And now the waiting begins - Xargun (Japs) vs RRoberson (Allies) - No RRobs

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Xargun, I track just about everything, inclucing R&D factories. I currently have 62 of my factories set at the magic level of 30 (only 13 of them are actually repaired up to the full 30). My R&D repair rate is usually 3-4 per day, but I've seen anything from 2 to 6 repaired any one day. Those outliers are rare though. I recommend you track that, if only for a bit, just to see what is going on with your R&D efforts.

On a different, but related, note, concerning the bonus % increase with 500 engines in the pool... I only very rarely get double the % increase from my factories. I usually get less. For example, I have 6x30 factories working on the A6M models. I get anywhere from 6 to 10 points a day from them. If I ever got 12, it was only once or twice. I have a feeling there is some die roll in there somewhere.

WOW.. Currently I have 1 30-sized R&D factory currently working on the A6M5. I have 7 Rufe factories repairing up and then they will convert to A6M5s. I am working on the Tojo line as well - have 3 R&D factories repairing up. I am starting with the IIa which comes in June, so I have a while before the R&D gets repaired up.

Is R&D that important to spend a considerable amount of time monitoring / setting up ?

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Xargun, I track just about everything, inclucing R&D factories. I currently have 62 of my factories set at the magic level of 30 (only 13 of them are actually repaired up to the full 30). My R&D repair rate is usually 3-4 per day, but I've seen anything from 2 to 6 repaired any one day. Those outliers are rare though. I recommend you track that, if only for a bit, just to see what is going on with your R&D efforts.

On a different, but related, note, concerning the bonus % increase with 500 engines in the pool... I only very rarely get double the % increase from my factories. I usually get less. For example, I have 6x30 factories working on the A6M models. I get anywhere from 6 to 10 points a day from them. If I ever got 12, it was only once or twice. I have a feeling there is some die roll in there somewhere.

WOW.. Currently I have 1 30-sized R&D factory currently working on the A6M5. I have 7 Rufe factories repairing up and then they will convert to A6M5s. I am working on the Tojo line as well - have 3 R&D factories repairing up. I am starting with the IIa which comes in June, so I have a while before the R&D gets repaired up.

Is R&D that important to spend a considerable amount of time monitoring / setting up ?

I'm not sure you need to monitor R&D much, other than to make sure you upgrade the R&D factories at the appropriate time. I'm just anal so I like to see what they're doing. I have a little sheet that I use to keep track of the factories on paper as well as the % to the next month. Once it's set up, it takes me just a minute or two to update each turn.

Remember, I'm ahead of you. Initially, I had 6 A6M R&D factories and 4 Rufe R&D factories. When the Rufe became operational, I let one become operational and the other 3 upgraded to the A6M5. When the A6M3a became operational, I let 3 become operational and the other 3 upgraded to the A6M5. It's now 26 Oct 42 and the A6M5 becomes operational on 1 Nov. I have 6 R&D factories working on the A6M5b (they just accelerated a month this past turn), 1 operational Rufe factory (currently turned off) that will upgrade to the A6M5 on 1 Nov and 3 operational A6M3a factories that will upgrade to the A6M5 on 1 Nov.

I still have factories with a capacity of 100 set on the A6M2, but they have been off for a long time. When the Sen Baku comes online in 1944, they'll upgrade to that and then immediately immediately to the A6M5b and so on until they get to the newest model. That will give me production of up to 220 of that model a month at a time when I will probably need it.

I also have 3 Tojo R&D factories that are currently working on the IIc model, which will come online a month or two after the IIb comes online. I have production of 90 IIa a month and will decide if I want my production to increase to 180 or not. We'll see. If I do, I'll reduce Helen production by 45 to be able to keep the engine production the same. I suspect that I won't need 120 Helens a month by then, We'll see.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Check out those port units (4 I think). They can merge with SNLFs to create special base forces. Some of those special base forces will have 128 SNLF squads. Very nice.

