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Banzai!

I could have guessed this would happen to your striking forces on day 2. Been there, done that. [:D]

You can potentially avoid it by setting KB to retire rather than remain on station, which should make them pull back after day 1. Dosent always work that way though.

Nevertheless, 2 BBs is a reasonable result. The sheer number of tough targets in PH in this version tends to limit the damage somewhat. Atleast you took out one of his better BBs, though sadly the Lexington CC is still afloat - and not very hurt it seems.

Whats the status of your carrier wings now that the dust has settled?


Good move with the paratroopers, I do that often myself, with one landing at Aparri and the other at Vigan.


Also, what are your plans with regards to the ships being built? Im not sure if you guys are playing variable reinforcements or not, but would be interesting to know when the next two CVs are due for you.

I was on the other end of the bell shape curve during my dry run to test out my orders (CV Yorktown and 7 BBs sunk). [:D] Thus, I has seen the number of Vals and Kates lost. This mod has a lot of BBs for both sides. Thus, the Japanese would have spent a lot of effort in sinking them. While watching the replay for the 7th, I knew I was in trouble as I kept seeing 800kg APs falling and very few torpedoes.

During my initial orders, I added pilots to most of my Chutai and Daitai, both LBA and CV wise. CVE Taiyo had her Zeros set to expand to fit the ship. She is at 13 from 9 Zeros. However, she will need to do her final expansion somewhere else as it time for war now. KB has extra pilots for all her Daitai and once the planes are repaired and morale is back up, I'll set them to 30 or 40% training. It helps that your latest version gives me pilots around 40 experience. [:)] KB lost 2 of 6 CV worth of Kates and 3 of 6 CV worth of Vals.

Economy Issues -
Changes to date are: Vals x2; Kates B5N2 x2; Pete x2; Oscar Ic x2; Nates at Harbin x2; Liz to 16 (starts production in 1/42); Mavis x2; Ha-32 x2; and Ha-33 x2.
Ships - halted 9 subs and increased Naval Shipyards by 25. I will look for further adjustment here.
My area that needs to get better at is monitoring air production, even with Tracker. [:D]

For my fellow "Economics Ministers" here is what I have in the way of Air Production adjustments to date.

Here are the Naval Production numbers with a quick look at all those "heavy" ships.

Michael,
sorry I never got back to you in time to give you some feedback on JuanG's mod, I've been a little busy this week[8|]

The chart below, is what I believe is the economy at full potential (with all viable captures - not the US/Russia/India[;)]). Juan's mod is fairly much in equilibrium and there won't be too much need to toy too much until you see what repairs are needed to Ind.

Having played EA, I know the problems with fuel regarding building a large navy, 15K surplus is not a lot IMO to keep the fleet running, but then again you are fairly much limited in how many OilC there are available.

To shipBuilding:- as you can see via the shipProd chart, will tell you that there are going to be things you'll need to put off or never build. More Yards = More HI = more fuel consumption.

I've not looked at much else yet, but I will over the next few days (if I got anything wrong - pre-emptive apology to Juan)

Yes, be VERY careful with fuel. An operation early in the war left both Truk and Badeldaob dry in my game, and I strongly recommend you dont repeat the experience!

I see your expanding Liz production - make sure you expand the corresponding engines too. 16 airframes will need 64 engines and those take a while to expand. My own production was bottlenecked in february due to that.

Whats your decision regarding use of the J2He1?

Dec 9 & 10

Subs/ASW:
I lose the first round of sub vs sub (SS I-157 at 52,85 - near Tandjoengpinang is sunk by SS KXIII with 1 Tordepo hit). 2 DD and a CL hit a sub laid minefield at Bataan. I-162 sinks an AVP while trying to get into Java Sea while I-15 gets an xAKL in the same area. I have the subs to the east of Malaya at start headed for the two strait around Java. I-154 hits a TK near Toboali.
On day two, I-154 sinks another 2 xAKLs. SS Seal at Vigan has one direct DC hit on her. xAP Dominion Monarch get a torpedo hit from I-154 while three more xAKLs get hit.

