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A rather small AAR today.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/23/42

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TF 65 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (31,64)

Japanese Ships
APD APD-2, heavy damage

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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 60
P-40E Warhawk x 63
A-20B Boston x 1


No Allied losses

This all means that my surface ships made it safely back into the ocean ofcource. In that, the day is a success.

However, look at that fighter sweep on Mandalay. All those fighters came from...Imphal.

So, you would expect that my bombers would find a juicy target on the ground. But no. Not a single bomber launched today. I had his entire fighter force on the ground, and my bombers failed to launch. 150 bombers and 100 fighters FAILED TO LAUNCH.

Sigh...

I have decided to launch one more offensive operation in the Burma theater. Operation Tazei ni buzei...few against many.

Here is a map that shows our current positions. I have added the recon reports aswell. We can see how the fighters are at Imphal and the bombers at Dacca. for tomorrow I have ordered a CAP over Mandalay with over 200 aircraft, and the remaining 100 will CAP Akyab. I believe one of these bases will be hit.

Anyway, over to...[omnious music]

OPERATION TAZEI NI BUZEI

The target for this operation is to sieze the british base LEDO.
Forces assigned for the offensive are the Imperial guards division and the 33rd division. They will be supported by the two paratrooper regiments, 4 tank regiments, 3 engineer regiments and various artillery and other support units.

The offensive will begin in a month. The Guards are currently on R&R in Manilla, and they have just recieved shipping orders for Bangkok. A diversion will be launched, where I move tank regiments up the trails from Akyab and towards Imphal. Hoppefully this will focus his attention on the western part of the front, while I can attack in the east.

The offensive itself will start with a massive paradrop in the hex between Jarhat and Ledo. I will send in both my airborne regiments there. The airdrop is aimed at creating a roadblock that will at least slow down any reinforcements from India. This effort will of cource demand the fullest attention of the Airforce as well as the Navy. I am planning to launch a diversionary raid to the Bombay area, making him think that Im going to land there or at Trimcomalee. These raids will be aimed at drawing airforce units from the Burma front.

I've been catching up only now. Read the last 2 pages...but sincerly Panzer...Burma is a dead trap for Japan! Is really impossible a landing somewhere near Madras and force him to abbandon Bangladesh? I do not know how your land troops are deployed on the map right now but i'd seriously think of an Indian adventure...you're gonna lose Burma soon and easily on this pace...

The forces I can use for the offensive are these:

Imperial Guards (currently strategic reserve in Manilla)
33rd Division (Burma Theater, currently in Pagan)
55th Division (Burma Theater, currently in Georgetown)

1st and 2nd Para (Rangoon)
6th, 8th, 2nd, 1st and 14th Tank Regiments (currently in various locations in Burma and Mandalay)
4th, 3rd, 23rd, 21st Engineer Regiments (currently in various locations in Burma and Mandalay)

If I wanted to, I could reinforce Burma with one or more of the following units.
48th Division (currently strategic reserve in Palembang)
21st Division (Soerebaja)
5th Division (Batavia)
35th Brigade (Batavia)

If I decide to go on with this, I will probably move 48th Div from Palemang and 35th Brigade from Batavia to be used as garrison in Burma in case he tries to do an attack while Im busy up north.

The Navy could participate with 7 BBs, 10 CAs, the Zuikaku TF.

All this would mean that the defence of the NEI during this operation will consist of 21st Div at Soerebaja, 5th Division at Batavia, 56th Division at Timor and various naval guard units.

In the Pacific I have pretty good defences in my opinion.
38th division and 65th Brigade at Rabaul
South Seas Detachment at Port Moresby
16th Division at Noumea
23rd Mixed Brigade at Espiritu Santu
4th Division at Tarawa
18th Division at Kawajelein
2nd Division at Johnston Island
21st Mixed Brigade at Baker Island
And various assorted naval guard units. These land forces are covered by the Agaki TF together with 2 BBs and a handful of CAs.

All this rests on two things however.
1) Complete surprise
2) The ability for my airforce to surpress the RAF in Burma and achieve local air superiority.

I am moving the troops now, it will take at least 3 weeks before everyone is at Mandalay, and 3 weeks of marching after that. All that means I have 6 weeks before I need to decide whether to take the plunge or not. During these weeks I can see if I have any chance to gain air superiority in Burma. If I fail in that, then I will cancel the invasion.

So what do you think Hoepner? Is this a lost cause?

I appreciate all and any input on this offensive.

I haven't realised you had so many units down in the pacific. I think you're safe enough down there.
But Burma is a trap imho. It's a narrow point of the map, where the brits can accumulate slowly but without any problems all their air assets. I've passed through this many times. Even if in stock and not in Nik's mod, i found absolutely impossible to defend it in the second half of the 42, even with tons of experienced Tojos and Tonies. The allies here get simply too much stuff.....a Ledo Adventure imho is a mistake. What will you gain if the op is a success? he will simply bomb to pieces the newly conquered base, and your units there will starve to death.
I really think if an operation in that theatre must be done, that one is to conquest Balgladesh.
 
just my 2 cents

Hm, but an invasion of Bangladesh would require an amphib landing, and that would be practical suicide.