Looking at them now and I see what you mean. They combine with a Garrison or Guard unit to make a large special base force. Is there a way I can look at the combined unit without combining them ? If they have CD guns of any size / worth then its a good deal and I'll combine them for sure. I do like the 100 support the port unit has though. With CD guns they will make a nice defensive unit for some smaller bases.

I'm unaware of any way to see what the combined unit will look like. I also don't remember if they will change TOE to include CD guns. I'll check tonight when I can check.

Edit: I'll post screen shots here.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
I'm unaware of any way to see what the combined unit will look like. I also don't remember if they will change TOE to include CD guns. I'll check tonight when I can check.

Edit: I'll post screen shots here.

Excellent that would be appreciated. I supposed the editor would show me to -- but I'm not very good with it. I think I've poked around in it like twice.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
I'm unaware of any way to see what the combined unit will look like. I also don't remember if they will change TOE to include CD guns. I'll check tonight when I can check.

Edit: I'll post screen shots here.

Excellent that would be appreciated. I supposed the editor would show me to -- but I'm not very good with it. I think I've poked around in it like twice.

Here you go, Xargun. They are the 21-24 special base forces. They do not modify their TOE at all. When you combine to create them you get:

[Mike Solli]

You do get 4 DP guns. Their actual TOE is:

[Lokasenna]

Those DP guns, while only 8cm, have got to be very handy. I'm looking forward to using them.


RE: CLs - I would accelerate them before they hit 300 days out, and then have them build normally. Paying 3x the NavSY for them isn't worth it, IMO. If you're wanting them for AAA duties, say with KB, I wouldn't accelerate them at all as the "good" AAA upgrades don't occur until 7/44 and 12/44 anyway for the Aganos, and 3/44 for the Oyodos.

I do like that the Aganos carry DCs. The Oyodos...they come with radar, but just meh. They only have forward main battery turrets, but they don't make up for it with extra AAA. If anything, the Aganos are better at AAA and they have a full complement of main battery turrets to boot.

[Xargun]

Mar 11, 1942

Another quick update while waiting for the next turn.


Malaya:

SINGAPORE FALLS !!!! The deliberate attack breaks the defenders and IJA troops storm the base. The allied troops surrender enmass - over 39,000 allied troops - mostly British, some Indian and a NZ unit. In all, 35 allied units surrender and and put to work repairing Singapore - the base is compeltely destoyed. The only thing left is 1 manpower - everything else is completely damaged. Engineers in the assaulting troops have repaired some of the AF, but it will be weeks before Singapore is completely repaired.

[Lokasenna]

No Australians present at Singers? 2 brigades start in Malaya. If they weren't at Singers, he moved them out?

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

No Australians present at Singers? 2 brigades start in Malaya. If they weren't at Singers, he moved them out?

I looked at the old combat report and there were 2 Aussie Brigades there that surrendered so he didn't move them out.

[Xargun]

Mar 19th, 1942


Economy:


Ok it took longer than I wanted, but I have a steady flow of resources to Honshu now and all of my HI & LI are working every turn again. It was a struggle, but I have some convoys setup now and I just need to stay on top of it.

MY Rufe R&D is coming along and 3 factories just hit the magical 30 mark and are now A6M5s bringing the total there to 4 complete size 30 factories and 1 smaller one that is repairing slowly. I have 4 Ki-44a factories doing R&D as well but they are only size 5 or 6 and repairing slowly. I have not run into much opposition in the air anywhere so I'm not overly concerned about the Tojo IIa coming around normal time - more concerned with getting the IIc a lot earlier.


Burma:

My troops have caught up with the fleeing allied troops from Rangoon at Akyab and several days of attacks have whittled them down. They still have a regiment I haven't really hit yet and I'm afraid I may lose Akyab, so I am moving my men into the base to keep it - and letting the allied units run around if they want to. I would rather destroy them, but if my men get kicked out of Akyab then their supply will drop to zero and they will be worthless for weeks.

My armor has occupied Shwebo airfield and are chasing a large stack (roughly 12 units) north along the rails.

