The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[obvert]

Toward the end of a long morning phase th KB finally got involved. I thought it had missed out it took such a long time to show up.

It sent about a 75% strike and hit mostly transports, including some APAs, which is great. It also heavily targeted and sank the Idaho, making sure of those 191 VPs and another BB knocked out. [:)]

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 130,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 153 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 18
A6M8 Zero x 93
B6N2 Jill x 7
B6N2a Jill x 7
B7A2 Grace x 23
D4Y3 Judy x 22
D4Y4 Judy x 46

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N2a Jill: 1 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 1 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Craven
DD Van Galen
AM Spear, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Idaho, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-400, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-336, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-331
DD Maury
AM Velocity, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-83, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AKA Algol, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LCI(G)-403
APA George F. Elliot, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LCI-328, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-443, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Gridley
DD Tjerk Hiddes
AM Impeccable, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LCI-327, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
APA Heywood, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
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[Bif1961]

Weather is always an issue that time of year in those climes, but good luck and happy hunting.

[obvert]

All LBA and the KB also came back in for afternoon strikes.

These did a great job in getting the APA/AKA, with several confirmed and other suspected sinkings. Even got a few pesky DD/DE. [:)]
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 130,52

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 138 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 43
B7A2 Grace x 34
N1K2-J George x 9
N1K5-J George x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 19
Ki-84r Frank x 13
Ki-100-I Tony x 16

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 4
Seafire L.III x 2
P-38L Lightning x 4
P-51D Mustang x 6
FM-2 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 8 destroyed
B7A2 Grace: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat I: 1 destroyed
Seafire L.III: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
DE Stafford
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APA Heywood, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
APA George F. Elliot, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 130,52

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 98 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 53
D4Y4 Judy x 22
J2M5 Jack x 16
N1K2-J George x 6

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 1
P-38L Lightning x 1
P-51D Mustang x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 3 destroyed
D4Y4 Judy: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Biloxi, heavy damage
LCI(M)-588, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DE Richard W. Suesens, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LCI(R)-72
APA John Penn, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APA William P. Biddle, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 130,52

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 153 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 69
D4Y4 Judy x 27
J2M5 Jack x 15
N1K2-J George x 14
N1K5-J George x 11
Ki-84r Frank x 13
Ki-100-I Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 1
P-51D Mustang x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 5 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Cassin
DD Flusser
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Uruppu-jima at 130,52

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 142 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 18
A6M8 Zero x 95
B6N2 Jill x 15
B6N2a Jill x 15
B7A2 Grace x 63
D4Y3 Judy x 37
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-84r Frank x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N2a Jill: 6 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 7 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Craven
DD Tjerk Hiddes
APA George F. Elliot, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Dennis, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DMS Ellyson, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-444, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AKA Artemis, Torpedo hits 1
LCI-435
DD Gridley
LCI(G)-466, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-446, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hutchins, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
LCI-436, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AKA Medea, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AKA Algol
LCI(G)-465
DD Van Galen
LCI(G)-404, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
APA Heywood, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LCI-85, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Stafford, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AKA Aurelia, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
LCI(G)-403, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
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[obvert]

At the end of the day this all went exactly to plan. The air losses were close to even, with a lot of the losses for the Japanese due to flak and some to CAP, but mostly the escorts. The LR CAP did extremely well, and pilot losses on the good groups are very low.

The ship losses should total around 300-350 VPs depending on how many go under.

If the KB can make it out, a more difficult task than expected due to a refuelling, then this will have been a good day. Everything will retire to normal positions for tomorrow.

The Allies did land some troops, and the totals are back up to over 2k AV, so as expected he's adding more chips to the pile here. Adding the 5th Australian takes it away form whatever it was prepping before. That is good in the long run.
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Ground combat at Uruppu-jima (130,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 38467 troops, 294 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 1003

Defending force 79373 troops, 1224 guns, 1761 vehicles, Assault Value = 2074

Japanese ground losses:
238 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
48th Ind.Mixed Brigade
28th Division
4th Amphibious Brigade
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Garrison Unit
114th Division
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
Nanking Naval Guard Unit
1st Engr Rgt /1
100th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
22nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
35th Army
8th Base Force

Defending units:
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
38th Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
1st Filipino Inf Regiment
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd Motor Brigade
1st Regiment
713th Flame Tank Battalion
815th Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
5th Australian/B Division
5th Australian/A Div /4
XIV Corps Artillery
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Medium Regiment
259th Coastal Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
Sixth US Army
3rd USA Defense Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
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[modrow]

Well done !



