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Battleships

With that imbecile, Hyuga, doing hara-kiri at Singapore, this is very easy now. I have 3 battleships divisions:

Old Battleships
Fuso, Yamashiro and Ise will form the old division, probably escorted by one light cruiser and 6 Mutsukis

Main Force
Yamato, Nagato, Ise will form the main battleship division, escorted by one light cruiser and 6 Asashios.
No decision yet with regards to building Musashi, it is halted at the moment.

Fast Battleships
The 4 Kongos will remain flexible. For high risk, important operations all will follow KB.
Even under normal circumstances, two will remain close to KB, always. The other two will be free for offensive operations or to escort mini-KB.

Carriers

Kido Butai
I plan to keep the 6 fleet carriers together, at least for the time being, I might break it into two 3-carrier TFs in the future. I plan to use this strategic asset conservatively and not for "pyrotechnical shows", so keeping it together looks better. Truk or Rabaul looks like the most convenient home port for this TF.

Light carriers
All conversion or light carriers + Hosho will team together to form a mini-KB. They will be based at Singapore unless there is a major operation requiring both KB and mini-KB.
Ryujo might be detached into KB, as it has a very decent sized fighter component

Escort carriers
Escort carriers will be used for multiple roles: additional CAP, ASW TFs for important convoys or invasions. They will remain as much as possible within empire's waters.
I don't plan to build the "Maru" carriers

As mentioned before, I decided to commit KB to the Solomons, this was as direct consequence of Rabaul's battles: - - Kirishima and Hiei out of ammo after sinking Durban and Dragon; I can't yet rearm at Truk, port is too small and the AKE conversions are just coming online.
- 4 heavy cruisers heavily damaged (sinking in exchange CA Canberra and heavily damaging Perth and Adelaide).
So basically I had nothing left to cover Lae and Buna invasions. Moreover, last turn he used B-17s from Moresby against Rabaul. I also wanted to put some craters into that airfield.

Anyway, long story short, KB was on the move, stealthy entering the Solomons when the fleet spotted some Dauntless bombers... what a crappy identification!! how can there be Dauntless so far away from the US waters!

"TF 1 sights SBD-3 Dauntless at 111,135 near Vangunu"

but then... Buffalos [X(] [X(][X(]

Long story short, it was a bad day for the USN... KB found CV Lexigngton's TF. Resulting battle was, predictably, one sided.
That said, due to weather or maybe Nagumo's lack of fighting spirit, there was only one phase of combat: AM, Also, KB was on a "dot" base, this reduced significantly the size of the strike pack.
It could had been a lot worst for the USN.

The Japanese strike put several bombs and one torpedo to CV Lexington; it also sank CA Chicago and damaged the other 2 cruisers and escorting destroyers. I doubt Lexington sank, but being so far away from any possible base, it should sink soon. KB will follow until total annihilation.

The Allied strike came without escort; thereby all dive and torpedo bombers were destroyed by CAP


Reading the combat losses:
On December 7th, Lexington have the following squadrons on board:
VF-2: 22 F2A-3, for a maximum of 27
VB-2: 18 SBD-2, at maximum
VS-2: 18 SBD-3, at maximum
VT-2: 12 TBD-1, for a maximum of 15
VMSB-231: 18 SB2U-3, at maximum

KB strike found 16 F2A-3 on CAP, and there are 4 operational losses.
USN strike was composed of 15 SBD-3, 15 SB2U-3 and 12 TBD-1.
Losses, so far, make sense considering FOW.

However, there is a puzzle... where are the SBD-2 losses? I can only see 4 operational losses, and those might be search not capable to land on a burning carrier. This pattern repeats on all aircraft types; since there are no allied airbases close (nearest is P Moresby, 13 hexes away), anything that was flying was forced to ditch.

However, lack of ground losses (vs. Chicago's 4 float plane lost) makes me believe, strongly, that Lexington is still afloat.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 109,134

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
B5N2 Kate x 122
D3A1 Val x 111

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Drayton
DD Porter
CA Astoria, Bomb hits 5, on fire
DD Mahan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Portland, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Lamson, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Flusser, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Lexington
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chicago
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Mahan class DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Portland
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Lamson

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Vangunu at 111,135

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBD-1 Devastator x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 9 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 11 destroyed
TBD-1 Devastator: 8 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

Sweet.

