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

[moses]

Do you think he'll have the nads to keep his carriers there once he see's yours bearing down?[:D]

Conversly is there any chance that US CV's might beat you to Perth!!!!! Do you know where they all are??

[John 3rd]

The US CV question is one that has me terrified!  I haven't seen them for nearly 3 weeks. 
 
I ASSUME that they are in Wellington or Sydney...
 
The attack on Port Moresby will happen first.  I am hoping that it fixes the Allies attention there and then I hit Perth...
 
 

[AdmNelson]

They could be heading towards Perth, in there mind then they would be writing off Port Morseby and at same time they must be wondering if you are still coming to take New Zealand. THe US carriers couldn't all three operations, and I beleive they probably would hit a single target. It might be be the single target you mave have to understand. If all bases are well supported by land base air then you are probably all right.

[John 3rd]

We shall see.  The Landings at Port Moresby are scheduled for August 3rd.  We'll see if that produces some sort of Allied response.  If they don't, then the American Fleet MUST be near NZ or Perth.
 
I have 4 Glen SS south of Perth set to check-up on any Fleet movement.  I HOPE they will see anything that might come up from that direction...
 

[CaptDave]

John,

I started reading Mandrake's thread over a week ago (took that long to get through it!), and just ran across yours yesterday. I won't make any comments on strategy and all, since (a) I've never played the Japanese side, and (b) since I am reading both threads, I don't trust myself not to accidentally reveal something.

That said, I just wanted to add my name to the list of readers who appreciate your report format. Like others have mentioned, I can't stand it when someone cuts and pastes the actual combat reports, and quite often the first time I run across one of those I'll just quit reading the thread.

Also, don't worry about your lack of computer art skills. While Mandrake's maps are informative and look good, they also are too wide to fit on the screen, and almost as bad as the pasted-up combat reports is having to scroll sideways to read a message.

On both sides, this is one of the best AARs I've ever run across. Keep it up, and good luck with everything going on in your other life (possible professorship, the joy of having a toddler and an infant, and so on).

Dave

[John 3rd]

Thanks for the feedback and thoughts.  Good to have another reader!
 
I will be doing an update tomorrow to get us into August...
 
 

[USSAmerica]

I'm back from a week of vacation in Florida, and ready for the movie to continue.  Nice of you to keep things on "pause" for me while I was away, John.  [:D]

[ny59giants]

I would BEWARE of him coming over with the American CV's having stopped in Sydney to upgrade to those Avenger TB's. They have the extra range to hit your CV's. I also feel he may have more Beaufort's than you have counted on. Thus, getting your larger ships within 4 hexes of Perth will be risky.

I feel that Perth's attack is a potential mistake due to you doing what most Allied players learn not to do. Not to launch invasion outside of LBA range. [:-]

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Industrial/Victory Point Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]August 1942[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Victory Points[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan   21,969[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies    9,517[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shipping Sunk[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan   360 Ships—3,892 VP[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies    290 Ships—3,221 VP[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Industrial Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Supply                          2,324,600[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Fuel                              2,988,916[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Manpower                   819 (430,485)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Heavy Industry 14,059 (1,043)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Resources                    19,049 (1,490,456)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oil                                2,362 (1,331,608)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shipyards[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Naval                           1,317 (4)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Merchant                      981 (3)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shipyard Repair            1,159[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]

