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This PBEM match is getting interesting as one of the few games to go so late. John may be saying the game is lost, but Japan is the strongest I have ever seen at this point in the game dates. I hope it plays out for at least six more months of game time. Can the Allies withstand the bleeding? Can Japan continue to operate a navy with oil and fuel throttled? Will the accelerated high-tech aircraft keep Japan free of Allied air power? The World wonders (and not about the turkey trotting to water).

If and when it does end, it seems to be a good candidate for a rematch since both sides were learning things while doing this new scenario. Can the Allies do better against Japan's strategy now that they have seen it in action? Can Japan exploit more of the weaknesses of the Allies? Will TF34 ever catch up with Japan's BBs?

Damn...BBFanboy has made me laugh hard enough to nearly spew my tea! Agree with nearly all your points.

Why fight here? I was debating on sending the Kaigun north to the Kuriles or south to Sumatra. The choice was easy. I have FUEL in the south. This fleet drinks a lot but I have massed reserves at Singers, Palembang, Oosthaven, Batavia, and Soerabaja. We can fight here until nothing remains. Pretty simple.

I just want to really catch a break right now. Carefully planned attacking with all the remaining carriers (big and small), moved to position, sprang the trap, and what is my reward? The AI refuses to fly my aircraft. The plan was to SEVER the Allied army on Sumatra and then destroy it. Now...that might still happen since Paul does not have a base on Sumatra and now will never, EVER take his main target on the northern tip of that monstrous Isle. There are now FIVE full strength Japanese ID moving to bag his troops...

My carriers and STF did a little but not much. Need to crush more of his AK/AP/xAP/APA!

John 3rd wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:41 am

I just want to really catch a break right now. Carefully planned attacking with all the remaining carriers (big and small), moved to position, sprang the trap, and what is my reward? The AI refuses to fly my aircraft. The plan was to SEVER the Allied army on Sumatra and then destroy it. Now...that might still happen since Paul does not have a base on Sumatra and now will never, EVER take his main target on the northern tip of that monstrous Isle. There are now FIVE full strength Japanese ID moving to bag his troops...

My carriers and STF did a little but not much. Need to crush more of his AK/AP/xAP/APA!

John, now you know how Yamato felt when he planned out Midway and it all went in the toilet... <wry grin>

What does Japan have left for carrier in mid-May 1944?

After the war was lost in February, I had a total of 1 CV (58P-Junyo) and 2 CVL (60P). Also had 8 CVE who carry between 18-27 planes each (about 200P). Having just over 300 planes is not much. Fairly useless in fact.

Hope came in the final surge of Japanese wartime carrier production. I like to work ship arrivals so they come in pairs, I had been juggling the ship building so I could have two CV (161P) and a CV-CVL (114P) come in in early April and then early May. Stopping all warship construction except DDs and the carriers, I managed to have 3 CV and 1 CVL appear within days of themselves. It took work but gave me a little bit of hope.

The 3 CV are Shokaku-Kai and a Light Carrier (81+81+81+33=275). If this a RL scenario, then you would see them as the last 4 Unryu Class (63x4=252 aircraft) coming in within days of each other. The totals of fantasy to RL are pretty close--aren't they???

Having nearly 600 aircraft for a Kido Butai (albeit a very slow one) made great sense and has enough firepower to do damage and/or STAND TALL against the Allies presently. The air crews are excellent and they represent the core of Japanese Naval Airpower. Course the damned AI has to LET them fly though...

Finishing the thoughts, the Carriers are flying A7M1a and 2 SAM, Judy-D4Y3 & 4, and Jill-B6N2. The A7M2 just kicked into high production at nearly 300 a month. Judy is about 100 a month and Jill is about 130 a month.

Fighter's average pilot experience is 75-80+ (nearly 100 are 80+), DB is about 65, and TB is a little over 60.

John 3rd wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:41 am Damn...BBFanboy has made me laugh hard enough to nearly spew my tea! Agree with nearly all your points.

Why fight here? I was debating on sending the Kaigun north to the Kuriles or south to Sumatra. The choice was easy. I have FUEL in the south. This fleet drinks a lot but I have massed reserves at Singers, Palembang, Oosthaven, Batavia, and Soerabaja. We can fight here until nothing remains. Pretty simple.

I just want to really catch a break right now. Carefully planned attacking with all the remaining carriers (big and small), moved to position, sprang the trap, and what is my reward? The AI refuses to fly my aircraft. The plan was to SEVER the Allied army on Sumatra and then destroy it. Now...that might still happen since Paul does not have a base on Sumatra and now will never, EVER take his main target on the northern tip of that monstrous Isle. There are now FIVE full strength Japanese ID moving to bag his troops...

My carriers and STF did a little but not much. Need to crush more of his AK/AP/xAP/APA!