The early loss of American Carriers is one of the best thing AFB's can do.[:D]

I greatly enjoyed reading your take on Naval ships. Keep it up, branch out to the Japanese Army types and Planes pretty please.[&o]

Encourage your opponent to do an AAR Jorge - he would have been advised not to push a single CV into the Solomons without firm knowledge of the KB's location....easy pickings in Dec '41!!!!

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

Encourage your opponent to do an AAR Jorge - he would have been advised not to push a single CV into the Solomons without firm knowledge of the KB's location....easy pickings in Dec '41!!!!

I did, but regrettably, he is over extended, playing 3 PBEM games at the moment.

We do discuss strategy in our emails

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Sweet.

The early loss of American Carriers is one of the best thing AFB's can do.[:D]

I greatly enjoyed reading your take on Naval ships. Keep it up, branch out to the Japanese Army types and Planes pretty please.[&o]

Thanks a lot Lowpe; this is why I am playing this game really, I have little interest in deep offensives in exotic places, maybe some other time, what I really want to do is to become proficient in Japanese economy/ industry.

I will soon write about light cruisers, which I really don't have any fixed idea on how to use them, they look like the best multi-role platforms, I will most likely follow the same historical idea of "destroyer leaders" that Japan used.

With regards to planes; I have a clear idea of the "now", but I really need to think more about the future. The good news is that PDU off makes things easier, I believe, as you have to build a little of everything, but focus acceleration programs on the historical paths; Oscar, Zero, Frank, etc

Dec 30th:
CV Lexington is confirmed lost; I was so worried about it running away, after all it only got 1 torpedo and 4 bombs, that I decided to split KB into smaller components:
Three carrier TFs; each composed of 2 carrier and a light escort of destroyers. And each moved to a possible retreat path; all have a significant % of their strike capacity (~30%) devoted to search.
Shokaku, Kaga and 4 DDs to SE Woodlark
Zuikaku, Soryu, Abukuma and 2 DDs to SE Rossel island
Akagi, Hiryu and 3 DDs to NE Rennel island

And a SCTF composed of CAs Tone, Chikuma and 2 DDs to move directly to patrol the last enemy position.
I know this was a risk... but considering last turn search was good, and his cruisers were all damaged, I felt it was a calculated risk. Moreover, I made Kaga and Akagi, flagships of two TFs, as they have heavy cruiser guns, while the last TF kept a cruiser Abukuma, in case of surface combat.

Hiei and Kirishima were at Truk, out of ammo, waiting for AKEs. I would had felt safer with them, even without heavy caliber ammo.

In the end everything worked fine, however, I was actually bitching all the turn, because, even though I put a massive search effort that included rebasing Jaluit's patrol boats and Roi Namur's Nells at 100% search, etc. I didn't find the damned carrier!

It was not until the turn ended, that I saw, with relief, that Lexington sank, probably due to some uncontrollable flooding or fire... I think this is the first time I have ever seen a big USN carrier going down with such little effort.

Between yesterday and today all aircraft at Lexington's TF (including cruiser FPs) went down, either in battle, or by ditching or by ship sinking. Even if these were obsolete models, it is really not good for the Allies to lose so many planes (and experienced pilots) so early on the war.

So while the KB didn't sink Lexington this turn... it really mopped the floor with it's escorts:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 30, 41
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Munda at 109,135, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 2
DD Akebono
DD Ushio, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Astoria, Shell hits 3
DD Drayton, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Porter, Shell hits 2, on fire

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Portland at 11,000 yards
CA Tone engages CA Portland at 11,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Ushio at 11,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Drayton at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Tone engages CA Astoria at 12,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Tone at 12,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Porter at 12,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Portland at 8,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Portland at 8,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 8,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Astoria at 4,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Porter at 4,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Akebono at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Chikuma at 5,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Chikuma at 5,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Porter at 5,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Porter at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Chikuma at 6,000 yards
CA Tone engages CA Portland at 6,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Ushio at 6,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Drayton at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Astoria at 8,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Tone at 8,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Porter at 8,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Akebono at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Tone engages CA Astoria at 11,000 yards
CA Tone engages CA Portland at 11,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Ushio at 11,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Drayton at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Astoria at 10,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Chikuma at 10,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 10,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Tone engages CA Astoria at 7,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Chikuma at 7,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Ushio at 7,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Astoria at 12,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Portland at 12,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Porter at 12,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Porter at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Munda at 109,135, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
DD Akebono
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
DD Drayton, Shell hits 2, on fire