Hartwig

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: modrow

Well done !



Hartwig

Yes! Well done.

[Chickenboy]

Great! Make 'em pay!

[USSAmerica]

Wow, nice work!

[obvert]

Thanks gents. It's good to do something offensive in a largely defensive war. Not sure it'll have a big effect, but each one of these I can pull of will give him pause, and time is what I need right now.

[Anachro]

Can't comment too much, but I have to say it is fun to see. But as someone in an Allied game currently, the attrition of the current campaign makes me wonder about the merits of an Allied invasion of a well-defended Sakhalin, Kuriles, Hokkaido. There are so many islands, air bases, and ports that it is probably a more advantageous place for a JFB to defend than, say, against a major Allied operation for Okinawa. Given the amount of air bases, its hard to guarantee absolutely air superiority with just the Allied death star alone; and a Japanese surface unit is more able to disrupt landings, etc.

I wonder if it is always better to strike from the south of against the Mariana's. That is, if your goal is to keep attrition losses as low as possible. An undefended Northern Japan scenario is another matter entirely.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Can't comment too much, but I have to say it is fun to see. But as someone in an Allied game currently, the attrition of the current campaign makes me wonder about the merits of an Allied invasion of a well-defended Sakhalin, Kuriles, Hokkaido. There are so many islands, air bases, and ports that it is probably a more advantageous place for a JFB to defend than, say, against a major Allied operation for Okinawa. Given the amount of air bases, its hard to guarantee absolutely air superiority with just the Allied death star alone; and a Japanese surface unit is more able to disrupt landings, etc.

I wonder if it is always better to strike from the south of against the Mariana's. That is, if your goal is to keep attrition losses as low as possible. An undefended Northern Japan scenario is another matter entirely.

Dan's invasion of Sakhalin was clinical and overwhelming. In a stock, non-SL game there was no defending it. He could have saved himself a lot of time by taking the much less defended Kuriles at that time. The smaller islands had no fields, only naval guards installed, and the bigger bases had only a few brigades and base forces, no CD guns, and nothing higher than a size 2 field. He then allowed me to build them up over a few months after his successful grab as he concentrated on strat bombing. It was only later that he (I think) realised that a strong Kuriles means a perilous LOC to Shikuka.

Now I've invested a lot, and it remains to be see if it's worth it, but it seems to be helping in two ways.

The attention to Ketoi-Jima for just over a month (and longer if I consider the extensive pre-invasion bombing campaign against all of the Kuriles that lasted over a month), and now to Uruppa-Jima for over two weeks has meant no other targets are being attacked. Strat bombing has been on hold. he has around 3,200 strat bombing points, up only about 400-500 in the past three months after the initial shock bombing campaign.

Secondly, this focus on the Kuriles (and Kushiro on Hokkaido) has attracted all of the Allied air forces in the North, but they haven't overwhelmed the Japanese air forces yet. As shown in recent numbers, the Japanese are in fact winning this campaign of attrition, and will only be stronger at the end of this month as the Ki-83 comes online with 200+ more top of the line airframes per month. Pilot training is kicking into a higher gear with training groups arriving, and converted FB groups are taking over much of the secondary training and rear CAP cover to leave fighter groups on the front lines, able to rotate in and out of the rail connected bases.

Not counting FM-2, P-40 variants, or any of the other second tier fighters or fighter-bombers, the Allies are producing about 850-900 fighters from December to the beginning of March when the P-47N begins. Even at that point they'll only have an extra 100 of those, but each month after get a bit more of a bump as something new and better arrives.

The Japanese will be making 1,500 3rd generation fighters by the end of December. I'll have 120 FB online as well, and get a huge influx of training groups in early 45 which I can use exclusively for fighter pilots. (I usually dedicate these mostly to kamis, but I don't even have those available and won't for a while).

So January and February will be critical for the Japanese to attrit more Allied airframes and especially pilots. I see already that he's often using groups that are not filled out, especially bomber groups in Burma, but also some fighters. The more this happens the better our odds are of doing well in sweeps, the better flak functions targeting smaller bombing strikes, and the more I can pick and choose targets based on numbers he's using (like the LR CAP over Uruppa a few turns ago where I noticed not many sweepers ahead of the bombing runs).