Carriers:
CVL Shokaku TF runs into 5 xAKLs at Legaspi during the night and they both run away from each other. [:D]
On day two, the Vals from CVL TF hit 3 xAKLs in the Sula Sea.
KB ends up near Johnson Island.

Malaya:
54 Nate/Oscars face 1 Buffalo as they escort in 78 Sally to attack the AF at Kota Bharu (note to self - too many attacks on AF will leave it a wreck after you capture it). 38 fighters face a lone Buffalo at Alor Star and the Lilly's go in untouched. Kota Bharu is captured.
On day two, 36 Lily hits the AF at Alor Star.

Philippines:
In the middle of the South Chine Sea - 2 CA, CL and 5 DDs run into the 3 British DDs from Hong Kong during the daylight. 1 DD will need to spend part of two weeks tied up the pier at Camrahn Bay while the British ships are sunk. [:)] Ms Nell & Ms Betty sink 5 transports/tankers off the southern tip of Luzon. Some of their sisters go into Manila in three fragmented strikes without Zero escorts, losing 12 in the process. [:@] In the afternoon Air Phase, the Zeros go in by themselves. 17 Zeros shoot down 4 fighters without a losing any. [:)] Then 2 escorted Nell/Betty raids get one torpedo into CL Raleigh.
On day two, 35 Zero escort in 15 Betty to Manila and sink CL Raleigh. [:)] Then 31 Zero escort in 52 Nell/Betty and the Allied fighters lose two more planes while the port gets minor damage. There are no ships left in port!!

China: Canton based LBA hit Hong Kong defenders while the troops march in. With the new Hot Fix installed the garrison requirements have me focused on moving some troops around to free up strong LCUs. No more rush into battle right away.

Central Pacific:
One of the American CV TF shows up near enough to my transports and escorts finishing their off loading of supplies at Makin. None survive. [:(] I was smart enough to hold the Tarawa TF as many Allied players will use the CA in the TF at Canton Island to be a one ship wrecking crew.

Economy:
More adjustment with Tracker as my guide as 9 subs are halted to get Naval Shipbuilding points in the black. Three of the smallest Naval Shipyards are expanded (increase of 45). Ha-32 and ha-33 engines are doubled. Oscar Ic, Liz, Mavis factories are doubled.
The conversion process is put in high gear as almost all the Aden Class xAKs have some of their cargo space converted over to troops capacity. I will have those xAKLs soon dropping DCs as Kiso and To'su Class PBs. 3 Lima Class xAKs are now going to become AKEs. Their cargo load is 4900 - large enough to rearm most warships.

Notes & New Orders:
Even though I have some experience playing Japan, none has been with AE. I have less than one month as the Allies vs Japan AI with Andy Mac's Ironman. This is going to be an OJT PBEM for me. Hopefully, the learning curve will be forgiving.

Dec 11 & 12: Plane losses are in (*).

Subs/ASW:
SS Skipjack gets one direct hit by DDs at Vigan. S36 gets hit once before she could reach Formosa. Of course, they were both reported as sunk. [;)]
On day two, xAP Dominion Monarch gets here second torpedo put in her near Toboali.

Carriers:
CVLs are in Sula Sea and sink an AM and xAKL.
KB heads for Makin/Tarawa area hoping to run into the American CV. However, no such luck. She will cover the Tarawa invasion over the next few days.

Malaya:
21 Lily hit Alor Star again.
On day two, 18 and then 9 Zeros come in over Alor Star. I guess the bombers decided to stay home and recover from last nights hangover. [:D] 24 Oscar escort in 21 Lily to hit Alor Star AF.

Saigon:
21 B-17s from Singapore hit the port. 9 ships are hit with only one being sunk (see screenshot below). Of course, this novice C in C forgot to move in fighters for CAP. Not a good sight to see when drinking your morning coffee like I was.
On day two, 12 B-17s come in at 8k and hit 7 ships. OUCH!! Thankfully, none were warships.

