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Game date is 5th of February 1943


Quiet and sunny two days all across the Pacific.


China

Japanese did not launch follow up ground offensives.. I think he is still way too optimistic about his chances here... or than again It is me who is too optimistic.

Chengtu was hit by the Japanese bombers at night... no damage resulted from these attacks. I have also dispatched additional Spitfire squadron to Chengtu so if he deciedes to hit it by daylight than he will pay the price.

Also, Kumming and Yunan were hit as usual. He is also using Sining as a training target in Northern China.


Central & North Pacific


More and more troops are arriving from the West Coast... I do have serious lack of AK's and AP's on which to transport them to the frontline.

US Fleet is stationed at Pearl Harbour... I do have now 4 CV + some CVL and CVE's... things are gathering pace here.

Also, Japanese navy have increased their ASW patrols due to the operation Delfine...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,47

Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushima
DD Suzukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Tautog

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,48

Japanese Ships
PG Kiso Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grouper


Luckily for me the Japanese ASW skills aren't exactly first class.


India & Burma


Allied airplanes are flying supplies to China... otherwise it has been relaxing times for the infantry men... The British and Indian solidiers have had time to use social skills with civilian population.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


Luganville is building up quite nicely... already up to level 4 airfield... and some supply convoys have reached the harbour too.

I have kept bombing Japanese ground troops stationed at Timor too...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 6th SNLF, at 31,77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 46

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 33,78

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 44

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 6th SNLF, at 31,77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 28

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported


Also, I have increased the pressure againts Efate... those Japanese troops garrisoning the island will recieve daily visits from allied Air crews...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 6
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yokosuka 7th SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 3
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Efate , at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 32

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 12
B-17E Fortress x 33
B-24D Liberator x 32

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


So, I don't that those Japanese infantry men are feeling comfortable.

Game date is 7th of February 1943


China

Past two days saw the usual airstrikes againts Yunan and Kumming.... also first night raid was launched againts Chengtu.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chengtu , at 41,29

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 1000 feet

I have actually been thinking about the idea that I would bring a lot of Heavy bombers to China... (B17's, Liberators and such) and with those AC's I would try to close down Hanoi, Changsa, Lanchow and Sian airfields... I do not whether that would be a good and solid idea.

Chinese B25J bombers will hit the Lanchow airfield next turn... it is intresting to see what kind of a results and damage that will cause.


Central & North Pacific


Operation Delfine resulted to quite a few submarine attacks near Japan...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 55,42

Japanese Ships
AK Kazan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Runner

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 60,45

Japanese Ships
AK Shinfuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Busho Maru
PG Takunan Maru #10

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,46

Japanese Ships
MSW Keinan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Yoshida Maru
PG Shinko Maru #2
MSW Toshi Maru #8
MSW Toshi Maru #5
MSW Tamozono Maru #2
MSW Tamozono Maru #1
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Misago Maru #11
MSW Fukeui Maru #7
MSW Fuji Maru
MSW Choyo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Gato

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,46

Japanese Ships
MSW Fukeui Maru #7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Yoshida Maru
PG Shinko Maru #2
MSW Toshi Maru #8
MSW Toshi Maru #5
MSW Tamozono Maru #2
MSW Tamozono Maru #1
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Misago Maru #11
MSW Fuji Maru
MSW Choyo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Gato

Always glad to see these kind of results.


India & Burma


One Japanese tanker was hit here...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 26,36

Japanese Ships
TK Shoyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.18
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
SS Truant

Otherwise quiet... this is actually getting very mind boggling... what is he up to or doesn't he have the troop strenghts to assault in this theatre.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


Allied have kept the pressure on againts Efate...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 6
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yokosuka 7th SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 7
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yokosuka 7th SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 27

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 13
B-17E Fortress x 34
B-24D Liberator x 26

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
276 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 20

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
115 casualties reported


Also, no rest for the Japanese Timor garrisons...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 33,78

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 42

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 6th SNLF, at 31,77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 48

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 39th Road Construction Battalion, at 33,78

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 20

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 33,78

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1


He is also now using Woodlark Island and Aru Island as training targets for his LBA (Betty's, Sally's and Lily's)... and there is not much I can do about that.

