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Rrrrr, lost both Houston and Boise due to a beginner's error. They were to run away in different directions, but I did not put them on react=0, so instead, they reacted to cover the lone transports running off from different Philippine locations, running in several japanese surface combat groups in progress. Houston was on par with the japs, hitting several times both Myoko and Haguro in different engagements, but then was intercepted by Nachi, and a lone torpedo hit exploded the magazine. Boise was mauled by Myoko in the day phase, and sunk later. 3 british DDs did not fair better, being hurt by Ikazuchi and Inazuma badly in the night, and finished off in the day phase by the cruisers. 3 PTs were sunk when they ran into a CL and DD task force in daylight

The subs were very effective and got many hits.
KXIII torpedoed xAK Kyokko Maru, followed by the sinking sound.
KXI hit xAK Iburi Maru, its on fire.
Spearfish hit W-9, following sinking sounds were heard
Sculpin got Terukuni Maru, which is on fire.

Vildebeests sunk Awajisan Maru at Kuantan by 3 torp hits
Later other Vildebeests get 2 500lb bombs on Kinka Maru, which is burning fiercely
Blenheims damage AK Sakura Maru by 1 bomb
Another Vildebeest attack gets hits on Tamaki Maru and Syoto Maru, both on fire with Tamaki also with heavy damage
Later, another Vildebeest strike puts 6 more bombs in Kinka maru, its a goner

Kuantan, Makin and Kota Bharu are lost.

John's DM Gamble is still on the way to Wake Island. With 2 carriers present near the island, he feels safe, as KB is still reported just off Manila. He heard the rumors, that carriers near Wake should prompt KB to leave manila, so the most valuable assets could be evacuated there.

Tom Lynch got his first kill. He was on patrol at 25k with nearly 50 P40s layered between 32k and 10k, when a massive force of nearly 50 Zeros and lots of Vals came in, trying to attack the destroyers in port. Some Zeros dived for the lower cap echelon, so Tom dived behind. One short burst, and Zero's wing was engulfed in flames. Its pilot tried to bail out, but his parachute got caught in the cockpit and caught fire, as the Zero spinned down. Losses were massive, with 24 Zeros down, paid by 13 Buffalos, 12 P40B, 10 P40E, and 2 Blenheims IFs. A number of bombers was downed on each side, too.

One of the Warhawk squadrons in the Philippines converted to P-43 Lancers. With their higher maneuverability and high top altitude, I hope for some 37k feet cap layer from that.

B-17s from the Philippines are preparing for high altitude strategic attack on Takao, hoping to blast the industry. Nearly all B-17 forces are now being flown over to Australia and DEI, in an effort to stop the japs and cause some major damage.

My Hong Kong evacuation which was nearly there got caught, and most ships sunk with the troops. All troops were distributed between individually sailing ships. Unluckily, Arto got several CLs and DDs on patrols, which did havoc. Most ships were gone, just 3 are still ok, and are probably through, carrying chunks of Kowloon brigade and base force. As long as the chunks would unite, it could do a useful unit.

Just some more update on the plans, before the next turn comes in.
India - I am going to dig on the Ledo-Coast line, with all base hexes being garrisoned by at least a division or equvalent, with reserves standing by. I tried to optimize the use of garnisons in entire India, with lots of troops being spare and running towards the line. Troops in Burma are preparing to be pulled back, too, as I dont think I can hold the Burma as for now. The bits of Burma division are very green, experience is just 25, so some training is needed. All brigades which started on the ships are going to land in Calcutta to go on this defensive line. Several of those nice british AA units, both light and heavy, would be distributed there too (goal: 1 LAA 1 HAA in each base), along with all Singers evacuees. Several armored brigades and 1-2 infantry divisions would be set in strat mode, at the rail crossing behind that line, so they could reach any point in one turn, even if in not very optimal mode.

I am going to dig in at Port Blair, I evacuated SSVF brigade from Singapore by AMCs Manoora and Kanimbla doing a max speed dash through Malacca straights along the coast there. One more Indian brigade and one light armor unit from Singapore are also close, being evacuated by fast APs from Singapore running individually flank speed to Batavia, and then normally through the indian ocean. One more indian brigade is being airlifted from Alor Star via Sabang to Port Blair. Chinese DC-2s pick them up, and dutch Lodestars and British DC-2s fly them on. Small base force from Victoria Point is nearly completely evacuated by Cats flying from Blair, too, set to 50% patrol, rest airlift. When that base force is over, the Cats would help with brigade airlift. With three brigades dug in there, even if they would be green, it would take quite an effort to take it. This way, I would have a chance to harrass the shipping towards Rangoon, as my plan wants to make Burma into deadly trap.

