Nervous eyed lookouts are keeping a keen eye for Allied scouting planes, but so far so good.
Lambs to the slaughter (Lowpe (J) vs Jocke; BillBrown (A)) Finished
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Future is looking good for the stricken Iboat.
Nervous eyed lookouts are keeping a keen eye for Allied scouting planes, but so far so good.
Nervous eyed lookouts are keeping a keen eye for Allied scouting planes, but so far so good.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
I believe the Noshiro goes straight in for radar upgrades, but the Shinano will join the Kagi, Akagi, Hiyo (all now with Radar) and steam to meet the carriers already out.
This is a dangerous time for the KB; Radar is such an important upgrade. Not just for the CV but all ships. Plus Allied fighters hold the balance of power...so I will be trying my best to avoid any kind of CV clash for the rest of the game except on very friendly terms.
I get a handful of these Agano class CL, and I really like them. They can take on Fletchers, and are also suited for single ship operations since they have some ASW ability. Can't think of any single ship missions for them, but perhaps I will.[;)]
The workload on the shipyards will lighten a little with all these points coming off.
EDIT: Somewhere I lost a line of text. Noshiro comes in 1 day, Shinano and Yu-3 (sst) comes in 2 days as per graphic.
This is a dangerous time for the KB; Radar is such an important upgrade. Not just for the CV but all ships. Plus Allied fighters hold the balance of power...so I will be trying my best to avoid any kind of CV clash for the rest of the game except on very friendly terms.
I get a handful of these Agano class CL, and I really like them. They can take on Fletchers, and are also suited for single ship operations since they have some ASW ability. Can't think of any single ship missions for them, but perhaps I will.[;)]
The workload on the shipyards will lighten a little with all these points coming off.
EDIT: Somewhere I lost a line of text. Noshiro comes in 1 day, Shinano and Yu-3 (sst) comes in 2 days as per graphic.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
The 25th Sentai got upgraded to Frank A -- from Oscar Ic![X(]
All crack pilots, they are entrained to Uttardit for some training and repair on the new planes before being tasked with the defense of industry in Burma and perhaps the occasional sweep.
The plane is not a game changer, no plane is in pdu off, but I am expecting it to impact the Allies psyche and perhaps their mere presence will change Allied operations.
All crack pilots, they are entrained to Uttardit for some training and repair on the new planes before being tasked with the defense of industry in Burma and perhaps the occasional sweep.
The plane is not a game changer, no plane is in pdu off, but I am expecting it to impact the Allies psyche and perhaps their mere presence will change Allied operations.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
End of June Economy:
7 million fuel
3 million oil
5.5 million supply
192K arm
47K vehicles
HI 800K
Basic fort building in a lot of areas is done. I am now going to turn off all expansion of runways, ports (probably 0 already unless something escaped me, all fort building. Then I will selectively go thru each area of the map over the space of a about a week and turn it back on where I deem it needed.
A stronger effort will be made to drain the ship bunkers of fuel.
In addition I will examine all my CS covnoys and really take pains to optimize them. I am unsure at the moment how Olorin's expansion of LI at game start will impact resource needs here at the end game.
Logistics.[:D]
7 million fuel
3 million oil
5.5 million supply
192K arm
47K vehicles
HI 800K
Basic fort building in a lot of areas is done. I am now going to turn off all expansion of runways, ports (probably 0 already unless something escaped me, all fort building. Then I will selectively go thru each area of the map over the space of a about a week and turn it back on where I deem it needed.
A stronger effort will be made to drain the ship bunkers of fuel.
In addition I will examine all my CS covnoys and really take pains to optimize them. I am unsure at the moment how Olorin's expansion of LI at game start will impact resource needs here at the end game.
Logistics.[:D]
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
ORIGINAL: Lowpe
End of June Economy:
7 million fuel
3 million oil
5.5 million supply
192K arm
47K vehicles
HI 800K
Basic fort building in a lot of areas is done. I am now going to turn off all expansion of runways, ports (probably 0 already unless something escaped me, all fort building. Then I will selectively go thru each area of the map over the space of a about a week and turn it back on where I deem it needed.
A stronger effort will be made to drain the ship bunkers of fuel.
In addition I will examine all my CS covnoys and really take pains to optimize them. I am unsure at the moment how Olorin's expansion of LI at game start will impact resource needs here at the end game.
Logistics.[:D]
Very good numbers!
That supply and those ARM/VEH points will have some big jobs coming up soon, but the Oil/fuel numbers are surprisingly good for so much extended work on the West Coast.
If you can hold back the major Allied thrusts into mid-44, you're very well set up for the endgame.
Hope you're saving PPs like a madman to buy out troops. Make sure to turn off replacements when the understrength divisions arrive.
