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South of Japan, we can see the deployment of a total of three air units to defend the convoy lane there. Looks like the Japanese have realized how vulnerable they are. Still no new MM or escorts in sight.

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How many subs do you have in the queue right now? I'd want at least 10.

CrackingShow wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 5:28 pm How many subs do you have in the queue right now? I'd want at least 10.

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July 18, 1943:

In India, the situation is frozen by heavy rain. Same in China.

In Noumea, a Japanese patrol group is trying to break the port blockade but I don't think this is possible anymore. Anyhow, a naval air strike is finishing him off since it is not in night move. Another fleet of three ships night move, raider mode is continuing to do the port blockade.

Somewhere in the Pacific, an submarine fleet, the first wave of many is heading west toward Japan. In fact, as soon as I have reported about the weakness in MM, I have committed in mass production of subs.

Right now, I have a total of 11 subs in the Deployment queue. 13 subs just deployed on map. By August 31, 1943 I will have a total of 24 subs ready to destroy Japan merchant shipping.

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August 1, 1943:

Status quo in Noumea. Moving some BB in Port Vila to engage the only ship remaining.

South of Japan, my first subs are in position on the convoy lane. Let's see how it goes. Still 174 MM and 9 escort ships for Japan.

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August 15, 1943:

Japan has changed its codes. COMINT will give less results for few turns until I can break Japanese code.
1 MM and 1 escort ship sunk south of Osaka, without replacements to date.

More US subs are taking position on the same convoy lane. There are now 2 stack of 5 subs.

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Well I was completely off on those Sub numbers, but I agree with building loads of them. Kill the MMs and he has no oil income.

August 29, 1943:

Only 3 MM sunk this turn. I am moving one stack of subs on the South China Sea convoy route. Since all escort ships are on the East China Sea convoy route, I am sure to sink more MM there.

The count is 170 MM and 8 escort ships.

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In India, during several land attacks, the Teishin Shudan Bde has lost 10 steps. And, in Noumea, I continue to rotate my naval units in raider mode night move. The lost of an army is always a victory.

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September 12, 1943:

As expected, the score in the South China Sea convoy lane is higher since less escort ships are present.

In India, heavy rain is stopping everything and in New Caledonia, my US fleet did not find the enemy one. I should have used a COMINT but it is too late now...

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September 26, 1943:

I was almost there but the Japanese army near Ledo is still resisting. If no heavy rain next turn, I may achieve something.

In Noumea, despite a COMINT, the naval battle is inconclusive. Time to bring the CV fleet under the umbrella of my air superiority units.

Subs are continuing their raidings. Japan is down to 155 MM and still 8 escort ships.

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October 10, 1943:

To my surprise, my air superiority unit was not enough to counter the Japanase tactical bomber. And I have lost a CVL for nothing since there are no more ships in the port of Noumea. I don't find the solution.

If I am attacking, I am sure to see the Japanese CV destroying everything and going back to port untouched. I am beginning to wonder if CV should not have three operation points. One to move, one to attack, one to withdraw.

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On the other hand, the subwar is going well. I am rotating my subs in order to repair and resupply them while new ones are taking position south of Japan. Japan has now 150 MM and still 8 escort ships.

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In order to unblock the strategic situation, after spending several COMINT, I have found a weak spot in the Japanese defense near Bandar Lampung. With two US corps secretly moving, I performed two naval invasions finally capturing Bandar Lampung, Palembang and Cape Carot with the help of the remaining of the Royal Navy.

My goal is to remove some oil production for the Japanese.

Other than that, in India, Ledo is now not far away.

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October 24, 1943:

Hell is coming. I am realizing now how difficult it will be to maintain the logistics for the troops in Sumatra. The brilliant idea will perhaps turn into a brilliant defeat.

I hesitate between withdrawing now before the port blockages or fighting. I decide the latter. AAA guns are deployed in Cape Carot and Bandar Lampung. I also bring an HQ and a tactical bomber. Fleets are hopefully hidden but, since Japanese player will surely use raider mode, I am stuck to the same situation than in Noumea.

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On the subwar front, Japanese is again losing MM this turn. They are now down to 141 MM. But, they have now 12 escort ships and I can assume more MM and escort ships are coming since the appearance of the first US subs.

In India, it is raining but Ledo is still an objective once clear weather is back.

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November 7, 1943:

12 MM sunk in one turn but one submarine sunk as well. It is immediately replaced in the production queue. Looks like I forgot to move a DD that is destroyed as well.

I am starting a strategic bombing campaign to 1) remove some oil points in the stockpile of the Japanese 2) try to bring an air superiority unit around. If it is here, it is not elsewhere.

In India, Ledo is mine. In fact, Japanese is starting to fallback. I am reducing Japanese army one by one. At a given point, it will pay off.

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In China, the situation is not changing. The only difference is that all Japanese air units have left. As such, I am gaining much need effectiveness for the Chinese army.

Checking Japanese OOB, there are only 129 MM remaining. I hope it is starting to reduce the Japanese production.

In Sumatra, heavy rain is preventing my planes to flight. I will resist as much as I can. Port blockades are already working. This was a very bad idea.

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Oh that Sumatra landing is going badly. Shame! You're in a rough spot as you have a VP deficit and need to push, but the Jap navy is still big. Glad I'm just watching this play out!

CrackingShow wrote: Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:24 am Oh that Sumatra landing is going badly. Shame! You're in a rough spot as you have a VP deficit and need to push, but the Jap navy is still big. Glad I'm just watching this play out!

This was a really bad idea. Two turns of heavy rains, I can't even attack the Japanese ships around...