Singapore evac is in progress. While using troops which can not be reassigned as road blocks, I rail as many useful units belonging to unrestricted commands to Singers. Then, they use smaller APs and AKs from DEI, moving alone and unescorted at flank speed, to get into Batavia. From there, they would be shipped to India.

China - most units fall back to go to india or central plains. A number of them, around Changsha, and southern coast, are mounting a massive destruction attack. 7 corps are now at Canton or would be there in a few turns, with further ones disturbing the japs near Shanghai or at the south coast, as well as at Ichang. I hope to bind the japanese units there as much as I can, preventing or delaying their appearance in DEI, USAFFE or Singers areas. So far, I cant see any offensive action at the japanese side in China, except for Hong Kong. One or two units are observed to move away. Northern china is evacuated completely. All CAF units are in progress of being gathered at Chengtu, and those there are set to 100% training, ground attack and escort.

An allied cruiser TF is being gathered at Noumea. I got CAs Louisville, Pensacola and Canberra, and a few CLs there. 2 more US CAs, Australia, 3 Helena class, 2 Omaha class CLs, and a destroyer TF is also underways. Several convoys are in progress of being run in. A regiment 24th division is going in here, plus lots of support troops. The rest of the division will follow, then the Hawaii would be secured. A marine regiment is moving to Suva, so NZ guys would unite to a brigade at Nadi, and Marines would take over Suva. Marine defence units are moving to canton island and pago pago.

A massive convoy system is in planning. One route would go West Coast to PH, PH to Suva, then local distribution transports. Another would run East Coast->Panama->along the lowermost edge of the map to NZ. Third would run offmap to Capetown, from there to Perth and India. Most allied transports are being centrally gathered and assigned to the routes now, I expect the convoy system to start fully rolling in march. LA-PH and SF-PH convoys are however already set, as well as the PH-Suva, which makes its first run from San Diego

A number of Harrimans and Hog islanders are converted to AKEs.

North Pacific is being fortified too, currently a regiment of 25th div and several base/construction units are underways to Dutch harbor.

Wake is now fully staffed, with the marine defence bn. moved in there from Midway (most of it for now, less guns and tanks, which are on AKL a few days away), and the 32th combat engineers being airlifted from PH via Laysan and Midway by the omnipresent Cats. Halsey's Lex and Ente are standing slightly to the north of it, so they are outside of Nell range out of Roi Namur. Could make a nasty surprise for the invasion, as they are not yet detected. Saratoga is to join soon. Hermes is also underways to join, even if she is earmarked as the CVE "leader" for later. It would probably trade its Swordfishes to Marine Wildcats however, or maybe reduce the Swordfish group to 4-6 planes, with the rest being wildcats. All other carriers, both US and British, would join in later.

Be wary of digging in at Port Blair, especially if KB is in the DEI. In general I think it's a great idea, but if you can't get extra LCUs there early then you won't last.

I was able to get a nice tank brigade there with an RAF base force, but it wasn't until early '42. Arto sunk some of my ships there as they finished unloading. He eventually took it, but I did delay him several weeks and force him to use 2+ divisions. I wasn't able to hold it, however. I chose to send the Brits and Indian regiments that start on transports to Java/Koepang to delay instead of Port Blair. If I could do it again, I'd send them to Blair instead.

By all means fortify Dutch Harbor. It's the key to the northern map. But also get some forces onto Unmak I. Dutch can't be an air base in the first winter, and has VERY slow AF building due to its stats. Unmak has a terrible port capacity, but can be an AF very quickly. The two bases compliment each other.

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Be wary of digging in at Port Blair, especially if KB is in the DEI. In general I think it's a great idea, but if you can't get extra LCUs there early then you won't last.

