Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

August 21, 1943
The Marshalls

This is a busy screenshot reflecting the mounting situation.

In RED are the Kido Butai and CVEs TF:

1. Kido Butai is moving in the Northern/Central Marshalls. I have dotted the range of 8 for Strike Aircraft.

2. Just off the screen next to Tabitueau are the CVEs. They EAT four squadrons of unescorted Beauforts this day with a CAP of just under 40 Zeros. Down go nearly 30 good Allied TB!

In YELLOW are three STF:

1. Up north are the five DDs. I changed their orders after this screenshot. They are headed to the dot base of Taonga where Dan is trying to set-up a PBY Base. Several Allied transports moving there.

2. We have good ole Nagara and her six DDs.

3. The BIG BOYS of Tanaka. These four BCs will move SE and (probably) wipe out the 200 aircraft at Tarawa. Mission not fully set do to evolving situation.

ORANGE marks an Amphib TF carrying two regiments of Infantry and the Artillery unit that are the remaining pieces of the 1st Imperial Guards Division. The remaining unit of this ID is at Tabitueau. The TF is carefully moving that direction but may be used as an immediate reaction force.

BLACK is the Carrier--BB portion of the Fleet...

Marshalls
Rio Namur and Kwajalein have 200 Fighters and 75 DB just moved in with range set to four.

Surrounding Bases
More Fighters and Bombers move in by the day.

[pws1225]

Many thanks for the map. It helps make sense of the carnage about to befall the Allies (I hope!) [:)]

[Capt. Harlock]

becoming a glosious battle and victory for the Colonials???

You do remember that the Japanese are the Bad Guys? [;)]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

becoming a glosious battle and victory for the Colonials???

You do remember that the Japanese are the Bad Guys? [;)]

In what alternate reality do you live? In my LOVELY world (the skies are tope colored) Dai Nippon basks in the glory of the Sun Goddess every day!

BANZAI!

[ny59giants]

Somebody forgot his morning meds...

[John 3rd]

August 22, 1943

It is not a good time to be serving in the fields of Air Search or Submarines:
1. LOTS of Air Search planes being lost on each side presently. There are 16 lost in todays action (10 Allied and 6 Japanese).

2. Ro-60 gets pounded by DDs this turn and shall limp into Kwajalein.

3. SS Bluefish launches four TTs at CB Ikoma and misses then takes 4 DC. It then raises its periscope AGAIN and plants torp into CV Renkaku who then adds an Ammo Explosion to the mix (and takes 4 more DC). CRAP! Looking at it isn't too bad (SYS 25 and FLOT 27--15 major--with--THANK GOD--no Fires). Detach with 5 DDs and she makes for Eniwetok to off-load planes then clear the combat area.

ORDERS
As expected, Dan blinks at the massed Fleet and isn't sure what to do. A bunch of TF are moving east away from the action. Order CVEs to move due east. My recon of Baker show it deserted so I might get out from the Air Search lanes. Kido Butai will clear the sub infested waters and position itself to go SE into the sealanes or lunge SW to cover friendly islands.

The Nagara TF splits and adds its DDs to the CV Screens. Nagara was hit by a single bomb dropped by an SBD. She detaches and heads for Rabaul.

Tanaka will be close to the end of his SE move tomorrow. Will have to decide where he goes.

FUEL STATE
Always a concern. Caches that are nearby: Truk 70,000 with 69,000 en route, Saipan 35,000 with 32,000 en route, Rabaul 24,000, Tulagi 36,000 unloading, Kwajalein 15,000, Wake 6,000. There are two replenishment TF with one on this screenshot carrying 18,000 and the other just departing Saipan with 36,000. It moves NE towards Marcus and Wake.

GROUND
Decide to land those two Regiments and their Artie at Kusaie to really make sure that base is non-takeable. Should take AV up to 800+.

NOTES
I am not going to attack to simply DO SOMETHING. The torp with Renkaku SUCKS and serves as a warning. If I can pounce on a portion of the Allied Fleet I will. Right now it is a game of chicken.