I need to verify enemy mines are cleared at Rangoon and then the Burma campaign can kick off completely. I am certain that I want the Chittagong - Dacca railways and bases - this will help protect the normal Burmese bases and allow me to do my normal foray into Western China and take Paoshan, Tsuyung and Kunming. This will completely isolate India and China. This will net me some nice industry in China as well as some resources and oil/refineries at Ledo.

Netties at Rangoon and eventually Port Blair or Akyab will provide naval invulnerability for quite some time as the RN just doesn't have the Sea Air power to defend an invasion force from Netties for a long time. Unless Rob wants to bring the US CVs into the Indian Ocean I can protect most of Burma by holding the southern edges of
India - namely Dacca and Comilla. Then if I think Calcutta is exposed I can take it. The only problem I see with taking Calcutta is I will need to take all the bases around her to provide protection and resources for her industry. Just not sure if Calcutta would be worth it - or if its too exposed. Oh well that is several months away in game, so I have plenty of time to consider it.


Malaya:

The best news ever - as reported earlier Singapore has fallen. I was so happy I'm behind schedule everywhere and needed Singapore to fall so I can support Burma and invade Sumatra. As reported 39,000 allied troops surrendered (35 units - including British, Indian, Australian and a singel NZ unit).

I have cleared the mines at Singapore at a cost of a DMS - I tell you minefields are more deadly now. I keep losing ships while trying to clear enemy mines. I have probably lost 6+ ships to mines this game already.

I am planning to recombine several divisions at Singapore now that Malaya is pacified. I have 1 division planning for Batavia - usually the hardest fight on Java - once that port is secured, its easy to supply and move troops to Soerbaja and take it.

The other newly formed Divisions I am thinking of sending north into Burma now that I have the sealanes open.


Sumatra:

The invasion force for Palembang is loaded and is moving to Singapore Harbor to meet up with its combat escorts. I need to make sure I have fighters ready and a lot of supply before I invade Palembang as I will only have a turn to protect it before Rob hits it. Last time Rob was able to bomb Palembang for several turns with B-17s and ended up killing like 200 oil production which really hurt. So I'm hoping to drop 50+ fighters there the turn after I take it.

Currently the invasion force consists of 2 Guards Regiments, a Guards Bn and a Special Base Force. I am planning on moving 2 Base Forces from Malaya to Palembang after I capture it to provide AV support, until I take enough bases to keep allied bombers away.


Borneo:

Tarakan has fallen and the oil fields and refineries were taken 100% intact. I have some zeros providing CAP there and the men are enlarging the port. Not 100% where all the fuel from here will go yet, but I'm thinking either Manila or Cam Ranh Bay for shipment home.


Philippines:

My men moved to Bataan and with a single attempt crushed the allied defense and captured the base. 28,000 allied men surrendered (33 units). The troops here are marching back to Manila for some much earned R&R - most have been on the line since the initial invasion of Luzon.

I have some DMS heading to Bataan to remove the moves and open up Manila bay.


Mindanao:

Troops arrived at Malaybalay and have taken the base. They are now moving north to Cagayan to finish off the last 2 allied bases on the island.


South Pacific:

I have taken Koumac and the last allied units surrendered. I am planning on leaving a Regiment at Koumac and another one at Noumea. The third may go back to Truk or another island.


China:

IJA troops are in Wenchow but they are not attacking until I have completed my encirclement of the city. The stacking limit is not good, so I have to move more men out or face huge supply consumption and disruption. I'm hoping to have the city encircled within a turn or two and then crush the 1000+ Chinese AS there. Kind of funny though - coastwatchers keep reporting ship at Wenchow !!


Navy:

I am accelerating the Hiyo which will arrive in 24 days - so 12 turns. BB Yamato arrives in 60 days (30 turns).

[Xargun]

R&D Question:

Do I have to have the A6M5 before I can get the A6M5c ? Basically should I be wasting my R&D factories on the base model or go right for the exact models I want ?

