yvesp]

The result on Berlin is impressive.

[yvesp]

And the result is also excellent in the sole hex connecting Berlin to any reinforcements: both corps are disorganized, which means that only a trickle of reinforcements can now come to the city. should it resist the initial attack. Of course, if the turn ends, reinforcements will appear in the city itself.

[yvesp]

In the east, the Chinese fail to strike Kunming, still held by a warlord loyal to the Japanese.

But two blackwidow squadron meet their contract on Manila: the British are eager to use to opportunity offered by good weather and don't want to delay the capture of the city more than absolutely necessary.

[yvesp]

As the Russians prepare their blow against Moscow, the German send most of their bombers in it's defense.
They are uopposed, the allies cannot intercept and the Russians have not had time to bring their few fighters closer.

[yvesp]

I did not count, but this air support likely saved the German capital.
For now.
The German lose a now useless mech, which would have no oil to be reorganized.
Losing the div was the other option, but even disorganized the div is useful: as a div, it makes a third unit in the stack, and the penalty for desorganization is less that the one for a disorganized corps.
It may be difficult to hold the city against another attack.

[yvesp]

Kawalein has not the luck of Berlin; its fall stems the end of any serious Japanese control in the Pacific.

[yvesp]

And the British bring in easily many reinforcements in the Philippines.
Now, the British hope for one more good weather impulse.

[yvesp]

In Europe, the German forces are split into harmless chunks. The only remaining fighting force is now holding on a chunk of territory north of Berlin. It is incapable of any offensive action.

[yvesp]

Thinks are different in China.
The imperial army is not threatened by the Chinese, except in being surrounded, which is fast coming.
The Russia, expeditionnary corps may soon reach China, and the Japanese units are not able to stand againts them.
And I forgot to invade near Shangaï... Oh well... Too many things to think about!

[yvesp]

The axis impulse is uneventful.

Only Japan does something, a combined, which succeeds in reopening supply to China.
Japan also moves back the remains of the fleet in Tokyo; better have it there than useless in Ominato.

But for waht purpose ? It would have to stay onpen until the next impulse to have a chance to pull out an orderly retreat for whatever that is worth, salvaging any unit to garrison some important place.
Germany hopes for an end of turn: Berlin is quite vulnerable now, even though only two allied stack can attack it: With but 16 in defense, 2 units, all disorganized, it could fall.

The turn doesn't end, but the weather turns awful again...

[yvesp]

The USA do a new round of port attacks on the remaining ships which could not move.
Japan pays the price of having been so undecided.
In Sapporo, a convoy is destroyed.

[yvesp]

The air defense above Ominato turns sour against Japan.