A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod

[M Peaston]

22nd January 1942

There's little change from yesterday: Oscars swept Singapore again, but all my working Buffalos are now in Sumatra/Java.

I thought I'd take the opportunity to update the general situation in key theatres:




Singapore

Singapore 22nd January 1942.png (2.07 MiB) Viewed 1215 times

Celebes

Celebes 22nd January 1942.png (2.35 MiB) Viewed 1215 times

[M Peaston]

Timor

Timor 22nd January 1942.png (2.57 MiB) Viewed 1214 times

Solomons

Solomons 22nd January 1942.png (3.22 MiB) Viewed 1214 times

[M Peaston]

Check the altitude for his sweeps. If there is no HR for altitude, then put your fighters 5k to 10k feet above his when you bounce them in and out.

Don't forget to start air transporting parts of units out of Singapore so you don't have to buy them back and wait. If nothing else, fill them out with just supplies, engineers, and other common devices but not infantry or devices in short supply. They can help to improve bases while training back up. Extra support can also help to get other mauled units back into shape much quicker.

Thanks Ranger Joe, I'm planning to fly some fragments out.

[JanSako]

You are doing very well, or he is being really slow. Either way this is working for you, for sure!
A few points:
- what is Hermes doing out that far out front? If she does not have any fighter cover, Netties from Saigon will bury her... just saying! On the other hand, raiding with British CL's along the N coast of Borneo, that is fun!
- that single brigade in Dili is 'a bit' exposed. Koepang is building up to be strong but I would evac Dili, he can land in the base next to Dili and Dili itself is susceptible to naval bombardments. Unless you plan to reinforce them more, but IMO Koepang is much better.

Since he has not taken Rabaul yet, you definitely have time to reinforce Port Moresby & you should. I imagine the US RCT's are already digging in at Suva/Luganville/Noumea?

[M Peaston]

I think the Japanese have prioritised minimising losses over speed of advance. Fokko has tended to concentrate his forces for a single advance (normally under LBA cover) rather than riskier, simultaneous multiple advances. I’d like to convince myself that this is because I divided my carriers and showed my willingness to use them (and Force Z) forward and early, but it might have been his game plan anyway. His methodical approach has certainly frustrated my plans to fight in a more aggressive style in the early stages, but this doesn’t really matter. My idea was to inflict loss or delay - and the pace of the Japanese advance has suited me.

I do wonder if Fokko is reluctant to take oil centres before he is able to minimise the threat of Allied bombing. I also wonder if the smaller airfield sizes and fewer aviation support/engineering assets available compared to the standard game is slowing down Japanese preparations for an LBA umbrella for the next advance.

Whatever the reasons, despite some unforced blunders I am happy with the way the game is going at the moment.

Now that Singapore is effectively suppressed one option for the Japanese to force the pace is to seize or suppress Kuching and then go straight for Palembang; I need to be prepared for that.


Hermes - This was a calculated risk. I was expecting an imminent invasion of Kuching (which so far hasn’t materialised), and I think Hermes’s best chance of being useful is in catching an insufficiently protected convoy in the early stages of the war. The Japanese so far have appeared reluctant to use their Nettles (as I call them) outside of fighter cover. I think Hermes has been ordered to return to Java now; I didn’t want to push my luck too far.

Timor - My initial plan was to concentrate 18th Div at Koepang and use the 8th AIF Div at Dili. Now the 8th has to stay in Singapore to compensate for my losing one of the Indian divisions in Malaya I’ve spread my defences a little thinner. I haven’t got the map in front of me, I can’t recall if Koepang and Dili are connected by road and my thinking was to occupy Dili to delay any ‘back door’ attack on Koepang. I think you’re right that concentrating on Koepang may be better - I’ll have a closer look at this when I get a chance.

Port Moresby - 6th AIF Div (currently transiting the Indian Ocean) was originally due to join the 2nd Motorised Div as a reserve force, freeing up 1st Armoured Div to reinforce Western Australia. However, given that I still hold Rabaul and that Japan really needs to concentrate on the DEI now, I think the risk of Japan invading Australia’s east coast must be very low. I’m therefore happy to release 1st Armoured Div without replacement, leave 2nd Motorised as the sole reserve meaning 6th Div is now available - and can go to Port Moresby. I’d already started preparing 6th Div for Port Moresby and I’m reasonably sure I’ll have time to get it in position.