I was able to get a nice tank brigade there with an RAF base force, but it wasn't until early '42. Arto sunk some of my ships there as they finished unloading. He eventually took it, but I did delay him several weeks and force him to use 2+ divisions. I wasn't able to hold it, however. I chose to send the Brits and Indian regiments that start on transports to Java/Koepang to delay instead of Port Blair. If I could do it again, I'd send them to Blair instead.

I moved, or in progress of doing that, 4 brigades to PB, I would also get some dutch and british BFs there too. 1-2 Dutch or British CD gun units would also do nicely there. Now its forts 2, and AV of 80 there, even if in green troops. Paradropping a single AV39 SNLF or Raiding regiment would not work well I hope. 2 Audax (to convert to something useful later) and 2 Blenheim units are training in 1000 feet low naval now, plus all the Vildebeest/Swordfish unit remains which to get. One of the air HQs from Singapore would likely go there, too.

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

By all means fortify Dutch Harbor. It's the key to the northern map. But also get some forces onto Unmak I. Dutch can't be an air base in the first winter, and has VERY slow AF building due to its stats. Unmak has a terrible port capacity, but can be an AF very quickly. The two bases compliment each other.

A regiment is on its way there. More to come when it arrives or can be switched. BBs Arizona and Nevada are on their way, with CL Trenton and CA Minneapolis, to be joined by 2 battlewagons from Seattle when these are done. 6 4 Stackers and a few DMS/AVD are also there or on the way. Good idea about Umnak, must see what I have...

The next turn was ugly. I lost Marblehead. I tried attacking what I thought being a convoy, but ended up against a lone CA. Which was enough to send Marblehead to bottom, and damage 3 DDs out of 5. 2 6" hits on the cruiser is probably no effect. I am taking a risk and running POW+Repulse with a lot of british CA/CLs and DDs to catch 2 spotted single CAs near Ambon.

PT boats sent W-13 and an AV to bottom, for 6 PT boats lost. Chinese started punching at Ichang, and also at Canton...
He finally got the CAP at Kuching. Buffalos lost 16 of them trying to protect the massive Blenheim/Hudson/Swordfish/Beast attack. Beasts sunk a lone large xAK with 2 torps. Rest turned away with bad losses.
At Rangoon, AVG boys, and at Manila too, fliers treated some Oscars and Zeros quite badly, a good omen for my max altitude CAP. 10 Zeros and 6 Oscars made the ultimate dive, for 8 H81, 4 P-40e, and 1 P-40B, most of which were not air, but operational losses. One of AVG groups would likely get the P-38Es soon, and would act like a pure sweepers group. I would move in some top guys there.

Japs landed in Kavieng. I run my surface TF from Noumea, to try and intervene there.

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

By all means fortify Dutch Harbor. It's the key to the northern map. But also get some forces onto Unmak I. Dutch can't be an air base in the first winter, and has VERY slow AF building due to its stats. Unmak has a terrible port capacity, but can be an AF very quickly. The two bases compliment each other.

Actually, according to the "How long to build a base" thread, the total size of the base is what matters - not just the part you're working on. So getting Dutch Harbor's AF to 3 shouldn't take that long if you have engineers there to work on the port in the first place. Or at least, it should be faster to build the airfield at Dutch Harbor (SBS 0+3=3) than build up the port at Midway Island (SBS 1+1=2), for example. It will still take a while and you need to weigh whether or not you even want to use the base, which will depend largely on what your opponent does, but I wouldn't dismiss building up the "bad" sides of these islands out of hand.

For the record, Arto didn't make any moves against me in the Aleutians. I haven't checked recently, but I'm not sure he's been fortifying the Kuriles either.

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

By all means fortify Dutch Harbor. It's the key to the northern map. But also get some forces onto Unmak I. Dutch can't be an air base in the first winter, and has VERY slow AF building due to its stats. Unmak has a terrible port capacity, but can be an AF very quickly. The two bases compliment each other.

Actually, according to the "How long to build a base" thread, the total size of the base is what matters - not just the part you're working on. So getting Dutch Harbor's AF to 3 shouldn't take that long if you have engineers there to work on the port in the first place. Or at least, it should be faster to build the airfield at Dutch Harbor (SBS 0+3=3) than build up the port at Midway Island (SBS 1+1=2), for example. It will still take a while and you need to weigh whether or not you even want to use the base, which will depend largely on what your opponent does, but I wouldn't dismiss building up the "bad" sides of these islands out of hand.