That was long winded, but in short, yes, it is a good place to defend IF I can protect the industry from strat bombing. So far so good.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 4, 1944[/font]

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Whew! There was no pursuit of the KB and it arrives within 3 hexes of Yokohama, just outside of the sub line shifting forward to hunt of the carriers. Our two ASW TFs find some work, sinking one Allied sub and heavily damaging another.

During the day things were a bit quieter up North. The Allies kept the DS closer to Uruppa and continued to send in BB bombardments, but no troops unloading.

Down in Burma the Japanese send in CAP over troops next to Pegu and the defenders won the attrition war by a good margin, hitting a few bombers and taking out a lot of escorts, getting about even against sweeps. Did very well against the partial P-51B groups flying there, probably the last of their kind.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 4, 1944
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Submarine attack near Kushiro at 126,60

Japanese Ships
E No.60
E No.66
E No.36

Allied Ships
SS Perch, hits 38, and is sunk

SS Perch is located by E No.60
E No.66 attacking submerged sub ....
SS Perch forced to surface!
E No.66 firing on surfaced sub ....

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ASW attack near Kushiro at 124,61

Japanese Ships
E No.112
E No.72

Allied Ships
SS Blueback

SS Blueback is located by E No.112
Blueback diving deep ....

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ASW attack near Kushiro at 124,61

Japanese Ships
E No.72
E No.112

Allied Ships
SS Blueback, hits 10, heavy damage

SS Blueback is located by E No.72
Blueback diving deep ....

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Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 38,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M5 Jack x 48
N1K1-J George x 7
N1K5-J George x 8
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 15
Ki-84b Frank x 8
Ki-84r Frank x 19

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 12
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9
Ki-84b Frank x 12
Ki-84r Frank x 23

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 7
P-38H Lightning x 21
P-40N5 Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 4 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84b Frank x 10
Ki-84r Frank x 19

Allied aircraft
P-40N5 Warhawk x 12
P-51B Mustang x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-51B Mustang: 3 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on 102nd Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-84b Frank x 6
Ki-84r Frank x 13

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3
P-40N5 Warhawk x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufort I bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 7
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-84b Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 10

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 5
Thunderbolt I x 18
Kittyhawk IV x 3
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24J Liberator x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 5
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7
B-25G Mitchell x 5
B-25H Mitchell x 2
B-25J1 Mitchell x 8
B-26 Marauder x 3
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25J1 Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Liberator B.VI bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 3
Ki-84r Frank x 8

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt I x 10
Thunderbolt II x 9
Kittyhawk IV x 3
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
P-51B Mustang x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Thunderbolt II sweeping at 42000 feet
6 x Thunderbolt I sweeping at 42000 feet
3 x P-51B Mustang sweeping at 42000 feet

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Afternoon Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 41,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 7
N1K5-J George x 31
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 12
Ki-84b Frank x 7
Ki-84r Frank x 61
Ki-100-I Tony x 19

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed

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Afternoon Air attack on 18th Army, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 44,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 5
N1K5-J George x 25
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 11
Ki-84b Frank x 5
Ki-84r Frank x 51
Ki-100-I Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt I x 13
Kittyhawk IV x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt I: 2 destroyed

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Afternoon Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 4
N1K5-J George x 16
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 9
Ki-84b Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 33
Ki-100-I Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt II: 1 destroyed

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Afternoon Air attack on 18th Army, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 3
N1K5-J George x 16
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 6
Ki-84b Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 25
Ki-100-I Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 1
P-51B Mustang x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 4 destroyed

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Afternoon Air attack on 14th Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 3
N1K5-J George x 14
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 6
Ki-84b Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 24
Ki-100-I Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 5
Kittyhawk IV x 1
B-24J Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 5 damaged
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 94th Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 2
N1K5-J George x 14
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 6
Ki-84b Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 22
Ki-100-I Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25J11 Mitchell x 9
P-40N5 Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J11 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25J11 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb


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Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8544 troops, 273 guns, 386 vehicles, Assault Value = 2996

Defending force 105756 troops, 1110 guns, 621 vehicles, Assault Value = 2490

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 17 (6 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)

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Ground combat at Uruppu-jima (130,52)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7797 troops, 239 guns, 237 vehicles, Assault Value = 2114

Defending force 49130 troops, 340 guns, 122 vehicles, Assault Value = 997

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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[Alfred]

Always keep in mind that the Allied player must achieve an auto victory before 1 September 1945 in order to win the game decisively.  Getting there after 31 August 1945 means the absolute best he can achieve is a marginal victory and that constitutes in reality an "Allied defeat" as the Allied performance is far below par when assessed in historical terms.
 