[Xargun]

Future aircraft:

I am looking at late 43 and beyond and trying to decide on what aircraft I want to use then. Some of the categories are easy to decide like Dive Bombers, Torpedo Bombers, Patrol, Recon, Transports... But Bombers and Fighters are confusing me. All the good fighters everyone says to get (Frank, Shinden) are service rating 3+. What could is a fighter like that ? I have enough trouble keeping SR 2 bombers in action every turn right now I don't need something as important as Fighters sitting on the deck doing nothing for turns on end. Or do you have so much AV support at the end on your airfields that it doesn't matter ? Also, what Bombers should I be planning for ? And why ?

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

R&D Question:

Do I have to have the A6M5 before I can get the A6M5c ? Basically should I be wasting my R&D factories on the base model or go right for the exact models I want ?

Have to go in order ... so I beleive that yes the A6M5 comes first.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Future aircraft:

I am looking at late 43 and beyond and trying to decide on what aircraft I want to use then. Some of the categories are easy to decide like Dive Bombers, Torpedo Bombers, Patrol, Recon, Transports... But Bombers and Fighters are confusing me. All the good fighters everyone says to get (Frank, Shinden) are service rating 3+. What could is a fighter like that ? I have enough trouble keeping SR 2 bombers in action every turn right now I don't need something as important as Fighters sitting on the deck doing nothing for turns on end. Or do you have so much AV support at the end on your airfields that it doesn't matter ? Also, what Bombers should I be planning for ? And why ?

You need to learn how to deal with high SR ac as IJ. If you don't, you won't be successful. Shinden and Karyu are even higher SR than Frank. The lower SR fighters are just too slow. Really. Once the delta speed becomes more than about 50, the higher speed is just killing. Even 3:1 odds you are going to lose a lot of ac, and you won't have 3:1 odds .. you'll be 1.5:1 so you will really lose.

Remember late war the allied fighters are going to be +450 ... 350 and 375 IJ fighters just will not compete. Even Frank at 400 struggles in the late war. Ki-83, Shinden, Karyu .. a few others are your +430 selection ...

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

R&D Question:

Do I have to have the A6M5 before I can get the A6M5c ? Basically should I be wasting my R&D factories on the base model or go right for the exact models I want ?

Not really. In my game, I get the A6M5 in November (one day away) but I am already researching the A6M5b (and have been for awhile). The sticky point you run into is that if, for example, you complete the R&D on the A6M5b before the A6M5 is operational, all of those operational A6M3a factories have to skip the A6M5 (which isn't available) and upgrade directly to the A6M5b, so they become damaged. You want to upgrade your operational factories in order so they don't become damaged.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

You need to learn how to deal with high SR ac as IJ. If you don't, you won't be successful. Shinden and Karyu are even higher SR than Frank. The lower SR fighters are just too slow. Really. Once the delta speed becomes more than about 50, the higher speed is just killing. Even 3:1 odds you are going to lose a lot of ac, and you won't have 3:1 odds .. you'll be 1.5:1 so you will really lose.

Remember late war the allied fighters are going to be +450 ... 350 and 375 IJ fighters just will not compete. Even Frank at 400 struggles in the late war. Ki-83, Shinden, Karyu .. a few others are your +430 selection ...

So am I just over reacting about the SR 3+ ? Will they repair in decent time for continual use or will I have tons of AGs then I just rotate them in and out ? So when looking at fighters do I care about their weapons or mostly just speed ? I notice a lot of the late war IJA Fighters have a poor weapon rating - but they have 20mm cannons and such. I will definately need some sort of bomber killer so wouldn't 20mm cannons be good against slow lumbering bombers ?

