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

[njp72]

China- the key position of Kweiyang is likely to fall soon to the IJA which will really break the back of renewed Chinese resistance. Getting supplies to the IJA is holding up progress.

[njp72]

Last 4 /5 days of naval losses around Akyab

Suzuya's performance was very ordinary whilst the older and generally under rated IJN CLs continue to inflict the majority of the damage on the RN

[njp72]

Important breakthrough in China.

[njp72]

Trouble brewing in the South Pacific.

Expect para drops very shortly on the multitude of poorly defended bases.

Scrambling to get some half decent units into this theatre without compromising the Marianas or Kuriles.

[njp72]

Withdrawal to more defensible lines has been completed in Burma and overall reasonably satisfied.

Lost the oil and had a couple of inf divisions mauled but on the plus side smashed apart Lowpe's armour and inflicted serious naval and air losses on Commonwealth forces.

I doubt he will frontally assault towards Rangoon; more likely look for a naval landing on the flank.

All a bit of a side show really. The USN will decide this war with a deep invasion sometime in mid 43 when the hellcats finally emerge. I m picking Kuriles.

[njp72]

The two key Chinese positions under constant attack, bombardment and air assault.

As always it is a tough slog as Lowpe continues to masterfully utilise and deploy his reserves. I will deploy more armor which usually does the trick due to poor Chinese supply and lack of anti-armor weapons.

Quite a few Indian and British units now fighting in China as well but they are also hampered by a lack of supply.

*BB Washington took 5 torps in the Central Pacific and survived! Very frustrating as this is the 2nd time I have put 5 torps into a BB only for it to shrug it off and make port.

[njp72]

Mass production of engines continues as IJA and IJN ready for new airframes.

Frank A, A6M5C, Oscar IV, George are only a couple of months away.

The plan is to smother any deep invasion near the HI with mass air attacks.

[njp72]

The key airframe to ensure 45 is reached- the Frank

Even in a PDU-Off game the majority of the IJA generally upgrades to it.

The plan is to have a couple of factories start mass producing the A whilst the majority rush off and accelerate the R.

In my experience the KI84R is the most valuable airframe Japan can produced and very gettable before the HIs are bombed.

[scondon87]

Definitely agree on how crucial the Frank is, one question: was the size 128 (I think I have that math right?) in the screenshot intentional? 30 is optimal R&D size iirc, was wondering if there was a brilliant plan behind that. Thanks!

[njp72]

Definitely agree on how crucial the Frank is, one question: was the size 128 (I think I have that math right?) in the screenshot intentional? 30 is optimal R&D size iirc, was wondering if there was a brilliant plan behind that. Thanks!

Thanks scondon87, the size 128 is to allow for the mass production on the Frank A straight away. I will be be shifting the vast majority of the 30 factories straight on to the Frank R.

If Lowpe goes deep early (and he will) I want to thwart him with the Frank A whilst I accelerate the R. I intend to sweep him to death if he gets too close to the HI.

[njp72]

China- another blocking position is crushed but progress remains painfully slow.

Amazing that there is any fresh Chinese units left but there are. More Commonwealth and Indian units also joining the fray which slows progress down more.

Getting there but it is a tough fight.

[njp72]

A key Chinese position falls this turn (Kweiyang).

Chungking may be doable after all.

[njp72]

Defences holding up well in Burma.
Not sure if Lowpe is serious here anymore. A flanking amphib invasion around PT Blair is the most dangerous COA.

[njp72]

Unlike the other theatres, in the South Pacific the Empire is getting the worst of it thanks to those damn Fletchers.

Tempting to send more naval aid but I still think it is a decoy to the main show around Marcus Island. I am sure Lowpe wants me to commit/ reveal KB before he makes a deep play.

[njp72]

After 7 odd years of playing I have finally started to using tracker.

Summary of ships sunk which is pretty close to being spot on.

The IJN have lost a CV (Sho) and a fast BB to subs

[njp72]

The carrier air wings are in great shape.

KB has seen no real action for about 4 months.

A6M5cs will replace the A6M5bs in the next month. Same, same regarding Kates and Jills. The IJN will be as ready as they best possibly can for the USN once the Hellcats arrive.

[njp72]

Doesn't take long to fall down the page with an AAR so good to see there is plenty of active posters.

Update March 43. The turns get harder as the Lowpe starts growing in confidence and assets.

China- still a bright spot of the Empire and progress still continues to be made. One of my road blocks was liquidated last turn but it had fulfilled its duty.

Expect to see some decent gains and achieving some impressive body counts on the Chinese over the next two weeks

[njp72]

Burma March 43- holding here reasonably well but Akyab is now screwed.

The bonus being the destroyed units will be bought back quickly and rebuilt in the HI where they are needed more.

[njp72]

Lowpe is on the move here as well.

Since March started he has certainly got his mojo

Not too worried about this region. Marcus Island, the Kuriles and Saipan still command the majority of my attention.

[njp72]

Just starting to slowly bring some more of the lads down and develop the bases.

I have time here because I am largely convinced it is a feint.