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

[njp72]

Continued attacks on the extended a very thin Allied LOCs with diminishing degrees of success.

Allied positions are now completely covered by excellent air surveillance and plentiful of CAP. Still losses are not that costly and the occasional success still provided enough incentive to continue to try.

[njp72]

Scoreboard Nov 43

I will get through 44 okay but as predicted the war may be brief when it enters 45.

Need the Allies to have army losses of 20K- small goals important for morale

[njp72]

This is the area I am particularly worried about given that Lowpe holds Marcus Island.

It would make perfect sense given the focus on Southern China and Vietnam.

[njp72]

30th Nov 43

Turn rate has been slow and not much going on except consolidation for both sides. The Empire fortifying rear areas closer to HI for the inevitable next strike and the Allies consolidating their gains in Vietnam.

With the increased time and prep Lowpe has done a great job protecting his extended convoy lines against air strike and subs. This last month (after some initial fruitful gains) has been very frustrating especially for the submariners.

One my digital RO boats skippers must have some how registered my disgust at the lack of performance from my subs and set out to win the war all on his own in one turn.

In the morning he put 2 torps into Bunker Hill accompanied by a nice ammo explosion.

[njp72]

He came back in the afternoon and put 2 more into CVL Belleau Wood.

Personally I would liked him to have finished off Bunker Hill but one can't be fussy. It would be nice to have some luck with the subs after losing Shokaiku from 1 torp hit and the same for one of the Kongos (magazine detonation)

Who said RO boats were completely useless

*That USN CV group had been occupying the same hex for multiple turns which is very unlike Lowpe.....

[njp72]

I didn't get the crippled carriers

But what is this? Movement at the station. Another significant concentration of shipping heading to...............

Could be around Southern China, east of Hong Kong or possibly the Philippines.

Another bold move. Hong Kong is a fortress and in a perfectly poised to make life difficult for Lowpe.

This should be bloody for both sides.

[njp72]

Activate SHO-1, Allied invasion inbound.

Target likely to be Southern China.

[njp72]

Update 7th Dec 43- critical couple of turns underway.

Lowpe didn't go for Southern China. It appears he is nibbling at Formosa. 2 x para assaults by the Allies this turn, one being successful on a deserted island and the other one shot to pieces on a heavily fortified position on Formosa.

SHO 1 has been activated with 40+ warships sailing towards the Allied fleets. Approx 2,000 land base air surround the current Allied fleet positions, with most being fighters tasked with keeping the surface fleet in one piece until the knife fight begins shortly. MTBs, Es and SCs are moving towards the Allied fleets, trying to disrupt landings by introducing an element of surface threat.

KB is biding its time looking for an opportunity to strike. It has taken me a while to build up these air groups which I don't wish to throw away into hundreds of Hellcats and Corsairs- well at least not straight away.

[njp72]

Finally got him this turn.

The invasion fleet around Formosa is no more + 20K troops and equip.

No damage to his CVs who strangely departed leaving the amphip fleet exposed.

The last few months have been tough against Lowpe but this hit will slow him down. I don't think he has any APAs left.

[njp72]

One of the multiple surface engagements before KB delivered the killer blow.

[njp72]

The scale of destruction was impressive.

Below one of the major strikes by KB.

No aircover at all for the Allies

[ny59giants]

Great results, Nat!!

Getting T1 done as Allies with John 3rd new Air Mod for BTS. It's been a few years removed from playing PBEM (playing 1EyedJack). I'll be back on forum more and be a fanboy of your play, not the Japanese side.

Hope life in Brisbane has been kind to you.

[njp72]

Great results, Nat!!

Getting T1 done as Allies with John 3rd new Air Mod for BTS. It's been a few years removed from playing PBEM (playing 1EyedJack). I'll be back on forum more and be a fanboy of your play, not the Japanese side.

Hope life in Brisbane has been kind to you.

Good to hear from you old friend

Life is good Mike in Brissie, though due for a new career. Not sure what !

Hope everything is going well for you.

[njp72]

Some more snapshots of the action over one turn- Essex took a torp but it didn't hurt it much.

[njp72]

Some more surface actions

[njp72]

The big boys get involved but rather ineffectively

[njp72]

I enjoyed this!

One dampener was the amount of mines Lowpe placed at Orchid Island which was very clever. These sank about 3 subs and 2 of my DDs plus banging up a host of other ships.

[njp72]

Day 2: State of play the next morning.

There are still a number of banged up Allied ships off the coast of Formosa which I will try and move to finish off. Clearly his CV fleets will move straight back into the fray in an attempt to reap some revenge and provide some air cover for his survivors.

Land based air will be ready whilst the precious remnants of my surface fleet and CVs will depart for safer waters. Targeting his amphib assault shipping and not his carriers has always been my goal/ mantra from day 1.

[njp72]

A couple pages of APAs no longer gracing the surface of the ocean.

[ny59giants]

Allies get bunches of APAs in '44 but this has got to hurt at end of '43. He will miss that quick unloading of troops for some time. I was surprised no large warships within the TFs. That is where the old Pearl BBs go for me. To soak up CD hits and take on any SCTF that get through to them.