Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

You say it cannot be that bad. Right?

I have a small strike fly at Dan's armada and here is what they find for CAP:

[John 3rd]

He has 700+ Fighters flying CAP. Add to that the TFs coming up from the south who have at least one TF of CVEs and another of CV/CVLs. I figure these additions will add another 150-200 Fighters to his total.

At this point during the real war, what did Raymond Spruance have at the Marianas?

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

He has 700+ Fighters flying CAP. Add to that the TFs coming up from the south who have at least one TF of CVEs and another of CV/CVLs. I figure these additions will add another 150-200 Fighters to his total.

At this point during the real war, what did Raymond Spruance have at the Marianas?

Wikipedia gives 956 aircraft total, and I believe we can assume about half were fighters. Mind you, Canoerebel may have even more flight decks available than did Spruance, since his carrier losses have been lighter.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

He has 700+ Fighters flying CAP. Add to that the TFs coming up from the south who have at least one TF of CVEs and another of CV/CVLs. I figure these additions will add another 150-200 Fighters to his total.

At this point during the real war, what did Raymond Spruance have at the Marianas?

I don't get your complaining. What did you think it would be like? I told you a while ago that your KB could be handled by an Allied CVE TFs at this point.

Not only are Allied numbers greater than yours, they are also significantly better in equipment and most likely experience now.

The KB exists now exclusively to hit the invasion beaches to prevent/delay/extract a cost for an invasion that threatens the HI economy. 20+ hexes around the HI. Everything else is really gone.

The same can be said for your air force. Sure spring raids, the cap traps, but it should start being focused exclusively in the HI defensive zone.

You have a much stronger navy than normal. And yet, in the face of a superior enemy you have had it split now for months and months. I mentioned that the KB was showing itself, steaming around attacking subs for no real purpose but to deplete your fuel.

You mentioned it had a purpose but for the life of me I don't see it. If you steamed it south to attack the supply line...what then would deter an invasion deep into your lines. Say you sank 100 cargo ships on such a raid a great victory?...how much would that delay the Allies? Not one bit, it would allow them to launch their next invasion with certainty of success knowing the kb was out of position.

Once the KB is gone, there is 100percent freedom of movement for the Allies. They can go almost anywhere without worry.

When Luzon falls they will have a 20 hex range of death around all their level 9 runways, not to mention smaller runways. Concentrate while you still can.

Here is a simple question. You have several Command level HQs. What bases are they prepped for?

[MakeeLearn]

Allied aircraft will blot out the rising sun, leaving only the divine wind.

[Bearcat2]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

He has 700+ Fighters flying CAP. Add to that the TFs coming up from the south who have at least one TF of CVEs and another of CV/CVLs. I figure these additions will add another 150-200 Fighters to his total.

At this point during the real war, what did Raymond Spruance have at the Marianas?

Including the Jeeps; 7CV, 8CVL's 11CVE's:
767 F
233 DB
274 TB

[Chickenboy]

I dunno MakeeLearn,

If the IJNAF can score 2 kills and 2 damaged (probable) B-26s for every one of their A6Ms lost, that would be a pretty effective tradeoff.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Termite2

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

He has 700+ Fighters flying CAP. Add to that the TFs coming up from the south who have at least one TF of CVEs and another of CV/CVLs. I figure these additions will add another 150-200 Fighters to his total.

At this point during the real war, what did Raymond Spruance have at the Marianas?

Including the Jeeps; 7CV, 8CVL's 11CVE's:
767 F
233 DB
274 TB

The CVEs were not a factor in the fight. They moved off east with the Invasion Force prior to and during the battle.

[John 3rd]

Sorry about no updates for a while. Life is pretty busy with normal stuff but have had to cover a bunch of extra time down at a location just south of LaSalle.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Sorry about no updates for a while. Life is pretty busy with normal stuff but have had to cover a bunch of extra time down at a location just south of LaSalle.

Dude...you're gonna make us wade into the AFB fen on the other AAR for our updates? Consorting with the enemy? I HATE doing that...[:-][:D]

[John 3rd]

I had three days in a row that were 13-15 hours each. NOT FUN!

Will try to get an update done this afternoon when I get home from work. The boys have an after school church program they attend on Tuesday afternoon's so it should allow me a window of time to get the update done before going back to the store for inventory.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Sorry about no updates for a while. Life is pretty busy with normal stuff but have had to cover a bunch of extra time down at a location just south of LaSalle.

Dude...you're gonna make us wade into the AFB fen on the other AAR for our updates? Consorting with the enemy? I HATE doing that...[:-][:D]

Ohhhhhhh....poor little Chickie...

[John 3rd]

Good Morning.

It had looked like I was going to be doing my civic duty this morning by going for jury duty but my number has not been picked. Looks like I have a morning all to myself with no wife, children, or work. Wonder what I can do...

Hmmm...how about some updates?

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Good Morning.

It had looked like I was going to be doing my civic duty this morning by going for jury duty but my number has not been picked. Looks like I have a morning all to myself with no wife, children, or work. Wonder what I can do...

Hmmm...how about some updates?

