Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[RangerJoe]

Let him create the self-administered POW camp at Wewak. Do what Big Mac did and leapfrog to Hollandia!

Correctus! I guess we will have a long exposed supply line subject to raids from Truk...but than can be countered I believe.

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Well, if the IJN wants to come out and play, I am sure that you can find some toys!

As far as that Fast Transport TF not unloading, I think that it is better not unloading than unloading where you don't want it to unload! As in a Japanese FT TF unloading in Siberia!

[Lowpe]

In Siberia that was an amphib task force...I recall.

[Lowpe]

End of March, 1943

In a few days Hellcats arrive...

Continue grinding the Japanese Air Force...really, this is an effort to keep pilot quality down since in a scenario 2 game you simply can't destroy enough planes to cripple Japan except for in the very short term.

Japan desperately needs the Frank, George. PDU off, means very few squadrons of them though.

Deathstar is approaching Pearl...

Replenishment CVE task force is heading to Pearl...

CVE Active task force is at Cairns, getting ready to escort an amphibious landing at Darwin...of supplies...

Troops and engineers keep pushing forward...too many engineers east of Rabaul and not enough on the coastline of New Guinea....although there are 200+ engineers at Saidor, Finn and Buin there are over 1000 engineers at Torokina and Shortlands area ( they need to move forward and up).

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[Lowpe]

March 29, 1943

Japan keeps reinvading with low value troops that really suffer on their landings...

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[RangerJoe]

With PDU off, then once you get into range of aircraft and engine factories, you may be able to concentrate on just a few targets to inhibit the production. Especially if you can damage the aircraft factories before or just after the research is finished. That could be effective. But you have to get into range first and a smart Japanese player would spread out the production.

As far as him using those units for invasions, he may not have any others to use. Especially the way that you are set up in the SEAC and China theaters. More points for you and easier targets to destroy than regular divisional or independent brigades are.

[Lowpe]

April 1, 1943

We made it to Hellcats...China suffering horrendous losses, but I wrote al the troop east of the mountain off already while we finally start to enter the mountain hold phase. Ghurkas are flying into Kunming, while some Punjabs are already digging in in the mountain passes...bore sighting those 6 pounders. What few 105s the Chinese have are already dug in...their field cards prepped.

Internal documents stolen tell us of the frustration of the IJA Army Command...seriously worried they will run out of bullet before the Chinese run out of troopers.

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[Lowpe]

We are just in that brutal grinding phase of the war....

I am running sweeps fairly heavily now...for example sweeping Rabaul with 40% rest to prevent Rufes from surprising us while bombing/bombarding the runways consistently and retreating Japanese troops. Once I assemble the shipping Port Moresby invasion ready...

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[Lowpe]

China and Burma and interlocking theatre of operations...our better runways allow for strong rotation and rest while keeping up constant pressure attriting Japanese pilots and frames.

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[Lowpe]

April 2, 1943

I stood down all my air force for a general reorg...also because it was a heavy sports/family weekend...family had tickets to the Phillies game on Saturday but had to give them up because of a 1 year old birthday party which was better.

Anyhow, a good day in the air The few sorties we flew were from Carriers and CVEs and large warships.

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[Lowpe]

The big picture....the value of taking Marcus early caused Japan to heavily reinforce their northern/central perimeter...

Allied intelligence really paints a picture of troop dispositions...and like most AFBs...we will primarily keep pushing up the Guinea coastline...

Japan has a besieged garrison at Darwin, bypassed troops at Port Moresby (down to 3 units and will be invaded by Australians in a week or so), almost bypassed troops at Rabaul, bypassed troops at Salamua and Madang.

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Hokkaido: Kushiro: 20K men

[Lowpe]

I have got 1500+ engineers at built up bases that need to be moved forward...just lack the shipping. All the APs went for upgrade...

I would like to be up at the Moluccas by the end of the month...I am going to use some maskirovka to allow the push here to progress.

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[Lowpe]

Heavy Bombers is about the only stressed pool for the Allies. I have used them primarily to fly supplies to China...with the odd raids against industry. Against runways and ports and infantry during the day very infrequently.

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[CaptBeefheart]

Looking at your strategic map I see you've got a lot of dot bases behind enemy lines. Your opponent should study your old AARs.

Cheers,
CB

[Lowpe]

April 4th, 1943

Nearing 1.5 VP ratio...now at 1.55 and decreasing steadily but it is still a Minor Victory for Japan.

Pushing forward...trying to prevent base building, attrit the Japanese air force, eliminate supplies all the while not losing too many bombers and maintain our pilot advantage. Pushing engineers forward...

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Not sweeping with great planes, but by alternating altitudes and having well trained pilots (high defense) we are really frustrating the Japanese air defense. Japan has poor early warning too.

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 14 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 89 minutes

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes

[Lowpe]

Just keep pushing forward...leap frogging from base to base. Our forward Naval screen is PT boats and destroyers. CA, often just one, is bombarding the bases, except for Port Moresby that gets a slow battleship. CL are hanging back in reserve...

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[Lowpe]

Darwin area: We will besiege and bypass Darwin I think...hard to find the air transport and fast shipping to be able to do this...some subs are heading here to loiter in the IJN bombardment routes.

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[Lowpe]

Looking at your strategic map I see you've got a lot of dot bases behind enemy lines. Your opponent should study your old AARs.

Cheers,
CB

Really making my job easier...but I guess taking Marcus so early Japan focused their attention on the Marianas, Jimas and Kuriles...which left this area weak...but those dot bases need to be taken by Japan, if just to slow the Allied juggernaut down. Doing one or two every day with an amphib task force or two isn't that many more clicks.

[Lowpe]

Our most dangerous bombardment tasked to desrons....Aitape is on the Northeast New Guinea coast...and was a base Japan counter-invaded at knocking our troops back to Daigua. Constantly amazed at how good UNS desrons are at bombarding if the recon is strong from the day before.

Intel reports 9 port damage....enough to prevent runway building.

Night Naval bombardment of Aitape at 95,118

Allied Ships
DD Preston
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap
DD McCalla

Port hits 12
Port supply hits 7

DD Preston firing at Aitape
DD Fanning firing at 65th Brigade
DD Dunlap firing at Aitape
DD McCalla firing at Aitape

[Lowpe]

April 7, 1943

Game is going a bit slow as lots of events due to the Phillies...

A clock work of air strikes below and China getting hammered...but the IJA thrust is away from Chungking.

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[Lowpe]

April 11, 1943

Still moving up the New Guinea coastline....

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