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Drayton at 24,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Drayton at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Drayton at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Drayton at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Drayton at 17,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 17,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Akebono at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Drayton at 16,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Drayton at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Drayton at 15,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Drayton at 15,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Akebono at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Drayton at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Ushio at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Vangunu at 111,135

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Mahan, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Mahan


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 108,135

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 13

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Portland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Porter, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Portland


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 108,135

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 15
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Porter, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Porter

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 111,142

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Wollongong
AO Victoria, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on AO Victoria


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 107,141

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Drayton, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Drayton

Ugh -- that's really bad for the USN. So not just the Lex, but its entire TF was wiped out. That will give you a much more free hand in the coming weeks. Any idea how much or whether this news will change your plans? Invade new areas, or accelerate your timetable?

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Ugh -- that's really bad for the USN. So not just the Lex, but its entire TF was wiped out. That will give you a much more free hand in the coming weeks. Any idea how much or whether this news will change your plans? Invade new areas, or accelerate your timetable?

If we agree that the Allied player learns from his mistakes, then the only thing they need to do is avoid autovictory in 43 and 44.

Japan however doesn't have the flexibility to come back from mistakes especially in ship losses, plane r&d, and the economy.

However, it is one more pinprick on the way to inflicting death by a million cuts.

And we are not playing for auto-victory, or in other words, if auto-victory happens, then it will be... oh cool, that is awesome, I will get a screen shot for my AAR, then move on to the next turn [;)]

That said, this is the kind of little victories that can "break the will" of an opponent, a small frustration here, another here, loss another carrier, and then he might want to concede [:)]

I am aiming for an historical kind of game, I don't think this will change significantly the plans. I will try to avoid committing the KB to SRA conquest as much as I can, this even before Lexington's sinking. As long as the mini-KB remains on heavily patrolled waters, inside the LBA umbrella, I think it won't be necessary to move KB.

1st phase of conquest is going to be relatively faithful to history, but trying to speed up things a bit. I want to get Singapore quickly, then move to Java, then get northern Australian bases. This with minor troop commitments. Only to deny airfields/ bases to Allies.

Burma invasion has already started, slowly. The plan here is to get Andaman island as LBA shield, and of course, Magwe oil, then secure enough airfields to protect it for as long as I can. Enough airfields means that I will most likely need to grab all East Bengal bases that are withing fighter range: Chittagong, Dacca, Ledo, etc. I will try to avoid moving any deeper. So Calcutta will be avoided. I don't want to get entangled into the India theater, it is too big, it is too easy for Allies to run away and live to fight another day. And more important, I have seen the kind of power the Allies can get there in my other PBEM game.

The second phase is the SW Pacific: I want grab quickly all SW Pacific islands and then Papua New Guinea, this means Pt. Moresby. I want to kick out the Allies out of here relatively soon. I am even thinking about detaching some KB air squadrons to Rabaul or Lae, stripped of "ace" pilots, just the airframes and 2nd rate pilots can make a big difference against the poorly trained Australian/ US forces there... Having a strong air component here can really accelerate the conquest. Meanwhile the KB is safe at port, not expending any fuel. If need arises, I can relatively quickly bring the KB back online as it will be resting at Rabaul or Truk. Thoughts??

Then third phase: This is coming from my experience playing as Allies... if you ask me what is the place I would had really hated to lose early to mid war, my answer, without any question will be "Fiji".. I mean not only Fiji, but the entire chain of little islands that serve as link between PH and Australia. Without these bases, it will be much harder to start the small offensives that you can do in late 42, early 43. No bases means TF moving from very far away PH or Australia, surprises being harder to achieve. Thoughts??
Questions:
- When is the latest I should start? is there window of opportunity after this becomes impossible to achieve?
I would obviously would like to start before the end of the Japanese amphibious advantage, I don't know if this is reasonable, considering that I won't start until phase 1 is completed.
- Any AARs that dealt with a southern pacific expansion that can be recommended? ideally Dababes, at least scenario 1. I am interesting is seeing how many divisions are needed to subdue Fiji, I am planning to bring no less that 4.. too many? too few?