Philippines:
CL and 2 DDS had been broken off from Legaspi covering force and sink TK and 3 xAKL off of Naga. 9 PT boats run into my invasion TF at Vigan, but no shots are fired. 23 Zeros sweep Manila vs 11 fighters (1 loss vs 2). 21(0) Zeros vs 3(1) Warhawks are not good odds, especially when coming in at 24k. Laoag, Vigan, and Legaspi are captured. BANZAI!!
On day two, 22(0) Zeros again come in at 24k vs 13(3) fighters. Then, another wave of 21(0) Zeros vs 2(1) P-40B Warhawk. No bombers assigned to mission over Luzon. I'm going to mix some bomber missions in, but sweeps are doing very well right now.

China:
LBA hits the troops at Hong Kong again while the LCUs just bombard. It looks like he is moving in on Ichang. Pengpu (5 hexes NW of Shanghai) is captured.

New Guinea:
Sorang is captured. I didn't want to send those small AF companies to Truk.

Central Pacific:
Wake Island - 15(1) Nell vs 8(0) F4F-3 Wildcat. They will be shut down until the actual invasion.

Economy:
Ha-35 engines x2, Hitachi (early) converted to Ha-35 engines - Tracker shows a big need for these engines. I discover that Aichi Ha-60 which are used for my Mike Fighters due in 1/42 don't become available until 10/42 (when Judy become available). I only have one daitai of them to begin with. Just an inconvenience. More of the conversions of Aden Class xAK and xAKLs to PBs continue. I discover over 1 million Resources at Port Arthur. [X(] Multiple TF of xAKLs with some PBs head there. Alos, from CF AAR, I place most of the Engineers in Manchuria and Korea to get on trains and head for Pusan. I want to build up that Port to size 8 asap.

Notes & New Orders:
Saigon was an expensive lesson. I need to be more aware of those "nasty" B-17s. I have to change my mindset over as I'm usually an Allied player. Any advice on what fighter to use this early in the war against them??
Malaya - I'm going to try pushing down heavily from Kota Bharu (base damage is Port - 84, AF Service - 57, AF Runways - 33). I have IG and any armor on Strategic Move and should arrive soon. FatR seems to be pulling everybody to Singapore as fast as they can go.
Miri invasion force leaves Camrahn Bay with BB Kaga & Tosa, 2 CA, 2CL, and 6 DDs as cover. 2 CVEs willmeet them there as they have just refuel at Formosa. I had the two invasion TF for Manado and Termate to follow the TF from Malaya (BB Hiei & Kirishima, 2 CA, CL, and 6 DDs) through the Sula Sea. I just saw I forgot to give them waypoints to take the direct route. Instead, they are headed around Luzon.
Upgrading fighters - I was going to upgrade my Claudes at Truk and Kwajalein. However, while their HQ is in Kwajalein, there is not enough supplies to do so. Meanwhile, the Claudes from Truk are too far to make the trip even with drop tanks. Need to put a BF at Ponape to facilitate this. More things to learn.

Dec 13 & 14:

ASW/Subs:
A PB hits a sub laid minefield that is one hex SW of Saigon. Where are all my minesweepers?? Over at Malaya. [:(]
On day two, I-153 hits a minefield at Merak (Java) and it is doubtful she survives.

Carriers:
On day two, CVL TF sinks an AS and hits 2 xAKLs near Tawi Tawi and 2 xAKs near Balikpapan are sunk.

Malaya:
[>:]

Philippines:
Another transport TF worth of troops and supplies trying to unload at Vigan run into 9 PT boats. Each run away from the other, but an error in my micro-management skills has the TF head back home to Formosa.[8|] Another few days lost. 43(0) Zeros sweep Clark Field against 7(3) P-40 Warhawks. Sally's and Betty's are escorted to hit the AF at Clark and do minimal damage.
On day two, another sweep of Clark gets 2 more fighters killed without any loses. This is followed by escorted raids by Sally's and Betty's that do little damage.

