West Wind, Clear - Rybka (J) vs. Skipjack (A)

[Rybka]

Actually, this game didn´t end yet. Thanks to Skipjacks patience, we still continue, even at slower rate.

First, Skipjack launched announced offensive against south China coast.
Canton was defended by the best fighter unit. Unfortunately, those proud fliers refused to change beloved Ki-27 for something more modern and were crushed. Nevertheless, they weren´t easy opponents.

[Rybka]

A silly commander (guess who [:(]) changed units in the loose. As a result, the 23rd brigade was surprised while marching and Canton was taken easily. Disorded unit even fleed to Nannig.

[Rybka]

At the same time, the second force landed at Hong-Kong. The 32nd division was better prepared and fought admirably, but at the end they lost the city.

[Rybka]

Some careless allied admirals led their fleets too closely to Japanese bases and payed for it. Three CVEs went down, together with another ships.

[Rybka]

With the start of New Year, Chang-Kai-Shek , encouraged by continuing advance of allies, desided to push my forces back. His effort was stopped by a single detached brigade.

[Rybka]

At the same time, mother division is fighting desperately at the China-Burma border and is forced to retreat deeper into China.

[Rybka]

Help is near - long awaited operation Ichi-go at central China seized Kweilen and destroyed 3 Chinese armies.

[Rybka]

Situation on Luzon is still worsening. Finally, Skipjack launched a grand ofensive. Combined forces of many carrier and surface-combat fleets weaken the defence of Manila and a strong amphibious attack forced my men to retreat.

[Rybka]

Loss of Hong-Kong and Manila disrupted heavily my air forces. I lost 12 fighter units and for a while it was hard to find enough units even for Formosa defence. All remaining aircrafts from Luzon were sent back and supply convoys stopped. From now on, ground forces are fighting alone.
Skipjack continues in seizing Luzon. He took Lingayen, Lagasapi and, lastly, North Luzon. Bataan and Clark Field are still safe, the first one for our HR prohibiting amphibious landing at Bataan.

The February of 1945 brought an important event. Japanese goverment felt the homeland is exhausted and sent an offer for a peace negotiation to allies.

[Rybka]

But some hot-headed soldiers were disgusted with such step. They everted weakling goverment and perusuaded Emperor to continue in war.

Some pictures from last combats:

Typical range problem - bombers attack without escort and are slaughtered ...

[Rybka]

... but these units sent another Betties at night and they were more successful.



I´m sorry for that post-shooting, I forgot the rule for a single picture in one post and prepared this photo-story before login.

[Skipjack_]

Thanks for posting the updates - you are putting me to shame [;)]

Gen. McArthur swayed the Joint Chiefs to launch the Luzon campaign after my invasion of the Chinese coast left a trail of burning CVEs along the route. "Luzon cannot be bypassed" Doug intones after meeting with FDR ...

But Luzon ground resistance is fierce - tried pushing in at Lingayen and Manila while invading North Luzon - 700+ squads lost [:(]

Now the Naval Cabal can make it's arguments for a different objective ...

[Capt. Harlock]

Typical range problem - bombers attack without escort and are slaughtered ...

Nice set of screenshots! I take it you're very low on A6M2's?

[Rybka]

As I said, the range problem. There are many A6M2s, but they weren´t able to escort Betties at such distant mission. It is hard to find a base in proper range. Maybe I will keep production of G3M Chuko next, their range of 6 frames is ideal in latter part of game. They are very fragile, but it is not so important for kamikazes.

[Skipjack_]

3/12/45:  After heavy losses are suffered trying to push inland on Luzon, the Join Chiefs commission a investigation of the costs and benefits of subduing the entire island .. this despite strong objections from MacArthur, who issues communiques stating "the Luzon operation is successfully entering it's final phase" and "most major objectives have been met on Luzon".  Reality is found to be different; significant strength is left of the Japanese defenders on the island, and with Bataan guarded by heavy coastal artillery, there is little the Navy can do to further the march inland ...

Into this mix the Navy introduces its long shelved plans to use Formosa as a base for the final assault on Japan ... its location is ideal for closing off China to the home islands and for air strikes on the same ... with control of Chinese bases of Hong Kong, Canton and Zhanjiang, air support is available as well.

So forces are assembled to launch the operation, mostly stripped from Luzon - General Marshall needed to give the orders to a sullen MacArthur ... to cover the operation, the British Fleet is to suppress Japanese LBA at Amoy, while a detachment of the 5th Fleet heads to Okinawa.  The main body proceeds to Takao, as Operation Pendulum is underway ...

[Capt. Harlock]

Reality is found to be different; significant strength is left of the Japanese defenders on the island, and with Bataan guarded by heavy coastal artillery, there is little the Navy can do to further the march inland ...

But surely you have hordes of B-25's by now for bombing runs on IJA troops?

[Skipjack_]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

But surely you have hordes of B-25's by now for bombing runs on IJA troops?

That is the plan - with B25s and A26 Invaders [:D]

[Skipjack_]

So here are the details - British BBs and CVs are sent to Amoy to suppress any Japanese response from the Chinese coast, while a detachment of the 5th U.S. Fleet is sent to Okinawa with a similar mission.  Meanwhile the main body moves on Takao to begin the invasion of Formosa.

The British get a hot welcome - Kamikazes strike, claiming the BB Queen Elizabeth sunk while damaging the CL Frobisher ...

[Skipjack_]

But the 5th Fleet gets the hottest reception - KB reacts and strikes before the TFs can reach Okinawa ... but this is not 1942, F4U-4s wipe the Japanese strike from the skies, allowing the U.S. strike to hit back hard, it is the final chapter for KB ...

[Skipjack_]

Kamikazes strike U.S. ships off Okinawa, damaging Shangra-La and crippling the CVL Langley ... at Formosa the Marines + Americal Div and AUS 1st Armoured Bde land and take the base ... stage 1 of operation Pendulum is complete ...