[Xargun]

Apr 4th, 1942


Economy:

Well I thought I had my resource issue fixed but something still is not right - about every other turn (and always on day 1 of 2 day turns) my HI plumets. It took me a while to figure this out, but by checking total turn output of HI I can see I am falling like 5k short about every other turn and its always on day 1. So my HI has stockpile has crashed. The training fee on Apr 1st killed my stockpile so now I have like 12k HI stockpiled. I have shut everything down for a turn except for ship building and will see what that does - I need to get a stockpile back or I really risk issues at month's end. On a good turn I net 29k HI and about 3k after usage. But bad turns I only get 25k which means I lose roughly 1-2k for the turn. I really need to get this under control or the game is over. I think its a consequence of 2day turns -- I'm not playing them again -- its too much of a pain and I am so inefficient with everything that I am weeks behind the timetable.

The Rufe just came online and I converted an old Nate Factory to it and built it out to size 30. I will make some of these and then turn the factory off.

I have 8 fully repair R&D size 30 factories working on the A6M5 and a size 5 slowly repairing up. So far the A6M5 has moved up 1 month to 3/43 but I am pushing 8% a day so 12-13 days per month. I also have 425 Ha-35 engines in the stockpile and am adding roughly 10 a day to it, so soon I will get the R&D Bonus and increase the A6M5 time every 6-7 days, so 4 months per month of game time. Once close, I will switch all these R&D to the A6M5b and then c.

My Tojo R&D is going slow as the first plane in the line isn't due until 6/42 so the factories are not repairing as fast, but I have 5 size 30 factories working on it. Its only 2 months out so they should be repairing soon. In actuallity they are working on the IIa which has the same date as the II. Then they will work up the line to the IIc.


Burma:

Recon has several allied units moving into Cox Bazarre to the north of Akyab - not sure if he is garissioning it or planning on moving south to relieve his beleagered units around Akyab. It will be another turn or 2 before my Regiment (and friends) arrive in Akyab and then I can try to finish off the mass of troops around there - roughly 10 allied units of various sizes and types.

I tried to grab Lashio with an air assault and failed and lost roughly 1000 men. The base is just to far from Rangoon where my transports are based and only 2 or my 4 transport units there can reach it - so the amount of men and supplies I can move there is a lot less. Now a fleeing allied unit has moved into the base so I cannot try again - I will simply have to catch it from behind with my forces.

My 4 small armor units are chasing a bunch of allied units along the rail to the north. Currently they are at Katha and should be taking that base soon. I simply shock attack the allied stack and they lose several hundred men and run. I usually take 1-3 disabled tanks. I plan on chasing them all the way to Myitkyina - hopefully I can
destroy some units before reaching there.


Malaya:

I am slowly repairing the industry at Singapore - the base is 100% operational now. The KB just arrived and is refueling to support operations around Batavia and Palembang. Recon indicates a lot of aircraft at Batavia so I need to neuter that before taking Palembang or he'll bomb it. So I plan on taking Batavia and then take Palembang. Troops are in place at Singpore for both operations.

I have the KB moving east of Palembang and bombing the port there - recon shows some ships there. The KB will then just sit with full CAP up and hope I can attract bombers from Batavia into a massacure. Not sure if it will work - depending on what he has his units set to. But I figured I would bait my CVs and see if he bites, if not I will move in and hammer the airfield.


Sumatra:

The invasion of Palembang is on hold for a few turns until I can nuetralize the air threat at Batavia.


Borneo:

Troops landed and have secure Samarinda on the SE side of Borneo. A size 45 Oscar unit is now providing CAP over the base. The troops there are marching to Balikpapan, leaving behind a base force to maintain the fighters incase Rob gets gutsy.

All oilfields at Samarinda were captured intact.


Philippines:

Troops have been resting in Manila since the fall of Bataan and are nearly 100% now. Trying to figure out were to send them. I am thinking DEI as Singapore is going to be feeding several divisions into Burma, so Manaila can support the DEI operations and SW pacific.


Mindanao:

Cagayan has fallen and troops are marching on Butuan. Small DDs TFs have cleared the area of lingering PT boats.


