Rising Sun, Falling Skies: BTSL Bigred vs John 3rd

[bigred]

43-7-14: Seems like I am a year behind schedule. Noumea falls.

[bigred]

43-7-16:a

[BBfanboy]

I'm confused. One of your pictures in the middle shows the Allied units eliminating the last IJ unit in Noumea, but two pictures below that is a picture showing a combat with multiple IJ units at Noumea. Are the pictures out of order or some combat animations not aligned with the map pictures?

[bigred]

That post is my first with this new system/format. The last jpeg should be posted first. I noticed the problem after post and noted the jpegs must be loaded inverse to timeline(maybe i am wrong?).

[BBfanboy]

Sure looks like it. Guess I can just read the post from the bottom up if it doesn't make sense from the top down. I do appreciate pics that show the situation more clearly than just the combat reports. Thank you!

[bigred]

43-7-18: A 500 plane KB is operating south of New Caledonia disrupting my invasion activities.

[bigred]

43-7-20:
Alot of action.
jpeg 3 is prep bombing before the para drop.
jpeg 4 is Kumac suppressed. If John wants air cover he will have to commit the KB CVs.
jpeg7 is a cake walk over meiktila. Location is a major rail center. I wonder if John will fight in open terrain?

[bigred]

43-7-22: Large KB lurking north of Naumae.

[John 3rd]

Hello All.

It is Spring Break in LaSalle so I shall have time to do some Posting here.

Can I first say that I HATE the revamped website!

Will Post some details regarding the current situation. Got a lot to like and some to dislike but it is mid-143 so I guess things are not too bad at all!

[John 3rd]

July 26, 1943
The Line Islands

The enemy invaded the Line Islands back in late-April/Early-May. The Allies took Palmyra, Washington, and Fanning but massively missed the boat by not taking Christmas FIRST. Once the Allied Fleet withdrew in the face of the Kido Butai, Japan patiently went to work. Christmas was massively strengthened by supply, airpower, and ground units.

Build-Up
1. The AF, which I had not fully expanded, was taken to its upper limit in size. Into this was flown two Betty/Nell Daitai and all three of Japan's Heavy Bomber LIZ Daitai. These 135 planes became of the core of daily bombardment runs against Palmyra and Fanning. Occasional strikes against Washington were also made to keep base-building stopped. Roughly 150 Fighters provided CAP and Escort. The AFs on Palmyra and Fanning were closed early and KEPT closed!

2. The Kaigun was FULLY committed to Christmas Isle. For nearly two month the nearly the ENTIRE Japanese Fleet sat at or near Christmas and the Line Islands. I was very worried that Paul would open up a new area with little availability of serious response by me. Luckily he did not. The most important addition here is that I decided to move ALL Japanese BB and most of the Battlecruisers here to begin daily and every other day bombardments that proved massively important. The experience level of these crews has noticeably jumped!

3. Five Japanese ID were immediately tasked (almost before they fell) with prepping for Fanning and Palmyra. The troops were slowly gathered and moved closer to the Operational Theatre. Time HAD to pass so they could prep to 100%. Any JAPANESE landing in mid-43 would have to be perfect so I was very deliberate.

Interdiction
While the build-up occurred, most of the Kido Butai stayed in the area. The enemy Fleet had been driven back at major loss: 2 CV, 1 modern BB, and 1 old BB but could come in at any time. Nearly 30 Japanese subs were moved to Christmas and they began regular patrols scoring occasionally and taking few losses. Occasional Allied relief efforts were made but none survived.

Counter-Attack
1. Washington was the easiest target since the atoll was 0/0 when the Allies took it. Several units landed there as an AF was attempted to be created. That was not allowed to occur and the Japanese easily took the base back on June 26, 1943 (3,000 Allied Casualties). Engineers and Base Forces were landed after the small victory and all Emily/Mavis were moved here to allow for two more Daitai of Japanese Naval Bombers on Christmas.

2. Fanning fell to a massive combined effort of 12 Capital Warships, numerous CA and CL, and about 550 bomber (carrier- and land-based) on July 10, 1943. In a GLORIOUS day, 2 100% prepped Japanese ID crushed the starving enemy in a 23-1 attack. FOURTEEN units surrendered for 11,278 (1463 squads) troops. Several major HQ units went down when this occurred. BANZAI!!!

3. Palmyra sat for a short time before the Japanese finished its agony. Five days later (July 15, 1943) the base capitulated in a 332-1 landing. Another several 1,000 troops surrender and the Line Islands were back in Japan's hands.

From Open-Close, nearly four months passed before the Japanese cleared the enemy off of its islands.

Patience is not one of my strong suits and I really, REALLY had to use it here. How often do you see successful Japanese amphibious landings in mid-1943??!!

07-11-43.jpg (221.13 KiB) Viewed 1263 times

BANZAI!!![/size]

[John 3rd]

07-16-43.jpg (524.02 KiB) Viewed 1172 times

July 26, 1943
China

I HATE China!

In this match, I drove early and captured my main objectives against Lew by late-1942. When Paul took on this game (so he didn't have to play the Opening 6 months of the war), I was content to let sleeping dogs ly.

This perspective changed when my new opponent decided to move over 35 units out of China and into Burma. I stupidly agreed to no House Rules (will never do that again) and so he was free to move anywhere and everywhere. OK. Fine. Two can do that. Manchurian, Korea, and Mongolia were emptied down to the minimum numbers and Japan went over to the offensive.

A southern offensive (Goal: KUNMING) failed to achieve much. Operations then shifted north.

SIAN was surrounded and pounded by Japanese airpower as well as ground bombardment for weeks prior to the assault going in. Several deliberate attacks occurred in July wearing down the Forts and supply-starved defenders. On July 15, 1943, the final assault occurred and SIAN surrendered yielding a HUGE haul in troops and Chinese equipment. Thirteen units were destroyed yielding--CATCH THIS--97,638 (7953 Squads) troops, 336 Guns and 4 Vehicles. Holy CATS!

Now we prepare for our next Chinese target.

[bigred]

SIAN was surrounded and pounded by Japanese airpower as well as ground bombardment for weeks prior to the assault going in. Several deliberate attacks occurred in July wearing down the Forts and supply-starved defenders. On July 15, 1943, the final assault occurred and SIAN surrendered yielding a HUGE haul in troops and Chinese equipment. Thirteen units were destroyed yielding--CATCH THIS--97,638 (7953 Squads) troops, 336 Guns and 4 Vehicles. Holy CATS!

Yawnnnn

[bigred]

A general offensive in eastern Burma was started this turn with 4 major attacks. From Katha up north down to Meilita and Taung Gyi down south. Brit Para Brigade was dropped and did take Melita but was kicked out this turn real quick by what I suspect was inbound IJA infantry inroute for Taung Gyi(lucky Jap move). The fort at Taung Gyi did drop to zero with heavy allied casualties. So we will see what happens next turn. The katha attack was a loss.

[bigred]

43-7-26/27:
KB is posted of NC and is suppressing the area with the fire hose.
Taung Gyi was a massive Chinese attack with ArmyGroup/Army/Corp prepped at 100%. Operation was preplanned about 3 months. Redirected the brit Para when the chicoms about to not finish. Very close and could have failed.

[bigred]

43-8-3:
Skirmish around Dobyne Island.
John split the KB.
Possible action in SEPAC.

[bigred]

43-8-5: Mistakes have been made with this amphib op at Maulden Island.

[bigred]

43-8-7:

[bigred]

43-8-10:
1. Maulden Island smolders. Note IJN naval moves in this post.
2. IJA 21st div will be destroyed east of Akyab.
3. At Schwebo the IJA 2nd guards and a Brigade will be bombed in the open. They are experiencing the Mogadishu mile.

[bigred]

Tankers, Jap Tankers???? did someone spot Jap tankers??? Hurah...Talleyho!!!...CHARGE.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY58inWev0E

[bigred]

The tanker raid at Canton was a bust. seems the large IJN KB decided to hang around and dusted off my TF movements. Did take some damage. I fugured I can loose 100 ship points is worth the trade for some Jap tankers.