[&o]Jap training is impossible to stop at this stage , dont worry about it .. its a shame that allied fighters dont get the opportunity much to do the same .

anyway .. looks like your really getting back on your feet and taking the battle to the enemy . congrats

Regarding heavy bombers in china .. try asking yourself the following questions

1) have you got bases upto size 5 to maximise the b17 and liberator units ?
2) he's shown in the past an ability to pound your airfields using huge numbers , are you able to protect the bombers on the ground ?
3) whats the aviation support like ?
4) is there enough supply . china i think will prioritise the heavy bombers but at the expence of starving the troops of supply, can you afford the hit on the ground forces ?
5) you can always use them as supply transports to get more to china and thier experience will rise steadily.. also a lot safer

if yes to most of the above .. go for it .. targetting his citys might be better .. the HI in hanoi for example , switch target regularly ans he's forced to put fighters in defence in may places .. the more i think about it the better it seems .. i tried it in my game using wellingtons but they were vulnerable to oscars . fortress don't have that problem ..

[&o] [&o] go for it ! .. also may as well invade efate soon too ..

also start prepping ground units for future operations .. takes a while but forward planning is a great help .. as always its dependant on what the japs do but i think that noumea and luganville infantry are pretty safe from counterattack .. also troops based in the south pacific .. tarawa is a worthy prepping target ..

anyway .. good luck as ever !

Rob

Well... I think that my opponent still has the upper hand though... he got his KB fully intact and has not lost any major naval vessels in last few months. I guess it is safe to assume that he is preparing for defensive warfare.

Good questions about LBA usage in China....

1) Yes, I do have airfields maxed out in every remaining city.
2) 50/50 chance... I have managed to keep open Kweiyang and Chungking... than again Kumming and Yunan are useless.
3) Aviation support isn't up to date... definately would like to have much more available.
4) China supply situation isn't total disaster... but I think you have a point here... infantry supply is far more important than LBA bombing runs... I mean IF I loose in China than I think he has a very good shot at winning the war.
5) Same as above...

Conclusion... well, I think I better forget the bombing runs at the moment... supplies are more important and I can cause him a lot of damage if he tries to engage my fighter squadrons stationed in China.

I have also been thinking about future operations... three key objectives... 1) Clear Burma from enemy forces... 2) Start moving towards Marshall Islands and 3) Establish base at Guadacanal so I can go for New Guinea...

Those would be the first choices in my mind... oh, and Timor sounds good too but that operation would take a lot of time to commence fully if I choose to use CV's here.


Game date is 9th of February 1943


China


Usual bombing of Kumming and Japanese... more importantly the Chinese bomber pilots launched their first massive assault againts Lanchow...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lanchow , at 45,25

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lanchow , at 45,25

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Runway hits 33


...the results weren't that bad... but as mentioned earlier I have decieded to halt this operation for the moment being.


Central & North Pacific


Quiet two days...1 Japanese merchant ship was torpedoed near coast of Japan...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 62,51

Japanese Ships
AP Oridono Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Taiko Maru
DD Minekaze
DD Mikazuki
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
SS Trout


India & Burma


Nothing happening... but the good news is that I will recieve additional two divisions of Infantry withing 4 days time... that gives me more options on future operations.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


Efate is not comfortable place to be at the moment...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 73,109

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 13
B-17E Fortress x 32
B-24D Liberator x 26

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
310 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


Timor bombed as well...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 33,78

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 45

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 6th SNLF, at 31,77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 70

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
74 casualties reported

Its ok to use the medium bombers in china , i think they use 1/2 the amount of supply as heavies .. based on engine number if i remember correctly.. try using your heavies as supply missions into china , at least that way they can get some experience, just remember to stand them down every few days or ops losses can be horrible .


and Quiet is good !

Guadalcanal ?? you sure ? i really hate the place personally ( just my opinion mind ) may be better to ooze forward in the marshalls and try to isolate/take kwajelien .. then when your in range of truk .. you can starve the entire island chain from rabaul to guadalcanal ..

anyway just my opinion .. must be an irrational hatred of guadalcanal .. [:D] .. and in case any of my PBEM opponents read this .. i still might in my games ! ..

