Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

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John 3rd
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RE: January 1944

Post by John 3rd »

As detailed earlier, I have been pulling units out of the far edges of the Empire and now they are being sent to more critical areas. That Dan has allowed me to do this with un-escorted convoys has been delightful. Leaving Rabaul is the first wave of those troops moving to their new destinations: 1 Inf Div, 2 Brigades, 1 Inf Reg, 3 CD units, 1 Nvl HQ, 1 Army HQ, 1 Air HQ, and 4 Base Forces depart in 6-7 convoys.

Still have 12-13 units needing lifted and moved. They will constitute a second wave in about two weeks.


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John 3rd
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February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

We're rolling a new month by entering February 1944.

Decided to take a look at new airframes for the month and we get two:

A6M8-J
Ki-61-Id Tony

Am Posting the FINAL variant of the ZERO airframe onto this Post so you can see.

Got good news in that George's second model with better SR advanced from April to March.



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John 3rd
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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

My opponent is moving again in one massed force of about a gadzillion ships in a single 40 mile hex. Moving west with probable target being the SW leg of Sulawasi. Got troops at some points here. Have to see what he's doing. Best guess: recon everywhere and land where nothing is so he doesn't have to fight a real fight. Makes a bunch of sense to me if I was the Allied player...
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DanSez
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RE: February 1944

Post by DanSez »

I recall stories (war-legends?) of Japanese sailors and officers shaking their fists or swords at Allied aircraft as they pummel their ships with bombs, shells and rockets.

The IJA war designers envisioned aerial combat as a one-on-one pseudo kendo match between two planes, ergo they favored maneuverability over all. How did that work out?

The dead are rarely asked what was 'fair' in war. Just try to disrupt and kill as much as you can to slow the Juggernaut down.

The only thing I can suggest is to build up forts and bases where you have close mutually supporting defensive forces and attack his amphib TFs when they approach, especially the BBs, while using your LBA to attrit the carriers air groups before attacking with multiple, smaller SCTFs and controlled striking with your carriers to finish off any cripples from their landing assault. Don't let your carriers get into a direct punching match with the Death Star until you splinter it with the above actions.

The Commander's job is to orchestrate and direct the three major dimensions of combat - space, time and force. Shattered Sword, the Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
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John 3rd
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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

Thanks Dan. ALWAYS appreciate your thoughts.

LOTS happening this turn. Stand by for a series of screenshots.
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John 3rd
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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

February 1, 1944

Japanese air continues to attempt to 'nibble' at the edges of the Allied Forces:

Today a group of YMS are sunk by Japanese Jills flying out of Lae. Down go four of those dratted ships.

A strike from Milne bay hit a pair of AKs just off the east coast of Australia. ARMY bombers do that!


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February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

February 1, 1944

The might of Allied airpower has truly been on display over the skies of Burma. The Japanese have six Fighter Sentai committed to the battle here. There shall be no more reinforcements here for some time. Dan has been using EVERYTHING to strike one hex a day. Usually this entails 4-5 sweeps over the target and then the arrival of 4-5 2EB and 4EB attacks.

Japan fears no Allied Fighter with the exception of the P-47. NASTY plane!

I've tried to move the Fighters around working to create a trap and catch the massed assault. That set-up works on this day as nearly 100 Japanese Fighters fight over Rangoon catching many Allied Fighter Squadrons by a 4-1 or 5-1 advantage. The results are excellent. Enough fighters remain in the air to actually go after some of the bomber attacks.

Only lose 6 pilots for the day and so the loss in airframes is fine with very little pilot losses.


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John 3rd
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February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

February 1, 1944

Here is the DEI area. Troops are unloading at several points and another Troop Convoy is working to decide IF it can safely land in the challenged area.

There is similar activity to the north around Jolo--Mindanao--NE Borneo.

I am setting up a CAP Trp as a group of 4 AKL and 2 SC are ordered to move to Kolaka. SEVEN Fighter groups are assigned LR CAP. Perhaps we can get a nice little punch in to the Allied formation...



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February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

February 1, 1944

There 'appears' to be a movement towards Marcus. To check this out, I move a Fighter, DB, and TB Daitai onto the base. Want this to look like a weak conglomeration. If this is NOT a DECOY then I want Dan to be emboldened to come forward. An massed ambush COULD occur.

The Kaigun gained CVL Ibuki this turn. From Kobe, Vc-Adm Nagumo Chuichi orders stations for his massed Task Force. The TF comprises 5 CV, 1 CVL, 3 CA, 3 CL, and 10 DDs. It is a powerful force that could 'decisively' intervene in two turns. Might be interesting to watch...

The remainder of Japan's CVs disappear from the Allied air search as it departs Shortlands last turn. The TFs are headed for Truk and then EITHER Marcus or the Philippines.


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John 3rd
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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

Here is the TF that departs Kobe:


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DanSez
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RE: February 1944

Post by DanSez »

How many enemy CVs do you expect - worse case situation?
Again, splinter that bee-acht before delivering the axe, but the question is how...

on Burma, how are you layering your cap or are you going high, trying to get the dive bonus?

good luck
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Insano
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RE: February 1944

Post by Insano »

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

My opponent is moving again in one massed force of about a gadzillion ships in a single 40 mile hex. Moving west with probable target being the SW leg of Sulawasi. Got troops at some points here. Have to see what he's doing. Best guess: recon everywhere and land where nothing is so he doesn't have to fight a real fight. Makes a bunch of sense to me if I was the Allied player...

Moving in this way makes me think about loading mines into subs and just dropping them in open water ahead of the oncoming armada. Surely that many ships something would have to strike a mine. Could be a way of making the allies pay their victory tax. Allied ASW and detection levels too good at this stage to reliably get torpedo hits the conventional way with acceptable sub losses. Will you experiment and report any results?
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John 3rd
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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

ORIGINAL: Insano

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

My opponent is moving again in one massed force of about a gadzillion ships in a single 40 mile hex. Moving west with probable target being the SW leg of Sulawasi. Got troops at some points here. Have to see what he's doing. Best guess: recon everywhere and land where nothing is so he doesn't have to fight a real fight. Makes a bunch of sense to me if I was the Allied player...

Moving in this way makes me think about loading mines into subs and just dropping them in open water ahead of the oncoming armada. Surely that many ships something would have to strike a mine. Could be a way of making the allies pay their victory tax. Allied ASW and detection levels too good at this stage to reliably get torpedo hits the conventional way with acceptable sub losses. Will you experiment and report any results?

Had two ML SS about to drop off mines at Kendari and have decided to give your idea a try. PLOP goes about 60 mines...
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John 3rd
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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

ORIGINAL: DanSez

How many enemy CVs do you expect - worse case situation?
Again, splinter that bee-acht before delivering the axe, but the question is how...

on Burma, how are you layering your cap or are you going high, trying to get the dive bonus?

good luck

Dive Bonus. I get it versus P-38, Spits, and Hurricanes but not P-47s. Those Rat Basta*** nailed my Franks this turn. Lost 21 for 8 of the Thunderbolts...
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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

February 2, 1944

Enemy closing on Marcus. Three TFs of CVEs, BBs, and Fast APs.

The screenshots show where my CVs will be at the end of tomorrow's turn.

The Northern CVs have 201 Zero, 92 Judy, and 96 Jills.

The Southern CVs bring nearly 600 planes.

COULD really get a shot at sinking a portion of the his immense Fleet. My CVs cannot make a difference in the DEI but here we just might have a shot at a significant number of Victory Points--I MEAN---SHIPS!


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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

February 2, 1944

He moves west but there is no action. He wants me to waste by bombers on that INVINCIBLE CAP. Not happening...

The red 'x' mark where my ML SS are dropping off their eggs.

Keep the CAP TRAP set on one TF of AKs.


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RE: February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

The Allied Invasion Forces begin landing at Watampone and that hex at the very top of the bay near Watampone. Each landing is made by at least an ID+ commitment. Neither base will hold.

My CAP Trap does some good work for the day.

Order bombers to 'nibble' at the edges...


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February 1944

Post by John 3rd »

Four bases will attempt to get in a few licks. I have them circled and the range to which the attackers are set for. Really HOPE to catch a couple of these areas without any or very little fighter cover.

We'll have to see...


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Thanks

Post by John 3rd »

I want to take a moment to express my heart-felt thanks to all of you guys on the Forum. Dan said he commented on my Biopsy over in his AAR and I've watched my Post count climb as people have been 'looking in.'

Thank you all for the support and--for some--prayers. In means more then you can ever guess.

This crazy game has brought into my life several men whom I now label as friend. Cannot imagine my life without them. For those who have felt this, I KNOW you understand. To others who are playing AE my advice is quite simple: get to KNOW your opponents. Call them and chat. You may not make a connection but I am willing to bet that you will. A little faith Forum. This is all you need.

Thanks.
John
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dave sindel
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RE: Thanks

Post by dave sindel »

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I want to take a moment to express my heart-felt thanks to all of you guys on the Forum. Dan said he commented on my Biopsy over in his AAR and I've watched my Post count climb as people have been 'looking in.'

Thank you all for the support and--for some--prayers. In means more then you can ever guess.

This crazy game has brought into my life several men whom I now label as friend. Cannot imagine my life without them. For those who have felt this, I KNOW you understand. To others who are playing AE my advice is quite simple: get to KNOW your opponents. Call them and chat. You may not make a connection but I am willing to bet that you will. A little faith Forum. This is all you need.

Thanks.
John

Well said John. I too would like to add some "get well soon" wishes. I'm not sure what type of biopsy you had, but if it was anything like the ones I've had, I know it was not pleasant. I hope you have good results.
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