South Pacific - I’ve got Marine RCTs digging in at Suva and Noumea, a Marine Raider Bn is on its way to Luganville as an advance guard with reinforcements to follow. I’m even having fantasies about reinforcing Rabaul - we’ll see.

In the Central Pacific I’ve got an RCT at Christmas Island (with a BF and AA about to join them) and an RCT at Canton Island. I’m planning to occupy Penhryn next and to eventually establish an air bridge from Hawaii-Line Islands-Penhryn-Suva/Noumea-Australia. Because there’s been little action in this area it’s been an understated (and perhaps underrated) theatre in my AAR, but one of the things I’ve been most pleased about in this game is the way that the USA to Australia/NZ communications are developing. I’ve been very lucky in that, hitherto at least, this has been free from Japanese interference.

[RangerJoe]

If you can get a US Naval Infantry air unit even equipped with Buffaloes on the Hermes, it can be a deep CAP carrier in case he does unleash his Nells for long ranged naval strikes. In 90 days, that that air unit will be carrier trained as a bonus. In the meantime, those British torpedo bombers can train as well as move in and out of forward bases as an aerial ambush force.

[M Peaston]

If you can get a US Naval Infantry air unit even equipped with Buffaloes on the Hermes, it can be a deep CAP carrier in case he does unleash his Nells for long ranged naval strikes. In 90 days, that that air unit will be carrier trained as a bonus. In the meantime, those British torpedo bombers can train as well as move in and out of forward bases as an aerial ambush force.

That seems a better use for Hermes than my idea of having her lurk around Kuching until the Japanese wake up to her presence and decide to sink her.


A couple of corrections from my previous posts….

It’s the 2nd RAA, not the 5th, that is at Koepang; 5th RAA is currently on its way to Port Hedland.

There is no road between Koepang and Dili, so there goes my theory as to why 55th Bde is at Dili.

Hermes is still pushing her luck near Kuching rather than heading to Batavia as I thought.

My memory is fine when everything is written down in front of me, but doesn’t function so well otherwise……




23rd January 1942.



CHINA

I forgot to take the 18th Chinese Army out of ‘move’ mode; as a result it got a kicking from 32nd Division at Yongcheng near Suchow.

The 23rd Tank Rgt at Ningisia appears to be an outpost protecting the flank of a larger force heading towards Kiuchuan and/or Hami. I was hoping the 23rd Tank Rgt would push on and bump into the force I had waiting for it on the other side of the river, but Fokko continues to show an obstinate tendency to refuse to fall in with my plans. I’m beginning to think that he is doing so deliberately, just to annoy me. Anyway, I’m not going to let the Japanese just sit there and dig in, so the Chinese are going on the attack with 82nd Army and three cavalry divisions.



ABDA

The Japanese cross the straits and gain a foothold on Singapore Island (details of forces involved to follow). Interestingly, there are still no bombing raids on Singapore itself. The wounded xAP Dunera, quickly patched up and can now make 9 knots at cruise speed (its good to see all those millions spent prewar on the Navy Yards at Singapore didn’t go completely to waste), collects the 3,000 civilians and slips out of Singapore.

In a rare success for the RN two motor launches patrolling the harbour at Singapore not only survive an attack by Nells, they also manage to shoot one down. No longer will I roll my eyes when I see I’ve received another Fairmile B class motor launch as a reinforcement!

In the Philippines Manila is holding up well, but Clark Field is weakening; I notice most of the casualties are destroyed rather than disabled devices at Clark Field now.



SWPAC/SOPAC

A small reinforcement convoy has arrived at Aukland - 1st and 2nd Marine Para Bns, 193rd Tank Bn and 205th Field Art Bn. These are going to head for Luganville. Also with the convoy were 3 squadrons of Aircobras, and 4 of Marauders.



CENPAC

Having covered the reinforcement of Christmas Island Yorktown and Saratoga are heading back to Pearl Harbor. I decided against uniting them with Lexington; I’m happy with where my carriers are operating for now.



NORPAC

SS Saury encountered AMC Asaka Maru east of the Kuriles. I suspect the AMC is just patrolling the approaches to the Kuriles, but just in case she’s up to mischief I’ve ordered CL Detroit and two DDs (based at Dutch Harbour) to sea. One DD is going to reinforce a convoy which is about to unload a construction Rgt at Adak, Detroit and the other DD are heading out into the Pacific in case the AMC is out to raid my sea lanes.

