Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Just got my copy of Storm Over Leyte by Prados. Looking forward to reading it. Perhaps I can glean a good amount of intel on what NOT to do...

[John 3rd]

I remember when Dan left the campaign for over a year of time just how hard it was to re-start. In many ways it was like starting a totally foreign game. Well...here we are again but only after three months.

We've gotten in two turns and things are slowly coming back into focus.

As stated when we got this going again, I have decided to disengage the majority of the Fleet and return it to Home Waters. Presently 4 CV, 4 CVL, 2 BC, 4 CA, 2 CL, and 9 DDs are headed back for the Yokohoma. Awaiting their return is 3 CVs, BB Yamato, 1 BC, 1 CL, and 8 DDs. Combining these will create a reasonably strong force before more ships are repaired. There are at least two dozen major and minor ships being repaired presently and many of them will be done within 30-40 days. Within 60 Days we have 3 more CVs, 1 CL, and 9 DDs being put into commission. My planning is for the Fleet to sit at least a month and repair while all the air groups train--train--train.

The only real naval force of any consequence will be a BB, 2 CA, 2 CL, and 8 DD TF that will be based at Truk. Intend to use this TF to be a Raiding Force trying to hit some of Dan's TFs that are not seriously covered. Am always seeking to counter-punch if possible...

LBA shall be the item we fight with for the next 4-5 weeks. Am presently working to set up a CAP TRap where I hope to get the jump on his CV Air. Details will come about presently.

[Grfin Zeppelin]

Yokohoma

Thats a cute typo, especially in the context

[John 3rd]

Not planned but funny!

[Panther Bait]

Yoooo-kahoma where the kamikaze comes sweeping down the plain

Mike

[John 3rd]

Here is an image that NO Japanese Player likes to see! We, unfortunately, have to get used to it at this stage but totally depressing. The Saury puts two fish into Junyo. Damage: 26 SYS 51 FLOT 31 ENG--She can move 3 hexes a turn. Not good at all. The CV picks up two DDs and head for Guam. That base is eight hexes away. I give her about a 20% chance...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
November 24, 1943

The screenshot shows the area of decision presently.

Two Japanese DDs go hunting and sink a YMS on guard duty--BIG surprise--and an APD carrying 315 troops. As they move toward Namlea they encounter three US DDs and CLAA Richmond. A spirited action ensues where DD Connor is sunk by Long Lance, each US DD is hit twice, and the Richmond takes 4 hits. The Japanese pair take one shell each before continuing south. They move into Ambon and take a bomb each from US CVs during the day. CAP shots down 18 American planes in exchange for only 9 losses. Neither is in any danger of sinking. They head for Soerabaja tomorrow.

A trio of Japanese E Class escorts manage to catch a small amphib TF and sink six LCVP at Obi.

Small American detachments land at Obi and Bara. A larger unit lands at Namlea and is destroyed upon landing by the SNLF Troops stationed there. Nearly 700 Americans troops are killed.

Three ML SS lay a minefield of 120 mines at Ambon while four conventional SS lay 48 mines at Namlea. See if we score anything.

In the Central Pacific 9 Betty sink a--can YOU guess???--a YMS near Eniwetok.

At Kusaie four American DDs catch a Japanese AK, AKL, and SC and sink them. No Japanese planes fly to attack them due to weather closing the AF where 36 DB were waiting... Glad Dan waited to try this. I just picked up a Guards Regiment two days ago from this base. It is headed for Mindanao. Got a little lucky there.

SS Operations
I-27 SINKS AK Samoa near Sale, AUST.

PLANNING:
Air dispositions are complete in the area of main action and we are ready to try and take a nibble or two out of the Allied Fleet. Ranges are set to overlap several major Allied target areas and nearly all fighters are set to ZERO CAP. Gonna take a risk and try to take a serious shot at the enemy. Disposition:

Ternate
193 Fighters and 78 TB

Kendari
108 Fighters and 69 TB

Makassar
48 Fighters and 48 DB

Koepang
104 Fighters and 64 TB

Babeldoap/Peleliu
164 Fighters, 48 DB, and 108 TB

[John 3rd]

I just got my Colorado state ballot for the election. I am soooooooo depressed over everything I find it very difficult to get up any enthusiasm for the vote. I've never missed an election since I got the right to vote in 1984. PROUDLY cast that first vote for President Reagan in 1984 and can find little to vote FOR this time around. Am totally despondent presently...

