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Port Moresby

K day tomorrow.

A half dozen assorted bombers attempt to hit the invasion fleets, which have a low level of detection.

They never penetrate the Zero screen.

No minefields spotted. Airfield bombed heavily.

Everything is ready. There will be no surprise here. Just storming the beaches.

Ocean Island

If I had to guess, and I do, I think Ocean Island is the next target for the Allies. Possibly, while I am busy with the Port Moresby invasion.

Taking Ocean makes Nauru very untenable.

The Allies seem very methodical in taking small, short steps here in the central pacific. Also, they have run into stiffer resistance in the Marshalls.

The KB and mini KB will protect Ocean for several days to see what develops.

I am not looking to hold these islands, but rather, make the Americans pay a price for taking them.

You talk about Christmas Island and show us a graphic of Ocean Island [&:]

The loss of Ocean certainly would make Nauru untenable; the loss of Tarawa and Makin have put it within 2E range, so resource hauling is probably out anyway.

ORIGINAL: CowboyRonin

You talk about Christmas Island and show us a graphic of Ocean Island [&:]

Wishful thinking on my part or getting old is not for the faint of heart.[:D] Edited and fixed. Thanks.

We had a long discussion early on about the merits of hauling resources out of Nauru. The conclusion only on returning supply/transport ships. Otherwise it is not worth the fuel.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe


The KB and mini KB will protect Ocean for several days to see what develops.

How much aviation support is on Nauru? You don´t subscribe to the thinking that the KB actually has to be there to protect that area, do you? The KB can protect any area within 30 or so hexes if you have an inkling of an attack, or a day´s notice, and sufficient local aviation support. (Which is also why you don´t need a massive expansion and garrisons all through the Pacific to force a carrier battle. In fact, your carriers don´t even have to be in the battle... you can´t lose... see what I mean about my Pacific expansion strategy)

24 aviation support at both Ocean and Nauru....and, yes, I do have an "inkling" of an attack here. Good word.

Feb 9th, 1943


Yes, it is indeed Feb 9, 1943! The long planned for, heavily telegraphed invasion of Port Moresby begins! Who would have thunk it way back in the dog days of August of 42 with 4 shattered IJA divisions on Java with Wenchow and Manila still in Allied hands?

Bad weather socks in most flights, and in fact it is fairly quiet everywhere else, but at Port Moresby. The troops start landing at midnight, and continue throughout the day.

No mines. Defensive artillery hits a small xakl that wasn't even carrying troops.[:D]

During the morning landings, bombers come in low but are met by Zeroes, a few make it past the Zeroes to actually make runs against a battleship, but to no effect.

Then, in the afternoon light, the Nagato and Mutsu open up on the hapless Australians. Left stranded by their weak pitiful commanders. They have but one duty left to perform.

Tomorrow, we fix bayonets!

Nice work! Congrats! Must feel very rewarding getting the wreck you took over back into the game! [:)]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Nice work! Congrats! Must feel very rewarding getting the wreck you took over back into the game! [:)]

Thanks.[:)] I have had lots of good help!

Lots of interesting things coming up, a forced river crossing into the Chinese side of the Chungking central plains.

Bombardment of Akyab with a cruiser force, and the BB force will hit the following day if no monster Allied fleets are spotted. Allies have spotted the cruiser force, but not the BBs.

Attack at Moresby!

Research: A lot of the spare Zero factories have moved on to other projects, and in my super secret project I got my first repaired r&d factory yesterday. In more mundane, and probably meaningful research a -J Sam factory is 10% repaired and another is 8%.

Here is a graph of oil stocks by region. Singers is of course of the charts! However, it seems if I can get the oil to Indochina or China it will readily move to Korea.

Feb 10, 1943

Welcome, my misguided friends....IJA capture Port Moresby![:)]

Burma

The KAI Dinah interferes with another night bombing raid on Magwe, although a Nell is destroyed on the ground.

The Empire's night bombing attack runs into stiff AA over Prome and six are ultimately lost for damaging a handful of Lightnings. Prome now size 3 airfield.

The cruiser bombardment force hits Akyab hard, but there are only a handful of planes there. The delay in the followup bombardment allowed him to escape with all those damaged bombers. Sigh.

Allies moving some troops out of the contested jungle with the Imperial Guards division. Have to revise my plans here, no war of movement here now.

The Nells sortie and attack ships at Calcutta...no monsters, but minnows.

Burma:

A heavy bombardment fleet lurks off Akyab, should I target Akyab again looking to degrade the port, supplies and runways there even more. Or, perhaps I should hit Cox's which is a level 9 air field in the hopes of hitting his planes?

It looks like we are gearing up for a titanic struggle at Prome. Allies have 19 units there, but low on boots on the ground. Lots of AA now, and ENG as the airfield is size 3 now. The Allies have another 5,000 men and lots of vehicles east of Prome in the jungle for a total of 26 units, 1300 afvs, 25,000 men.

I have a stronger force, but really dislike the idea of fighting in the clear.

