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

[Lowpe]

Plane changes for Sept 1, 1943

Convert a small A6M5c factory to Ki61c. Only need to make 1 or 2. Then upgrade it to the 61d or flip it into another line.

Convert a small Oscar IV factory to Tabby. No rush on this as the first Tabby squadron doesn't appear until 1/1/44. Perhaps a size 10 factory for the rest of the game.

Convert a small A6M5c factory to Helen IIa (no rush on this). Upgrade current Helen IIa to IIb. 5 Sentai convert to Helen IIb, but there is still several Helen IIa sentai left for the rest of the game. To be honest, I have to think if this is really needed. Might save the supply and not make the Helen IIb.

Upgrade the Ki61b factory to Ki61d. Start producing ... a total of four Sentai will fly the 61d.

30 days away from the first Jack sentai arriving.

76 days away from the first George sentai arriving. Shortly after they arrive, the Frank R will arrive.

[Lowpe]

Aug 1, 1943

New planes arrive...

Allies look to bombard or raid...

[Lowpe]

I am going to start culling my naval fighter pilots and save them for the Jack and George which are arriving in October and November. Both are right around 400 mph screamers with lots of cannons. Need to build some fear in the Allied Air Forces.

[Lowpe]

A look at the next generation fighters becoming available.

The 61D Tony really looks mediocre on paper - a bomber killer but no dogfighter for sure. The Ki100I has much better climb for example, and is much faster at over 380 mph. But the 61D will be with me for the rest of the game, so I need to figure out how to layer this plane in a low layered CAP framework. And it certainly is much better than say a Nate.

Jacks and Georges are just too racy for words...what Beasts! Notice that I could have fielded the George for quite awhile, but it will be November before the first squadrons arrive that can fly her.

Spitfires, even this early slow one are still tough planes...this one arrives this month and will be encountered in the skies over Burma. The next one arriving in November of 1943 is real tough for low layered CAP to handle...luckily it is usually fielded in smaller sized air squadrons and most AFB's don't use them for sweeps but rather defensively.

[Lowpe]

Hopefully, we have this matchup in big numbers today.

[witpqs]

Pretty even - not even 100 mph top speed difference. [X(]

[Lowpe]

August 2, 1943

Listen closely to the replay, and you can hear the gnashing of teeth and the cries of fury.

I hope his monitor survives![:D]

Rimfrost? Really?

[Lokasenna]

She looks fine. Belt armor penetration doesn't mean anything [;)].

Rimfrost. Country of origin: Sweden; Location: Hagfors; Status: Active; Formed in: 2002. Genre: Black Metal; Lyrical themes: Winter, Grimness,

Methinks he set that ship name during the winter just past...

[Lowpe]

There was the potential for lots of fireworks this turn:

Destroyer/Light Cruiser skirmish at Kodiak -- Allies retreat

Barges landing troops at Feni Island to wipe out Allied paratroops -- Allies don't show.

Massive CAP trap...Allies don't fly.

So, a pretty quiet turn other than hitting his CV, which most likely has a dozen float damage. Still, satisfying since I know Jocke is hypersensitive about Iboats and American CVs.[;)]

[Lowpe]

Oopsies![:D]

I have done that at least twice in the past...see my name and click on the wrong thread or something. And then, the feeling of dread comes[:D], and you feel a lit bit sick to your stomach and you realize what you have done and try to click out.[:D]

[Canoerebel]

I did the worst one of all time about three months ago, in my game with John III.

After a restless night, I woke up early and logged onto the computer. Apparently still groggy, I clicked on "my" thread and posted my thoughts about something pertinent to the game. Then, I looked at the post above mine and saw that somebody had chimed in with thoughts about the speed of my LSTs probably explaining why my TFs were moving so slowly...and I realized that person was making a comment to John III.

I WAS POSTING IN JOHN III's THREAD!

I deleted the comments of my post and left the thread, having read only that...but the agony of having to write John to explain the miscue. I can't tell you how relieved I was when he quickly replied that he understood.

[jwolf]

I woke up early and logged onto the computer. Apparently still groggy ...

[:D][:D]

Moral: don't deprive yourself of sleep!

[Lowpe]

Aug 3, 1943

Quiet day...I did lose an PB running fast transports. I knew it was at risk, just neglected to fly protection over it. My bad, but I will get revenge on those pilots.

Allies quiet in the air...resting.

PS: Got a nice note from Jocke apologizing for accidentally reading the AAR. He read a few tracker posts before he figured it out! Too funny.[:D] he thought he was in my other AAR with Obvert...hey, Obvert you stole the name of my CV![:D][:D]

[Lowpe]

PDU off screw up....

I have two r*d facilities almost finished repairing for the Grace and a lot of squadrons upgrade to her. Probably get the plane late first quarter 44 which is great.

Unfortunately they all upgrade from the B6N2a which won't arrive until 11/44. Argh.

Major screwup.

[Lowpe]

Another PDU off screw up.

Harbin, the safest plane facility I have is making the Ki61d. At right around 60 a month. I want it to become the primary Ki100I and then II plane plant, but to do that it has to upgrade to the KAI Tony first (7/44).

But I estimate I will get the Ki100I around 2/44.

Not the end of the world since the 61d is a fighter that will be with me to the bitter end, but I would rather that plant was making the 100I.

[Lowpe]

A really nice attack at Feni yesterday. These three adjacent bases should be built up now, in hindsight, since they transfer supplies by simply being adjacent.

[Lowpe]

Feni, pictured above, is Japanese controlled and therefor I cannot sweep.

However, the Allies like to LRCAP it occasionally.

So, what I have done is set up a splinter of a squadron of Nicks to bomb from 30,000 feet with escorts and LRCAP at 30K.

I am hoping the Allies set up their LRCAP at lower altitude, and I get a poor mans sweep. I am doing this over Katha too this turn.

[Lowpe]

Sept 4, 1943

Another quiet day as the Allies rest, and I drive my planes very hard, very hard indeed. Especially my transports.

A signal success, but now I need to re-position my troops.

Almost exactly 6000 troops at Midway and Wake, both with decent forts and CD guns. Need to fine tune a little, but at least they won't be pushovers.

[Lowpe]

turn is away...setup a CAP Trap over Umboi, and hope to destroy the planes that got my PB a few days back. A supply convoy will change route and drop supplies there under a heavy layered CAP of Oscar IV, A6M5c, and Tojo IIc.

Burma, on my mind...21st Division is flying in.

1st Tank is marching to Moulmein.

2nd Tank Arrives at Bangkok, along with the 2nd Div. Trying to develop some hefty reserves.

I think the Allies will start trying to close some of the bases in central Burma...adjusted my CAP accordingly and will continue to tweak it.

[Lowpe]

After much searching I found a r&d facility I can switch over to the B6N2a so perhaps I can move up its entry by a month. By getting the Grace early, I should be able to have quite the stockpile of them for the end game as I plan on producing lots of them. Not the end of the world in messing up the upgrade path.