It's August, 1943. How are you doing as the Jap?

[DDLAfan]

Most of the AAR's I've been reading on this board deal with the 1942 period. Either people are just starting a PBEM or are quitting after their high-risk, high-reward strategy fails.

Well, we've been playing the scenario 15, and as the jap I chose a more careful strategy, keeping in mind that having an intact KB is a priority. Here is what has been happening...

The corsairs are sweeping the skies, forcing me to give up CAP on bases within their short range. The bulk of my air force are Tony's and Jack's, but they simply get smoked. We have had air battles where I lost 70 planes to his 19 in dogfights. I also have kept a dutch base alive in the SRA to provide a training ground for my pilots. This helps with the losses, but im only able to get them up to low to mid 50's in experience before they go back into the front line.

Naval losses aren't bad. Since December, 1941 I've lost 2 BB's 3 CA's, 1 CV (Junyo) 2 CVL's and one CVE and a host of SS, DD's and other miscellaneous shipping. Allied losses are I think 3 BB's, some CA's and CL's, and a host of other misc ships. No allied CV losses either.

His strategy was to avoid combat with my fleet during 1942. After I had seized the original japanese objectives, I tried to expand into the Alaska area but got rebuffed. This was the pivotal moment for me. Knowing that American industry would be making its presence felt in 43, I could either throw the combined fleet forward in a high-risk, high-reward all-or-nothing assault, or try to hold out and hope he made a mistake. I chose the latter. Plus expanding into India and China seemed like an alternative as far as winning the game.

Well, as I found out an overland offensive into India simply does not work. The supply situation over the trails is terrible. Plus, his guys were dug in at 9 fort level. My army left about 50,000 casualties and then retreated back to Burma.

I've tried moving in China, but his guys are dug in there too. It's too much of a Verdun situation to expect any sort of advance on this front.

Naval-wise, his LBA is simply too powerful to hope for any success here (esp with his level bombers set to Naval Attack).

So, my best hope is to hunker down and see what happens. My engineers having been fortifying like mad. He has also temporarily withdrawn his carriers (refitting with those Hellcats probably). I think I can still win, but the odds have gotten longer, and will get even longer I suppose.

However, the reason I am posting this is because I wanted to see how other Jap players playing PBEM are doing in this phase of the game (43-44). Most of the postings that have opinions on this seem to be based on what happend historically, and not on personal experience with the game. So, if there are any Jap players who have been brave enough to continue the game into 1943 and beyond, please let me hear how your doing. Thanks.

[mogami]

Hi, I have reached 1943 in 3 games as Japan. Brady met our pregame conditions for victory in sept. (Japanese supply production halted and bombers in range of Home Islands) The other 2 are still early in 1943 and Allies have not yet begun their offensive. (I'm digging as fast as I can)

[TommyG]

For me it's June 44 and I'm toast. I tried a naval invasion of India against JonH and ended up with 11 divisions standed in Ceylon. I emptied the PI for my India misadventure and he came roaring through the emptiness. I have done well at sea, sinking 16 CVs and CVEs and 12 BBs. But, alas he is 180 miles from Tokyo and we are burning our documents.

[Mr.Frag]

I have done well at sea, sinking 16 CVs and CVEs and 12 BBs. But, alas he is 180 miles from Tokyo and we are burning our documents

That is a fine record for Japan, PvP games are always going to be bloodier then history.

I would be very surprised if anyone lasts into '46 ever. We just don't care about the bits and bytes to treat 'em nice [:D]

[Raverdave]

Well you can read all about it HERE[:D]

[Raverdave]

Actually I think that Sneer has a very good chance of push our game into 1946[:(]

[pauk]

PzB AAR is in late 1943..

[Nikademus]

Nearly 4/43 in my farthest along game. Japan's military is intact (i've lost nothing above a DD IIRC...certainly no CV's) My defense lines are intact....i still hold Port Morosby, Lunga, Tarawa, all of Burma etc etc. I've inflicted tremendous damage on my opponent's logistical net.....last outing i sank 40+ tankers.

My outer bases however are being swarmed by mass Allied bombers forcing my air force to hide.

[Sneer]

ORIGINAL: Raverdave

Actually I think that Sneer has a very good chance of push our game into 1946[:(]

good
I like our game very much it would be a pity to finish it in 43/44