China:
4 A-29 Hudsons come in at 11k over Shanghai and hit a small TK with a 250lb GP bomb. Again, no CAP present. Thus, a review of major port was undertaken and fighters moved around.
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21425 troops, 321 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 633

Defending force 6497 troops, 132 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 223

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 466

Allied adjusted defense: 745

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Central Pacific:
On day two, Tarawa is captured with KB hovering near by.

Economy:
No adjustments made, but shipping organized further and headed for Shikuka and Port Arthur.

Notes & New Orders:
My inexperience playing Japan has come into play again. FatR questions my lack of aggression as a Japanese player. The first few turns show me that I will be losing this game in short order, but I will learn as I go on.
Ground Movement - 8 days in and no LCUs have moved out of their bases yet in Malaya. Most are on the road. At least they are going forward slowly on Luzon.

WTF - After getting some of the Aden Class xAKs to allow more troop space, they cannot be placed in Amphib TF.

Future plans - survival!!

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

WTF - After getting some of the Aden Class xAKs to allow more troop space, they cannot be placed in Amphib TF.

Have you waited for them to finish converting? This takes around a week or two if I remember correctly.

Dec 15 & 16:

ASW/Subs:
O20 misses the Miri Invasion TF 2 hexes NW of the base.

Carriers:
2CVL TF is operating in between Tarakan and Balikpapan - 10 precious torpedoes sink 2 more xAKLs and an AVP. This is important because.....in the afternoon, 4 more torpedoes are used to sink a large xAP at Balikpapan. I'm building up the suspense.
16th - Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B5N2 Kate x 17
D3A1 Val x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 2
BB Beatty

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 14000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Too many spent on AKs as one of the hits should have been a torpedo
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 14000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Malaya:
At Night, 3 Hudson hit the AF at Kota Bharu (no damage). Nates vs Buffalos in multiple rounds have no losses. The 9 Zeros send over on sweep find nothing there.
On 16th, 4 Hudson and 9 Blenheim destroy 4 planes at Kota Bharu during the night. I don't have enough fighters to spare, so this will be left alone for the time being. Good news for this base - AF is repaired by end of turn, just the port left.

Indochina:
DMS clear some of the mine off river near Saigon.

Philippines:
9 PT Boats come to visit the CL & 9 DDs still at Legaspi. One of them is sunk. The last of the transports have finished unloading and both leave at the end of this 2 day cycle. Naga falls and the troops are all ordered to head NW towards Manila.

China:
At Foochow, 25 Betty from Formosa go on ground attack. Light bombers from Canton continue to hit Hong Kong. I get 1:1 odds at Hong Kong, but the defenders are still behind level 2 forts.
ALLIES capture Foochow with 2 Chinese Corps with 4:1 odds. [X(]
16th - Hong Kong survives with a 1:2 attack.

Borneo:
16th - Landing at Miri and troops will be ordered to attack next turn.

Economy:
Still figuring out how many xAKLs and AKs will need to make the trip to and from Manchuria.

News & New Orders:
2 CVE TF ordered to follow 2 transport TF and SC TF (2 x BC plus escorts from Malaya) as they head through the Borneo corner of Sula Sea. They were to cover Miri invasion and are only 4 hexes away.
2 CVLs TF ordered back to Babeldaob as they are out of torpedoes and almost out of sorties.
2 Echizen Class BBs and escorts ordered to head due west from Babeldoab to just above Manado while 2 Yamato Class BBs and escorts remain at Babeldaob while transports finish loading for Manado (this will be primary base to naval forces and have an Air HQ included).

Will FatR (Stanislav) send his British and Dutch ships to hit the transports as they converge on Manado in the next week?? Especially as they were attacked at Balikpapan and surprise is lost.

KB is 2 days out from Truk (she is short 66 Vals and 48 Kates with pools of 33 Vals and 34 Kates). Next turn she will replenish while the Rabaul, Kavieng, and Shortland invasion TF head out. 2nd Air HQ is just clearing Korea on her way to Rabaul via Truk.

