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

[njp72]

Round 4

[njp72]

Now as good as that felt bringing some much needed reality to the USN (you can't sail to the coast of Vietnam in July 43 and embarrass the Empire like that ) to a degree these are pyrrhic victories for the Empire. Another 2 x CLs + 1 x CA were lost by the IJN and the Allied lodgment is still there, though its current position is somewhat precarious.

Targeting the assault shipping rather than the war ships is still the preferred approach to sustain this level of resistance.

Currently the majority of the IJN is parked up at ports repairing battle damage.

[jedwardpita]

Great action! You might as well fight with the surface fleet now. The US Fletcher horde will soon be overwhelming.

[njp72]

Great action! You might as well fight with the surface fleet now. The US Fletcher horde will soon be overwhelming.

I can't argue with that logic- fight I will

[njp72]

The day after the carnage.

Allied CVs grouped together sandwiched by KB coming out of Hong Kong and the surface fleets at Cam Ranh Bay.

Next couple of turns could be interesting.

[njp72]

Having a small ceasefire during the Easter break.

War likely to restart in a couple of days with an impending attempt to trap Lowpe's CVs and another assault on Chungking. Both look somewhat promising given the events of the last couple of turns.

Trackers record of losses to date.

The Allies haven't lost quite as many BBs but they have definitely lost a couple of CVEs which are not recorded here.

My firm belief remains that the Allies lack the current naval strength to consolidate their foothold in Vietnam and can be rolled up.

[njp72]

Still with a bit of time on my hands here and one can only watch so much football and drink so much alcohol.

Following along on the theory that the Allies are hurting in the navy stocks, the next key target for Lowpe has to be ports to repair banged up warships.

Manila, Singapore, Soerabaja and Hong Kong are the key locations and it will be vital that he secures at least one in the next few months to maintain his momentum. Otherwise it is back to Pearl or Sydney for decent repair yards.

Accordingly, there is now parked at least one if not two veteran IJA divisions at each of these localities frantically digging in. There will be no blind rush back to reinforce Vietnam against the current lodgment. Banged up IJA divisions from assaulting Chungking will be bought back on the cheap and slowly drip fed back into Vietnam.

In the interim, there will be no major withdrawal of the Central Pacific either. There is enough stockpiled fuel and oil for 18 months of operations and the number 1 priority is the protection of the HI from strat bombing.

[njp72]

From tracker- nearly all of the oil, fuel and the majority of supplies is sitting safe and sound in the Home Islands in anticipation for the upcoming bloodbath.

[njp72]

Snapshot of where the majority of fuel is currently sitting- it's in Japan

[njp72]

Last turn of air production- PDU Off game

A6M8 is now starting to roll out in decent numbers.

Thus far up and till the end of Jul 43, the Empire has lost 10,415 airframes (but only 4000 pilots) for the entirety of the war.

By the time this game ends, the plan is to have the ability to exchange just over 45K of airframes which indicates the scale of fighting to come in the next 18 months.

[njp72]

Scoreboard

Just slipped under the 10K points lead which I am confident of restoring with the pending fall of Chungking.

The scale of the fighting in July has been off the charts

[njp72]

31st July 43

Close but no cigar. Needed this engagement to be at night not day.

A couple of positives though; a distinct lack of DDs as escorts for his key CV TF and the fact that I can get to gun range on such an important TF should give the Allies pause for thought.

At least I got a collision before they scurried away.

[njp72]

A few more Allied troops at Vinh then I realised.

Obviously flown in though I was sure I had that base CAPPed.

Anyway, nothing that the IJA divisions coming out of China will have too much trouble with.

[njp72]

Finally have IJN vessels checking out Quinhon for mines.

The USN has departed for the moment. Time to consolidate my strong points built around Cam Rahn Bay and start rolling him back.

Oil convoys and damaged warships are seizing this opportunity to make their way to Hong Kong during a lull in proceedings.

Lowpe's subs are starting to cause real issues.

[jedwardpita]

Looking at the losses. If I was the Allied player I would feel good about the CA, CL and DD losses and ratios. The AP losses could slow down your opponent. This is the best combined (Allied and Japanese) AAR I have ever seen.

[njp72]

Looking at the losses. If I was the Allied player I would feel good about the CA, CL and DD losses and ratios. The AP losses could slow down your opponent. This is the best combined (Allied and Japanese) AAR I have ever seen.

Appreciate the kind comments.

I agree with your assessment regarding the losses. Very shortly aircraft will need to do the heavy lifting to stop the Allies as the IJN is pretty exhausted.

Against a great player like Lowpe (his skill level is exceptional) even when you win tactical engagements you always pay a price which the something the Empire can ill afford.

I am trying to be as cautious as I can be with the fragile IJN but his move on Vietnam has forced my hand somewhat.

[njp72]

Now that the USN has retired (briefly) it is time to bring the pain to Quinhon.

Time to get into your foxholes boys.

[njp72]

6 Aug 43

Game been a bit slow as we celebrate critical events like ANZAC Day.

50 odd thousand at the shrine in Melbourne

And 100 thousand at the MCG watching the old Maggies getting the job done against the Dons. Best day of the year.

[njp72]

Back to the game- a bit of regrouping from both sides.

Wounded ships and big oil/fuel tankers all get safely away to Hong Kong after the USN departs the coast of Vietnam.

In more good fortune, BB Kongo has been saved and recovering relatively quickly from the mauling she suffered from one of the USN's fast BBs. 16 Inch guns hurt.

[njp72]

Slow but steady withdrawal out of Burma going okay. Only disrupted by the occasional para drop but the price the Allies pay for this disruption is high.

Help is on the way to Vietnam.