Hey, did you get fragments flown out of the West Coast troops at all? If he doesn't kill them off what are you going to do?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
ORIGINAL: obvert
ORIGINAL: Lowpe
End of June Economy:
7 million fuel
3 million oil
5.5 million supply
192K arm
47K vehicles
HI 800K
Basic fort building in a lot of areas is done. I am now going to turn off all expansion of runways, ports (probably 0 already unless something escaped me, all fort building. Then I will selectively go thru each area of the map over the space of a about a week and turn it back on where I deem it needed.
A stronger effort will be made to drain the ship bunkers of fuel.
In addition I will examine all my CS covnoys and really take pains to optimize them. I am unsure at the moment how Olorin's expansion of LI at game start will impact resource needs here at the end game.
Logistics.[:D]
Very good numbers!
That supply and those ARM/VEH points will have some big jobs coming up soon, but the Oil/fuel numbers are surprisingly good for so much extended work on the West Coast.
If you can hold back the major Allied thrusts into mid-44, you're very well set up for the endgame.
Hope you're saving PPs like a madman to buy out troops. Make sure to turn off replacements when the understrength divisions arrive.
Hey, did you get fragments flown out of the West Coast troops at all? If he doesn't kill them off what are you going to do?
Most units on the West Coast will be fully destroyed. I think i got out portions of 2 divisions before the end.
I was going to Banzai the troops into the Allied lines, if the Allies wouldn't attack. But I must say, Jocke is a good enemy in that I don't think he is into playing meta games like that and he has systematically, and responsibly, worked to destroy my troops -- saving me the need for the banzai attack. Feels a little realistic. Probably only one attack or two attacks left.
I can see Patton getting a Hollywood star for his efforts![:)]
The Manchuko Garrison is drained to about 108% of requirements, and I fear drawing anymore AV out of it. China has plenty of good experience, good divisions to pull from once the PP free up. I am using my PP now for very select leadership changes, and buying back the units from the west coast.
Replacements are of course turned off globally in Manchuko, and now also in China.
I have worked hard to get those numbers, being careful both before and after the West Coast excursion. Alfred, wisely, warned me that probably all the troops were toast (I had a very good exit plan, that went to heck when I couldn't take San Diego)...and before making the attack I calculated the supply cost for replacing them, and wondered if I could risk it. My estimates showed that Japan can really take one drubbing like that and in a scen 2 game still be ok...if you could prevent the Allies from capitalizing on the disaster. That the Allies didn't storm into the DEI burning industry has really saved me.
In fact, Magwe, Rangoon, Medan -- all still in pristine shape, which to me is unbelievable. Each day those guys crank out I add more endgame fighters to my calculus.
I, again, have stolen from your playbook and withdraw air units the first moment I can.[&o]
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Finished the turn.
I turned off all port/runway/fort building. I want to see the impact on supplies tomorrow (accounting for r&d repairs). I will then look to turn them back on very selectively by region over the next game month. I do this every now and then, because I always find things on that shouldn't be. I also always check the op report each day to see what completed and turn them off as needed.
In thinking that everyday you need to hit the Allies, I am bombing some moving Allied troops in Burma with 5 medium bomber sentai. LRCAP, Sweep to occur of course. I am hoping my really great veterans of the China War can do a repeat performance and hit his moving troops hard. I don't think there is any point in bombing the stationary troops as the terrain is just too nasty (except for the 2 surrounded divisions).
There is a lot of Allied movement pips in Burma...so he is pushing forward again. And I am digging in offbase x3 like mad.
Over in New Britain area, I decided to send in 4 destroyers to Buin and see whats what. With a little luck they will tangle with a post bombardment task force or if the Allies get sloppy his xaps unloading heavy equipment for the Aussies slugging it out on Buin proper. The destroyers will have some LRCAP, and hopefully won't hit mines (since Buin is mine, the Allies would be in danger of hitting their own minefields I think).
If I had troops here, I could really counter invade and destroy some nice Allied troops. I think this is the proper Japanese counter to the tactics the Allies are pursuing right now. However, I don't, so I will be satisfied with simply slowing him down and avoiding friction losses on my side.
The A6M5c are flowing, as is the Frank A. Soon Oscar IV will join the fray, and that will mark an extreme improvement in my Air Force as the Oscar IV is a very good plane for this time period. The next fighters to look for won't be until August to October time frame when the Ki61c and Ki61d arrive along with a very few J2M3 and George. That is a long time to wait...but in this mod they are all practically 400 mph fighters.
I turned off all port/runway/fort building. I want to see the impact on supplies tomorrow (accounting for r&d repairs). I will then look to turn them back on very selectively by region over the next game month. I do this every now and then, because I always find things on that shouldn't be. I also always check the op report each day to see what completed and turn them off as needed.