North Pacific:

I had mentioned earlier my plans to take Dutch Harbor and Rob's SigInt must have tipped him off, as he just dropped a load of troops there. My subs spotted a large convoy consisting of 2 BBs, some DDs and around 6 APs. So he could have dropped off a regiment or 2 there. I'm sure he has been building forts since day one, so figure level 3 or 4 forts - I will need multiple Divisions to take the base - not worth it. So I will settle for Adak Island and build that up. I have mini KB there and some BBs escorting the landing force. Once Adak is secured, the BBs will pay DUcth Harbor a visit. Recon shows no airfield there yet, so I will bombard the hell out of them - 6 BBs
should make a good impression


South Pacific:

I have ships heading back to Noumea to pick up a 1/3rd of the 14th Division which will land and secure Tanna to the east. I will then build up airfields in New Hebrides. I have 4 construction units heading to Noumea to build there first.


China:

Not much new going on here other than chasing rogue chinese units out of the south. I have begun the assault on Wenchow but got spanked on my first deliberate attack. Looks like I need to bring in some engineers. The units there seems to have plenty of supply and when I checked I see that Wenchow gets free supply not good. So it looks like it won't fall as fast as I hoped - oh well. China is a huge waiting game and in my opinion if you go to fast the Chinese can kill you in late 42 / 43 by cutting off your supply with a single unit and watch attrition do the rest.


Navy:

CV hiyo is 16 days away (8 turns) and the CVL Ryuho is late september - both are being accelerated so Hiyo is actually 8 days away (4 turns). Once Hiyo arrives, I will stop accelerating the Ryuho and accelerate both Katsuragi and Amagi. Then once Yamato arrives I will accelerate Unryu - hopefully this timing will bring all 3 CVs into play in mid 43 around the same time which will make them somewhat useful. Speaking of the Yamato, it is only 44 days away (22 turns).

[Xargun]

Just got back from vacation and ran the turn last night. Got a bunch of work stuff to catch up on so I can't enter orders at work - will have to wait until tonight to push the turn back to Rob. Hopefully we can get our processing back up to speed and do a couple turns a day.

[Xargun]

Apr 26th, 1942


Economy:

It seems my Resource issue is finally (and truly) resolved. I haven't had a lack of HI production for about 20 turns now although every once in a while the LI at Yokohama fails to produce due to lack of Resources. My HI is increasing roughly 2k per day (4k per turn) and I'm back up to 70k+ stockpiled. Most of my aircraft and engines are stopped as my pools of aircraft are in good shape and I'm beginning to plan for the next generation of planes to come off the R&D -- A6M5, Helens, Tojos. Then I will crank up plane production again.

I am making a conscience effort to keep on top of my resource convoys and am slowly moving from manual convoys to CS convoys from various locations. I spend a good 10 minutes per turn going over my convoys and their orders, so I would like to save that as much as possible and so I don't forget and get into trouble again.

My A6M3 R&D Factory just completely repaired so I changed it to A6M3a and then to A6M5 so now I have 8 completely repaired size 30 R&D Factories plus 1 partially repaired factory pounding out the A6M5. I have over 500 Ha-35 engines so I am getting 16% R&D per day (32% per turn). Currently the A6M5 is due 12/42, but I will probably get it in June.

My Ki-44 Tojo R&D Factories are nearly fully repaired and I hope to be able to begin accelerating the c model soon.


Burma:


Burma has come to a standstill. Lack of supply is really inhibiting my expansion and my forces are not moving much. I have even grounded my air power in an effort to conserve supplies. I have troops at Lashio and Myitkyina slugging it out with allied troops trying to take both bases.

Akyab is mine and a large force of allied troops is stuck there. I don't have the supply to attack the allied troops plus if I do they will retreat north and escape, while I want to destroy them. So I am waiting for more supply and reinforcements so I can surround them.

I have 45k supply making its way to Rangoon over the next couple turns, which should relieve my supply issue dramatically, but I'm afraid to send more troops into Burma without the means to supply them.


Malaya:

I have turned off all repairs at Singapore as the supply level there cannot support Industry repairs. I am sending out every cargo ship I have in Japan either to gather resources or to send supply to Singapore / Rangoon. Hopefully in a week or so the supply situation will be resolved.