For the record, Arto didn't make any moves against me in the Aleutians. I haven't checked recently, but I'm not sure he's been fortifying the Kuriles either.

Dutch starts at 0. In mid-winter. Pile all the engineers on it you like in December, you ain't getting an air base. On winter rules alone you can't compare it to Midway.

I've read that "how to" thread--it's pretty old now I think---and I don't agree with all of it. I trust what my eyes see. You know what I've got at Dutch, roughly, right? Guess what the AF is? Guess what Unmak's is.

I guess I would take one of the Inf Regiments from Pearl, and ship it to Umnak. A arrived base force and a Marine Tank Bat would go up there, too. With one of the 25th division regiments in Dutch, I would probably deploy the entire division there. do you guys think it would make sense to deploy the third regiment to Adak or Attu?

With Kb now moving north from Manila, I would probably attempt to get the marine regiment off Philippines to Jolo, to deny it to him.

Tom Lynch woke up in the hospital, his head dizzy, and his left arm, side and head bandaged. He called a nearby nurse for some water, and then asked her:
- Miss, what has happened to me?
The nurse looked a bit surprised, and answered:
- You were shot down. You took on over 150 japs with just about 30 other fighters, and got a kind of a victory, downing 10 Zeroes and 3 Vals, for 2 more Zeroes reported to fall down later. You were found unconscious in the field, with the parachute still open, and rushed here. 2 7.7mm bullets and some splinters from 20mm shells. Lost a lot of blood, but should be ok.
He tried to recall it exactly - he dove from the patrol height of 29k feet down to hit some Vals, but suddenly his plane shuddered, and something hit his head. He managed to open the seatbelts and canopy before passing out....
- Did we loose many our guys?
- No, just 2 Warhawks, including yours, and 1 Tomahawk, the latter broke up on landing due to combat damage. Also, one Lancer belly landed after exhausting the fuel in pursuit and had to be written off. Most kills were shared by Lancer pilots, which dove on those ugly Kido Butai planes from their 37k feet.

Rajiv's unit is gathered at Pegu, together with the entire 1st Burma division units. They would reunite in 2 turns, when all are ready to rail to the north.

Ben Donovan got a new assignment. He is planning the strategic offence in the North Pacific, which should start in summer 43. First however, DH should be a major sub base.




Other news
AV Sanuki Maru was torpedoed by PT boats last turn, now it was finished off by a sub. Sinking sounds just after combat, 6 Petes sunk, and reported sunk, too. A goner. A large xAK shares the same destiny.
Kido Butai planes struck manila port, several transports and the last AS there are sunk... However, I doubt it was clever from the Arto - lots of skilled KB pilots downed. My max altitude cap policy reduced the losses and increased the kills.

Same in Burma. Oscar and Zero raids on Rangoon costed him 6 Oscars and 1 more Zero, also with skilled crews, for only 5 H81s, just two lost in combat.

SOPAC:
Next day, the japs landed in Shortlands and Kavieng, also several transports are seen moving towards Lae. A mixed cruiser-destroyer group makes a run - CA Australia and DD La Triomphant would try to hit the Lae transports, while the rest (CAs Canberra, Louisville, Pensacola, CL Leander, Perth, DD Scott) would sprint towards Shortlands, to hit whatever came down there. Maybe, one of the cruisers would move to Australia's group. Adelaide would move to Tulagi to block there. A second battle group, with 2 CAs, 5 CLs and a bunch of DDs is near Pago Pago, and would arrive soon. Several fighter squadrons from Hawaii, equipped with P36 and P40s, are moving in on some faster AKs. I might as well redirect a large number of B-17s, which are moving from PH/WC to DEI, most in Townsville, leaving repair track in Pago Pago, Canton and Suva.

Philippines:
After a successful air hunting yesterday, today was not good. He struck Manila airfields with over 150 Netties and sallies in total, under very heavy Zero cover. I lost nearly a dozen fighters and a few bombers under bombs, and also many shot down. Its a big blow. Most fighters which can fly (way too few - a pair of lancers, and no more then 10 P40s B/E) are now moved to Clark, which is bigger, and it also takes the damaged ones there per rail, saving them from bombs.