Alfred

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Always keep in mind that the Allied player must achieve an auto victory before 1 September 1945 in order to win the game decisively.  Getting there after 31 August 1945 means the absolute best he can achieve is a marginal victory and that constitutes in reality an "Allied defeat" as the Allied performance is far below par when assessed in historical terms.

Alfred

Good reminder, Alfred.

Obvert-can you provide us a screenshot of your VP screen?

[obvert]

Here is a recent info screen and one from four months before. He's caught up a bit.

[Bif1961]

He went up 12,000 you went up 10,000 in those 4 months. So a slight narrowing but nothing to be worried about. Since then a lot has happened.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

He went up 12,000 you went up 10,000 in those 4 months. So a slight narrowing but nothing to be worried about. Since then a lot has happened.

This last event also got the difference between back to around 15k. I know how quickly the Allies can catch up VPs in early 45 though, so I have to keep scratching and clawing.

It's interesting to me that even with the fall of Ketoi and resulting loss of a lot of troops, the army losses are still higher for the Allies over these four months. Dan pushes hard, and I see a lot of units that aren't full strength in the bombardments and attacks. That probably means a lot of disabled squads, which also means higher lost squads with each attack.

The recent strikes should have brought us just about level on naval losses over that period too.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 5, 1944[/font]

---

More troop landings on the 5th, and by the look of it, these units were less than half prepped for the target, meaning of course they'd had prep switched and were added after the first attack failure. As expected. The disablements are massive, so it may be a few days before he attempts another attack here. The US 6ht ID is nearly 2/3 disabled by the look of the reports. Even though the CD guns haven't stopped landings or sunk many ships, this is where they can really help prolong the conflict here.

The Allied AV is now up around 2,700 with these two divisions added. While the Allies are adding to their commitment to the Kuriles, I've begun withdrawing parts of all units from every island, and will shift some bigger units back from the outer bases. The units from Ketoi are rebuilding and will be installed on Hokkaido, Northern Honshu and some will be used in a reserve role. All of the Kuriles still have decent supply, and the fields are untouched, so this will be good for the next few weeks as I attempt to harass the Allied fleets. The DS hs moved into the waters South of the Kuriles, probably to thwart any further us of the KB here.

In Burma the air combat is active, and the defenders get to a few bombers after getting slightly better than 1:1 against sweeps.
[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 5, 1944
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pre-Invasion action off Uruppu-jima (130,52) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

433 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 4
DD Miller, Shell hits 3
LCI(G)-401
LCI(G)-365
LCI(G)-78
LCI(G)-77
LCI(G)-76
LCI-70
LCI-69
LCI-68
APA James O'Hara

Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

8th Base Force firing at CA Vincennes
CA Vincennes firing at 8th Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Uruppu-jima (130,52)

TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Uruppu-jima, 130,52

Allied ground losses:
754 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 248 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 200 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 97 (0 destroyed, 97 disabled)
Vehicles lost 130 (1 destroyed, 129 disabled)

13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 44 lost from landing craft during unload of 6th Infantry Div
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 6th Infantry Div /14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Uruppu-jima (130,52)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

392 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AK De Grasse, Shell hits 1, on fire
DMS Hambleton
SC Constant
APA Comet
DE Lovelace
APA Baxter

Allied ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging AK De Grasse at 16,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Uruppu-jima (130,52)

TF 653 troops unloading over beach at Uruppu-jima, 130,52

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (0 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (0 destroyed, 21 disabled)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 47,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 6
N1K5-J George x 27
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 8
Ki-84b Frank x 7
Ki-84r Frank x 50
Ki-100-I Tony x 17