If the Asaka Maru is just patrolling east of the Kuriles then I’ll try and ambush and sink her at some point….but not just yet. There might be a time soon enough when I’d like to create an opening here. Hornet……Doolittle….. hmmm…….

[M Peaston]

Singapore:


Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14655 troops, 146 guns, 277 vehicles, Assault Value = 554

Defending force 31825 troops, 357 guns, 256 vehicles, Assault Value = 648

Japanese adjusted assault: 128

Allied adjusted defense: 2605

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 20 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1172 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Vehicles lost 84 (32 destroyed, 52 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
444 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
1TD 1st Tank Regiment
18th Division
1TD 5th Tank Regiment
5ID 5th Engineer Regiment
5ID 5th Recon Regiment
56ID 56th Engineer Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
11th Indian Division
2/17 Dogra Battalion
SSVF~ Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
8th Australian Division
1st Hyderabad Battalion
2nd Malay~ Battalion
12th Indian Brigade
III Indian
Singapore Base Force
3rd Heavy~ AA Regiment
Malayan Air Wing~
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Malaya Command~
Singapore Fortress
2nd ISF Base Force



In addition to the Japanese forces above Allied intelligence have previously identified the following in Malaya:

Imperial Guards and 5th Divisons
2nd Recon Rgt
10th and 14th Tank Rgts
5th Ind, 12th, 15th and 55th Eng Rgts
5th Field Art Rgt
21st Medium Field Art Rgt
3rd Mortar Bn
3rd Ind Mountain Gun Rgt.

I therefore presume there are more Japanese forces to cross onto Singapore Island. Any that don't appear may well be heading off to Burma.

[RangerJoe]

Check on your upgrades for your Burma squads, not to mention other CW minor countries, to see if they upgrade to Indian 1944 squads. If they do, don't waste them, those units can be useful for garrisons in the deep rear in India. If you have not yet done so, consider moving some base forces from Burma into the mountain bases in China. They will have a little AA plus can support some fighter units to deter unescorted bombing raids.

Also, make sure that your units that get those Aussie mounted rifles and militia units receive them after purchasing the unit. Fill the up and then upgrade them. If those units withdraw, fill them up and let them upgrade before disbanding them so you will have regular squads.

Don't be in a hurry to upgrade your CW artillery and AA guns to the latest and greatest, you want to have enough stockpiled for losses. In the rear areas, those older weapons are still effective and would do nicely against paratroopers plus any units air lifted in. Right now, you do have that lost Indian division to buy back. It can get training and common devices but not necessarily infantry and engineer squads if you are short of those.

[M Peaston]

Thanks Ranger Joe, I’m paying close attention to the upgrades and device pools, especially those 25 pounders. I’m certainly not falling into the trap again of trying to upgrade everything at once. I made that mistake when playing the computer - I ended up with lots of under-strength Australian tank units equipped with a few Grants, whilst I had park-loads of Matildas which no-one wanted.

I’ve got the US 33rd BF at Kunming with 2 squadrons of AVG, one of which I use for occasional forays farther into China - it keeps the JAAF on its toes, and they seem wary of tangling with the AVG at the moment.



A couple of days to catch up on:

24th and 25th January 1942

CHINA

At Changzhi the Japanese reinforce with the 110th Div and force the Chinese out. Luckily the 33rd and 34th Chinese armies retreat north to the railway - I’ll rail them back to Sian for replacements.

The Japanese have also reinforced their assault on Shuozhou, but the communists are still holding out.

4th Guerrilla Corps defeats 23rd RGC Temp Brigade and captures Yugan. 21st and 25th Armies begin their assault on the now surrounded 20th Independent Mixed Bde at Poyang.

Japan captures Longyan near Amoy.



MALAYA

At Singapore Japanese forces continue to pour across the straits. The first Japanese bombing raids cause minor damage.

B17Es go into action for the first time, bulldozing past the Japanese CAP to bomb the airfield at Kuala Lumpur. No damage to the airfield was detected, but it did pave the way for a subsequent sweep by Royal Dutch Air Force B-339Ds, which claimed 3 Oscars shot down without loss. The purpose of such pinprick attacks by the Allied air forces is to try and keep as many Japanese fighters as possible dispersed coving potential targets rather than concentrating on Singapore.