Rob

Game date is 17th of March 1943


It's been a while since last update... I will give you a rough update on how things stand at the moment.


China


There has been no Japanese infantry offensives to report. I do not know whether they are facing supply issues or what... but the fact is that he seems to be withdrawing some of his troops from inner China. In Kweiyang for example there are now 150 000 Japanese troops trenched there and couple of months ago there over 200 000 men.

Also, those 9 Japanese infantry units that were trying to cut off supply line between Chungking and Chengtu are now reduced to 5 units.. So either he has given up the China adventure or he is planning something else in return.

Supply situation isn't too bad... I have still +30 000 supplies in Chungking... +25 000 in Chengtu... +20 000 in Kweiyang... and even in Sining +10 000.... so things aren't that bad at the moment.

Chinese and British airforces are intact... so he will have to pay a huge price if he chooses to start bombing Chungking, Kweiyang or Chengtu. In fact he has just kept daily bombing runs againts Kumming and Yunan.

Other good news is that I just received my first two Chinese air support units.


India & Burma


No ground combat to report from this sector. He hasn’t made any further advances in Burma… So the frontline now is Akyab – Mandalay – Lashio.. more importantly this means that the Burma road is open to China and that is the most important thing.

Couple of ASW vs Submarine duels have been fought outside Rangoon but that really is all the naval action that has been happening.

India itself is quite well fortified and I propably can start my advances towards Malaya in late 1943 if the situation doesn’t change.



North & Central Pacific


North Pacific has remained quiet... I have quite a few troops in Anchorage and some units stationed in Kodiak and Dutch Harbour. Actually I haven't payed a lot of attention to this sector.

Central Pacific has not seen any action at all too… Operation Delfine is still ongoing and both sides have suffered some naval losses but no major ships have been hit by the allied submarine fleet.

Here is the attention closes in to Tarawa and Baker Island. These two islands are obvious next targets but I don’t know yet when start this advance.

I have quite a few CV’s, CVL’s and CVE’s stationed in CenPac…. only thing I haven’t decieded is where and when to use them in action. CV Lexington will arrive in 116 days time.. nice to have her back in action too.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific

Efate is now liberated… This mean that I now hold Noumea, Luganville, Efate and Fiji’s.. This means that I know have supporting bases nearby and that makes my defensive perimeter quite strong.

There is an problem though… my P38’s have maxium range of 9 hexes and the distance to Guadacanal (Lunga) is 10 hexes!!! I would love to start raiding that Lunga base with my heaviest but they would be flying without proper escorting AC’s! That’s not good… so, as for now I have just launched couple night raids against the base in question.

If I choose to go ahead with my plans here that would mean that I would commit bulk of my naval assets with this this operation… RN CV’s along with US Fleet… that propably would be bloody and fun to watch the sametime… comments anyone??? …and this operation could also be launched against Marshall Islands… those are the options in hand…

I also have stationed 1st B17’s to Cairns… they are set to hit Port Moresby after sunset. This suppressing operation will gather pace in days ahead too.

Timor has been continuously hit by LBA’s from Australia… also I have set 2 B17 squadrons on night attacking runs in order to shutdown and damage the Oil Production in Amboina.

NZ is very peaceful holiday resort and serves and supply/fuel depo for frontline allied troops.

This is the current situation as April closes in….

Nice to get an update ! .. [:D]

you must have a shed load of seebees by now .. one option is to take one of the smaller dot bases closer to guadalcanal and building it up in record time with 10 eng units ! P38's from luganville can provide LR cap. Its a bit risky if weather turns bad , but i tend to ignore weather as being way too random to predict.

Hordes of b25/6 would be good in china .. wellingtons work well there too and have a great bombload for city attacks.

also what about using the P38's to cover bombardment runs into the gilberts ?

