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Burma

Still not decided whether that paradrop is our Arnhem or our Crete. We have over 100 AV on the ground right now, but supply is low. As you can see the land forces are far far away and will not be a factor in that battle for at least a month.

Northern Pacific

As you can see I have heavy forces up here. Most of the 2nd Division are in the area together with KB and 2 BBs. Some might say this is a distraction, but I disagree.

Reasons
1) From his earlier AARs, Canoe likes this area. I think he sees this as his back yard, and also a stepping stone to the first counterattacks into Japanese held territory. I think this might lead to him being very agressive in his attempts at recapturing it. That means I can dictate a defensive fight on my terms in early-mid 42 in an area close to Japan. It is much better to have the battle of attrition here than around Guadalcanal.

2) I have already secured Palembang, the main objective in the NEI is already achieved. What remains now is to clear the SLOCs between Palembang and Japan. There is no hurry in that, I will clear the NEI and there is not much he can do about it in this stage of the war. I dont need the KB in the NEI right now. I will need the KB over there in a month or so when it is time to take Darwin and Port Moresby, but not now.

Rabaul/Port Moresby

Here is the unwanted stepchild of my plans. As you can see, there is not much going on here. It is a result of the KB being up north. I simply do not dare send troop convoys to this area. The US CVs are probably in this area, together with large surface forces no doubt. So, we will wait for a while down here. I might send in a few ships to try to take some bases just for show.

I like it.

Any idea of going all of the way to Kodiak? With a division it seems like you could pick it up fairly easily at this point as long as there is not much air power up there yet. Maybe after the winter rules are up.

Ive been thinking about Kodiak, but if I go all the way there, I might aswell go for Anchorage too. Kodiak is a single base inside range from 3 or more US bases around Anchorage. It seems Im just setting myself up for being on the recieving end of countless of B17 runs.

Ive been looking at the Aleutians trying to figure out where a good place to stop is. Any ideas?

Ive been wondering over the lack of RAF airpower over Burma, so I decided to look a couple of things up.

I have attached an image of total airlosses so far.



Now, compare the RAF losses with the on map forces at game start:

Buffalo I
100 on map at game start + 39 in pool

H81A3
80 on map + 18 in pool

B339
25 on map + 15 in pool

75A7 Hawk
13 on map

CW21B Demon
17 on map + 4 in pool


So, if these numbers are correct, there are about 30 Buffalo Is left on the entire map for the RAF. No doubt some of these are damaged. Pilot morale must be in shambles aswell with the entire on map airforce wiped out.

Another interesting thing is that the AVG can still field over 50 fighters. I have not seen the last of them in other words. One unit of the AVG is confirmed in Singapore. Another one was seen in China. I suspect the third one is around Mandalay.

But, the important thing to take from all this is that the RAF is in very dire straits right now and for the rest of December they will not be a factor. I think the Hurricanes start appearing in January 42.

Forgot the reinforcements
16 Hurricane IIb arrive at Cape Town on the 19th of December
Then from mid-januari alot of Hurricanes start appearing in Aden.

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

Ive been thinking about Kodiak, but if I go all the way there, I might aswell go for Anchorage too. Kodiak is a single base inside range from 3 or more US bases around Anchorage. It seems Im just setting myself up for being on the recieving end of countless of B17 runs.

Ive been looking at the Aleutians trying to figure out where a good place to stop is. Any ideas?

Cold Bay is so far my stopping point. All bases that are useful behind that have been garrisoned and forts built. Some fields. Obviously point invasions could take one but the idea is to bleed any Allied forces moving into the area, and I feel at this stopping point forces are concentrated enough and close enough to support throughout the chain that we can respond quickly and with force.

repeat --

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund


Ive been looking at the Aleutians trying to figure out where a good place to stop is. Any ideas?

PH, I take Adak and stop. It builds up great and you only have to worry about Unmak which can get a good AF, but has lousy port and so hard to keep in supply. I like to put an AS, AD, and an AGP there. Then I can support pickets and keep a good number of subs up North on short legs. I might also stick a few AV + Jakes up there going east from Adak (Unmak, etc) just as trip wires.

The only purpose for me is to deny the Northern route to the allies.

Also as you note, if the allies want to fight somewhere in '42, I like the Aleutians IF I have Adak. I'll have the best port/AF base in the area, close to HI. I can cycle Zekes through pretty easily so I can wear out his few 4E groups and his P-38's if he wants to commit them. I'll lose planes, but not pilots. He'll lose both. Gives me a free hand everywhere else. Mike (NYGiants58) thinks this is a mistake. Maybe he'll stop in and give his view why this is a bad move.

Ive been looking at the Aleutians trying to figure out where a good place to stop is. Any ideas?

Take Juneau, and use Betties to bomb Seattle. Guaranteed to distract him from counter-moves in the NEI!

That is not a bad idea actually. Im pretty sure it would throw him off balance completely if I landed in mainland Alaska.

Since I have the 2nd Division up there already, perhaps I should press on into Alaska. I dont think he has much defence up there now, and since he knows the KB is in the area, I doubt he dares any reinforcement convoys. Does anyone know what starts in Anchorage?

[:D]
Holy Crap!

I'd stop at Cold Bay. I plan to do that myself up there in my GC as Japan

BTW:
Horrible strike on PH! 25 TT hits on my BBs! [X(]

Im starting to like this idea. I have overwhelming naval and air superiority, and one division of infantry. Two of his CVs are way out of position, the other is unknown. He might have 2 BBs in the region too. Does anyone know where the Yorktown appears? I think she might arrive within a couple of weeks.

What starts at Anchorage? One regiment? Is there anything that possibly could oppose me?

York shows up in San Diego.

Ed-

You not only have to consider what is on site but if any reinforcements (US and/or Canadian) would be triggered by landing on the Alaskan mainland.

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

Im starting to like this idea. I have overwhelming naval and air superiority, and one division of infantry. Two of his CVs are way out of position, the other is unknown. He might have 2 BBs in the region too. Does anyone know where the Yorktown appears? I think she might arrive within a couple of weeks.

What starts at Anchorage? One regiment? Is there anything that possibly could oppose me?

Initial OOB:

Dutch Harbor
1 x USN BF AV-10
1 x CD Bn 6 x 155mm guns

Kodiak
1 x Inf Rgt AV-100
1 x CE Bn AV-20
1 x USN BF AV-10

Seward
1 x Inf Bn AV-35
1 x CD Bn 6 x 155mm guns

Anchorage
1 x Inf Rgt AV-125
1 x FA Bn 6 x 155mm howitzers
1 x CD Bn 6 x 155mm guns
Air units: 20 x P-36A, 12 x B-18A

Juneau
1 x USN BF AV-0


Possible reinforcements:

Seattle/Tacoma
1 x US Inf Div (41st) AV-285(381 full strength) Temp. restricted
1 x Inf Bn AV-35 Temp. restricted
1 x Mtn Rgt AV-30 Temp. restricted
Air units: 13 x B-18A
Navy units: BB Colorado SYS damage-20/ENG damage-20, BB Warspite SYS damage-20, 4 x DD

Canada
1 x Inf Bde AV-100
3 x Inf Bn AV-30

Eastern US
Air units: 70 x p-39D, 40 x B-26

San Fransisco
Navy units: 9 x DD, 5 x SS

San Diego
Navy units: CV Saratoga, 1 x CL, 6 x DD, 6 x SS

Arriving units:
3 x Inf Rgt AV-125
Navy units: CV Yorktown (30 Dec, San Diego)

There is nothing there to stop you except a small number of CD guns and the weather.