From Here It SEEMS Like an Eternity...Imperial Japan's Thoughts

[moses]

What a war!!! I finally took half an hour and read the whole thing. A classic John III slugfest!!!

I was not quite clear, but do you own the north coast of Austrailia and do you have a line of retreat for your guys at Perth?? It would seem that as long as you have the north coast you should be OK as in our game.

Whats the current carrier balance? I counted you lossing 5?? carriers and another two hit just recently. As far as I read the allies lost the 2 at the beginning. But I may have missed something. The allies should be getting the CV Wasp around now which would give them 4 good carriers.

I think I'm going to start reading this the next couple months look to be very interesting.[;)]

[John 3rd]

Thank you both for the questions!
 
On the CV side, I have lost CV Hiryu on the 5th or 6th day of the war and then had that disaster about 6 weeks ago gamtime where I lost Junyo, Hiyo, and 2 CVL.  I was SO mad!  My gut instinct warned me of damger but I overrode that feeling.  Cost me 1/3 of my CV Striking power.  Rather belatedly, I am concentrating my CVs.  The next time I fight (near Perth), I will field 3 CV, 1 CVL, and 3 CVE.  It SHOULD be enough to wipe out the British Fleet--I HOPE!
 
I do not have the NW coast of Australia.  I wanted to land at Perth because it is isolated and then quickly--by paratrooper--grab Alice Springs and THEN advance up the NW Coast. 
 
This plan is now out the window.  I have 100,000 poorly supplied troops at Perth facing 1 Aussie Inf Div, 1 CD unit, and 3 Base Force.  Should be able to EASILY take the town but don't have enough supplies...  Only way to take it will be to bring in the follow-on lift of 85,000 troops with nearly 60,000 supply.  MUST clear the sea first and then bring in the troops.  We'll see...
 
I do not like conceding the initiative by canceling New Zealand but fell that the chance to realistically wipe out 40,000 more troops is one I should not pass up on.  If I can keep the Allies going back-and-forth between Perth and elsewhere, I should have time to do this...
 
Thanks for the questions...
 

[moses]

Yea I don't see how you can risk NZ and Perth at once. You might end up losing both!!!

With your concentrated CV force you should be able to deal with the British carriers although I would still be scared about LBA out of Perth. You just have to have all the force you can. Even with your full force you still have some chance of a stray 500 lb bomb putting another carrier out of action.

It would be nice if you could do one of those Nuclear bombardments of Perth but of course you need the carriers there first or your BB's just get whacked.

[John 3rd]

Hi Greg!  Looks like your campaign and AAR are REALLY rolling.  Be nice to have summers off again.  NOT going to happen here in the Cochran House...
 
I will update the AAR tomorrow.  My summer History courses are really picking up at the community college and I now have a 2 hour break in the morning between them.  I will write the update then for everyone.  Should be able to do regular Tues/Thurs updates from then on.  Should be nice...
 
I have totally shutdown the New Zealand Operation. 
 
In the east, I will go after the troops stranded at Port Moresby.  We just finished the July 26th round and I have FOUR Infantry Divisions heading for that base.  Once I retake that, I will try to figure things out for potentially retaking the initiative.  I have so much LBA spread between Rabaul, Lae, Salamaua, Gili-Gili and Thursday Island, I would LOVE for the Allies to try saving their troops.  There are nearly 600 aircraft of all types spread between those bases.
 
Perth is looking BAD.  I--TOO--am heavily concerned about their LBA.  This is why I am bringing all 4 CVE--even Unyo who has 41 Sys Dam--all carrying Zeros.  Add that to my 4 CV and 1 CVL and I MIGHT be able to knock back their LBA.  I am creating a Bombardment Force of Yamato, Kirishima, and Haruna to TRY for a nuclear bombardment.  If that occurs, then I will have a chance.  There will be no fooling around here.  First I clear the seas and skies THEN I try to land the second echelon of troops to finish the job.  If this does not succeed then I will try to lift as many troops off the shore as possible...
 
As to rtapasso's question, I lost the Nagato.  I had 3 CAs hit pretty hard but they have all survived and are headed for repairs.
 
ANYWAY--will update everything tomorrow!
 

[moses]

You should be able to take that base down. The allies are still desperatly short of aviation support and probably more so in your game as you probably killed of lot of base forces while taking Numea etc. I would not be surprised if he has only 30 or 60 aviation support and very few engineers at Perth.

