The Accidental War Obvert vs Lowpe

[Lowpe]

Nates were lost over the Straits of Malacca and at Georgetown, while the Kates flew against orders into Batavia.

[Lowpe]

Latest weather intel...very important in planning task force composition for tomorrows potential clashes!

Need to do a little better in the air over the Straits of Malacca...

[Lowpe]

Not another huge clash....

Mutsu and Haruna and Chikuma are not detected and will be the first ships into Sabang if I decide to send them.

Allies no doubt have Prince of Wales here...a nasty, nasty ship. The Haruna doesn't stand a chance in a gun battle with her...in fact the Haruna is a poor ship to send into this inferno....

The three Brit CA are missing today...but might be at Singers (2 CL spotted there)....

Decisions made today will really impact the war...

[Lowpe]

Japan is now up to 563,000 resources loaded on merchants headed for Honshu...roughly a 7 day Surplus should it all arrive in one huge slug.[X(][:(]

[PaxMondo]

[Drakanel]

[Lowpe]

The Sabang Gambit (Classified: TOP SECRET)

This complicated plan will need some coordination to pull off...

TF Mutsu with Haruna and destroyers will move on Sabang from the south, their night time movement will put them one hex east of Sabang. This will hopefully pull the patrolling Allied fleets east. They are set to Low threat, and will hopefully engage in only one combat before retiring to Victoria Point under a LRCAP.

Iboats at Sabang, undetected will surge west hunting British Carriers that according to intel have only fighters.

The Chikuma, a CL, and several destroyers will bombard Medan and retire to Georgetown to rearm under a LRCAP.

But the real striking force is a group of CLs and DDs that are flank speed running into the British Carrier hex...they will catch either retreating Allied soft targets from Sabang, or the Carriers. They will retire to Victoria Point with no LRCAP. They are also set to low threat, as I don't want them fighting to the death.

These are hit and run attacks designed with force preservation in mind, but there exists the real chance to inflict some good damage.

[Lowpe]

Over, against the Bear this might very well be the day of decision for the Kotou pocket.

Japanese fighters are sweeping several bases, and Soviet armored formations...

The IJN is looking for some good reaction rolls to engage the Soviet 6 destroyer force that might either be looking to raid Wakkani or Sapporo or the Hokkaido Straits.

Will be ugly. I will definitely need some good rolls to switch out of reserve mode and into comabt...but they are good troops well led.

[Lowpe]

Burning Baby Carriers....

Japanese damage control reigns supreme!

[Lowpe]

So, I am violating my normal multiple small task force composition, for three large task forces in the Straits of Malacca.

I am also not looking for knock down fights, but rather would like to drain Allied ammunition stores. Also, I have more tools arriving.

Another reason to violate the rule is that it seems to me that the Allies are configured to counter multiple small task forces, and the weather forecast is good meaning the chance of the long lance really excelling is minimal.

[Lowpe]

I suspect Obvert will have the turn done in time for my dinner...anticipation.

[paullus99]

It's a very Japanese Plan....good luck!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

It's a very Japanese Plan....good luck!

Thankyou. That means a lot.

I forgot to mention the only detected ships are the handful of destroyers on the very bottom of the map. The striking task forces are invisible to Allied search so far.

[Lowpe]

Feb 28, 1942

Bright moonlight, but sub attacks don't show the weather. But it is looking clear over the Sabang.

[Lowpe]

Iboat is sighted on approach...

[Lowpe]

First Fight...

[Lowpe]

Off Pearl Harbor there still is an Iboat presence...

[Lowpe]

From the Shores of California to the Malacca Straits....no where is safe.

[Lowpe]

Curses...seems the flank speed run has caused some minor engine damage, and the juicy targets evade.

[Lowpe]

And the morning arrives...