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

[njp72]

It looks like the Kittyhawk was carrying F4 Lightning recon a/c.

Don't know much about them or how effective they are but I don't think the Allies get many of them. Regardless, a good place for them is the bottom of the ocean.

[castor troy]

Losing these long range recons is a real loss for the Allies, especially early war. One advantage of the Japanese are their huge numbers of recons, one always has a good view on all fronts while the Allied really lack this.

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

Losing these long range recons is a real loss for the Allies, especially early war. One advantage of the Japanese are their huge numbers of recons, one always has a good view on all fronts while the Allied really lack this.

Thanks Castor, good to know I am inflicting some pain on him! [:)]

[njp72]

A bit of time on my hands as Brisbane enters a covid lockdown again (sigh) Still very fortunate here compared to the rest of the world. In between watching the Australian swim team (or should I say the Queensland swim team) take on the American's in the pool, plenty of time available for an update.

With Australia largely evacuated (except for Perth) time now to consolidate and re-group.

Offensive operations are largely being centered on China, PI and eventually Singapore. No rush on Singapore as I note the besieged garrison looks like supply has finally run out [:D]

Defensively it is time to get ready for the inevitable USN push to take back some ground. 3 real possibilities for the initial Allied counter attack:

1. Perth
2. South east Pacific
3. Central Pacific

[njp72]

And based on heavy sig int and checking which bases are being heavily reconned the winner appears to be Canton Island!

The question is what to do about it????

KB is exhausted after non stop action since December. It needs to upgrade either Shok or Zui with radar and the A6M5 is only a week away from arriving. Badly needs time in port before the next series of operations that I have planned.

Surface fleets are also exhausted and run down. The majority of CAs, CLs and a significant portion of DDs are currently repairing recent battle damage. Nothing really that close or handy around Canton Island.

Air and sub units are far better placed and are overall in good health. Will focus my efforts on trying to torp a CV rather than risk my valuable exhausted naval forces who need refitting.

[njp72]

Some good units here which I am not prepared to sacrifice just to hold on to Perth for another month or so.

I suspect the Allies will start moving here in a couple of weeks which doesn't give me much time.

Perhaps a surprise could be planned for Lowpe here???

[njp72]

The majority of forces evacuated from Oz are now digging in nicely around PNG, the Solomons and Rabaul.

Won't be easy for the Allies to move these guys which should buy some time to harden the positions around the Central Pacific.

[njp72]

Fiji, Pago, Noumea are all very lightly held and only designed to be a nuisance and provide air search capability.

Helpful in directing sub operations and forcing Lowpe to take longer routes for his convoys to Oz. Won't take long for him to realise there are very few forces holding these positions. Logistically they are impossible to support for the Empire in prolonged and sustained operations, especially against a very competent opponent.

[njp72]

A6M3 has arrived and the 5 is only a few days away.

The Tojo is also now being produced. With the game being PDU-Off, there is a heavy focus on the Zero and Oscar where I intend to smash Lowpe with sheer weight of numbers as opposed to quality. In saying that, there are 12 factories dedicated to the frank which is my go to airframe for late 43 and 44 fighting (not so much the A but the R version).

[ny59giants]

For the Central Pacific, you need to hold or at least make it very costly for Allies to take "Tabby" in lower Gilberts. It has the potential to be the biggest. Once he gets it and has developed it to some degree, the rest is just knocking over the dominoes.

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

For the Central Pacific, you need to hold or at least make it very costly for Allies to take "Tabby" in lower Gilberts. It has the potential to be the biggest. Once he gets it and has developed it to some degree, the rest is just knocking over the dominoes.

Good advice Mike, I am going to do something about that straight away. He is definitely heading that way (at least initially).

[njp72]

The Empire catches a breath.

It will take another 2 weeks to replenish or of the naval forces and reposition some of the IJA.

KB finally gets an opportunity to take a well earned breather in the DEI. I may or may not wait until it is re-equipped with the A6M5 before pushing on.

It really depends on Lowpe and how quickly he wants to move in the central pacific and western Oz.

[njp72]

China- another annoying blocking force is semi annihilated as the combined arms group pushes onto Ankang.

Little risk here and plenty upside. I am thinking of attriting the Chinese forces in some unfair contests before I push into the open plains. Will see how the Allies react.

[njp72]

Haven't committed any real force of substance up North but it seems to be enough to get the job done. Very hard to reinforce this battlegroup if things go awry but I will roll the dice.

[njp72]

Listening to the wise counsel of NYGiants (I should have known better anyway [:D]) 2 regiments and attachments are headed for the key central pacific islands. They will be there in a week.

Subs are also massing in the area in response to the heavy sig traffic and the massive build up around Christmas Island.

Stopping the Allies here will force Lowpe to head towards Marcus (well under control) and the Marianas ( crickets are guarding this critical island chain at the moment [X(] )

[njp72]

I am routinely getting heavy sig traffic from multiple locations but I am really only taking seriously Adelaide and Christmas Island (which for once is not on this report).

Could be a masterful deception plan but I doubt it.

[njp72]

So close to receiving the critical airframe which will keep me competitive for the next 6 to 9 months.

Whilst I like to be aggressive with KB during the amphib bonus, I generally won't operate it without land base search coverage past July 42.

It is the only real asset that keeps the Allies honest into 44.

No chance of a Midway here.

[njp72]

The critical trip wire positions keeping an eye on the Line Islands.

Somewhere out there I suspect his CVs are moving about, training up their air groups and getting ready for their first real push.

He would know by now that I am ultra aggressive with my subs which is hopefully giving him pause before he commits.

[njp72]

Weekly update- been a quite week in the game.

Main points:

*Fortification of the Central Pacific, PNG and Marcus Island proceeding well.

* Finally Clark on the PI is starting to weaken

* Good progress continues in Northern China

Overall Allied activity is minimal. Hopefully scared off a bit by my aggressive subs hunting him.

[njp72]

The Allies keep having a peak at Canton Island.

Is it the real deal or a feint?

Initially I thought it was genuine but as time goes by there seems to be some form of routine to the recon being undertaken so now not so sure....