Gds Mixed Bde was bought out from Tokyo and with a few other units is loading up invasion TF for Port Moresby. 144 Rgt will join in after Rabaul.

Planning & more planning - My lack of experience as Japan, especially as Japan in AE has me doing a lot of learning in a hurry. However, I want my invasion TF to have a decent SC TF nearby (usually a 2 BB centered TF as I have so many). It took some time to get most of them out from Japan.

How do you get the Claudes around Kwajalein to upgrade to Zeros??

I just shipped in enough supply to push the base Kwajalein Island - AF 1(0), with the 24th Air HQ to over 35k. So, there is plenty of supply.  The Claudes are assigned to that HQ. Next door on Roi-Namar which has the Nells is an AF 4(1).

[&:][&:]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

How do you get the Claudes around Kwajalein to upgrade to Zeros??

I just shipped in enough supply to push the base Kwajalein Island - AF 1(0), with the 24th Air HQ to over 35k. So, there is plenty of supply.  The Claudes are assigned to that HQ. Next door on Roi-Namar which has the Nells is an AF 4(1).

[&:][&:]

I never managed to do it. I sent them to Japan when my carriers went that way anyway, and brought em back on an AK.

Interesting AAR....

  Suscribed !! [:)]

Dec 17 & 18: A slow day

ASW/Subs:
18th - SS Swordfish misses hitting the BB Sagami SC TF at Camranh Bay. RO -60 is run over by CA Canberra & CL Adelaide at Milne Bay (no damage done). I-8 sinks a TK off Palmrya. [:)]

Carriers:
2 CVL TF hit an xAKL and an xAP in the Celebes Sea as they head to Babeldoab for replenishment.
KB arrives at Truk and uses up all the Vals and Kates in the pool, but still needs more.

Malaya:
17th - 4 Hudson & 6 Blenheim hit Kota Bharu during the night, a few more planes are destroyed on the ground. Next turn, I divide up my Nates to have 1 Chutai on night fighter duty. 26(0) Zeros sweep Johore Bharu and take on 6(3) Buffalos on CAP. I figure FatR had them over Singapore and this was just a leak over. Sonia, Lily, and Sally hit the 2 Indian Bde at Taiping.
18th - Same as 17th, except for no Buffalos over Johore Bharu.

Borneo:
17th - Miri was captured with another 24 Oil and Refinery centers damaged. An Oscar Chutai is moved in as CAP and a Dinah for recon the next few invasion objectives.

China:
17th - 8 British PT boats operating out of Hong Kong confront a transport TF off Pescadores and both TF run away from each other.

Philippines:
[>:]

Celebes:
The forces for the invasion of Manado are close to being ready for action.

Solomons/New Guinea Area:
Kavieng, Shortland, and Rabaul invasion forces leave Truk.

Notes:
Below is one of the new class of BBs. She is in a SC TF with her sister, Shinano.

Dec 19 & 20: Queen Elizabeth sighting!!

ASW/Subs:
19th - I-9 misses a transport TF NE of Pearl. I have 3 subs headed for Alaska, while another dozen or so are operating off San Fran to San Diego area. Their patrol zones are at least 12 hexes off shore to minimize naval search. RO-60 puts a single torpedo in CA Chicago at Port Morseby. RO-62 misses a minesweeper one hex off Port Moresby.

Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 98,130
Why is this big ship here?? The port is only a size 1.

Japanese Ships
SS RO-62

Allied Ships
xAP Queen Elizabeth

xAP Queen Elizabeth is sighted by SS RO-62
SS RO-62 launches 6 torpedoes

20th - SS Seawolf hits an xAKL that is part of the Mandao invasion force in the Celebes Sea.