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 15
P-40N5 Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt II: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Army, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 6
N1K5-J George x 19
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-84a Frank x 7
Ki-84b Frank x 5
Ki-84r Frank x 38
Ki-100-I Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Army, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 44,900 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 4
N1K5-J George x 13
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-84a Frank x 5
Ki-84b Frank x 2
Ki-84r Frank x 26
Ki-100-I Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 2
N1K5-J George x 10
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 5
Ki-84r Frank x 23
Ki-100-I Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt I x 9
Thunderbolt II x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt I: 1 destroyed
Thunderbolt II: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 42,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 1
N1K5-J George x 5
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 5
Ki-84r Frank x 17
Ki-100-I Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
Thunderbolt I x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 4 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 14th Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 1
N1K5-J George x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 7
Ki-100-I Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 6
Liberator II x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 3 destroyed
Liberator II: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Army, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 46,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 1
N1K5-J George x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 4
Ki-100-I Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 41500 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 94th Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K5-J George x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 12
Thunderbolt I x 15
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24J Liberator x 13
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3
B-25J1 Mitchell x 16
B-25J11 Mitchell x 10
B-26 Marauder x 4
P-40N5 Warhawk x 25
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 10 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25J1 Mitchell: 10 damaged
B-25J1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
B-25J11 Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator B.VI bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K5-J George x 15
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 5
Ki-84r Frank x 28
Ki-100-I Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair II: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 5
N1K5-J George x 13
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 5
Ki-84b Frank x 7
Ki-84r Frank x 35
Ki-100-I Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 8
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 2
N1K5-J George x 6
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 3
Ki-84b Frank x 7
Ki-84r Frank x 23
Ki-100-I Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Uruppu-jima (130,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 38463 troops, 294 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 997

Defending force 102522 troops, 1522 guns, 2166 vehicles, Assault Value = 2682

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
28th Division
4th Amphibious Brigade
48th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Garrison Unit
Nanking Naval Guard Unit
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
114th Division
1st Engr Rgt /1
22nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
100th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
35th Army
8th Base Force

Defending units:
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment
6th Infantry Division
2nd USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
5th Australian/B Division
1st Filipino Inf Regiment
38th Infantry Division
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
815th Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
5th Australian/A Division
3rd Motor Brigade
37th Infantry Division
43rd Infantry Division
1st Regiment
713th Flame Tank Battalion
5th Australian/C Div /4
3rd USA Defense Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV Corps Artillery
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
4th Field Artillery Battalion
Sixth US Army
259th Coastal Artillery Battalion
1st Medium Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

I forgot to turn off extra air search up North and lost a dozen Jakes and Dinahs up here. There's always something I neglect to do!! [:-]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 6, 1944[/font]

---

A quiet day in the air as Dan sweeps and bombs Uruppa, but no bases on Hokkaido. In Burma I bring groups back to replenish for a few days. The addition of the big 97 plane Ki-84r group is going very well, and provides some staying power throughout multiple sweeps so the CAP can get to later bombing runs. The number and quality of bombers is diminishing fast for the Allies in Burma. Today only two small harassment groups arrived, but most of the groups over the last week are well under their numbers.

The DS pushes back further to near Ketoi and I begin to prepare in case it retires briefly toward the Aleutians. I'll test the LR CAP and surface ships near Uruppa if the DS moves back.
[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 6, 1944
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25J11 Mitchell x 6
P-40N5 Warhawk x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J11 Mitchell: 6 damaged
B-25J11 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25J11 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 56,53 , near Pegu

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
B-25D1 Mitchell x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 20

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Pegu (55,53)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8420 troops, 266 guns, 383 vehicles, Assault Value = 3021

Defending force 105939 troops, 1110 guns, 621 vehicles, Assault Value = 2489

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 28 (23 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

The North is full of opportunities is the DS continues to move East. As seen here, the fighter total at Shikuka has mysteriously reduced, and there are none at Toyohara. I guess there are a LOT of flak guns there, but still an opportunity to hit the 2E based there. Ketoi itself has nearly 210 fighters but a lot doing LR CAP duty on Uruppa or seeping there, so that's also an opportunity considering the ships in port and hanging around the island. I'll begin to get pieces in place to see how this plays out.

[Mahrgell]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Here is a recent info screen and one from four months before. He's caught up a bit.

End of July he still needed to gain ~71k VP to get an auto victory, end of November he needs ~79k.
As I believe avoiding/achieving an AV is the main goal in '45 for both sides, he is now farther away from that than he was 4 months ago.

So I wouldn't call it "He caught up a bit". I think you did extraordinarily well in pushing him back from his goal.
He needs more points to grind, has 4 months less time to do so, and your capabilities to resist him gaining the points he need have been barely touched.