PHILIPPINES

Clark Field is just about holding out, but I don’t think it will for much longer.

The Japanese take Calapan, Malita and Iligan



DEI

Hermes gets a strike off against Japanese cruisers between Miri and Kuching, but it is intercepted by Zeros operating out of Miri



SWPAC/SOPAC

Achilles and two DDs zig-zag through the Gilberts and bombard Tarawa, finding nothing. It seems the Gilberts are only very lightly held at the moment. Meanwhile SS Thresher encounters the blockade runner KM Osorno at Tabiteuea. A warning - these blockade runners have a nasty bite! Thresher is now limping off for repairs, but not before landing a trio of 3” shells on Osorno. Osorno was the blockade runner identified by Sigint in the Marshalls a few days ago, so she must be heading to Europe. I don’t know if the damage was bad enough for her to return to port. Achilles has been ordered to bomb Tabiteuea in case Osorno remains there for a few days to effect some repairs, while her two DDs will patrol to the southeast.



USA

I’ve despatched another reinforcement convoy from San Francisco to Australia/SOPAC consisting of:
2 x Rgts of the Americal Div
1 x AA Rgt
1 x Art Bn
2 x P40E squadrons.

Separately (on faster transports)
2 x Marine Rgts.

My thinking at the moment is to send the two Marine regiments to Luganville and Tulagi (assuming they’re still in Allied hands) and the Americal Div to Darwin, but of course much could change by the time they cross the Pacific.



SUBMARINE WARFARE

I-2 misses an unescorted xAP Rangitata in the eastern Pacific - phew!

I-16 torpedoes ARD Jubilee Dock just off Suva - she makes it into harbour, but her major float and engine damage will need repairing at another port - a right royal pain as she can cruise at only 2 knots now. It also gives away that I intend to use Suva as a major forward base. I think I need to better escort high-value slow-moving targets.

Sargo sinks xAK Kimon Maru between China and Formosa.



STRATEGIC/OPERATIONAL ISSUES

Did I say recently how pleased I was with my logistics operations across the Pacific? Hmm…..

I had underestimated just how much fuel even a moderately sized supply/reinforcement convoy can suck out of somewhere - Aukland in this case. I’m sending some fuel across from Australia for now, but not enough, and I’m only just starting to get a refuelling station at going at Bora Bora - just one tanker so far.

I think as a temporary measure I’ll run SOPAC operations out of Brisbane and/or Sydney until I can build up some larger fuel stocks at Aukland.

[RangerJoe]

If your HRs allow cargo ships to carry fuel, then use tankers to bring excess OIL to Australia so the refineries have something to work on. It is not as efficient but if you are waiting for excess oil to be refined and there is a dearth of fuel, that will help as well. You are allowed to mix oil and fuel in the same tanker with no problems sorting it out when unloading it! Use Osthaven to transport fuel/oil to Batavia and then on to Australia so you won't risk tankers near Palembang.

If fuel is a problem and the enemy is not threatening the Line Islands, expand Christmas Island so it can be a major supply dump as well as a highly defended bastion. Later when you get the fuel, then the supplies at Christmas Island can be sent forward.

Also, if you can build up other Hawaiian Islands, they can also be used as supply dumps if the enemy is concentrating submarines near Oahu.

[M Peaston]

We don’t specifically have a rule against using cargo ships for fuel, but LST’s scenario notes recommend against it and I’m keeping to that.

Fuel in Australia hasn’t been a problem so far; I’ve got the Abadan-Perth route up and running as well as LA to Sydney. Sydney has over 100k fuel with more on the way. There’s also a fuel run from Oosthaven-Darwin, and Oosthaven-Perth. I did send some oil to Australia but not enough to keep the refineries busy for long. I didn’t realise oil and fuel could be mixed on a tanker.

I think I just got the balance wrong between Oz and NZ. I was using Aukland to reinforce and resupply bases in SOPAC, build up fuel on Suva and keep the Lexington group in fuel. Returning the last trans-pacific reinforcement convoy (which didn’t bring any fuel tankers with it) to LA just completely sucked NZ dry.

There’s an Aukland-bound fuel convoy mid-Pacific, and I’m sending across about 40k of fuel from Sydney. I think I’ll let Brisbane take some (or most) of the strain from Aukland for running SOPAC’s logistical ops for a while.