Yeah! How 'bout some updates?!? [:D]

[John 3rd]

Am running the morning turn and will then go to work here.

[John 3rd]

June 25, 1944
Philippines

After a succession of attacks by a gadzillion 4EB, 2EB, DB, and the occasional ground assault Manila falls on the 25th of June. Four broken IDs retreat to Clark. Bataan is fairly solid with Forts at 5 and two full strength Brigades, some smaller Inf units, and some CD.

I have managed to lift off a number of wrecked Engineering units, Air Flotilla, and--today--the 15th ID. They are leaving San Fernando and being taken mostly to Takao and then rebuilt/redeployed.

A large TF of AK will arrive tomorrow and so the 125 Fighters (50-50 George and Frank) find 150 Sams flying in from the Japanese CVs to the east. Sweeps tomorrow here could be quite costly for the Allies! These Sams are piloted by fantastic aviators in excellent planes. The Sam has not had a big deployment until today. We'll see what happens.

As spoken about in previous Posts, I've been seriously blooding his T-Bolts. There has been a succession of 5-6 days where he lost over two dozen each turn. They did not fly today so we'll see what happens...

[John 3rd]

June 25, 1944
The Inner Perimeter

Before we get to the current deployment of troops along the Inner Perimeter, lets hit some other factors in this screenshot:

1. To begin with we see Tanker TF-4 about to make the Home Islands carrying 88,000 Fuel and 62,000 Oil. Three other TKs were split off and sent the Shanghai to place 36,000 fuel up there for the industry in Eastern China and Manchuria.

2. In the Formosa Strait you can see a TF of empty TK heading back towards Singapore.

3. Not shown is the gathering of Tanker TF-5 carrying 148,000 Fuel and 60,000 Oil. It will depart Singapore in two days. This is a BIG one. If we can get it home then the economy can run bull blast through the end of 1944.

4. A TF of AOs carrying a precious 42,000 Fuel is heading to the Marianas. It has the purpose of pre-positioning itself if need for the movements of the Kaigun.

Bases
I will now detail the approximate composition of units on the various isles inside of Formosa. Types of units and the present level of Forts are included:

Ishigaki: Infantry Division (ID), Brigade, CD unit, 2 Engineers, and Forts 3/91
Miyako-Jima: 2 Brigades, CD unit, 4 BF/Eng, Forts 3/71
Okinawa:
Naha--2 ID, 2 Brigades, 32nd Army, 6 AA, 4 BF/Eng, and Forts 5/11
Nago--ID, Fortress, 4 Eng, and Forts 4/12
Tokunoshima: 1 Brigade, 1 Eng, and Forts 1/15
Amami Oshima: 1 Brigade, 1 Regiment, 2 Eng/BF, Fortress, and Forts 3/02
Daito Shoto: Brigade, 2 Regiments, Naval Guard, CD, 3 BF/Eng, and Forts 3/11
Iwo Jima: 2 Brigades, 1 Regiment, Naval Guard, CD unit, 3 BF/Eng
Chichi Jima: ID, Fortress, 3 Eng/BF

Important Note: There are three IDs are sea presently.

There is little-to-no base expansion. Forts are the priority.

[John 3rd]

China Coast--Formosa--Indochina
June 25, 1944

Along the circled China Coast, Japanese troops move into these coastal targets and work feverishly on Fort building and prep work.

Formosa sits directly in the path of the Allied Assault. Current Units deployed in Formosa: 3 HQ (Southern Army, Combined Fleet, and Formosa Army), 2 Air HQ, 3 ID (50th, 91st, and 109th), 3 Brigades, 1 TK Reg, 11 AA units, 5 Engineers, 10 BF, 2 Fortress, and 4 Artillery units. The total AV is 2122 presently with 511 Aircraft on the Island.

There are 2 IDs (6th and 15th) en route.

From the mid-point of Indochina (Tourane) south to CRB and Saigon troops garrison these bases and continue the theme of Fort building.

In the screenshot you can see TK TFs and Reinforcement TFs (from the Southern DEI) hugging the coast and getting to their destinations.

Hainan's two bases are held by 2 ID, 2 Brigades, and supporting units.

[John 3rd]

Thailand Holding Action
June 25, 1944

Rahaeng fell just two days ago. Dan advances with three unsupported thrusts. There are currently enough troops deployed at each contested hex to hold for a while.

A countermove is underway but I am not going to describe until we get a little farther along with it.

Way up north, the cutoff Japanese units are working their way south to make a desperate breakout attempt. Not much hope but it must be tried...

[John 3rd]

Backwaters
June 25, 1944

The backwaters of the war can see some interesting activity. For the last few weeks Allied troops have been hung-up trying to take Luganville from a particularly solid SNLF unit. No luck so far. The Allied Landing was thoroughly disrupted by a Daitai of Judys flying out of Ndeni where the Allies lost several AP--AKs were sunk.

Allied naval additions have arrived in the form of some surface ships and what appears to be a couple of CVEs.

This are is about to heat-up. We get VPs wherever we can at this point---RIGHT? Give this a few days and some action shall occur. TRUST ME!