Malaya - Mersing landing, as expected. Lets hope the Beasts from Johore Bahru would hit it today. Singers evac convoy Nr1 is safely out, refuelling in batavia and ready to go out to IO. SingEvac 2 is safe out of Singers (individual flankspeed runs to Singkep), and is reformed at Singkep (merged to single convoy, as out of range for netties now, but subs are there, so escort is needed), for a flank speed coast run to Batavia, and then to Calcutta.
I dont have more ships in Singers, but a large stream of dutch AKLs and smallish APs is incoming, as there's a lot to evac there still! HQs, 2 alive and one smashed brigades, 2 reassignable bats, AA and AT guns, base forces - all I need in india!

China - Chinese Distraction assault is sucessful. I take 2 smaller bases from the japs. Ichang is heavily under attack, and I hope to surround it. Its forts are down to 1, and 1500 AV of chinese still with supplies are down on it. An ID and a China collaborationist ID are inside, would be nice to hurt them. About 70 japanese infantry squads and similar number of support ones are killed, with many more disabled this day. I want to gather a few of chinese good pilots (there are some fighter ones with 60 air and 60 xp) to one group, and upgrade this group to ex-AVG H81s.

Burma - the troops are nearly ready to move out. AVG 3rd Squad is scheduled to upgrade to P38Es, while 2nd to Lancers. I freed lots and lots of these in the usa, upgrading every useful squad to a few P35 or P26, or to a lone P39 sometimes. Still ok for training.

North - all clear so far.

Just noticed two interesting things:
CL Kinu is reported sunk, by Collision - I dont believe that. Would be nice however!


I-6 sunk by DCs - it was twice attacked this turn, but only one Mk7 DC penetrated causing an internal explosion, fired by DD Jervis. It was second time attacked later, had one near miss, also from Jervis, and was reported as heavy damage. An unknown sub was reported hit by Bolo later in the same area. If it made its final plunge, then it would be a good start for my ASW.

[X(] An airplane hangar under the bridge! Now there's a good idea - put the Captain above a few hundred gallons of Avgas!
I bet that was changed before December 1941.

BTW, could you please post the game date every second post or so? It is hard to assess how things are going without a date
for a benchmark.

The hangar arrangement was a leftover of the 1 World War flying off platform concept. Until mid-20es, no decent catapults were present, but on the other hand, starting speed of a biplanes of the day was just 35-40 knots. The brits had a problem that they were scouted by Zepellins, also spotting, etc was desired. So the solution was a flying off platform - a 10-20 meter long wooden platform, inclined down somewhat. A wheeled plane was placed there, or in a hangar just below, usually under the bridge. When needed to start, the ship turned into the wind, the plane was hoisted on the platform, engine sped up, then the chocks released, and the plane took off. Usually, in british case, the land was close enough to land the plane, else ditch and hope to be picked up. Some hot rods tried, and sometimes even succeeded to land on this platform! Fly low and slow just beside the bridge, match the speed of the ship and plane, then pull the plane onto the platform... the price for failing was high usually, with the plane crashing and being crushed by a ship.

That photo of Kuma is mid-20es - she was one of the first to get an experimental catapult, and it was placed near existing hangar. Later, all ships of her class got the catapult behind the 3rd funnel.

The date - sorry, forgot it! its 13 Dec. 41 now

Current date: 18/12/41

News -
Malaya's slowly crumbling. The road has been cut, but not before the troops managed to get to Singers. Most are being shipped in 1-ship TFs up the malacca straight, full speed to Medan, and then towards Calcutta. All major units are out now, but there are chunks and smaller bits there, which are in trouble, as I cant get more ships in - KB is just between Singers and Palembang, covering the Singkawang landing.. A few more units, 6th (50% at PB already now) and 8 indian (badly beaten, just a few squads) brigades, are in Alor Star, being airlifted out via Singkep, and to Port Blair.
I tried to place 7 dutch subs to the KB's place, as it is not moving since 2 turns, lets hope... First 3-4 would be there this turn.

