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November 21, 1943:

15 MM sunk in a single turn. Things are going badly for the Japanese merchant fleet. They are now down to 114 MM and 15 escort ships.

In Sumatra, trying to break the blockade is useless. Planes still can't flight with another turn of heavy rain. All these units are lost unfortunately.

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Near Noumea, no more Japanese ships nor planes around for now. I am continuing to perform port blockade. Most of the ships are back in port to restore their sea effectiveness.

In India, strategic bombing is I hope removing oil points in the Japanese oil stockpile. Progressing to the Japanese line since they are continuing to withdraw.

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December 5, 1943:

Another 12 MM that won't be available for shipping production and oil points to Japan. But, it looks like 10 MM where produced last turn since Japan now has 111 MM and 14 escort ships.

In Noumea, a lonely sub will not changed anything and is now sunk. I am confident to trap the Japanese army there.

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In Sumatra, the end is near and I won't do anything risky like sending the US navy under protected. I won't do this mistake again. You need to invade within your logistics constraints or you are dead.

Looking at another target, Kwajalein seems under the protection of one Japanese army, only large formation available to them.

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Did you have a plan for how you would deal with Jap ships which would come out to blockade your forces in Sumatra? It doesn't look like you did from where I'm sat.

I think the only way to make that attack to Palembang worth it would have been if the US carriers were all in the Indian ocean. Then you can have attacked the ships and had backup.

But the loss of the UK CVs hurt. They would have been a useful distraction over there...with backup US CVs...


It is also so late the war the game required a hail Mary which overall did not work. It will likely take till 46 to even be landing in the Phillipines unless there is some crippling naval battle.

I had nothing in backup, that's why I lost in Sumatra clearly, no supplies... I am not performing well in attack so far. I hope to see more AARs to learn myself what is the best strategy for Allies end of 1943.

December 19, 1943:

Subs are still destroying MM. In India, Burma corps has been destroyed. And, at last, in Noumea, a naval interception is doing something, the Tone CA is sunk.

Other than that, a Japanese sub is bottomed in a port level 1 so basically lost for the war now.

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January 2, 1944:

Two escort ships have been sunk last turn. The convoy lane is no more 100% protected which is good.

In Sumatra, nothing could be done, poor guys.

In India, another corps beaten, this location without jungle is deadly. I will avoid it now.

10 MM have been created this turn by Japanese. I think they are full speed on MM in production by now.

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Doing strategic bombing, I am surprised by the range of the Japanese fighters, surely 1944 level.

In Noumea, I decide to fight with my BB and finally destroy one CL group and one DD group. US carriers are behind since a while and their effectiveness is down to 59%, not really good.

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January 16, 1944:

A quiet turn, a lonely sub is trying to supply Noumea. Trying to attack it, I am losing a CA group with torpedo specialty since subs achieve surprise...

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January 30, 1944:

Two US subs were lost. I am reorganizing my sub fleets because I have now lot of subs under repair in Pearl Harbor or going to Pearl Harbor to be repaired. The number of MM sunk is also reduced. I assume Japan has gained the next level in anti-submarine tech.

In India and in China, I am learning a lot playing this game. After pushing the Chinese army, my Japanese opponent has moved all its armies in India defending the line in China with divisions only. This is a very good move to learn from.

In Noumea, port blockade once again waiting for the Japanese navy to come back. This is the Tokyo Express revisited.

After the disaster in Sumatra, I am coming back to a more historical strategy. Two US corps are landing and destroying the Japanese division in Tarawa. Unfortunately, I don't have the operation points to capture the port. Japan may have an opportunity to put another land unit next turn.

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Luckily they can't land in Tarawa.
You have the port blockaded...which will prevent that UNLESS the port changed to your control.
If it did he could land with LC.

I would suggest that the Chinese start making attacks to wear down the Japanese...they have to "back up" units in the area. It will cost the Chinese BUT they have the units to just keep attacking. You have to wear them down so he needs to call in reserves or risk losing. You just need to cut off the rail line as close to Chungking as possible. That should cut off his entire southern force.

It is snowing right now in China so I am waiting.

February 13, 1944:

One BB is lost due to a naval air strike near Tarawa. But, Japan is losing a Patrol group near Noumea. Unfortunately, the Japanese submarine can't be found nor damaged.

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February 27, 1944:

I have planned in advance two airfields to deploy them in Tarawa since my corps have the engineer specialty. I am also deploying plenty of AAA guns to protect the island.

And, US planes are now protecting the area. With a port level 2, all these units will be in basic supply. If only this port was upgradeable...

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Your big issue will be planes in basic support...they will not recover. You need to take the other islands to get your air to be useful.

2 turns of attacks and they won't be able to fly again.

That is what happens to me all the time in Africa as the Axis...planes have to transport in and out to recover.

Snow in China is not a bad thing...losses are less on both sides and efficiency drops heavily.
Though attacks are at poor odds.

March 12, 1944:

All my subs are back to port to upgrade to the next advancement level. Only 93 MM remains to be destroyed.

Speaking of sub, another Japanese sub is sunk by US planes around Noumea.

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In India, the Japanese line is very strong. I am losing 7 steps in a single combat not even damaging the enemy army.

In the Marshall islands, Kwajalein is evacuated, no more ships, no more planes. Will use a COMINT next turn to see if the Japanese army is still there.

I wonder if I have lost the game already. Axis have 1399 VP points already and I am at 843 VP points. Not sure I will be able to catch up before the end of the game.

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I believe you are too far behind and can't take enough Victory locations from the Axis.

If it was 43...I think you would have a chance.