In thinking that everyday you need to hit the Allies, I am bombing some moving Allied troops in Burma with 5 medium bomber sentai. LRCAP, Sweep to occur of course. I am hoping my really great veterans of the China War can do a repeat performance and hit his moving troops hard. I don't think there is any point in bombing the stationary troops as the terrain is just too nasty (except for the 2 surrounded divisions).
There is a lot of Allied movement pips in Burma...so he is pushing forward again. And I am digging in offbase x3 like mad.
Over in New Britain area, I decided to send in 4 destroyers to Buin and see whats what. With a little luck they will tangle with a post bombardment task force or if the Allies get sloppy his xaps unloading heavy equipment for the Aussies slugging it out on Buin proper. The destroyers will have some LRCAP, and hopefully won't hit mines (since Buin is mine, the Allies would be in danger of hitting their own minefields I think).
If I had troops here, I could really counter invade and destroy some nice Allied troops. I think this is the proper Japanese counter to the tactics the Allies are pursuing right now. However, I don't, so I will be satisfied with simply slowing him down and avoiding friction losses on my side.
The A6M5c are flowing, as is the Frank A. Soon Oscar IV will join the fray, and that will mark an extreme improvement in my Air Force as the Oscar IV is a very good plane for this time period. The next fighters to look for won't be until August to October time frame when the Ki61c and Ki61d arrive along with a very few J2M3 and George. That is a long time to wait...but in this mod they are all practically 400 mph fighters.
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Allies leave Buin before the destroyers showed. Bombers did hit Buin...
Big CAP over Chittagong today, and when you add in Silchar and Calcutta it is well over 700 fighters present. There is a APA convoy heading in to Chitt...so that can't bode well.
Noshiro showed up and is sent back into the yard to get radar. Shinano tomorrow.
I got the four INA units and will use them for rear area paratroop defense. Their morale is the pits, so they will rest and enjoy Singers for a while before doing anything.
My bombing of the troops in Burma does only light damage. I think my recon flight got scrubbed so dl wasn't where is should have been.
The 2nd Sentai of Franks is in Uttaradit repairing. That will take a week, but then I will able to try and sweep some of these strongholds with 80 Franks and 40 Tojo IIcs. I bet they can get 1-1 perhaps better. We will find out.
Big CAP over Chittagong today, and when you add in Silchar and Calcutta it is well over 700 fighters present. There is a APA convoy heading in to Chitt...so that can't bode well.
Noshiro showed up and is sent back into the yard to get radar. Shinano tomorrow.
I got the four INA units and will use them for rear area paratroop defense. Their morale is the pits, so they will rest and enjoy Singers for a while before doing anything.
My bombing of the troops in Burma does only light damage. I think my recon flight got scrubbed so dl wasn't where is should have been.
The 2nd Sentai of Franks is in Uttaradit repairing. That will take a week, but then I will able to try and sweep some of these strongholds with 80 Franks and 40 Tojo IIcs. I bet they can get 1-1 perhaps better. We will find out.
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
July 1, 1943
New planes. Can't remember which because they are so memorable, but I know I get a few today. The Judy 2 is one I do recall. Switching to that production line asap.
Let us ring in the New Month, with a CAP trap that features one small Sentai of A6M5c. The A6M5 are really showing their age...but we get a good jump on the Allied bombers. Damage would have been worse, but we were flying at 20K so as not to get savaged by the Allied sweeps. Pointless precaution today, since the sweepers came last.
New planes. Can't remember which because they are so memorable, but I know I get a few today. The Judy 2 is one I do recall. Switching to that production line asap.
Let us ring in the New Month, with a CAP trap that features one small Sentai of A6M5c. The A6M5 are really showing their age...but we get a good jump on the Allied bombers. Damage would have been worse, but we were flying at 20K so as not to get savaged by the Allied sweeps. Pointless precaution today, since the sweepers came last.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Did well here. Despite our CAP altitude of 20K and the bombers coming in low.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Burma:
Lots of movement pips. Some are ruses, other genuine.
The crack 24th Division is entraining at Moulmein. The 2nd Guards is marching across the clear terrain above Shwebo. Why the Allies let me move across this narrow killing fields is beyond me, unless they don't think I can kill those two trapped divisions.
Lots of movement pips. Some are ruses, other genuine.
The crack 24th Division is entraining at Moulmein. The 2nd Guards is marching across the clear terrain above Shwebo. Why the Allies let me move across this narrow killing fields is beyond me, unless they don't think I can kill those two trapped divisions.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Here is the combat replay from the first bombing wave...
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment, at 109,131 (Buin)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 39
A6M5b Zero x 10
A6M5c Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 22
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
252 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
Hosho-1/A with A6M5 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
Ryujo-1/C with A6M5c Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
The Tojo IIc and the A6M5c got quite a few confirmed kills: 8 and 6 respectively despite being relatively few of the defending planes.