Carriers:
2 CVE TF is in the middle of Manado invasion TFs on the eastern edge of Celebes Sea.
2 CVL TF is replenishing at Babeldoab. She doesn't get any much needed Vals or Kates as KB took them all last turn. I couldn't upgrade my Claudes to Zeros as I have less than 20k supply (I"m still working on mastering how to load Amphib and other TF with not too much supply).
KB and SC TF (BB Nagato & Mutsu centered) are 6 hexes almost due east of Rabaul.

Malaya:
19th - 5 Nates on nighttime fighter patrol encounter 9 Blenheim. Neither side suffers losses, but I don't lose any planes on the ground. [:)] Lily and Sally hit the Indian Bde at Taiping.
20th - Nates turn back the Blenheims again without any losses in the air or ground. 14 Oscars are unable to kill any of the 3 Buffalo over Georgetown. Sonia, Lily, and Sally continue to hit ground troops at Taiping.

Borneo:
[>:] A Fast Amphib TF (all ships have speed over 18 knots) will arrive at Kuching during next turn cycle. They have the SC TF based around 2 Sagami Class BBs and then a SC TF based around 2 Tosa Class BBs will move to 1 hex NW of Kuching.

China:
19th - The 2 Chinese Corps in the wooded hex due east of Ichang are attacked by a few Sonia.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 55602 troops, 349 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1879

Defending force 15082 troops, 116 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 573

Allied adjusted assault: 1427

Japanese adjusted defense: 741

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1038 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2420 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 189 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 60 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Assaulting units:
68th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
33rd Group Army

Defending units:
34th Division
13th RGC Temp. Division

20th - I'm on the wrong end of 2:1 odds at Ichang and the forts are down to level 1.

Philippines:
19th - Another miss and no hits by 9 Allied PT Boats at Vigan against a transport TF.

Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 5
P-35A x 3
P-40B Warhawk x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed [:)]

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 3 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 19000 feet

18 Lily and then 18 Sally come in to bomb the AF without any fighters present.[;)] In the PM phase, 1 Zero is lost for a P-40E. Then, 49 Zero escort in 20 Nell and 20(1) Betty. I wonder if the heavy escort numbers are a combination of those from Takao and the new AF at Vigan (which is on the way to Clark Field).
20th - Heavily escorted attacks and some sweeps have begun to take affect.

Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 18

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-35A x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

This is followed by 35 Zeros and 20 Sallys without resistance. Later, the Nells and Bettys come in with plenty of Zero escorts. The Allied fighters fail to show up.

Celebes:
The 2 Amphib TF that was escorted by my 2 CVEs and a SC TF (based around 2 BCs) was in the shallow ocean hex due west of Tawi Tawi last turn. All four TF were together and ordered to follow the SC TF. The transports did NOT have the direct route selected (another micro-management mess up and/or learning experience) decided not to follow along and ended up head for Babeldoab around the northern tip of Luzon. [X(][:@]
The screenshot shows the massing of forces for this invasion. Three powerful SC TF are involved (2 x BB Yamato Class, 2 x BB Echizen Class, and 2 x BC Kongo Class). The CVEs are already there and the CVLs should arrive by the end of the second day. Overkill?? Maybe, but I'm not going to give him an opportunity to intervene.

New Guinea/Solomons Area:
Another example of micro-management going wrong. The Rabaul TF did not leave Truk while the other three did. [:(] I could have moved KB closer to Port Morseby this turn, but I'm hoping he tries to com for Rabaul with Allied SC TF

Notes:
I had a partial stack of land units that didn't move last turn. Again, i don't know if my micro-management skills are lacking or.....
FatR seems to be in full retreat to Singapore. I have just begun to understand the new AE movement system. As I have not tried out AE as Japan, I'm still learning. On Luzon, he seems to preparing for a stand at Clark. In China, I have just about finished up shifting troops around to met garrison requirements to free up more powerful LCUs.
I'm still forming Cargo TF to get the Resources at Port Arthur. Thankfully, my massive number of engineers at Fusan raised the port level to 5(5).

