Lambs to the slaughter (Lowpe (J) vs Jocke; BillBrown (A)) Finished

[Lowpe]

jwolf mentioned my lack of AV support at Rangoon, and it is symptomatic of a much greater problem that is really inhibiting my ability to defend.

That is the tremendous PP cost in purchasing back the destroyed units from California. I am down to the last three divisions, and despite being a mere fraction of a full strength division, these three will cost over 2000 PP to free up. Bear in mind I probably already paid 1600 PP to purchase them the first time.

So, in effect, I have been unable to purchase other units to free them up. I have lots of units that normally would be out protecting Japan stuck in China/Manchuko/Korea/Japan.

[Lowpe]

August 25, 1943

Burma...the Allied divisions switch directions.

[Lowpe]

Allies trying to open up supply lines from Ramree into the Burma interior threatening Japanese defensive lines.

[Lowpe]

Allies using carriers to protect the loading of an infantry division.

[Lowpe]

Just advanced the KAI Tony 1 month, to 5/44. I had thought about keeping the r&d on this model till between Feb and April (to coordinate its arrival with the B29). I have 4 fully repaired facilities on it; one repairing facility on the KI100-I and one fully repaired facility with engine bonus on the Ki100-II.

I now need to decides should I switch all the KAI Tony facilities forward to the Ki100-I to take advantage of the engine bonus and get that plane as early as possible.

Next month the C and D Tony will start production. The D is a great model, SR2, CL cannons, 4 squadrons.

If I move all KAI factories to the 100I; well then I will be able to upgrade 5 D Tony squadrons to the 100I as soon as the plane is ready for production.

There is only ever 3 squadrons that fly the KAI Tony, and two of those come late in the game.

So, this seems to me a no brainer with moving all the KAI Tony facilities forward to the 100-I.

5 Squadrons of a 386mph SR1 fighter with dual cannons, armor, and good durability. Have to! By the endgame I believe there is 10 squadrons flying the Tony 100-I or 100-II.

[Lowpe]

August 26, 1943

More of the same in Burma.

[Lowpe]

August 27, 1943

As expected, the Allies put up a huge LRCAP over the armored units in the planes....I sure hope I turned off all ground attack there.

[Lowpe]

Japan moved their bombers out and away from this base yesterday....but the Allies sweep and bomb it.

Over central plains the Frank squadrons sweep several times and the carnage is great.

[Lowpe]

Two mistakes on my part for the day, mar and otherwise very good day.

I mistakenly left some Helens on ground attack out of Rabaul and their escorts and bombers get savaged by LRCAP of Lightnings.

The 2nd mistake is that the there is no sweep over Katha and Nicks and bombers get hit.

But overall, a very good day with the Franks sweeping...very good.

I need many, many more days like this grind the Allied airforce down.

[Lowpe]

Our first ground deliberate attack at Katha.

[Lowpe]

Aug 28, 1943

A quiet day, but lots of movement going on. 21st Division arrives at Chiang Mai and will be air lifted into Burma.

[Alpha77]

If you want in your next game perhaps another Helen IIb (and 3-4 more other ones on both sides, but no phantasy planes)....you take a look once a week in the scen forum [;)]

Edit, actually IIb was scrapped I was informed, it however served as basis for the last major model the Helen IIc KAI engineers said, IIb model had not enough improvement to build in a large series, so it served only as testing plane and some in training units.

[Lowpe]

Aug 29, 1943

Allies sweep and bomb Katha.

Japanese sweeps don't fly.

A large convoy enters Anchorage. Probably the last convoy there for the game.

[Lowpe]

This is my Sam research. I am starting to come to the conclusion the Sam is the most important fighter for Japan to r&d early. Frank would of course be a very close 2nd. This heavy r&d reflects my thinking.

Speaking of Frank, the R version will be available in 3 months and I will be able to upgrade about 7 squadrons to the R version immediately.

Over the next two months Japan gets several exciting fighters: Jack, George, Tonies. And the third month will be Frank R and A6M8.

So it seems to me Japan will be in pretty strong fighter shape for 1944.

[Lowpe]

Some good ground troop reinforcements come in over the next 90 days. I really need them!

[Lowpe]

Aug 30, 1943

Burma...the Allies have concentrated their troops in the plains, are punching west to open the hexside, and then will be able to move supplies across the jungle rough terrain into the central plains from Ramree.

Japanese sweep flew, but no Allied CAP.

Allies sweep and bomb Katha heavily again.

2 Allied cargo planes shot down...only.

[Lowpe]

40,000 supply arrives at Anchorage.

I am in the process of lightening the defenses here and pulling them back to the Aleutians.

[Lowpe]

My Oscar fleet.

It gets really convoluted quick in PDU off game. Some of the squadrons withdraw. The 33rd Sentai is stuck in an upgrade bug at the IIIa instead of the IV. So there aren't as many IV squadrons as I hoped.

Next month, one Oscar and one Nate squadrons upgrade into the 61-c and then 61-d models. It is hard to stress how important every fighter is in a PDU off game...and Tony squadrons are exceptionally important.

In 15 days or so, I get another large Frank sentai as reinforcements. [:)]

You can see I have about 1000 Army fighters. Recon shows over 800 Allied Fighters in Burma alone....

[Lowpe]

I am using my Nicks in Burma today to try and shoot down transports...which I really haven't been able to do enough of...

21st Division is being flown into Prome...

Moved over 150 fighters out of the HI to Rabaul and Burma Theatres...

[Lowpe]

August 31, 1943

Only manage to destroy one C47 in A2A today. Hard to believe they can avoid my fighters flying from bases two hexes away.

Oh well.

September is the next turn!