As KB is still alive and well a CV strike outside of LBA and nearby ports will be risky .. off hand i cant think of any one place that is worth the risk . covering troop convoys/invasion convoys would be better than letting them sit in port. Would also confuse your opponent if large amounts of allied carriers periodically appear in search reports.

Flattening Timor is good . keep it closed and starving if possible. Would also be a good next target as its in the middle and both US and british forces can play together for a while.

Anyway good luck !

Rob

I will try my best to update this AAR more frequently...

Yes.. I do have tons of SeaBee units... only problem is that I'am recieving so many reinforcements that I'am lacking transport ships which would take them to frontline.

I also thought about taking those smaller dot bases but I think those bases propably too dangerous to take... he will have the air supremacy and propably he could supress these bases before they come operational... (kind of like situation is at Kumming and Yunan in China).

I did one bombing run in China... it was kind of a success or at least they were unopposed... ...However, this was done once since it is more important at the moment to keep Kweiyang base supplied... (I can not afford to have my fronts in China collapse)

Hmmm.. Gílberts do sound good target... That would give me an opportunity to go pass Guadacanal and straight towards Marshall Islands... I do know that Kwalein does have well over 100 000 Japanese troops as garrison... so that kind of does hold me back.

I'am having really tough time of decieding about adventures againts Timor... Basically my ships would be at risk from the get go.. He does have ability to strike Darwin and Derby harbours... I know that he has well over 100 Betty's stationed around Kendari... this operation propably would be very costly.

I did activate 3 NZ infantry regiments... These regiments will recapture Norfolk Island... so that he cannot have any intelligence about my doings in South Pacific.

At the moment I do have heavy amount of troops in Suva, Nandi, Efate, Luganville and Noumea... I think it would be obvious to launch massive strikes againts 1) Guadacanal (there are propably 50 000 Japanese in Lunga) 2) Gilberts or 3) Even Marshalls...

I have been thinking about this and the earliest stage when I'am thinking about this is propably around June or later... before that I have upgraded many of my naval assets... also I do have Hellcats operational and so on... also this massive operation would be joined by the British and US Fleets... Let's call this rough sketch operation Tomahawk... I'am thinking about putting Corsairs to the Britsh CV's and that would give me more CAP over my naval assets... only thing to deciede is the target... also this would propably mean that I would be going head to head againts KB itself... and that would be either better or for worse since after the smoke has settled --> a) US and British Navy would be decimated or b) Japan has lost its Navy... heavy gamble and I'am seriously thinking of going through with this idea...

Comments appreciated from those who are "reading" this AAR.

Here are the latest combat reports though...


Game date is 27th of March 1943


China


I think I have stabilized this operational theatre... I'am heavily fortified in Chungking, Kweiyang and Chengtu... I cannot imagine that he has the strenghts of making any breakthroughs here anymore since my supply levels are that bad at all... suprisingly enough

I did launch my 1st major bombing raid againts Sian couple of days ago...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sian , at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed


Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sian , at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 73

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 destroyed


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 18

As stated above this operation has been put to halt... since the supplying Kweiyang is given priority.


India & Burma


Quiet... I have dispatched additional airbase units to Ledo and Jorhat... these bases will become fully operational so that I can use them in my future operations.

Otherwise... no combat action has taken place in air nor ground


North & Central Pacific


Quiet too... Reinforcements are arriving from West Coast... There has not been any decision whether to strike in this operational area.

Bulk of US Navy is stationed in Pearl Harbour under very heavy LBA coverage... I'am also going through some major ship upgrades within a week or so.


NZ, Australia & South Pacific


I have now activated additional 3 infantry units in NZ. These troops will recapture the Norforlk Island soon as they can be boarded to ships.

I also did launch an airstrike againts Lunga to see what kind of defenses he has put up there... casualties were high but those were expected to be so...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3a Zero x 18
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 21

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 41
PB4Y Liberator x 10
B-24D Liberator x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 11 destroyed, 19 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3a Zero x 18
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24D Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged

Runway hits 3

..with this action I can already estimate that he has quite a few fighters and other LBA stationed here... also I think that the KB is lurking somewhere near Rabaul area since one of my sub was attacked by Japanese Val aircraft.

