Lambs to the slaughter (Lowpe (J) vs Jocke; BillBrown (A)) Finished

[Lowpe]

I have pretty much manually double checked the Oscar fighter upgrades and haven't found any additional squadrons.

I realize Tracker isn't 100% reliable...

Now there might be some recon squadrons that go that way or even bomber squadrons, but I haven't checked them. Too much work.[:)]

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Here you go Pax...

I know what Tracker says. I think that 6 more Ic groups will upgrade. Let's wait and see.

If it helps, I'm in Nov '42 in my PDU off DBB-B game and only 4 groups would convert to IIa. The rest go straight to IIb - no IIa option available on the upgrade screen.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Walker84

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Here you go Pax...

I know what Tracker says. I think that 6 more Ic groups will upgrade. Let's wait and see.

If it helps, I'm in Nov '42 in my PDU off DBB-B game and only 4 groups would convert to IIa. The rest go straight to IIb - no IIa option available on the upgrade screen.

Ach, well my memory then. Haven't played it in a long time ...

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Victory point ratio is just a hair off 3-1...

Don't get too fixated on the idea of obtaining an auto victory on 1 January 1943. Whilst it is possible for Japan to win on that day with a 4:1 ratio the more likely scenario is a 1944 victory with a 3:1 ratio. Cribtop's AAR is a good example of forcing an Allied surrender in early 1944 due to the forthcoming auto victory.

The goal should be to cripple the Allies in 1942 to the point where they cannot claw back in meaningful terms VPs throughout 1943. Doing this may result in obtaining the 4:1 ratio in 1943 but what is important is the quality of the crippling. in 1942. Not all VPs are created equally. For Japan strategic, destroyed aircraft/ships/devices VPs are permanent and tend to be of the crippling kind. Real estate VPs can fluctuate due to supply considerations or Allied recovery and are not necessarily indicative of the war potential of the Allies.

Cripple enough in 1942 and the initiative should remain with Japan well into 1943 and if handled well, even into 1944. This is why total destruction of the Catalina factory is significant for it can cripple the entire British patrol aircraft capabilities until early 1944.

Alfred

I was thinking along either of two lines...a hail mary attack in nov/dec aimed at the west coast, but I count shipping and divisions it seems less and less likely which leaves the 1944 3-1 goal a possibility.

I got the fires up over 20,000 at Vancouver today, but the Catalina Factory remains at 2 (2). There is some kind of recon inflation where factories and industries seem to be inflated by 1 as there are only three points really there.

For the life of me, why doesn't Jocke repair the factory? He has the supplies to do so, but instead they sit destroyed day after day.

It seems the first heavy industry damage happened in Seattle in the last day or two, it would be nice for the fires to actually destroy some B29 factories. Long term I know, but it has a definite morale effect.

The good news is the weather has gone from absolutely lousy over North America to clear over Vancouver yesterday and light clouds over Seattle. May is coming in like a lamb.[:)]

If he repairs it, you get more VPs for damaging it again. Why repair what you're currently bombing? May as well wait until you're gone.

[Lowpe]

But that means no Catalina production...I realize it isn't huge, but still those birds are gold.

[Lowpe]

All pieces of the 1 and 2nd Tank Divisions will be in play withing 51 days. They are all slotted for the march on Chungking.

I have four engineer units building Babo to a level 2 port to handle an 8000 unit tanker. Want to keep the oil flowing here.

In two more days the first Indian Nick Sentai will be able to start sweeping.

In a couple of days the first monthly advance for the Tojo IIb will occur along with advances in the A6M5 and the A6M3a (which I will produce).

[Lowpe]

Caught a squadron in China...bombers are on their way. It could be ugly, or it could work out well.

[Lowpe]

Moments after the sweep, the bombers come roaring in....

[Lowpe]

We airdrop on Imphal...but is Ledo empty? I only have the one paratroop here, and it will take two days most likely to put in the supplies and forces for an airdrop on Ledo. It would be nice to take the base without damaging the industry, but if I allow the 11 Allied units to make it there, they will damage the industry far more than an airdrop will.

I will tightly focus some recon there, and start an aerial bombing campaign and hope I can get the Paratroops there in time.

Tezpur is emptied, but some bombers nails the leaving trains first.

The Mogami eats a torpedo from a Dutch Sub, who then eats a penetration depth charge.

[Lowpe]

Looks like we down 10 H81 for 3 Zeroes and one bomber. Not bad, and no Nates lost.[X(]

First Oscar IIa factory repairs; this turns the corner on Oscar research. Soon I will have three fully repaired and with then engine bonus will have the IIa June 1st; with 7 fully repaired factories going after the IIb by then I should get the IIb on July 1st I think.

I need the Oscar IIb to really move forward in India. Primary role is bomber escort/LRCAP. Secondary role is bomber; third role is low CAP.

Tojo is sweeper.

Zero is sweeper and bomber defense.

Nick is sweeper and bomber defense.

I have three squadrons of Rufes, all small, and they will be rear area bomber defense too.

[Lowpe]

The scene over Alliford Bay....[X(]

[Lowpe]

Alliford Bay is playing on the High Commands notable laxity in another universe, i.e. that of leaving ships in port for beastly beasts low altitude port strikes.

Yesterday the bait was spotted...the ships sortie, (all but a a sub that I forgot about[&:]).

The Betties are flown out, and the Zeroes arrive...to be in the air by dawn.

The Allies don't disappoint. Three waves of the beasties, and they take a lot hits to kill. The poor Iboat goes down, but so does quite a few of the lumbering beasts.

[Lowpe]

A good day.

The Sallies blunder into Calcutta at lowish altitude and pay. Commander's discretion attack. Oops.[:(]

[Lowpe]

Ship builds...


The battleships lie fallow.

[Lowpe]

India. The locals really like us. Seriously, we are there for liberation! Er, maybe we are there for the industry, victory points, and oil.[;)]

Look at Ledo...I think it is a air engineer if memory serves and the Allies didn't switch it up. What do you think the odds of a paratroop unit taking it by coupe de main?

I can bomb it back into the stone ages for a day or two and then drop?

Sounds reasonable? Worth the effort? Doomed to failure?

[Lowpe]

A look at the big two...

[Lowpe]

Two units spotted at Prince Rupert...

[Lowpe]

On the Ankang road I try attacking with x2 the stacking limit, plenty of supply, simply put it doesn't work.[;)] I even had some troops on pursuit in reserve mode. Will take 2-3 days to readjust the troop strength back to stacking limit.

[Lowpe]

Quick note on the Tojo IIb. With the arrival of this plane, the number of Tojo squadron doubles to 6 and they are all good sized sentais. It advances a month tomorrow.

The IIc should come online mid 43, just in time for their upgrades to Frank A (those that can). The IIc will be made for the rest of the game, but not in great numbers since only a very few squadrons will stay with the IIc. Now, the research and development factories will retool for the Frank B in mid 43.

I should get the plane 9/42 in time for stepped up air war in India I suspect.

Should be a fun plane to fool around with with those inaccurate 40mm cannons. Looking forward to it.[;)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

A look at the big two...

Would you get better results by focusing on Vancouver?