When loading a fuel/supply convoy in the USA I’ve decided whether it should go to Aukland or Sydney based on what is needed at the time of departure, whereas I need to be a bit more scientific in predicting where the need will be at the time of arrival.

Although my fuel arrangements could do with some - ahem - refining, I still think my logistical arrangements are basically sound. It’s good to consider other arrangements though; I’ll certainly look at the Christmas Island option - there’s been no Japanese activity in this area.

[BBfanboy]

I never fuel up my convoys at NZ - they have enough aboard still to make it to Tahiti or PH where they draw 'minimal fuel' to get back to the West Coast USA. RJ prefers to use 'tactical refuel' to give enough fuel for some bursts of high speed to escape the enemy. I haven't found that necessary. It is much easier to get tankers to PH or Tahiti than to NZ.
Similarly for the Abadan-Perth route the tankers need a top up to return home so I use Colombo.

[RangerJoe]

Instead of Abadan to Perth, unload the fuel in Karachi and load tankers at Madras or build up a decent port on the other side of India close to Ceylon. It will save a little fuel but more importantly time which translates to fewer tankers needed to move the same amount of fuel.

[M Peaston]

Thank you once again gentlemen; more good ideas. Re the Pacific route, I’ll probably use both Tahiti and Bora Bora. It increases the fuel capacity, and building a bit of redundancy into the system won’t hurt.

When I bought this game I had in mind exciting things like carrier strikes, the boom of the big battleship guns, closely fought amphibious assaults, sweeping land campaigns etc. Little did I realise that with the battle raging for Singapore I’d be spending my time with pen, paper and calculator trying to work out how much fuel I can get into New Zealand……



26th and 27th January 1942


CHINA

A successful Chinese counter-attack at Ningsia: 17th Army group consisting of the 82nd Army and the 2nd, 4th and 6th Cavalry cross the river and completely destroy the 23rd Tank Rgt.

Japan captures Huizhou near Canton.



ABDA

Clark Field falls to the Japanese (on the 27th). A few units succeed in retreating to Bataan and join the garrison there. The Allies are still holding at Manila.

Japanese air attacks at Singapore (coming in at 12,000 - 14,000 ft don’t appear very effective. The Japanese land assault is though, with 8th Australian Div seeming to bear the brunt.

A likely Japanese invasion force appears of Kuching - reported to be two TFs with a total of 19 ships, mostly DD/APD/DMS. What looks like a supporting TF of BBs/CAs is sailing off Groot Natoena. With the airfields of southern Malaya in Japanese hands and the partial evacuation of Singapore now complete (can anything partial be completed?) I had decided I had already held Kuching as long as I had needed to. Accordingly Hermes and the light cruiser group had pulled back to Soerabaja, and I had started to evacuate 2nd Gordons by air. I may not get all of them out, nor the detachment of 2/15 Punjabis, but the Japanese are seemingly concentrating their forces against a now weakly defended target. This is not something I had planned, but I’m not unhappy about it.

The Japanese capture Kudat in North Borneo, forcing the Miri detachment and armed constabulary detachment to retreat into the hinterland. I was thinking they might make a useful stay behind party, but I’ve just noticed that the armed constabulary detachment is parachute capable and would therefore be useful in other ways - if I can get them out. If I had noticed sooner….. oh well. I still control Tarakan and Tawau, but it’s a long way.



SWPAC/SOPAC

Achilles bombards Tabiteuea, finding only the 52nd Naval Guard unit, adding to my impression the Gilberts are only lightly held; there’s little sign of any Japanese activity.

The US is slowly building up its presence in theatre; 7th BF unloads at Sydney bound for Charters Towers. Two squadrons of Marauders fly in to Brisbane from Aukland; they’ll operate either from Darwin (until I can build up other airfields in the Northern Territory) or Port Moresby. Two other Marauder squadrons are now at Suva.




SUBMARINE WARFARE

I-3 sinks the USS Milwaukee off San Diego. Milwaukee arrived as a reinforcement on the East Coast, and had only a few weeks before she withdrew. I was tempted to withdraw her on the spot, but I thought she might have time to reach the West Coast and perhaps escort a convoy to Pearl Harbor before withdrawing. As it turns out she had plenty enough time to reach the theatre and run in front of a Japanese submarine I can’t decide whether to be annoyed with myself for handing my opponent some free VPs, or pleased she took some torpedoes instead of a ship that might actually be of use to me.