Sorong airfield recieved also my attention.. I have decieded to keep this pressure on at least for few days more...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 91

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 14

...also more and more troops are arriving daily from West Coast... I will have the ability to launch massive and decisive strike before winter reaches here... a lot of things to consider here I would say.

In Summer 1943 it's starting to be a good idea to try to catch KB. With them gone, it'll get lot easier. KB doesn't have advantages anymore, but it'll be risky both way.

Agreed... the KB needs to be dealt with... only question is how to do it?

Here are few ideas that I have been thinking...

I think I should combine the whole of US CV, CVE and CVL fleet... in addition I should add the Royal Navy to this scenario...

Couple of questions though....

What is the best combination in TF...

What I have been thinking is 1 CV, 1-2 CVE's and 2-3 CVL's... I think I should replace the Avengers in CVL's with carrier capable fighters.... Wildcats or Corsairs... That would give me better CAP coverage.

Also, I think I should replace those Wildcat V fighters with Corsairs in Royal Navy... the question is should I replace those Barracudas and Swordfish with fighters too... by doing so I would increase my CAP coverage to substantially.

Also been thinking about putting the escort level to all my fighters to 50%... So half of them would escort in bombing runs and another half would defend them when/if Japanese pilots make their offensive runs...

About TF reaction setting I have been thinking about putting it 4... that would cover my Avengers maxium range.

I don't know whether this sounds reasonable enough to minimize the chance of total disaster...

...I guess one of the biggest question is that how do I get the KB to appear... I do not want his LBA's to interfere with this encounter at all.. time schedule for this operation would be either June or July.

Also, I would have 3-5 major surface TF supporting and following the CV TF's so that they can engage the enemy if he tries to catch my precious carriers.

IMO go for a weak atoll ( remember shockm attack rules ) in the gilberts .. there are a LOT of small islands here , i would bet that some are weakly defended.

Have you got baker island ? its a great starting point for any move in the south pacific. If not them take it with cover from canton. with so many islands he cant defend every one. Also i found paras very useful in taking weak islands (3-4 k men) you can use dakotas or even flying boats to carry them in. You ar also able to airlift engineers/ aviation support and infantry.. about the only thing u cant move are bulldozers. not even a fast transport convoy can carry those , i tried

with enough capacity its quite possible to dump a LOT of troops fast before he can use LRcap to stop you. this sort of thing might well draw out the KB and you have the advantage of a 1/2 decent port ( canton) with 4 AR .. for emergencies. Also LBA is of massive importance round here .. and as allies you have a lot of LBA .. just need some place useful to put them .. tons of small size 4 will do just fine. also has the advantage that he cant close them all.

As for you concern about kwajelien .. its only an island and let it rot if there are 100+ japs on it .. use it for training

another advantage is the usefulness of the slow US BB's .. with short island distances they are quite useful for bombards. even short range fighters will cover them by day . and the night run doesnt need cover anyway .. by dawn they will be back under your CAP umbrella.

Guadalcanal is miles from Luganville and i bet you would get hammered by LBA from rabaoul/shortlands and Lunga if you tried. It would be imperative to use the carriers for that operation and if KB shows up you could be toasted .. or not .. no idea what a CV duel would be at this stage.

If your going to have a pause .. why not reposition the troops from noumea etc. to where you want them .. preferably malaria free bases to R+R.

As you have guessed, my vote is for a south pacific approach under friendly aircraft.

Just my 2p .. and if your nervous about timor .. just keep bombing it to dust. great bomber training camps .. yeah kendari is scary .. avoid it right now i think ..

Good luck

Rob

Hmpf... I do have problems with Dakota's and such since I have committed quite a few of them to India... that is one key reason why the Chinese front has not been penetrated... There are some flying boats and Dakotas currently on their though from West Coast.

No I do not hold Baker Island... he has it strongly fortified... if my intel is correct there are 11 enemy units stationed there... basically I would assume that he has at least there level 9 fortifications... actual troop strenght is quite hard to estimate but I would say over 50 000 men at least.