Lets start with operational theaters:

Malaya, Sarawak, South Sumatra
Advance is well above my expectations, my opponent made the mistake of withdrawing without leaving some token troops to cover rail junctions, therefore, it was really easy to use tanks to advance, capture and then rail the horde... That said, I will be facing a strong Singapore: Recon shows 35K at both Johore and Singapore
I guesstimate 9K to 10K trapped outside the festung

Palembang, Djambi are captured, recon shows only 180 troops at Osthaven, so I should secure the entire southern Sumatra in the next few days.

Miri, Brunei, Singkawang, Kuching are captured, mopping up operations following at Pontianac

Philippine Islands

Luzon: He is not following WPO; he managed to halt the advance on Clark field, I have failed twice to capture it, one last chance will be attempted next turn. I have 38th ID and all Hong Kong artillery embarking; if tomorrow attack fails they will, temporarily, reinforce Luzon. My only objectives here is to get Manila (a supply source), but for that I need to link the southern force, waiting at Batangas, to the northern at Clark. So I need to grab Clark and Manila, afterwards, I can wait a few months before going after Bataan.

Mindanao: He decided to retreat to Malaybalay, while I achieve all the 1st phase objectives: Davao port, Cagayan AF and Zamboang source of supply. I have no plans to assault a mountain top, so I will leave small garrisons and come back later on.

DEI
I have established Jolo and Manado as torpedo capable LBA bases, Ternate for naval search.

I low balled LCU requirements for capturing Tarakan, I achieved 1-to-4.. thereby I will need to run the CD gauntlet once more. I am hoping no ships will be lost; On the 1st round I had one APD and one xAP damaged but no sinkings.

Balikpapan invasion is getting ready, I will need another few days. I will commit mini-KB and a few SCTFs, as I am aware of mines + CD defenses, I will use multiple, disposable, xAK-ts this will guarantee that regardless of the losses, enough troops will reach the beach head.

Next is Makassar, Kendari and Ambon: I will focus on the first two, using the troops at Tarakan and the naval cover of Balikpapan invasion

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

And we are not playing for auto-victory, or in other words, if auto-victory happens, then it will be... oh cool, that is awesome, I will get a screen shot for my AAR, then move on to the next turn [;)]

That said, this is the kind of little victories that can "break the will" of an opponent, a small frustration here, another here, loss another carrier, and then he might want to concede [:)]

You may feel differently once the game gets into 44 and 45.[;)]

Breaking the will, also can lead to very sloppy play for a short period of time too.

I firmly believe the Allies can lose all their fleet Carriers and start fresh in 44 and still win the game in a year and half if they learn from their mistakes.

SW Pacific
KB just wiped out Lexington's TF; problem now is it needs to replenish fuel and sorties. Rabaul, just recently captured, is not yet capable of providing. I will need to move more supply, fuel, engineers, airplanes, etc before attempting to grab Pt Moresby.

That said, Lae and Buna will be captured soon

Central Pacific
Ocean, Nauru, Tarawa, Wake, Makin captured. That said, here I really on the defensive mode; last turn USN cruisers "visited" Tarawa and Wake, bombing troops guarding these islands. I kind of anticipated this move so there is not a lot of valuable assets in this area.

But anyway, other than trying "duck and cover", there is little I can do, this unless he moves closer to Roi Namur where I can use LBAs and a small light cruiser division.

Economy and Industry

My supply and fuel consumption can be described as "spending like a drunken sailor on shore leave"

I have to keep hauling supply to repair damaged oil wells. I lost 98 at Palembang and 28 plus the standard 150 at Miri... That is a lot of supply, not to mention operational requirements.

With regards to fuel, I have been moving around all battleships and carriers, so I really don't even want to calculate how much I am spending. But what is key is to stabilize the front, then I can start to think on saving.

In my AI games, Tokyo has never been below 500K supply [:(]

Air losses
Really light losses for Japan; there had been few successful CAP traps, I have avoided bombing heavy AA concentrations like Singapore and he has stopped challenging Japanese sweeps.

Ship losses

Japan
BB Hyuga
CL Isuzu
5 "1st rate" destroyers
4 "2nd rate" destroyers (this includes old DDs, TB, APD, DMS)
1 minelayer submarine
1 good AMC
3 good xAKs

Allies
CV Lexington
CAs Chicago, Astoria, Portland, Canberra?
CLs Marblehead, Dragon, Durban, Danae, Java, DeRuyter, Tromp, Adelaide?
19 DDs
xAPs Dominion Monarch, Zandaam,
TKs/ AOs Merula, Merpassa, Montebello, Pecos
Auxiliaries: Pecos, Langley, Dewey