The reason I wanted to take Ledo was to gain a better defensive position. If I take that base, I can defend along the river.

Here are my two alternative defensive positions for 1943 depending on whether I try the offensive or not.

When you conquer lede it will be soon bombed to hell. You'll find it impossible to be defended. And when your AF will be shut down you units there will be bombed for months. Then he'll move in with overwhelming forces and you will have to retreat or be defeated and pursuited all along the jungle trails...As a result you will have lost hundreds of planes and your best infantry units annihilated by Malaria, defeats and constant air bombing...
Burma is a trap imho.

Every combination of two players - produces a different combination of strategies and tactics that work or do not work.
In general, I agree with GH. However, I did take Ledo in one game - because my opponent Abandoned it when I approached. And I held it for a good while and it became a very useful buffer.

In my game with Moses, my "buffers" are Mytchina and Akyab. I am facing 8 divisions and 7 Brigades and a pile of support units, whereas I have 4 Divisions and 3 Brigades plus support. At Mytchina I am facing two Divisions and have one myself. All bases in Burma are L-9 forts except Akyab which is L-8. Of course I am in July 43, PzH is in 42.

So, PzH's decision needs to be based in part on his assessment of his opponents reaction to an attack on Ledo. My guess is that his opponent is a good enough player that it will be risky to make a serious commitment. In other words, I agree with GH based on MY accessment of the opponent's probable reaction. But, PzH needs to make his own accessment and act accordingly.

"Smoke and Mirrors" is a very powerful tool. So, pretending to attack ledo with a small force (with lots of units) might be of value to divert the Allied bombers away from more lucrative targets. I have tried to divert my opponent away from his "critical path" which is his bombing of my units at Akyab. And I have had decent success. But as time goes by, he as apparently more and more realized that bombing Akyab is the key. But an attempt to divert is definitely worth it I think.

A big day for the Imperial navy

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/24/42

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ASW attack at 27,32

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki
CA Haguro

Allied Ships
SS Permit

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kendari at 33,71


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Walrus: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 8
CA Atago, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Michishio, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
DD Harusame, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shinonome
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Nestor, Shell hits 2
DD Nizam, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Like I suspected, he came knocking at Kendari. My little ambush worked, and in the battle he lost one CL and one DD for no Japanese losses. However, as you can see in the picture below, two of my DDs are in serious condition. Again Boise proves to be a charmed ship. She is hit by non-penetrating hits, and she alone is the one who caused any damage to Atago. Takao was is hit by two 14-inch shells from Royal Sovereign, but she should make it.

Compare if you will, the damage sustained by Atago, who was hit by Boise, and Takao who was hit by two 14-inch shells from Royal Sovereign...

Nizam is a very good DD with radar, and Im happy to see her sunk. Perhaps this will put an end to the raids in this area.

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Sub attack at 39,56

Japanese Ships
TK San Diego Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXIV

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TF 37 encounters mine field at Palmyra (106,85)

Japanese Ships
AK Koto Maru, and is sunk
MSW Himejima Maru
MSW Kyo Maru #3
MSW Kyo Maru #1
MSW Hakata Maru #7

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Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 124


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
22 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
24 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet

I have 3 flak units here. He is coming in too high for them to be really effective however. On the other hand, the damage done is neglible.

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Day Air attack on TF at 104,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G3M Nell x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Case
DD Conyngham

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

This is near French Frigate Shoals in the Pacific. I dont know what he is up to here, probably a fast transport to recapture the shoals. I have bad luck with my Nells and his DD escape unharmed.


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Day Air attack on TF at 10,86

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Summer, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet

My CS are on a convoy raider-mission off Pearth. I find this AK. I will pursue it one more turn, and then head back to sea in case he has some CVs waiting for me here. I would be very surprised to see any allied CV here though. The last sighting of a CV was about a month ago off Timor, but I think he is moving them back into the pacific to aid his next attack. By the look of things right now, that will be Thursday Island.


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Day Air attack on TF at 10,86

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Summer, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 10,86

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Summer, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 34,74

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

SUCCESS!!

The old WW1-era BB was damaged in the action at Kendari, and she failed to sprint to safety during the night. My Bettys at Macassar found her, and made short work of her. She never had a chance, she didnt even have an accompaning destroyer. She was old and slow, but her armor was thick and her guns were big. She was an excellent shore bombardment platform and I am relieved to see her sink beneath the waves.



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Day Air attack on TF at 104,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M Nell x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Conyngham

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

A good day indeed! Have you reconed Darwin? how many units he has there? If not in Burma maybe it would be interesting to land at Darwin and push the aussies back a bit so to keep the SRA a bit safer....

I have not reconned Darwin in quite a while. All my recons are in Burma to aid the air campaign there. I dont see an attack in northern Australia as a viable option however. He has 100 B17s and 150 B25s there right now. The effort to close down all fields that could interrupt a landing would be too massive, and he would easily be able to defend against it.