I think It would take at least 3 Divions, Couple of Brigades and quite few Engineering units to capture the island... I think I could however lure KB out of it's hiding with this invasion that is propably the biggest thing I want to happen.. CV vs CV duels and when the smoke has settled there would be only 1 survivor left.

I know he has 100 000 men in Kwalein and if the intel is correct there are 50 000 Maloenkap... So he does have Marshalls quite well covered... I'am not scared though since Baker Island would give me a good staging point on which to advance further.

Gilberts... well that is other key island chain for future operations... Atolls aren't exactly nice but I know I need to capture Tarawa and the surrounding islands.. I think It propably would be wise to take care of this Island chain first... I wohn't launch this offensive before I get my naval forces in place though.

You are propably right Rob... LBA from Rabaul, etc would be costly to my fleets if I would go againts Guadacanal... so I will postpone my plans here for late 1943.

Forthcoming months will be decisive... if I'am "enough" to destroy KB than only sky is the limit in upcoming months...

dream scenario would be yo to win or even draw KB so its useless for a few months .. then by pass Baker and possible hit tarawa directy ..

If Baker is as tough as it sounds i suspect that it may take more than 3 divs even fully prepped to be honest. got any mitchells and or 4E ones u can use from Canton to bomb it into the pacific ?

I did the same as you with the dakotas .. got 140 in india right now .. however 2 did show up later in the US and i kept them for the pacific .. Coronados work well as they have a good load capacity too .. i 'THINK' that a para drop on the same turn as an invasion halves the defenders rating ?? i'm not sure but i think i read that somewhere .. minght be worth checking up on. the 3 marine para batallions are dead useful once you can get inside the gilberts.

BB runs from canton to Baker ?? no escort bombard . something for them to do anyway

anyway.. good luck

Comments and thoughts again much appreciated Rob so thank you (Same goes for Sardaukar) [:)]

Seems that other members in these forums aren't too intrested or just aren't reading these anymore.. blah.

Either a draw or win would be good againts KB... but where this fight would take place is one unansrewed question... Propably somewhere down in the South Pacific.

As you suggested I did my first Para mission last turn... No results in yet but I tried to capture Norfolk with these paratroopers.. hopefully it went ok.

I propably will make those bombing runs againts Baker Island... as you said something to do with those BB's and that island really needs softening anyway.


Game date is 31st of March 1943


Really nothing major happening at the moment... I can upgrade my US Fleet next turn and that gives me better and more modern ships on which to operate.


China


Just a small air to air duel in Hengchow....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hengchow , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIF: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged


...Still no sign of any enemy infantry movements... either he really has gone defensive or he is up to something... At the moment I do not think he has any chance of winning in China anymore... I have too many troops and too much supplies on which keep them operational.



Central & North Pacific


Quiet... infantry reinforcements arriving daily and that keeps me busy at the moment.

Operation Delfine is still ongoing... here are few results from this submarine blockade...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 50,48

Japanese Ships
AK Yahiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 58,48

Japanese Ships
AK Norfolk Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS Grayback


Burma & India


Nothing to report from past few days.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


I have kept bombing Timor again...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 33,78

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 33

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

... also I did pay substantial price with my bombing runs againts Sorong...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 79

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Runway hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

..this operation has now been cancelled... my B17's will start bombing Timor bases now on.

Transport convoy is reaching NZ and they are to pick up 3 infantry units to frontline duty.

As said earlier my 1st Para operation is underway... objective is to capture Norfolk island with those troops.

The line of "defense" Noumea - Luganville - Efate - Nandi - Suva - Canton Island and Palmyra is strong... so we will start squeezing Japanese in this circle soon enough.

I'd go with 2 CV TFs one following the other. With bit of luck they don't get separated and can coordinate their strikes better. If in same hex their CAP will combine. In 1943 you still have plane limitations in CV TF..I think it was (200+rnd 200) for 1943. So 2 TFs might make sense.

[:D] Happy to help [;)]

Do bear in mind though I am considered by some to be very aggressive ..

Dumping 3 divs and 14 support units on an enemy held canton in march 42 while losing 4 CV's to do it .. is that aggressive especially as no recon was available .. hehe .. ( not my written up Pbem game ) ..