The Oscar IIb did, as you can guess, relatively poorly from a confirmed kill measure getting only two. But they do serve a purpose in damaging and distracting the bombers. I had meant to fly them at 5000 feet, but forgot to switch their settings.
Also,you can see the soak off ability of the Mtn Gun unit in absorbing an attack, an attack that I think would be better suited on the much larger and dangerous 17th IndepMxdBde.
The A6M5c's firepower will make it the premier bomber killer until Jack and George show up.
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment, at 109,131 (Buin)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 39
A6M5b Zero x 10
A6M5c Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 22
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
252 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
Hosho-1/A with A6M5 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
Ryujo-1/C with A6M5c Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
The Tojo IIc and the A6M5c got quite a few confirmed kills: 8 and 6 respectively despite being relatively few of the defending planes.
The Oscar IIb did, as you can guess, relatively poorly from a confirmed kill measure getting only two. But they do serve a purpose in damaging and distracting the bombers. I had meant to fly them at 5000 feet, but forgot to switch their settings.
Also,you can see the soak off ability of the Mtn Gun unit in absorbing an attack, an attack that I think would be better suited on the much larger and dangerous 17th IndepMxdBde.
The A6M5c's firepower will make it the premier bomber killer until Jack and George show up.
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
A huge resource train leaves and enters China. Very Nice. China, Manchuko, Hokkaido and Sakhalin generate about 70,000 resources per day. HI needs 84,000 daily plus Korea needs another 2000.
Running out of LI in the late game could be a real problem; especially if I didn't take any steps to prevent that.
Running out of LI in the late game could be a real problem; especially if I didn't take any steps to prevent that.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
July 2, 1943
That will leave a mark!
That will leave a mark!
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
These Brooklyn class CLs are so darn nasty.
However, I hardly ever seen them put to devastating use they are capable of -- unfortunately Jocke is putting them to good use in this game. The Allies have teamed up 4 Brooklyns with 6 Fletchers which makes for a super tough SAG.
They have such large fuel bunkers, I think a neat use of them would be for deep (but well planned) shipping raids.
This attack on Horn would have worked a little better if the Jills would have flown (8 hex strike) but they stayed on their carriers instead. Ooops, checked and the CVs are 9 hexes away. No wonder they didn't fly.
I will take a Brooklyn any day of the week -- lost 5 betties and 0 nells on the day. No CAP, and Horn does have a level 1 airfield.
However, I hardly ever seen them put to devastating use they are capable of -- unfortunately Jocke is putting them to good use in this game. The Allies have teamed up 4 Brooklyns with 6 Fletchers which makes for a super tough SAG.
They have such large fuel bunkers, I think a neat use of them would be for deep (but well planned) shipping raids.
This attack on Horn would have worked a little better if the Jills would have flown (8 hex strike) but they stayed on their carriers instead. Ooops, checked and the CVs are 9 hexes away. No wonder they didn't fly.
I will take a Brooklyn any day of the week -- lost 5 betties and 0 nells on the day. No CAP, and Horn does have a level 1 airfield.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Marks a success for the Selective Search Arc program pioneered by Commander Inoue of the 755th KuK-1 out of Rabaul and working in conjunction the 24th Air Flotilla (Rabaul) and the 7th Air Division (Taberfane) and elements of Task Force Shokaku which unfortunately was late to the party.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
These little junk swept 34 mines...bad crew experience and bad Captain not withstanding.
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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
Nice work on Pheonix! Jocke will not be happy about that. [;)]
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons
ORIGINAL: obvert
Nice work on Pheonix! Jocke will not be happy about that. [;)]
Of course, that is the whole purpose of this game. [:D]
I think you are probably correct, yesterday I got at his bombers before the sweepers arrived and now the Phoenix. I got the turn overnight, and managed to flip it fairly early after lunch and with no notification from Jocke I fully expected to get another turn today. Alas, no turn.
I am sure he is mad at himself for not assigning CAP to them. I was fully expecting those ships to move to Merauke and not stay at Horn.
That is twice I have pulled off deep Betty strikes in that area against no CAP.
I am kind of anxious to see the turn, because I have 4 squadrons sweeping. Tojo IIb and IIc in New Britain area and Tojo IIc and Frank A in Burma. I am especially curious to see how the Frank A will do, as so far it hasn't found any planes to fight yet.
I have to say one drawback of the low risk advance the Allies use in the area, it causes Japan to change tactics and attempt to anticipate Allied moves. And since his covering forces remain pretty much the same, it allows Japan to tailor a much stronger surface fleet to counter...and if I can get the anticipation part correct, the Allies should take a drubbing.