Sumatra:

I have landed most of the Imperial Guards Division at Medan and it is moving north to capture the bases on the northern half of Sumatra. Recon indicates a large allied force at Sabang - looks like Rob fled north with all of the units in the north. Wonder if he meant to lift them out or what, but the Guards Divisision should be more than enough to smash them.

I have also just landed at Palembang with the 4th Guards Regiment and the 11th Special Base Force. Opposition here is roughly 30 AV and I should capture the base after a single attack -- going to do a Shock Attack to make sure. Hopefully I'll capture the oilfields intact - or nearly much so. I have fighters sitting at Singapore waiting for a friendly airfield to land at and CAP the oil fields.


Borneo:

Troops at Balikpapan failed to capture the base on their first attack crosssing the river from Samarinda and after a rest will be trying again this turn. Once Balikpapan falls, Borneo is basically mine - except for 2 small bases on the SW edge of the island (Bandjermasin and Sampit).


Philippines:

I am starting to capture all the little islands between Luzon and Mindanao now and this should take a week or more - spend more time loading / unloading than actual fighting. Troops in Manilla are being organized for their next targets. Transports are enroute to Manilla to begin moving men south.


Mindanao:

Mindanao is completely liberated and troops are gathering for use elsewhere.


North Pacific:

My BBs hammered Dutch Harbor and took a couple minor hits from CD guns. They have completed repairs in Ominato and are available for use again. I am not sure what to do up here, since hitting the wall at Dutch Habor. Should I land 2 divisions and take it ? or just sit tight and fortify my position ? As well as capture up the unoccupied bases ?


South Pacific:

I have landed troops and engineers at Luganville, Efate and Tanna. They are busily making air fields and forts. Noumea is a level 4 airfield and an Air HQ is landing soon to provide torpedoes to the Netties I will station there. Not in much of a hurry to deploy there as recon hasn't show anything moving between the US and OZ - wonder what Rob's plan is. OZ has to be starving for supplies / fuel by now.

I have also take Tabiteuea in the Gilbert Islands. It is a better island than Tarawa (max AF is 1 higher) and will protect that area with Tarawa as its backup.


China:

I have southern china cleaned up with only a couple chinese units south of the Changsha railway. Wenchow is surrounded and I will be attacking again this turn backed up with multiple Engineering units to bring down forts.

I will be attacking Chengchow this turn as well, now that my men have moved into positions there.

In Northern China, my 2 armor units (15th Tank Regiment and 8th Recon Regiment) have captured the dot base of Ningsia and are approaching Lanchow along the trail pushing a pair of battered chinese units ahead of them. I'm not sure if they have the strength to take Lanchow or not, but I'm hoping it will worry Rob and make him move some units around.

I also have a strong group of units (2 Infantry Regiments and 7 armor units) marching down the trail to Kiuchuan. They have over 500 AS and should be sufficient to take several bases in the north. Their only problem is slow supply movement along the road and trails.


Navy:

I am currently accelerating the following:

CVs: Unryu, Katsuragi
CVL: Ryuho
CVE: Kaiyo, Shinyo
CLs: Oyodo, Noshiro, Yahagi, Tokachi
DDs: 10 DDs
TKs: 4 of the larger Type 1 TL Class

I also accelerate the small Mining and Patrol ships as they become eligible for accelerating. They usually cost 1-3 points so they are cheap to accelerate.

My new flagship, BB Yamato is due in 22 days (11 turns). Hopefully I'll get more use out of her as compared to my last game where she was sunk on her first combat op.


General Consensus:

Rob is not fighting me anywhere and I can detect very few ships moving between the major theaters (India / Burma to Oz to the Us). He acts like he doesn't care what I take and to a point he is correct. Is there some strategy to just let the Japanese take whatever they want and then just take it back in 43+ ? With this attitude, I think I could probably take northern OZ and maybe even parts of India -- the only resistance point he has made has been Dutch Harbor in the north. Even in China nothing is happening on his side. Any ideas ? Suggestions ?