[Anachro]

I would state my opinions, but then we might start dangerously veering into politics... Well, at least my vote doesn't matter much in California.

[John 3rd]

I agree and I don't want to swerve there. Just venting some...

[JohnDillworth]

Staying clear of politics as always in the forum but I have given this advice. Across the country, a million write in ballots for anyone would send a message that folks were not happy with their choices. I think that is a message you might be able to support.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

Staying clear of politics as always in the forum but I have given this advice. Across the country, a million write in ballots for anyone would send a message that folks were not happy with their choices. I think that is a message you might be able to support.

No, it would not. Politicians are not accountable and the government does not fear the people.

Like him or hate him, Donald Trump is the one candidate in my lifetime that wasnt bought and paid for before the election ever got started (this is both parties).

We get 2 false choices every 4 years and the establishment continues along.

[Jellicoe]

Poor old Junyo

Didn't you have to do a heroic save of her early on in the game and leave her holed up somewhere like gasmata for an age before nursing her home?

Maybe she is a lucky ship?

[Grfin Zeppelin]

Ha the Junyo fires ? If not she will likely make it.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Gräfin Zeppelin

Ha the Junyo fires ? If not she will likely make it.

She has no fires and her numbers improved on the 25th. Now headed for Saipan where 3 ARs are waiting. I cannot leave her there for long but will get the damage taken care of to the point I can successfully bring her home. This is, of course, barring another American sub showing up...

That was good memory from the other Post. It was not Junyo but Hiyo who was massively damaged, hid, and then CRAWLED into Soerbaja to get repaired last year. Hiyo--unfortunately--was sunk in that CV Battle a few months ago.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

I would state my opinions, but then we might start dangerously veering into politics... Well, at least my vote doesn't matter much in California.

My vote never matters for anything in California either...except maybe ballot measures...but anything I vote for gets ruled unconstitutional anyway. The Senate race has two candidates from the same party. The fix is in, I tell you! Interesting
situation in the Medium Sundas.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: Anachro

I would state my opinions, but then we might start dangerously veering into politics... Well, at least my vote doesn't matter much in California.

My vote never matters for anything in California either...except maybe ballot measures...but anything I vote for gets ruled unconstitutional anyway. The Senate race has two candidates from the same party. The fix is in, I tell you! Interesting
situation in the Medium Sundas.

Think you and I are in about the same mindset. Always good to see you Posting Cap!

[John 3rd]

Junyo made it to Saipan without issue. Barring anything falling on it from the skies, we can repair the SYS damage in about 20 days and then send her back home for repairs.

The two BBs hit on the turn our game collapsed made it to the Home Islands. Most of my Capital Ships are getting repaired presently. The only operational BB is Mutsu and she is heading to Balikpapan and then elsewhere to try and cause some trouble.

The FLEET is home. A whole bunch of ships are now upgrading. Within two weeks we'll have 7 CV and 4 CVL ready for action. Within 45 days we'll add another CV repaired and three more CVs completed. I hope to wait that 6-7 week period for all this to happen and then look for an opportunity to strike. During that time we'll be pre-positioning fuel at Saipan and Truk for a possible foray from those bases. ALL my AOs are presently hauling fuel and oil from the DEI to Home Islands right now. Dan has made no effort to move his SS into the Formosa region and I am trying to take full advantage of that.

[John 3rd]

We have LOTS of activity occurring in the eastern DEI. I've lost some SS but they are scoring EVERY turn. Pretty interesting back-and-forth right now. Am handling it without the Fleet (as detailed above) and seem to be OK for the short term...

Current night screenshot:

[John 3rd]

Damn. Today was like the old days. I was home with NOTHING to do. Dan and I have done three turns and I'm waiting for number 4 presently.

COOL!

We're at December 2, 1943.