I have given Burma some thought, and Ive decided to take your advice and abandon the ideas on an offensive there. Instead I will defend in the bases Akyab and Mytkinta and also along the river.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/25/42

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Sub attack at 48,47

Japanese Ships
AP Nissen Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Kyo Maru #7
PC Kyo Maru #6
PC Fumi Maru #3
MSW Takashima Maru
MSW Shonan Maru #7
MSW Kongo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Day Air attack on 2nd Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 53


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 6

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 8,87

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Summer, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet


A quiet day after the intense action yesterday.

This suits me fine, my aircraft in Burma needs to rest, and Im busy reshuffling units into the NEI.

Tomorrow I have 100 aircraft on CAP over Akyab and Mandalay. No offensive action planned here. In the NEI I have set a trap at Kendari, with 100 Zeros on CAP over the base. Lets see if I can catch me some B17s..

Meanwhile the allied recon of Norfolk Island is continuing. The only two bases he is flying recon to right now are Norfolk Island and Palmyra.

Im moving the Agaki TF to a patrol location 5-6 hexes north of Norfolk Island. Palmyra is being reinforced by three combat units, bringing the total combat value of my units there up to 300.

Today we get a good indication of what he can put up in the air in the southern NEI.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/26/42

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ASW attack at 41,50

Japanese Ships
MSW W.12
MSW Fumi Maru #2
MSW Tama Maru
AP Kuroshio Maru
PG Hashidate
PG Chiyo Maru
PG Muro Maru
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
SS Grampus, hits 1

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Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 11 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
462 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 80

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
13 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet

92 B-17s attack Ambonia. The base is undefended, as I was trying to set a trap at Kuching. The damage is not too severe.

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Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 175


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
18 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
20 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet

175 Mitchells. Thats alot. They do almost negligble damage again since they are coming in too high to be effective. 175 bombers and the base is currently at 19 runway damage or something like that.

However, I have decided to move back units into Timor since he cant escort his bombers there. Ive placed 2 Zero wings at Koepang. Lets see what happens next.

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Day Air attack on TF at 7,89

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 2
E7K2 Alf x 26

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Summer, Bomb hits 20, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
2 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
1 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E7K2 Alf bombing at 2000 feet

My CS finish the unfortunate AK. Now time to sprint home.

Gosh...a huge amount of bombers! The southern SRA is gonna be a very tough place for your troops in the next 6 months...you better get ready with hundreds of Tonies/Tojos ASAP! The Tonies can really stand the fight against the B17Es while the Tojos will take care of the P-38s...force him to an attrition battle here!
How are his replacement rates in this scenario? How many 4Es and how many P-38s? That is gonna be the key...
I'd get ready a strong reaction land force somewhere in Java and Palau, mass some strong divisions and the needed transports...i bet he's gonna advance in the DEI from Darwin in the next 6/12 months...

The problem is that we are playing nikmod with the lower jap production. That means I have a really low factory output. I cant remember the exact figures right now, but I think Im producing 160 A6M3s, 150 Oscars and 70 A6M2s per month right now.

The Tojo factories come online in 11/42. Im researching them like mad, with 15 rd right now...

I am moving a surface force to Menado, I cant remember the exact ships right now, but its 2 BBs (including the Yamato), 2 CAs and a handful of DDs. This force will be keeping an eye on this area, and I might consider a raid on Darwin with it. Im also moving some fighter units from Burma down here.

But right now, I really cant put up a fight here and in Burma at the same time. Ive got 300 fighters in Burma, and that leaves precious little for other fronts. I have something like 100 in the NEI and 100 scattered all over the Pacific.

I also dont have a training program for my fighters, since China is at truce until June 1943..

Ouch!...and what about Tonies? They should/could come earlier than the Tojos, right?
Anyway mate, what about a training program on some empty DEI island?...there must be a non-captured place, right? Or u have an HR for that?
 
However how many p38s does he produce?

I thought we could continue our tour of the Japanese defensive perimeter. We recently visited 17th army in Noumea, now lets go pay a visit to their neighbours, the 14th Army in Rabaul.


In Rabaul we have the HQ for the 14th Army together with 38th Division, 65th Brigade and the 5th Engineer Regiment.

Port Moresby holds the South Seas Detachment.
Thursday Island have the 62nd Naval Guards and the 27th Engineer regiment.

Guadalcanal has the 2nd Kure with a combat value of 80. Neighbouring Tulagi has the 48th Naval Guards and the 19th and 20th Engineer regiments for a total AV of 120.

Munda has the 7th Kure with 90 AVs.

We also have the 4th Mixed Regiment at Truk, but they are waiting to be shipped to Thursday Island.

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Ouch!...and what about Tonies? They should/could come earlier than the Tojos, right?
Anyway mate, what about a training program on some empty DEI island?...there must be a non-captured place, right? Or u have an HR for that?

However how many p38s does he produce?

Hmm, the Tony comes in February 1945.
Here are the dates:

A6M3a - November 1942
Oscar II - December 1942
Tojo - November 1942
KAIa Nick - December 1942
KAIb Nick - January 1943
Frank - August 1944
George - January 1944


I have no idea how many P38s he produce, I suppose you would have to ask him. We dont have a houserule against pilot training, but Im against it. There are some bases I could use however, but Im reluctant to start strafing empty bases to get exp...