Amazing babe [:D]

Dec 21 & 22: Zero pilots too drunk to fly. [:@]

ASW/Subs:
21st - I-21 operating far off the San Fran coast, hits xAP Prez Coolidge with 1 out of 6 torpedoes.

Carriers:
22nd - 2 CVEs & 2 CVLs light CAP of Zeros and Claudes turn back three attacks of 11(1) Hudsons from Kendari as they attack landings at Midate (small dot base just SW from Mandao that I have a SNLF landing to prevent retreat from Manado).
KB - is spotted south of Rabaul. They will patrol here and have it get close enough to Port Moresby to hit targets of opportunity.

Malaya:
21st - 16 Lily & 22 Sonia continue to attack retreating Indian Bde just south of Taiping while 29 Sally hit BF just SW of Jota Bharu. 18 Nell out of Saigon miss an CL and xAKL SW of Singapore (just outside of torpedo range).
22nd - Lily, Sonia, and Sally continue attacks.
Alor Star has finally been reached by an Engineer LCU and will be attacked next cycle.

Borneo:
21st - Landing at Kuching has CL Yahagi dueling with 6" CD guns. Unfortunately, the transports still getting hit.
Kuching will be attack next cycle while the Sangkawang invasion forces are gathering at Saigon and Camrahn Bay. (Zero and 12 Oscars are resting to move into Kuching and provide LRCAP over Sangkawang.

China:
21st - Ground attacks continue on Hong Kong and the wooded hex due east of Ichang.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52338 troops, 349 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1588

Defending force 12973 troops, 116 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 410

Allied adjusted assault: 1406

Japanese adjusted defense: 136

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ichang !!!

Canton has extra bombers moved in and the AF is temporarily overstacked as Hong Kong will be attacked again. Nell & Betty from Takao are added in air based ground attack. Most of my re-arrangement to met garrison requirements are done and freed up troops are moving forward.

Philippines:
21st - Zeros fail to escort Lily 22(4) and then Sally 19(2) to Clark.[:(][:@]
22nd - 16(1) Zero take on 23(2) Warhawks over Clark. 15(1) Lily face off against 4 Warhawks over Clark without Zero escorts. Then, 15 Sally make it past 3 Warhawks to hit AF.
Air HQ and multiple LCUs are almost at San Fernando from Vigan.

Celebes:
22nd - 2 xAKs are sunk off of Manado from CD fire while PBs have used up all their 12cm ammo. Some of the damaged ships are formed into a TF and will head back towards Babeldoab.
Lots of behind the scenes planning as TF from Camrahn Bay are off west coast of Mindanao that were to hit Manado and Termate. The one for Manado should land during next cycle and Termante the cycle after. Troops are loading at Babeldoab for invasion of Namlea (next to Ambon). Forces are prepping for for and will load up for Kendari, Lautem, and Koepang. 4th and 21st Division along with 6 x Tank are prepping for Darwin. 5th Air Div HQ with other troops will hit Koepang in the weeks to come. Along with Air HQ at Sangkawang, i hope to close off shipping to and from Java for the most part.

New Guinea/Solomons Area:
22nd - Kavieng troops reload and head back to Truk!! The TF and LCU commander will be shot upon arrival. [;)]

Notes:
Allied CV(s) are spotted south of Kendari. I think it is the British CV hit at Balikpapan. FatR may try a quick run in to hit TF around Manado.
More and more xAKs assigned to move Resources from Port Arthur to Japan.

Interesting . The deployment of a large number of battlewagons makes the DEI very funny. You never know when a british BC can apear !!

Yes, the RN is definately a force to reckoned with here - and they're poised to become even stronger by the end of the year.

Thankfully, it looks as if you've brought enough of your own heavy metal to make sure than any attempts to interfere will be shortlived [:D]. I was too careless in the same situation, and rather than using Tosa and Kaga to cover my landings, had it done by Ise and Hyuga. I lost Ise against a pair of British BBs for that. [:(]

What are your plans in the South Pacific? I'm assuming you plan to take Rabaul and then PM? What about after that?