Westerley Wind, Fine NJP72 (J) vs Lowpe (A) DBB Sce 30

[njp72]

Weekly update

Hells bells carnage everywhere. March and April were good months for the Empire, May less so.

The biggest issue is the losses in CAs (4) and the reversal in the naval clash off the East Coast of Oz.

Regrouping and consolidating at the moment and just fending off incessant Allied air attacks.

Big push underway in China which is going reasonably well.

[njp72]

Sheer carnage off the Indian Coast but despite my logistical challenges, I sense the Empire is definitely getting slowly on top in the air and the sea.

2 x crippled British BBs are lying in port at Cochin as I plan on finishing them off. Not easy with mines and subs everywhere.

If I take calculated risks I believe I can attrit the Allies here.

[njp72]

Last turns air losses over Ceylon [X(]

This is not 44 it is 42!

[njp72]

Clark is proving to be painful.

He still seems to have supply which is annoying. Last attack disabled a good division.

A very skilful defence set up by Lowpe.

[njp72]

Only positives from this situation is the IJA is giving as good as it is getting.

Unfortunately there is just too much of everything here from the Allies (armour, planes and ships). Being at the end of the logistical tail for the Empire, it is very costly to continue in stand up fights. Some hard decisions are imminent.

KB is positioned up to the North East to keep honest the significant collection of CAs, CLs and DDs Lowpe has amassed around Brisbane. It is the US CLs with their deadly 6 inch guns causing all the grief. I hate having it tied down in a general locality under Allied observation (very dangerous to do) but it will be only for a few more days.

[njp72]

Scorecard

The Allies are still bleeding hard which bodes well for the Empire for the remainder of 42 and at least part of 43, despite my own losses (which are significant). Better to fight hard in 42 when you have a chance as opposed to the slaughter of 44.

Need to find a way to 3: 1 in the few months to be in a half decent position.

[njp72]

Whilst March and April were good months for the Empire, May continues to be a nightmare.

Aside from the previous stated naval defeat which cost 3 x CAs, the 33rd div was largely written off at Bundaberg to prevent further attrition of Japanese naval forces and then to cap it off one of the fast BBs took a sub torp which detonated the magazine- ahhhhhhh[:@]

China is still looking good- break through to the NW is imminent. Heavy use of air and armour coupled with low Chinese supply is doing the trick.

[njp72]

Lowpe has set up a very skilful defence at Clark but alas supplies have now ran out for the hapless Allies. Singapore is also running on empty based on the lack of flak.

I expect to rout them over the next couple of weeks at Clark. Fighting troops who are isolated and without supplies is my preferred form of engagement.

[njp72]

The withdrawal from the East Coast of Oz is largely done and I am reasonably happy with the results.

One decent division has been written off plus another 5K of support troops. Plenty of decent forces have been saved who are now busily digging in around PNG and other islands.

There has been no further losses in shipping which has been pretty amazing. KB has made the Allies keep their distance during the evacuation.

I wanted another 1000 points of strat bombing but I'm not sure how I am going to achieve that now [8|]

[njp72]

After a couple of nasty shocks in May, the focus has been consolidating and letting the Allies come to us again in the air and the sea.

The Empire's focus will be on the land, especially PI and China.

Just digging in and watching at Ceylon.

[ny59giants]

You still need to look for cost affective methods to destroy Allied airframes, especially US Army. He does not get the P-40K until Sept and the B-24s come out in numbers beginning in Feb '43. Flood the behind the front line AFs with recon flights to find out where he is basing his bombers. Look at strategic bombing missions vs tactical ones to force him to spread out his fighters.

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

You still need to look for cost affective methods to destroy Allied airframes, especially US Army. He does not get the P-40K until Sept and the B-24s come out in numbers beginning in Feb '43. Flood the behind the front line AFs with recon flights to find out where he is basing his bombers. Look at strategic bombing missions vs tactical ones to force him to spread out his fighters.

Yeah good points Mike.

New airframes start to arrive in the next couple of weeks (tojo, better Oscar, A6m5) which should make life easier.

India will be where the air war will start to hot up come June.

[RangerJoe]

As long this is not where you are at!

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

As long this is not where you are at!

Nah, not yet.

Problems will really start late 43 when he invades the Aleutians or Saipan and starts to bomb the HI.

Nice signs [:)]

[njp72]

One of the benefits of sinking so many Allied DDs is the convoys moving between US and Oz are easier to get at (when I can find them).

This nice juicy convoy has been stalked from Hawaii on its way to New Zealand (???) and than probably Oz.

A wolf pack has assembled and is attacking.

[njp72]

Some minor rubbish being nailed as well.

There are plenty of juicy targets amongst this group. Hopefully I can bag another half decent ships.

[njp72]

The wolves stalking the herd.

I really enjoy playing with the subs.

[njp72]

This theatre would have to be causing Lowpe some stress.

Month away from breaking into the plains???

[JohnDillworth]

Allies simply don't have much good ASW at this stage. Their best stuff is the DD's, but as you say, they are elsewhere. Make hay while the sun shines. When the ASW shows up, it shows up in large numbers. Good hunting!

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

Allies simply don't have much good ASW at this stage. Their best stuff is the DD's, but as you say, they are elsewhere. Make hay while the sun shines. When the ASW shows up, it shows up in large numbers. Good hunting!

Thanks JD, wise advice. The ultimate prize would be one of his CVs or even a BB but he is being very careful with them.

I suspect they are all safely huddled around Pearl.


There will be opportunities when he starts to make his move in a few months and the CVs will have to be exposed.