Additionally, I was quite encouraged by the performances put in by the A6M8. I am building 200+ of them a month and could presently change out three CV older Zero M5b. Would like to do that if possible.

[John 3rd]

Time for work. It is a cool, snowy/rainy day here along the Front Range of Colorado.

How is everyone else's weather?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Time for work. It is a cool, snowy/rainy day here along the Front Range of Colorado.

How is everyone else's weather?

Rainy, overcast, cool to cold.

We need some sunk Allied ships to warm up our hearts!

[Mike McCreery]

78 and breezy ;]

[pws1225]

Warm, sunny, and humid here. But Lowpe is right, a little Allied carnage would make everything right.

[John 3rd]

I agree on the Allied carnage. Waiting on a turn and I see he's on the Forum...

Will email a gentle nudge for the turn...

[John 3rd]

Got a turn in. Looks like Dan is wandering around again. If he moves on Tabitueau (Fort 6--500 AV, and 20,000 Supply), Ocean (Fort 4, AV 225, Sup 18,000), or Nauru (Fort 5, AV 265, Sup 19,000) it will be bloody. I'll wager his troops are prepped for Kwajalein, Roi Namur, or Kusaie. A landing on anything but those will run into strong resistance and no landing prep. Might be fun to watch...

Have a short shift (2 Hours) at work then we'll do a couple more.

[John 3rd]

Normal story of a small business. I have the Day Off so, therefore, I get called in an work 6 hours.

Running current turn...

[pws1225]

Normal story of a small business. I have the Day Off so, therefore, I get called in an work 6 hours.

[X(]

[Capt. Harlock]

It is a cool, snowy/rainy day here along the Front Range of Colorado.

How is everyone else's weather?

Mid-70's, sunny with a mild breeze in Los Angeles. Which is terrible -- we need rain!

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Normal story of a small business. I have the Day Off so, therefore, I get called in an work 6 hours.

Running current turn...

Lies... No small business owner ever has a day off!!!

[John 3rd]

There is some serious truth in that statement Wargmr!

OK. Dan and I are simply dancing around presently. He moved his TFs down to Tarawa so I pulled Tanaka back tot he south and moved KB to a position behind Ponape. The CVEs then went across the rear of the Allies between Johnston and the Marshalls. Net result of the moves for the next day: NOTHING.

The only excitement was a clear shot at HMS Victorious by an I-Boats with 4 TTs. They missed: CRAP! Would have helped redress the Renkaku getting hit.

Already sent and have waiting the next turn. He moved his TFs back up towards Jaliut. Sum result: NOTHING!

The CVEs are short on fuel so they are moving (at cruise speed) to Wake to refuel.

[John 3rd]

August 26. 1943

I feel like Dan and I are in one of those scenes where the music is a tense driving beat as the camera slowing spins around us (like the scene in Battlestar when Adama and Cain are targeting each other's ship). Lots of tension but no real action.

NOTES:
1. Renkaku makes it to Saipan where she'll off load her 80 aircraft then head home for repairs.
2. Musashi and Nagato prepare to leave Truk for the Home Islands and some repair work.
3. The CVEs move towards Wake where CVL Zuiho, 2 CA, 1 CL, and 8 DD wait. AOs are also there.
4. Kido Butai and Tanaka's BCs move slightly SW towards Rabaul to refuel.

Lots of tension and no action. It is sooooo painfully obvious we want to fight the other under OUR LBA! Someone's patience will go away first.

I am toying with the idea of moving the Wake group up to Attu and try to stir things up in that region. Now have three Infantry Divisions with 70+ prep ready for Adak. Haven't made the decision yet--just thinking...

[John 3rd]

Forgot to mention that MISTER Frank advanced another month to December 1943. My bet is that they will go into production as early as October. THAT would be a big help!

[Lowpe]

An amazing set of turns, the last few days.