Libs and forts can flatten baker especially combined with BB runs .. i thied it and flattened the place .. regardless of the enemy fighters .. i sent 200 planes a turn and 1-2 bb's every few days .. after a week he gave up trying to hold it [:'(]

Oh yes .. as Sadukar says .. 2 CV a TF .. maybe more if Brit .. does the 200 plane limit arrive in 43 ? as im still assuming its 100 in late 42 ?? I have plenty of escorts so its not a problem

I think it's 100+rnd (100) in 1942, 150+rnd (150) in 1943 and so on. Not with manual right now, so don't remember exactly..[8D]

And, I think there are quite a number of folks following the game, even tho they don't post. Number of hits are quite high, so that'd indicate so.

By the way, you could also try to take Wake (or do you own that ?) and next try to get Eniwetok using Wake as staging area. That'd isolate lot of Japanese garrisons. And would probably draw IJN carriers into battle.

don't mention WAKE .. its a bad word

thanks for the info on a/c ..

Yea, I forgot that there was some bad experiences earlier when trying that...[;)]. Maybe hitting Marcus Island and then directly to Saipan/Guam etc. ?

Thanx... So, basically I should not put over 150 AC's in single TF... and If I'am correct the Japanese number would be 200... this does mean though that I do have quite a few TF when this operation goes ahead since I do have CVE's. CVL and number of Fleet Carriers... [;)]

Ouch... I do not own Wake... some bad feelings about the whole place though [:@][:(] ...I think the next operational targets will be in South Pacific... I haven't tied up any timetable though.

As for target.. I think Baker Island sounds quite nice... the benefit would be that I can support this operation from Canton Island with my LBA's... he does have 11 units stationed there but I will start soon my bombing campaigns to soften them out... fitst of my P38's escorts have just arrived and once they are ready this air campaign will commence.

Marcus Island would be a bold and gutsy move... I do kind a like it but the problem at the moment is that most of my offensive capability is down in the South... so I will have to wait with this at the moment... but this actually sounds nice.

I actually recieved info via Signit that he has 230 000 Japanese stationed in Truk... and as said 120 000 in Kwalein.... basing my estimates with these numbers I would say he will intervene with KB when this operation starts rolling forward.


Anyway, the has continued... (more preparations than action at the moment)


Game date is 12th of April 1943


China


No offensive actions has taken place... I have kept the supply levels in good condition with my key bases. He has kept training his pilots (Kumming and Yunan)

The good news in here is that I did recieve my first P40N's... this is an excellent addition... as soon as I have enough escorting capability his training programs here will come to halt.



Central & North Pacific


Canton Island have recieved additional allied aircraft... 44 Liberators and 72 P38's have now arrived... also there are already 64 B25J's stationed here so the pressure againts Baker Island will soon mount.

Also, 3 NZ Brigades are on their way towards Upolu... this base will be one of the staging areas since my objective is the capture of Funafuti Island... there 1 Japanese base unit and 1 Sasebo brigade defending this island.



NZ, Australia & South Pacific


The allied adventure againts Timor will have to wait for a while.... I know that he has has propably over 200 fighters stationed in Kendari - Amboina and Sorong... also I know that well over 100 Betty's also occupy these bases.

That is why I have dispatched +90 B17's in forthcoming turn to bomb Kendari airfields... these places has to be softened up first.. this bombing run will be made at night.

I have however bombed those souls stationed in Timor too...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 39th Road Construction Battalion, at 33,78

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 33

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yokosuka 3rd SNLF, at 31,77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 47

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


I have also decieded to make a Lunga airfield a target... over 100 allied bombers will strike this base at night... hopefully, this will bring in some good results.

The first para mission was a success...Norfolk Island is now in allied hands... there were just few Japanese infantry on the ground that surrendered easily... also some Japanese aircraft were found and destroyed.

There is also 1st aviation unit heading towards Cairns... this will give me an operational base againts Port Moresby and Gili.


Burma & India


Nice and quiet... this theatre is turning into holiday resort... [>:]