Akyab looks to have 3 units, but one of which is probably a division. Cox's has nothing but ENG and maybe one AA. And he gets weaker as I head north...Diamond Harbor is weak.

I need to figure out a strategy here....

Shwebo - From my experience, it is very hard for the Allied to get supplies into this base just through the northern jungles of India/Burma. His troops outside the base will be OK, but not in the base itself.

Cox's Bazar or Akyab - Hit the base with the most aircraft. Even in early '43, the Allies cannot afford high attrition rates. Since neither base is on a RR, they will stay there in damaged condition unless moved out by sea. Hit the base at night with Helens, too.

Clear terrain - you should do well here as he doesn't have the terrain benefit. Not until April or May will he have enough of the '43 Rifle Squads stockpiled to start upgrading his Indian divisions. His tanks are good now, but he doesn't get enough of them. Use attrition as your friend now before its too late.

I agree with Michael. He can´t really sustain something like this in Burma without Ramree Island or getting supplies in by sea... If I was your opponent I would be very nervous right now...Have you considered trying to cut Prome and Rangoon off from the North and isolate his troops there?

By now you clearly have taken the initiative back and most likely have a psychological advantage over your opponent. Its still early 43 (right?) and you can still go toe to toe against allied LCU. If you could cut off and destroy those 19 units you could buy 12-18 months of peace and quiet in Burma.

Is it doable? [:)]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Shwebo - From my experience, it is very hard for the Allied to get supplies into this base just through the northern jungles of India/Burma. His troops outside the base will be OK, but not in the base itself.

Cox's Bazar or Akyab - Hit the base with the most aircraft. Even in early '43, the Allies cannot afford high attrition rates. Since neither base is on a RR, they will stay there in damaged condition unless moved out by sea. Hit the base at night with Helens, too.

Clear terrain - you should do well here as he doesn't have the terrain benefit. Not until April or May will he have enough of the '43 Rifle Squads stockpiled to start upgrading his Indian divisions. His tanks are good now, but he doesn't get enough of them. Use attrition as your friend now before its too late.

Thanks so much! [&o]

Shwebo will be shock attacked either today or tomorrow. There is a heavy CAP presence, plus I am bombing Shwebo today weather willing. I don't see how those two understrength Chinese units can hold especially against armor.

Hitting Cox's. Going after the planes!

Okay, full on grinding attack into Prome! It will be bloody in the Air I expect. I wish I had a better armored Army fighter than the Tony, but onward and upward.

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I agree with Michael. He can´t really sustain something like this in Burma without Ramree Island or getting supplies in by sea... If I was your opponent I would be very nervous right now...Have you considered trying to cut Prome and Rangoon off from the North and isolate his troops there?

By now you clearly have taken the initiative back and most likely have a psychological advantage over your opponent. Its still early 43 (right?) and you can still go toe to toe against allied LCU. If you could cut off and destroy those 19 units you could buy 12-18 months of peace and quiet in Burma.

Is it doable? [:)]

I hope so. New plan is a two division, plus art, at, attack west from Magwe once those Americans are a little further south down the dirt road. Target the supply road. I will railroad them in and get them going a little after the assault into Prome.

Major river crossing in central China for tomorrow!

If I can occupy these last two major supply generators for China, it should all be over on this theater except for the ugly scrum at Chungking....

Port Moresby and environs

Looking okay here.

I think the Allies are simply going to let this area be and focus on the either the Kuriles or the Marshalls to Marianas to Bonins approach. I could be wrong, but he really hasn't fought much over Northern Oz, Moresby or the Solomons.

Got to decide on the garrison for Moresby. Wake CD unit is available...

Milne Bay amphibs are spotted, and now have a generous LR CAP in case he switches his low level bombers to hit them. Those bombers must have a horrendous morale -- they are making my pilots aces left and right.[:D]

Marshalls

All quiet. I have spotted a battleship two days running at Makin.

Americans spotted the KB...so will go dark. This probably will stop him from doing anything rash, except for maybe a high speed cruiser run looking to engage the carriers in a night battle.

I have disbanded all the minisubs that were working in the Mili area. He has up ASW patrols spotting them heavily now, making them more than worthless. The mini-subs managed to sink one cargo ship for no losses. The best I have ever done with them.

A few r&d notes:

With the completion of the A6M5c research, I have managed to move factories over to the Ki-202 and J Sam which will be a big focus for late war home island protection. I have 8 and 5 size 30 factories delving into their mysteries at present and look to grow that number substantially as I mothball other factories.

I realize the Ki-202 maybe a huge waste...a risk I am willing to take. If I told you my goal for this plane you would call me crazy. Maybe you already do.[:D]

I have the Myojo up to 1/45 currently. I may switch some factories from them into -J Sam or Ki-202.

The Tojo IIc is up to 5/43 and can't come quick enough. Ki 101i is 1/45. The Oscar IV is at 6/44.

I don't think George or Frank will come more than a month or two early. The A6M5c just has to carry the weight.

In night fighters progress is slow.[:(] The best factory is 20/30 for the Irving with 3 others close behind and a fourth lagging badly.