Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

That is an EXCELLENT observation. Consider it done next turn.

[John 3rd]

Moving those China units as described above. Hope it doesn't set anything off...

[John 3rd]

March 11, 1944

In a highly curious move, the 1x10^6 is spotted SW if Port Moresby moving AWAY from the DEI. What the heck?

There is still a ton of shipping at Normanton but it appears the Fast CV TF is moving away the Theatre of Operations. Does he want to open up the Central Pacific. That would takes WEEKS for them to get into position. Doesn't make too much sense.

Perhaps he is escorting out shipping so it is free and clear? Maybe...

During the Sumatra Battle he abandoned his troops to my Army/Navy. Would he do that in March 1944? Highly doubtful.

[John 3rd]

BUNCHES of air action today. Just as I THOUGHT he had abandoned his base at Watampone, four squadrons of fighters arrive and make life miserable for Japanese air. Lose about 25 Fighters and 30 bombers. The raids still get thru and damage the AF to 20% but that is about it.

This is a rather familiar feel to Sumatra. From Soerabaja 1 BB, 1 BC, 3 CL, and 9 DD raise anchor and head for Watampone. Am sending a couple of PT/MTB into the Watampone hex to check for mines and CD. If nothing happens then we shall BLAST that AF into smithereens. What is the best way to destroy Allied high-performance fighter? Easy answer. A bunch of 14", 16", and 18" guns!

BB Mutsu is within 10 days of repair completion at Singers. She will be added to the bombardment mix...

[John 3rd]

Random Thoughts:

1. For those who have played this deep into a match, I have to comment about my surprise watching pilots and officers now being promoted nearly every turn. I've got 2-3 men each turn getting advanced in rank. Anything interesting about this? Not something I have noticed before.

2. Have also been noticing many 'lost' Japanese pilots appearing and/or escaping captivity. Nice but strange.

3. We bumped Political Points slightly when this Mod was created but boy-oooohhhhh-boy, I could use about double/triple the daily total.

4. I got asked a question of supply. The Home Islands is swimming in it presently. Tokyo alone has 1.3 million right now. I've been shipping out about 250,000 a month to Manila and Singapore to create decent stockpiles there and it isn't dropping my numbers appreciably.

[John 3rd]

If the 1x10^6 continues out of the area then I am committing the 2nd TK to Sulawasi. There could be an opportunity to destroy another Allied army. The Victory Point boost alone makes it really tempting. I won't deviate from earlier plans until I am certain that a large window of opportunity exists.

[crsutton]

Burma is a trap for Japan after mid 43. The Allies just have too many options. Besides, with Ramree in his possession then once he takes Lashio the supply faucet will turn back on for China and the whole Chinese theater will take on a different bent. There is only one reason to fight in Burma for Japan and that is to stop supply from going to China. Once that happens then Burma becomes redundant and no longer serves a strategic purpose.

Every decision the Japanese player makes in 44 should weigh only the strategic considerations and not even look at the short turn benefit. Destroying 30,000 Allied troops at this stage of the war without a significant strategic gain is meaningless.

[John 3rd]

That is why I held onto Burma as long as I have.

Also why that advice regarding moving my Chinese defenders to better hexes made a bunch more sense. Don't talk much about China but we've created three groups of units in North--Central--South China to act as mobile reserves. Each of these groups has at least two ID and 2 Brigades.

If Dan is leaving the DEI and I have a chance to pick-up all those units then I will take it. The VP at this late stage of the game will help considerably. If he turns and comes back then my losses are barely noticeable. Seems like a good scenario to me.

I got called into work so looks like there will not be a turn until later tonight.

[Bif1961]

Sun Tzu said you should attack the enemy when he is ebbing. It appears, if in fact his death star is pulling to the east side of OZ, he might be planning a few weeks of R&R to sharpen his sword for his next phase. This might be your window to pluck any low hanging fruit.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

4. I got asked a question of supply. The Home Islands is swimming in it presently. Tokyo alone has 1.3 million right now. I've been shipping out about 250,000 a month to Manila and Singapore to create decent stockpiles there and it isn't dropping my numbers appreciably.

For supply many players have 2-3 million in Tokyo, and 5-7 million globally. It's important to conserve at this stage, especially when your oil supply is in danger.

Stocks in Singers and Manila sound good, but that is a lot per month to send.

You might also check to see you have good reserves of Armament and Vehicles points. A lot of new units arrive from 44 onwards. I just keep mine running on full throughout. If you're trying to save HI then turn off all xAK and most other naval and merchant ships, then turn off most shipyards. Good to have the E and maybe the APD, plus some of the better subs, but definitely turn off the transport subs. You probably have more than enough TK now too.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Perhaps he is escorting out shipping so it is free and clear? Maybe...

I consider this the least likely explanation offered. Dan has never shown much hesitation putting his xAKs and xAPs in harm's way. He's certainly not going to detail a major CV force to escort them hundreds of miles from enemy action.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
I got asked a question of supply. The Home Islands is swimming in it presently. Tokyo alone has 1.3 million right now. I've been shipping out about 250,000 a month to Manila and Singapore to create decent stockpiles there and it isn't dropping my numbers appreciably.

Dunno about your mod, as I've never played it at all, let alone years on end. But in a scenario 1 or 2, Tokyo should be at a minimum of 1.0 million into the end war. Any dipping below that is cause for concern, IMO. You aren't swimming in excess if you only have 1.2 million there.

[John 3rd]

March 12, 1944

Your guess is as good as mine. Just very slight movement of the 1x6^10.



In the Celebes, the small Infantry units that replace a Brigade at Kolaka are unloaded. A Brigade begins loading at Kendari. The Kolaka Brigade will unload tomorrow at Pare Pare. A TF of AKL will begin unloading 20K supplies at Madjene. Both bases now have AF-1 and there are nearly 50 Japanese Fighters at each location.


The Bombardment TF should hit Watampone tomorrow. I have it set for 20K Yards to be at the edge of any Allied minefield that might be present. If there are no mines, the next trip will be at point blank range. Currently 100 Fighters present.





Up in the Aleutians, the Japanese succeed in pulling an ID, Brigade, and an Air Flotilla from the Attu area. Since these units had been brought up for a counter-landing that never occurred, it makes no difference to the defense that they are gone. The Convoys also dropped off 50,000 Supply and 6,000 Fuel to keep the bases well supplied.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
I got asked a question of supply. The Home Islands is swimming in it presently. Tokyo alone has 1.3 million right now. I've been shipping out about 250,000 a month to Manila and Singapore to create decent stockpiles there and it isn't dropping my numbers appreciably.

Dunno about your mod, as I've never played it at all, let alone years on end. But in a scenario 1 or 2, Tokyo should be at a minimum of 1.0 million into the end war. Any dipping below that is cause for concern, IMO. You aren't swimming in excess if you only have 1.2 million there.

Just did a serious look thru of the Home Islands and it appears that I have about 2-2.2 million supply there.

[adarbrauner]

Make allowance that the suprising course of the Death Star may be part of a deceptive move - to let you commit more and more in Celebes, than revert course and strike - just a suggestion and suspicion.

[John 3rd]

@adar You could be speaking GREAT TRUTH there!

Isn't she pretty? No mines at Watampone. The next bombardment might be spectacular!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

March 12, 1944
Just very slight movement of the 1x6^10.

1.0x10^6. Remember your significant figures. [:'(][;)]

[adarbrauner]

Unless you encircle some Allied units in SouthWest Celebes, in my opinion, you're just wasting time even though you achieve the result to drive away his air force from the area momentariy, which seems to be your primary objective now there.


The situation in China is much worrying. In 10 days Burma road shall be full open.

This may have unpredictable and unforseeeble consequences long term.

Time to to study some reaction plans?

Also, if China/allied is going to conquest Haiphong-Tonkin Island area and you don't drive them off from there, you may have AT LEAST a major sea communication emergency in southern china sea (just to start with).

[adarbrauner]

Commander John, what about to appoint some staff officers to study the feasability of a major offensive in the Kunming region, in line with a standing resisting stance in what is remained of Burma (to keep engaged allied assets there only), with the scope to interdict the passage into China for as long as possible ( and as quick as possible)?

Would it be possible to retrieve all forces from northern Australia?

[Bearcat2]

Just popped in to say Thanks! for the AAR. I start my mornings everyday to see how it is going.