As in reality, I felt the long lance menace. Repulse, Danae, and 3 4-stackers tried to surprise a fat tanker and oiler group near Babeltoap. They missed the tankers, but on their withdraw, ran into 3 CAs and 3 DDs in the day. Danae took 4 torp hits and 11 shells, and sunk, John D Ford exploded after 2 8" hits. Myoko shrugged off several 15" shells for no visible damage, Haguro 1. Later, Nagara and 5 DDs first sunk the Stewart, then the next contact Pillsbury, and then also Repulse, all by torps... Umikaze is probably the only badly damaged jap..

In the Solomons, my cruisers came too late to stop invasions of Lae and Shortlands, but sunk the Shortlands invasion AKLs. I now have several cruiser battlegroups there, so can imagine good defense. B17s are now bombing Lae, and I plan to retake Shortlands.

In the north, Dutch Harbour Regiment is in place. 2 more separate regiments are in progress of moving to Amchitka and Adak

19.12.41
A small but important victory for DEI defenders. Admiral Palliser's Task Force Z, consisting of POW, supported by 2 D-class cruisers and a motley collection of british and american destroyers intercepted the Jolo invasion force, sending it completely to the bottom. 2 Lima class AKs, 1 PB and lots of troops. Now they however have to retire, as KB is spotted just to the northwest, barely out of range. Several japanese battlegroups with CAs and BBs are also incoming, so retreat to Ambon is ordered.

PI:
Japs started besieging Clark Field. It has been ruined anyways, by over 100 plane strikes per day for several days. Most planes were relocated to the south, all remaining pilots sent to reserve, and damaged planes shipped to Manila per rail now.

DEI - so far, only Singkawang is in enemy hands. I am building fortresses in Surabaya and Batavia.

Malaya - Indian 6th brigade is nearly done with airlift to Sabang and on to Port Blair. The remains of 8th brigade are soon to come to Georgetown for evac too. Using streams of single AKLs, small AKs and small APs TFs for evac works wonders. Only 3 were sunk by subs (2 managed to unload before sinking), and 2 by KB so far (only time they triggered on such stream was when I used a larger AK for this. That AK gone down. Another KB kill was by search plane). Most can navigate Malacca straights on coastal route up to Sabang, then on to PB/Calcutta without being attacked. 2 such ship streams, actually reunited by now, are 2 days off Cocos Islands, bringing 2 brigades and a base force. Another stream of small ships, around 20 of them, mostly philippine evacuees, with some further dutch ones, is going to singers to pick up the last boys. There are only few units there, I hope I am fast enough to get there before he smashes them. 2 australian AMCs are doing fast transport pick ups there too, running also as 1 ship TFs at flank speed.

Pacific
B17 are training, bombing the hell out of enemy unit and search planes in Lae. Several strong cruiser groups, around 15 of them, with some 20 destroyers, are milling around. Several AOs and AKEs are underways for support As the enemy did not yet try to do any moves but lae, kavieng and by now deserted shortlands, I am toying with an idea of freeing one australian division when I can and shipping it to Rabaul (or PM if Rabaul is gone by the time.) Even with militia squads, it is still enough firepower if dug in.
8th marines are on the way to Noumea, and 1 of the 24th division regiments to Suva.

NorPac
Dutch Harbour regiment is now at target. A bataillion is moving to Amchitka, another to Umnak. Separate inf reg is going to Attu and a separate motorized regiment to Adak. Several engineer and base forces, and artillery, are waiting for shipping to be available in Seattle or Prince Rupert. 2 BBs, 1 CA, 1 CL and 5 DDs are ready to counter any invasion. Most of my subs are now based in DH, with an AS in support.

CV force
All my 3 carriers are now reunited in Johnson Island, under Halsey's command. Detection is 0, so its ok to sail. I am considering a shipping raid either towards Marianas, or between Truk and Kwajelein. All carriers have an extra squadron on them (1 Buffaloes, 1 Wildcats, and 1 Vindicators). Alternatively, I could move them to NZ or Oz, or even for raiding DEI... I am not sure of risks in Hokkaido raiding. I also dont want to provoke Arto to consider north, before my preparations are done. Could make sense however. I also might wait until the 4th carrier, and use it as CAP carrier, replacing all its bombers by marine wildcats.