If you can land one hard blow to Perth's airfield it will take a long while to recover.

Good luck.

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Combat Report[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]July 20-26, 1942[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]With the cancellation of Operation Typhoon, events are now moving forward at a fast pace.  There are two goals for the Empire of Japan:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]1.  Operation Urgent Fury (a sup-operation of Southern Fury)---Perth Relief           The vast majority of the Combined Fleet is moving from the New Caledonia region to Timor to spearhead the destruction of the British Eastern Fleet and the conquest of Perth.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]2.  Operation Black Wind—This is the name of the Port Moresby operation.  Portions of the Combined Fleet, with massive LBA, are pounding this Allied base (so no Fortifications can be built) in preparation for a counter-landing by 4 reinforced Japanese Infantry Divisions.  Landing is scheduled for early August.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Let us proceed to the Regional Reports:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]North Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]No real developments.[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]No real developments.[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]South Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Port Moresby[/i]  I continue to pound PMs AF, Port, and begin hitting the troops stationed there.  The damage to the AF and Port is averaging nearly 100%.  No planes can fly and, more importantly, no Fortifications can be built.  The service troops (there were 3 base forces landed) and regular troops (two Aussie Division) are taking anywhere from 100-300 casualties per day.    [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Airfields within the area:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lae[/i]      I have 27 Z and 175 Betty/Helen/Sally/Lily based at Lae.  It is about to go to Sz-5 as an airdrome.  I am keeping 2 Daitai of Betty on Naval Attack in case the Allies try a relief expedition.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Gili-Gili[/i]           The reinforcement and expansion of the AF continues to proceed at a rapid pace.  The AF is nearly at Sz-3 and I currently have a Daitai of Zero and Kates based here.  I will move two more Zero Daitai here to provide cover for the Invasion Force fairly soon.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Salamaua[/i]        In addition to the two small construction battalions here previously, I now move in two base forces and place two Daitai of Vals at the AF.  Though still Sz-1, it will move to Sz-2 within days.  The Vals will go to Naval Attack at that point.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Thursday Island[/i]          Two Base Forces and two SNLF have been placed here.  AF is still Sz-1 but it is expanding as well.  I have 18 Emily and 18 Alfs flying out of this base to provide recon. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A note as to my build-up:  the Allies have not used their 4EB whatsoever.  I think they are being used against my troops at Perth and have been drawn away…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]New Zealand[/b] Invasion Force[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"]Having been recalled, the 100,000 troops contained in three separate TF head in an northeasterly direction for four days and then shift to northwest heading for Noumea.  They should reach this base by August 3rd.  Pending the Port Moresby attack, they will then redeploy…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Operation Black Wind[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]I begin loading the three Infantry Divisions that have been resting in Noumea for the last month after their Pago-Pago victory.  All three Divisions are at 80% or stronger and have an experience score between 85-90%.  They depart New Caledonia on July 24th carrying over 60,000 troops and 15,000 supply.  These troops will rendezvous with the 36th Infantry Division arriving from China at Woodlark Island.  These 25,000 troops will also have an experience rating of 95%.  Put together, these troops SHOULD be able to destroy those Aussies![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My three old BBs (with 2 CL and 8DD) form a tough Bombardment Force that will begin regularly pounding PM soon.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]NW Australia[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Operation Southern Fury has become an albatross!  My troops, after leaving a rearguard of a Brigade and two Engineering units at 7,97) have moved to Perth where they are getting the crap kicked out of them.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My troops get bombarded from the sea, land, and air!  A STF of the damaged BC Repulse, BB Ramillies, 2 CA, 2CL, and 3DD attack every day.  Over 200 fighters, fighter-bombers, and bombers pound the troops as well.  The end of the day sees a ground bombardment to culminate things…I am losing about 400-500 troops per day to this onslaught.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]To make matters worse, the Allies are moving (probably by air and possibly by sea) troops into the city.  Originally there was an Infantry Division, CD Regiment, and 3 BF.  Now—two more Infantry Brigades have arrived.  I have also spotted troops above my beachhead at 7,97…things are degenerating rapidly…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I am adding a detailed description of Operation Urgent Fury to the end of this update.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DEI[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Have started regular resource and oil convoys.  About every 10 days, a convoy forms up at Tarakan or Kuching and heads for Japan.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engineering:[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Lingayen[/i]  AF-4[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tacloban[/i]  AF-1  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kendari, Celebes[/i]         SS Seadragon sinks an AK on the 16th.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Koepang, Timor[/i]          My ships are refueling here.  I have had a major effort in trying to save two damaged ships from earlier in the Perth Battle.  CVE Unyo entered the harbor with 41 Sys Damage and 52 Flot—she is now being pumped dry.  As of July 26th, she is down to 40 Sys Dam and 33 Flot.  Additionally, CA Kinugasa limped into port at 56 Sys Dam and 63 Flot Dam.  She will be saved as well—Flot was down to 30 on the most recent turn.  These are ships that will sorely be needed for later so this is a welcome delelopment!  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma/India[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Allied airpower continues to rotate around and hit Mandalay, Akyab, and units that are holding hexes throughout the area.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Rangoon[/i]          Allied SS are mining the harbor and scoring some successes:  SS KXIII takes 3DC on the 20th,  KXII sinks a MSW on the 21st, and S-36 sinks another MSW on the 23rd.  Frustrating![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Andaman[/i] Island[/i]          A supply and reinforcement convoy arrives on the 24th and promptly gets the attention of SS KVII.  She puts a TT into an AP that day.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lashio[/i]             Goes to AF-3.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]  [/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Heavy aerial combat rages here as the Allies try to shutdown Nate’s airstrikes against Yenen.  Everyday I have been intercepting air transports trying to fly supplies into the surrounded city.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]From 22nd-26th, battles erupt over the Japanese airbase of Chengting and the Chinese airbase of Sian.  The Japanese do quite well!  Nate has three Daitai of Zero and 2 Sentai of Oscars conducting missions as well as nearly 100 bombers.  We take two Allied planes for every one Japanese!  Pretty good for late-1942,  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japanese[/b] Home Islands[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]New Ship Construction:  CVE Chuyo completed on July 22nd and sent to Koepang.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC’s Kirishima and Haruna plus 2 DD leave port the same day.  They have been out of action for nearly 3 months and are now repaired.  They head for Koepang as well…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I send home CVs Shokaku and Zuikaku, BC Hiei, 5 CA, and 6 DD for repairs and upgrade.  They all have Sys damage between 10-20%.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Combat Summary[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ships Lost[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Japan[/b]—8 ships—Ro-65, Ro-66 (damaged near New Zealand), 1 TK, 2 MSW, and 3 AP.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies[/b]—1 Ship—An AK sunk in PM Harbor.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Planes Lost[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Japan[/b]—45 total—39 Fighters and 6 bombers[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies[/b]—88 total—55 Fighters (nearly all P-40), 19 Bombers, and 14 Transports[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sidenote![/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]I thought it might be interesting to see who the leading Japanese Aces are to this point in the war.  I found a spirited competition between two pilots of the Tainan Daitai:[/font]
 
[font="times new roman"]1.  CPO Hori, M with 19 Kills[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2.  Ensign Yamazaki, I with 17 Kills[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tainan Daitai is based in Koepang at the moment and has 162 kills and an average experience of 74%.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Operation Urgent Fury[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Goals:[/font]

[font="times new roman"]Sink the British Far Eastern Fleet.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Relieve or retrieve the Perth Invasion Force pending on the situation at sea.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Units to be used:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kido Butai[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]KB-1   [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Akagi (24Z/24V/24K/9K)      3 CA and 8 DD[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kaga (24Z/24V/24K/9K)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]KB-2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Soryu (21Z/21V/21K/9Z)       3 CA and 8 DD[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ryuho (28Z/19K)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aerial Strikes Force of 106Z, 69V, and 97K---all Daitai and Chutai experience around 70-80%.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Bombardment Force[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]BB Yamato, BC Kirishima, BC Haruna, 2 CL, and 8 DD.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Distant Cover Force[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]DC-1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Rhujo (18Z/12K)        5 DD[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Hosho (5Z/5K)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DC-2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Taiyo (27Z)                 5 DD[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Unyo (27Z)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Chuyo (27Z)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DC-3[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CS Nisshin (20FP)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CS Mizuho (18FP)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 AV (36 FP)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aerial Cover Force of 104 Z, 17K, and 74 FP.  Their job is to provide CAP over the Invasion Convoys and limited striking power.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Close Cover Force[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]4 CA, 2 CL, and 9 DD will directly protect the Convoys.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Invasion TF[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]TF-1    Carries 85,000 Troops and 50,000 Supply[/font]
[font="times new roman"]            [/font]
[font="times new roman"]TF-2    Carries 15,000 Supply for hex 7,97[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]TF-3    Carries 15,000 Supply for Perth Units[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Operational Thinking:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I am making this analogous to peeling an onion.  The KB with the Bombardment Force will strike at shipping in the Perth area.  The Distant Cover Forces will be 3-5 hexes behind and have their Zeros set for LR CAP over the Bombardment Force (and, thus add to the KB’s Uber-CAP):[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]

[font="times new roman"]They will proceed down the western edge of the board until spotted.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Bombardment TF will go to full speed and hit Perth.  I HOPE for a ‘nuclear’ bombardment to get things rolling…[/font]
[font="times new roman"]KB will hit anything possible and gain aerial control.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Once this has happened to my satisfaction, ONLY THEN will the convoys move in…[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I want to SINK COMBATANT vessels![/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]This is going to be interesting…THOUGHTS???[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]            [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font][/b]

[moses]

If he has two BB's and other surface forces there you might have to go in as a surface fleet. If you go in with a bombardment mission the allied BB's might inflict heavy loss and worse use all your op points so that you won't get the nuclear bombardment anyway. In July the allies start getting a regular flow of PT's so I would be surprised if he doesn't have a few of those sitting there as well. Bombardment missions vs. PT's are bad.

Maybe it will be better if KB hits the airfield while your ships do a surface action.

Man this is a really scary operation. If you could only get one hard hit in to the airfield you could win. But I keep envisioning 7 or 8 500lb bombs hitting your carriers and the whole thing collapses.[&:]

[John 3rd]

Greg,
I completely agree with you!
 
Does anyone have another idea regarding this?
 
I am figuring that I can put a CAP of nearly 150 Zeros over my decks.  Since this is stock, the casualties SHOULD be horrific for my opponents.  If I hit the airfield with my CBA, what sort of losses will I be looking at?  I haven't attacked a major base in a few campaigns.  My available aircraft are listed above.  Would they be enough?
 
There is another element here.  He has been using these planes EVERY day without rest for nearly 10 turns.  Their morale cannot be too good.  Might that help as well?
 
I would need to flush the STF from there to get my bombardment.  As the King of Siam would say "'tis a puzzlement."

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Does anyone have another idea regarding this?

Hi John,

I've been continuing to follow this quietly for a while.

I frankly think you're over-stretching here. If you could have achieved a quick grab - great. But how important is Perth to you, really? It would certainly be nice to have, but is it vital? At this point I'd try to pull out as many troops as I could while keeping the IJN as safe as possible.

In other words I don't think the risk (a good chunk of the Combined Fleet and lots of the IJA) is worth the reward - a base the allies can simply ignore in their offensive against the Empire.

It would mean giving up the initiative (other than your PM re-invasion) which would suck. But that will happen sooner or later anyway. It's better IMO to keep most of the IJN intact to counter the initial allied counter-attacks than to potentially waste it in a non-crucial area.

I'm sure this isn't the best advice in the world, but maybe it can provide some food for thought. I'm continuing to quietly root for you here... [:)]

[moses]

If his planes have been taking losses then his moral will drop. If so his bombers will not stand up to your CAP and will all run away after a few kills.

BUT if he's been bombing your ground troops every day without losses to his bombers then their morale might be just fine. In any event they should at least be fatigued and have a lot of disabled aircraft on the ground.

As for the airfield, I think you can deal with it just fine with the Val's and Kate's you have. 100 of those may not close the airfield but will certainly succeed in killing scores on the ground and leaving the rest disabled.

Your only problem is the counter-strike on the turn you bombard. If you can survive the first turn I think you'll be OK. But thats a big if.

Ctangus has a point. But it's got to be very hard to just leave your troops to die. I take it there is no other way to extract them then to win???

[John 3rd]

Both of you raise good points.
 
I've decided to think outside the box for a moment. 
 
There are two threats at Perth.  The first is British Naval Power that is protect and enhansed, by the second, strong LBA.  What about staging a trap? 
 
I could send a suicide TF of 5-7 AK to make it look like I am coming back to either reinforce or pick-up my troops.  His LBA would go after the convoy as well as his British CV aviation.  RIGHT?  Why not plant ALL nine of my CV/CVL/CVE a few hexes behind the decoys and CAP the heck out of it?  I could stand a good chance of knocking back his airpower as well as impact his morale for little to no risk for my carriers.
 
Based on this, I could then either pull back or lunch along the lines of what we have discussion earlier.  How is that for a thought?

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]July 1942 Economic/Victory Summary[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I forgot to post this at the beginning of the month so here it is now.  This was dated as the July 1st turn.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]Victory Points:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Score[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan   22,392[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies    7,901[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ships Sunk[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan   281—3,045 VP[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies    246---2,754 VP[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Industrial Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Supply              2,092,200[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Fuel                  2,819,272[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Manpower       819 (349,672)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Heavy Industry 13,964 (2,052)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Resources        19,034 (1,531,891)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oil                    2340 (1,398,398)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shipyards[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Naval               1,317 (13)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Merchant          981 (3)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Repair              1,137[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Weapons[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Armament        675 (61,293)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Vehicles           184 (24,871)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aircraft[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engines 1,847[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Assembly         789+510-Rd[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engine Production[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Mitsubishi         815/Month—Need 376—2,157 in Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Nakajima         900/Month—Need 738---2 in Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kawasaki         100---Need 0---1,137 in Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aichi                32---Need 0---69 in Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Plane Production[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Fighters            Planes/Month (in Pool)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M2  197 (60)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M3  72 (32)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oscar   149 (3)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M3a 49-R[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tojo     56-R[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tony    184-R[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Jack     122-R[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tony comes into production one month early in July.  Will shift some of the Tony research back to Tojo and over to Frank.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Bombers[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Betty    79 (47)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sally     36 (1)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Helen   113 (6)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lily       30 (1)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Val       41 (280)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kate     32 (216)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I cannot keep up with my Helen and Sally losses.  Lily has been difficult to as well.  The attritional battle fought over Burma in March-April REALLY hurt my bomber plane pools.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Recon/Float[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Emily    16 (25)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Alf        13 (197)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Rufe     14 (78)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Glen     8 (49)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Dinah   3 (121)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have shutdown most of the Floatplanes and will restart if my pool gets low.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Transports[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tina      5 (98)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sally     5 (39)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Topsy   5 (33)[/font]

[moses]

Well it's a question of range. Where is your landing site? I assumed it was withing a couple hexes from Perth. If so his bombers might fly right over your transports and hit the carriers which would then have very little CAP. [X(] So if the transports are 3 hexes from Perth and the carriers are six hexes away you could easily get slamed.

[John 3rd]

Greg,
You are NOT HELPING my morale and confidence!
 
The landing site is, indeed, three hexes north of Perth--7,97.
 
I just sent the 7/28 turn back to my opponents.  I am successfully moving everything at the moment.  The Americans have gone dorment around New Zealand and the Aussies continue their air, ground, and naval bombardment of my troops at Perth. 
 
Will do a two turn update in a bit.
John
 

[moses]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Greg,
You are NOT HELPING my morale and confidence!

Sorry. [&o][&o] [:D]

[John 3rd]

Yaaaa...sure you are...
 
I don't want to concede the initiative yet.  I'm out of fresh ideas for the moment.  The decoy AK TF is as good of a thought as I have had...
 

[moses]

Does he have many torpedo bombers? If you stay out f range of those a BB can be a nice decoy. Put a BB with a bunch of high AAA ships and you'll wear out those B17's . Then your CV's can come in for the kill.

It's a bit drastic and your BB will have to spend a year in port. But remember how many 500 lb bombs I hit your BB's with. I think I hit one of them with over 100 bombs and didn't come close to hurting it. With a squdren or two of LRC over the top you might break the morale of his heavy bombers in one turn. How many long range fighters does he have in the area. Any P40B's been seen.

[John 3rd]

Moses,
 
Now that idea has some possiblities.  I have Yamato on the way.  I'll watch the planes next round and see.  He has at least a squadron of Beauforts and, if the Brit CVs are still there, about 40 Swordfish.  I can shoot those down with my Zeros easily.  The Fulmars that CAP them are death-traps.
 
I'll watch the next round tonight and write down what I see used for land attack.
 
John
 
 
 

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Combat Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]July 27-30, 1942[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Operations Black Wind and Urgent Fury are fully underway.  The beginning of August shall prove to be an interesting month for Japan!  I thought the ‘month of decision’ would be July—instead, it appears to be August.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Regional Reports:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]North Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]No developments[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Midway            Hit by 41 B-17s on the 27th.  As soon as I get a Sentai of Tonys built, they will deploy here and smack these bombers some…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engineering: [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kwajalein         Port-5[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]South Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Port Moresby               Continue pounding this poor base.  I have nearly 200 bombers of varying types hitting the AF and troops there.  Attacks now come from Rabaul, Lae, and Gili-Gili.  Thursday Island and Salamaua will soon reach AF-2 and join in the attack.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]On the 28th I have my Bombardment Force of 3 BB (Mutsu, Ise, and Hyuga), 2 CL, and 8 DD hit PM.  Rather disappointing results come in the form of 355 Cas and 7 Guns lost.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Gili-Gili Reaches AF-3 on the 28th.  Base now has 27 Zero, 27 Kate, and 54 Helens operating out of it.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sub Action:  [/font]

[font="times new roman"]SS Snapper puts 2 Shells and 1TT into an AK near Gili-Gili and takes 4 Shell hits from this AK’s crew.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS Finback hits AK with 3 Sh and takes a Shell back from the target near Lae.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Recon:  Auckland, Cooktown, Cairns, and Townsville to see what is there.  Auckland has nearly 80 fighters but the remaining towns have only about a dozen.  Little-to-no shipping spotted.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Operation Black Wind  Four complete Infantry Divisions as well an Army HQ will rendezvous at G-G on August 1st.  With some Engineers waiting for them there, this force of 90,000 troops shall take out PM.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]NW Australia[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Perth    My troops at Perth continue to get hit by naval, air, and land bombardment every day.  Casualties run about 300 troops and several guns each day.  Things are bad but not terrible.  My opponents have moved two Brigades into the town so there is stronger resistance.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]7,97     In an ominous development, three units (2 Brigades and a Tk Regiment have entered into my beachhead hex.  I have a full Brigade, Engineering Regiment, and several smaller BF present here.  They appear to be strong enough to hold the hex…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DEI[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kendari            My counterstroke begins to gather here.  The remaining Surface Units from the earlier Perth battle arrive with Ryujo and Hosho.  On the 30th, CVE Chuyo and BCs Kirishima and Haruna arrive.  The rest of the strike force shall arrive on the 1st of August.  I have over 50,000 fuel supply here so they can replenish without issue.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Koepang          I have never watched repairs occur while ships are disbanded in Port.  CVE Taiyo docked in Port about a weeks ago with 31 Sys Damage and that has now been reduced to 26.  CVE Unyo is now pumped out dry and her Sys Damage, which was 42, has been reduced to 40.  Since I have no ARs present, I find this to be interesting…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Operation Urgent Fury  I am going ahead with the attempt to restart my Perth Operation.  I will strike at enemy shipping and Perth’s AF first.  I MUST knock that out before I move AK/AP into the area…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma              [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Continous aerial strikes occur here from the Allies.  As soon as I have more Tojos and Tonys, I will try to regain parity over the battlefield.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Things are heating up around Yenen!  Since Nate has been interdicting supply planes flying into this base, the Chinese have reacted with some urgency.  More units have approached Yenen from the west and southwest but have been held up by our units already there…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Disappointingly, a Shock Attack on Yenen July 30th yields another 0-1 with over 15,000 Japanese casualties.  The numbers were closer (4300 to 6000) so we are making progress…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A lot of aerial activity occurs at Yenen and the two hexes to the west and southwest.  The fighting mainly goes Japan’s way.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Losses for July 27-30th[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]No ships were sunk on either side.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Air Losses[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan---NONE---[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies---23 Planes---11 Fighters and 16 Bombers from China.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]

[John 3rd]

Moses,
 
This is what appears to be the aerial strength of Perth:
 
50-60 Fighters (Brewsters, Spitfires, and P-40)
48 B-25
16 Beauforts
16 Wellington
48 B-17
 
Though they haven't been flying, add 3 Brit CVs complements to it--60 Fulmar and 40 Swordfish.
 
This is a pretty decent guess on my part...