[RangerJoe]

If you can get units to the coast, then they can be airlifted out by flying boats.

Now that the enemy has Miri, bomb the OIL but not the refineries. There is a shortage of OIL that they Japanese can easily capture. Bomb during daylight until fighters show up, then bomb at night. Put a minefield one hex away from the port where the ships have to travel through. If you use more than one submarine for this, have them lay on different days. Once one minefield is detected, then lay another.

[BBfanboy]

Japanese players usually go for Singkawang before Kuching. It's the ideal strategic corner for land based Netties to menace the approaches to Java and Sumatra and Borneo. It also ends any efforts to get fuel and oil out of Palembang to Australia. It does take a few days for them to build the airfield up and bring in an Air HQ for the torps though.

I hear you about imagining an exciting, action-filled game with fast turns. I tried ignoring most of the logistics and land warfare to concentrate on fighting ships and aircraft. I soon found that you need supplies and fuel to do anything beyond a single clash, and you need troops to protect your bases and take his. But then I discovered that the small victories of getting supply and fuel to remote locations was a boost in itself - like completing a project - and the game didn't seem such a drudge any more. Enjoy yourself! It will be years before you put this one on the shelf!

[JanSako]

Lately I realized that you can take the forces earmarked for Kuching (an INF Regiment) and a few odds & ends, you can just go straight for Palembang. It also has a larger airbase than Singkawang & it is ready to go. The Dutch have very little to oppose you, but if you let them concentrate all combat units from Southern Sumatra, then it is too late. Of course proper naval cover is required, at least until Force Z & other British assets have been chased away. Most Allied players will move them to cover Macassar strait anyway, Netties from Saigon & around will see to that.

Ideally to be combined with Mersing gambit for a bit of overhead protection & distracting of any TB's from Singapore. In my last game I intentionally left the airbase at Singers alone so I can CAP Mersing & shoot the British TB's & whatnot down that way instead of chasing them all over DEI.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Japanese players usually go for Singkawang before Kuching. It's the ideal strategic corner for land based Netties to menace the approaches to Java and Sumatra and Borneo. It also ends any efforts to get fuel and oil out of Palembang to Australia. It does take a few days for them to build the airfield up and bring in an Air HQ for the torps though.

More than a few days since in this mod there is no airbase at Singkawang, it is a 0(3) base. I have found no information about an airfield directly at Singkawang in 1941, military or otherwise. The city still has no civilian airport as of today, people have to go through Pontianak airport. The airbase known as "Singkawang II" had been deliberately constructed in the jungle many miles away from the coast, actually closer to Kuching than to Singkawang - in order to keep it secret and harder to capture. I have come across very few mentions of an "Singkawang I" airfield with absolutely no information about location and features. I have found a discussion about the existence or not of such an airbase on the net on a forum dedicated to flight sims, and the consensus seems to be that it did not exist. It might have been a fake designation in an attempt of maskirovka.

[M Peaston]

Japanese players usually go for Singkawang before Kuching. It's the ideal strategic corner for land based Netties to menace the approaches to Java and Sumatra and Borneo. It also ends any efforts to get fuel and oil out of Palembang to Australia. It does take a few days for them to build the airfield up and bring in an Air HQ for the torps though.

I hear you about imagining an exciting, action-filled game with fast turns. I tried ignoring most of the logistics and land warfare to concentrate on fighting ships and aircraft. I soon found that you need supplies and fuel to do anything beyond a single clash, and you need troops to protect your bases and take his. But then I discovered that the small victories of getting supply and fuel to remote locations was a boost in itself - like completing a project - and the game didn't seem such a drudge any more. Enjoy yourself! It will be years before you put this one on the shelf!

As LST says, plus I have the advantage of seeing the TFs on the map.

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BB Fanboy I’m 100% with you on the small victories. Actually, even getting the game to run properly was a victory in my book!

I’m really enjoying the challenge of the logistic side of things. Not just in getting supplies/fuel to the right places, but the whole thought-process needed to get the right infrastructure in place. It’s not just a case of “I want my B17s operating out of northern Australia, I’lll move them there” but “I want my B17s operating out of northern Australia, so I’m going to need to get some engineers there to build up some airfields and make sure they’ve got the supply to get it done. I’m going to need enough aviation support to keep them flying, as well as the supply" and so on.

Yup, this game is going to be running some years yet….