John really has alot of Joy and Glee in his post as he plans my destruction.

durnedwolf wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:48 am
John, now you know how Yamato felt when he planned out Midway and it all went in the toilet... <wry grin>

That would be Yamamoto, not the battleship! Yamato = Mountain Spirit. Yamamoto = Mountain Man

Yamamoto's plan included steps to ensure the US carriers were at PH. The first one - sub-based aircraft recon from French Frigate Shoal was scrubbed because a US DD was patrolling there. The second one - FP searches from all the Cruisers with KB failed when the radios did not work on the one FP that searched where the US Carriers were lurking. What a fluke! No wonder he was surprised and chagrined by the outcome!

BBfanboy wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 3:53 pm

durnedwolf wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:48 am
John, now you know how Yamato felt when he planned out Midway and it all went in the toilet... <wry grin>

That would be Yamamoto, not the battleship! Yamato = Mountain Spirit. Yamamoto = Mountain Man

Yamamoto's plan included steps to ensure the US carriers were at PH. The first one - sub-based aircraft recon from French Frigate Shoal was scrubbed because a US DD was patrolling there. The second one - FP searches from all the Cruisers with KB failed when the radios did not work on the one FP that searched where the US Carriers were lurking. What a fluke! No wonder he was surprised and chagrined by the outcome!

oops - my bad.

durnedwolf wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:00 pm

BBfanboy wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 3:53 pm

durnedwolf wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:48 am
John, now you know how Yamato felt when he planned out Midway and it all went in the toilet... <wry grin>

That would be Yamamoto, not the battleship! Yamato = Mountain Spirit. Yamamoto = Mountain Man

Yamamoto's plan included steps to ensure the US carriers were at PH. The first one - sub-based aircraft recon from French Frigate Shoal was scrubbed because a US DD was patrolling there. The second one - FP searches from all the Cruisers with KB failed when the radios did not work on the one FP that searched where the US Carriers were lurking. What a fluke! No wonder he was surprised and chagrined by the outcome!

oops - my bad.

Not uncommon.

Also my friend from Big Canada Land, the float plane from Tone didn't launch on time because the catapult was not working. It launched 30 minutes late. The report of the Tone's FP enemy ship sighting apparently did not reach Nagumo quickly.

Hey John - have you seen a book called Japanese Warships of World War II by A.J. Watts?

Yep. I own it.

It is a classic and cost me a good amount of $$$! It came out in 1971. The work is solid and pretty good. The class descriptions are solid and well done.

My preferred book covering the building of the fleet and respective classes is Jentschura's Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945. Came out in 1970. Mine is the 4th Edition from 1986.

Am always working to grow the library on the Kaigun. Anyone have any suggestions, let me know!

John 3rd wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 9:37 pm Yep. I own it.

It is a classic and cost me a good amount of $$$! It came out in 1971. The work is solid and pretty good. The class descriptions are solid and well done.

My preferred book covering the building of the fleet and respective classes is Jentschura's Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945. Came out in 1970. Mine is the 4th Edition from 1986.

Just checking. I'm downsizing as my wife and I are planning to FT RV later this year. I've also got a copy of Imperial Japanese Navy Light Cruisers 1941-45 by Mark Stille. Interested?

Any other JFBs out there that want a copy of Japanese Warships of World War II by A.J. Watts?

Really appreciate the thought and offer. I am going the opposite direction. We plan to buy our retirement house in SW Wyoming and it will have a large, dark wood library that shall be GORGEOUS!

The Light Cruisers book by Stille...is that New Vanguard #187? If so, I also have that. If not...HIGHLY interested!

...also that offer on the A.J. Watts book is excellent. SOMEONE (preferably a Modder) should grab that book!

44-5-17:
UK CVE raid into Sabang w/ 32 torpedo bombers. Mission was to insure /force IJN to provide CV cover to his Transporters and not chase my Transports.

That looks like a nice trap on your part, taking advantage of his aggressiveness.

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 5:10 am That looks like a nice trap on your part, taking advantage of his aggressiveness.

John had assembled a 600 plane CV TF. Very Dangerous. Now half is missing( 4 Unryu 81 plane CVs). Either withdrawn to Singers then move north to HI or a sprint south to DG. He knows my CVE TF is in the Rangoon area. He can come visit me, but I am not sure he would be happy with the result.

44-5-17:
1. Intel reports transport of 2 garrison bde to Sakhalin Island.
2. With IJN CV fleet moved into Bay of Bengal the door opens wide for a massive naval counterattack into Sabang supported with CAP from Sinabang.
3. Midway falls after 2 weeks of attacks.
4. Lunga is prized for the size 8 airfield. The assault begins.
5. Minor ijn shipping around the Centpac are sunk with troops aboard.

44-5-18: