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

[njp72]

China- a ring of steel starts to envelop Chungking.

The critical battle for Kweiyang will start shortly. The Tank and Inf divisions are moving to their jump off points.

Game on in a few days

[njp72]

Burma- repelled a critical attack on Magwe which probably has Lowpe second guessing himself a bit.

Won't last but every day buys more time for the IJA in China. Will probably remain in the key positions for a couple more days before slowly retreating back into the direction of Rangoon.

All bets are off if he shocks hard across the river at Mandalay but that would be a big call by Lowpe.

[njp72]

Key battle outside of Changteh. Finally this blocking position is cleared after 4 months of heavy fighting.

[njp72]

Sucking in his nasty torpedo bombers into a swarm of CAP before evacuations continue around Akyab.

The Brits can really do some damage with the torp bombers so its great to see them attrited before operations recommence.

[njp72]

Dying hard at Noumea Japanese style

[Capt. Harlock]

Dying hard at Noumea Japanese style

Does "Japanese style" mean inflicting no casualties on the enemy?

[njp72]

Dying hard at Noumea Japanese style

Does "Japanese style" mean inflicting no casualties on the enemy?

Its the moral victory that counts

[njp72]

The time has come to really strengthen the inner core of defences. I expect Lowpe to wait for a Essex or two and Hellcats before pushing deep say Apr/May 43.

With Marcus in his possession the Kuriles and Hokkaido are particularly vulnerable.

Priority 1 is ensuring anything within 20 hexes of the Home Islands (B24 range) is heavily fortified.

[njp72]

Priority 2 is the Marianas.

They will get most units available and guns after Priority 1.

Importantly KB will not be sacrificed to save the Marianas. In too many games KB has been badly smashed in protecting this island chain which then leads to the HI open to direct invasion.

[njp72]

Priority 3- Bonins and Daito Shoto

[njp72]

Priority 4- Formosa and Okinawa


Outside of these 4 priotised defensive locations I don't expect to send any further reinforcements of land units.

Yep the DEI, Singapore and importantly the PI are on their own.

I intend to build a layered defence to keep the B24s away and ensure a/c production is maximised until the B29s arrive in Apr 44.

*He is definitely going deep- Lowpe won't waste his time or effort on the DEI. The war is won by bombing the HIs into the Middle Ages.

[njp72]

Burma- the real theatre of excitement.

Lowpe has outmaneuvered me on the plains but a surprise may be coming for the Allies.

The IJA is falling back in good order heavily protected by hundreds of IJA/IJN fighters.

[njp72]

China- close to landing some killing blows on the Chinese.

Road blocks are being set up in the direction of Burma to ensure no supplies get through to the critical battle grounds.

Very enjoyable from an IJA perspective.

[njp72]

Burma- very exciting at the moment.

Nice move by Lowpe to flank me on the plains but he has then over extended himself and placed an armoured heavy formation in a difficult position. A rare opportunity for the Empire to inflict some decent pain on the Allied formations. It will be interesting to see whether he commits his 4e bombers to retrieve the situation.

[njp72]

In the next 2 to 3 days the IJA has the opportunity to do serious damage to the following Allied formations and no doubt their stockpiles of Stuart tanks.

[njp72]

A further breakdown of the Indian armoured units with the scroll over.

Look at the number of the AFVs!

[njp72]

A couple divisions of Indian armour in an ocean of IJA infantry supported by quite a few guns in open plains.

In 44 it is suicide in 43 I might get away with it.

[njp72]

As expected the IJA gets the job done with a massive shock attack (my preferred method of attacking).

Lost Magwe though which was disappointing.

Plenty of possibilities and different courses of actions are available here but the smartest is a slow retreat back towards Rangoon.

[njp72]

Naval clashes continue around Akyab as the IJN and Royal Navy fight out control for the sea lanes near Rangoon.

Once again the IJN emerges victorious with HMS Ceres headed off to Davy Jones Locker.

The USN is virtually untouched but the Royal Navy continues to take a pounding.

A list of confirmed CL losses for the Allies with the Brits really taking it on the chin at this stage of the war.

[njp72]

More naval and ground fighting in Burma as the IJA/IJN slowly retreat back to move favorable terrain around Rangoon.

Naval evacuations continue around Akyab which are continually challenged by the RN.

Troop transports are well protected by a large screen of IJN warships but the bill is starting to escalate.

Since the evacuations commenced about 2 weeks ago go both sides have lost the following from a combination of naval, air and sub combat:

IJN
1 x CA (naval)
1 x CL (naval)
2x DDs (naval + sub)
3 xAKs (sub)

RN
2 x CA (naval)
3 x CL (naval)
6 x DDs (naval +sub)

The RN has had the worst of it but of course the IJN is a rapidly diminishing asset