Japan – March 14th/April 11th, 1943
The Americans land at Canton with a full infantry corps overrunning the tiny garrison there in short order. However, some areas of the base still remain in Japanese hands and the exact positions of the American carrier fleet offshore are radioed into Kwajalein. Not missing a chance to inflict another blow on the US Navy, the 1st carrier fleet sails to engage, and with the reconnaissance advantage catch the Americans completely off guard, sinking the Yorktown and Lexington II as well as the battleships Colorado and West Virginia. Five American fleet carriers have now been sunk and unless they can retaliate in some way any further action in the Eastern Pacific theatre would seem suicidal.
This also paves the way for the possible invasion of Hawaii, delayed due to lack of suitable landing craft for the moment.
The Indian army has mostly recovered its position in the north of the country setting up a defensive line in the jungle around Lucknow. The Imperial Guards have reached Madras in the south though, and supported by marines from Ceylon and the 2nd Carrier fleet, should capture the port next turn opening up better supply lines and a new avenue of attack.
American shipyards have been churning out massive amount of submarines with around 20 groups raiding convoys off of Japan itself, sinking around 20 merchant groups in two turns. Our aviators have stuck back hard though, sinking five of the sub groups this turn thanks to new specialised anti-sub weaponry. Still, if the Allies continue the strategy of heavy commerce raiding, we could start to struggle to transport raw materials and oil as early as Spring 1944.