Some update on the characters

Tom Lynch is still injured, rapidly recovering. His left hand and body side are still looking like a mummy with all those bandages. In the first days, it was very uncomfortable in Manila, as lots of bombers came and blasted apart everything in the docks and airfield. Sleepless, tired, enraged and in pain, it was a torture. However, one day, everything changed. A new nurse came to attend to him. Young, very good looking, with big black eyes and dark hair, definitely of spanish descent, she was introduced as Maria Lopez Gonzalez to him, a daughter of one of the philippine politicians, who volunteered to join the nurse corps just a few days ago. Very intelligent girl, she brought some warm feeling in Tom's life which he never experienced before...

Rajiv's unit has merged into the 1st Burma division. Totally green, it is however a largest contingent in Burma, with over 250 squads, with some guns, support and engineers. A new officer just took the command, who was very competent, motivating and agressive to the enemy, and was reputed as a decent tactician. The unit was however just showing up at Pegu, planning to rail to Shwebo when the enemy would be at Moulmein. It is designated to take the position at Imphal sector, to deny the enemy any access to India from Burma.

A few days ago, after laying the mines at Wake, John's Gamble returned to Pearl harbour. He was then called to Adm. Kimmel's headquarters afterwards. An elderly Captain called him.
- Ens. Jackson, Gamble's captain highly commended you for your duty during the dangerous mining operation at Wake. All mines were laid exactly as desired, and you have shown courage when a mine got stuck in the drop rails, while heavy breakers were washing the sugar safety pad, endangering the entire ship. Only your cold blooded action, sending most of the men away from the danger, and only going in yourself with a pair of volunteers, freeing the mine, saved the ship, and ensured that the mission was successfully completed. Thus, you are promoted to Junior Lieutenant, and reassigned as a junior gunnery officer to the carrier Saratoga. Be fast, you must board the Oiler which is leaving to refuel Saratoga today.

Its 23 Dec, and a small update:
Mostly it is silent everywhere, enemy seems to be regrouping.

Malaya/DEI: Singapore Evac is nearly done. All reassignable units are now out at least in part. Some chunks are still there, and I am working hard to use 1-ship streams to pick them up. Ship losses are surprisingly low, as I did not lost a single ship there, despite at least 50 AKLs/small APs being run in and out every day.
Enemy took Singkawang, and I moved a bombardment force for it, of Tromp, De Ruyter, Java and Mauritius, with about 15 destroyers. As they sprinted in, they caught a huge unescorted convoy of 13 large japanese AKs (Kyushu Cargo/Yusen N/Yusen A), and sunk all but one of them, with 3500k dead japs reported. I did not seen all of them sunk, but those afloat all had 1-2 torp and 20+ shell hits, and were heavy fires/heavy damage. I tend to think, that it was Palembang or Batavia Invasion force, waiting for escorts under cover of Singkawangs fighters. One more AK is reported as sunk by mines in the same hex, while the only one which was not killed in combat got a 45cm torp from a dutch sub.
2 Brigades around Alor Star/Georgetown/Penang are now nearly done evacuating, only a few minor chunks remaining. I have 2 brigades on Cocos Island and 3 in Port Blair, digging in and recovering. Base forces from Singapore evac are also underways.

At Clark, it looks bad. He now has over 1600 AV there, and I just 1100. He bombs with over 200 bombers a day at the port and airfield, so I cant really build forts over 2 now... At least my AA downs some 5 per day. I am sending yet another ship stream there, to pick up what could be picked up.

In Burma, some his units are marching up to Moulmain. I would most likely abandon it, and as I plan it, and retreat to Indian Border. The forts on the border are already at 2-3 and building rapidly, as I gathered BFs from all India, and many spare/reinforcement brigades there. I am also fortifying Diamond Harbour, with a brigade inside.

In the Solomons, I am blocking most of the bases by cruiser divisions. I hope to get australian division soon, to place in Rabaul for defence. Troop convoys to Noumea and Fiji are soon there.

In the north, a regiment in Adak/Amchitka/Attu/Umnak/DH is in place or is underways. BFs and other engineers would follow.

I plan my strategic offensive, as all of B17 squadrons are now on their way to China, with the purpose to flatten the industrial targets there. 6k feet night bombing runs on industry in such key points like Shanghai or Canton or Hong kong.

Your opponent will be gun shy after the 2 amphib ambush fiascos. If you "get in the head" of most Jap players early on with a couple lucky intercepts it can greatly change the complexion of the game. The Japanese can ill afford those early infantry/marine casualties.