[font="times new roman"][/font][font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Armaments[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Armament                    675 (74,056)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Vehicles                       184 (28,877)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aircraft Engines            1,862   # Produced/Needs/Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"]            Mitsubishi         815                  448      2,479[/font]
[font="times new roman"]            Nakajima         915(25)            796      3[/font]
[font="times new roman"]            Kawasaki         100                  208      1,230[/font]
[font="times new roman"]            Aichi                32                    0          106[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aircraft Assembly         1082+(339-Rd)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Plane Production[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Fighters            Production/Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M2              197—52[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M3              72—23[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oscar               103—1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tony                208—7            Just went into production![/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tojo                 56—21[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Jack                 R-158 due 3/43[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M3a            R-59 due 11/42[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Bombers[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sally                 65—0[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Helen               103—0[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lily                   49—0 [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Betty                86—37[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Val                   41—303[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kate                 32—235[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Float Planes[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Alf                    13—180[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Rufe                 14—84[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Glen                 8—47[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Emily                16—19[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Transports[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tina                  6—98[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sally                 5—41[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Topsy               5—33[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Recon[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Dinah               3—95[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have stopped production on Alf, Glen, Rufe, and all Transports.  My total focus is on Fighter and Bomber production.  Am toying with stopping Val/Kate production for a month or two as well…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Combat Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]July 31-August 3[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The die is now cast.  I will be landing at Port Moresby on August 5th and the Combined Fleet has set sail from Kendari, Celebes to ATTEMPT to wipe out the British Far Eastern Fleet near Perth…[/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 major developments but spot a TF at Dutch Harbor on the 2nd and dispatch my Northern Force to attack it:  3 CL and 5 DD depart Kiska for the attack.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Midway           Hit by the normal 30 B-17 on the 3rd.  Lose 2 Bombers on the ground.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engineering:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tarawa                        AF-3[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]South Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lae      On July 1st, the Allies attempt to hit the base with 4EB for the first time.  Only 4 of 27 Zeros intercept a force of 35 Liberators.  One Liberator is destroyed and 17 more are damaged.  They manage to destroy 19 Japanese bombers on the ground.  Grrr…  I move 2 Sentai of Helens to Gili-Gili and add a Daitai of Zeros for CAP.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Port Moresby  I continue to pound the base.  In what should be a tip-off to the Allies, I shift all bombers to ‘land attack’ starting August 1st.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Gili-Gili           My invasion convoys rendezvous here on July 31st, get consolidated on August 1st, and set sail for PM!  The force has 97 AK/AP, carries 83,000+ troops (4 Inf Div and 2 small engineering units), and is escorted by the Bombardment Force of 3 BB, 2 CL, and 8 DD.  Flying CAP are two Daitai of Zeros.  They are not spotted by any Allied Recon through the 3rd![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have an Air Fleet HQ unloading there on the 1st and 2nd.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Noumea           The New Zealand Invasion Force TFs reach Noumea on the 31st-2nd and I order them to unload.  Once unloaded, I will know how the Port Moresby landing is going and will decide to either:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]

[font="times new roman"]Load more Assault Troops to land at PM[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Spread several of the brigades amongst Suva—Nandi—Pago-Pago.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Keep the major Infantry Divisions prepping for New Zealand with hopes of still landing there…[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Theatre Air Strength:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Noumea                       54 Zero and 63 Betty[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Norfolk Island              27 Recon[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Rabaul                         54 Betty[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lae                              54 Zero, 107 Betty, and 107 Helen/Sally[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Salamaua                     54 Val[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Gili-Gili                       98 Zero, 54 Helen, and 36 Kates[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Thursday Island          18 Emily and 18 Alf[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]TOTAL:  206 Zero, 224 Betty, 161 Helen/Sally, 54 Vals, 36 Kates, and 63 Recon Planes.  This makes a Grand Total of 744 combat aircraft in the immediate area of the Port Moresby counterattack.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I WANT the Allies to try and counter this!  BANZAI!  BANZAI!!  BANZAI!!![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sub Action:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS Narwhal puts a TT into an AK near Suva on the 31st[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS Argonaut is hit by LBA near Pago-Pago on the same day.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]NE Australia[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Perth    Normal routine of naval, air, and land bombardment every day.  Troops are out of supply but holding up pretty well.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]7,97     My beachhead is threatened by the arrival of 2 Aussie Brigades and a TK Brigade.  I have a full strength Inf Brigade, a partial Inf Brigade, and support troops there.  Things look more serious though on the 3rd when I spot a pair of Allied AP offshore.  Could the Allies be dropping off troops or supplies?  Move an SS to the hex. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I THINK I can hold since the Allies are at the end of LONG logistical supply line.  We’ll soon see…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allied Airpower at Perth:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 Squadrons of Fighters:  Spitfire, Hurricane, and Brewster—about 50 total.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1 Wing of B-25s—48 Planes[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1 Squadron of Beaufort—16 Planes[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1 Squadron of Hudson—16 planes[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I haven’t seen anything else for several days…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DEI[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kendari           The Combined Fleet rendezvous at this base.  I wanted it far enough away that the Allies couldn’t see it!  I refuel on the 1st, reorganize my TF on the 2nd and set sail for TROUBLE on the 3rd![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Koepang          The Seaplane Tenders (2 CS and 4 AV) depart on the 3rd.  Get ready to sortie CVEs Unyo and Taiyo to join Combined Fleet.  Their system damage is now Unyo—39 and Taiyo—25.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lautem            The Allies are regularly reconning this base.  I decide to reinforce it with 2 SNLF units to strengthen its perimeter.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engineering     [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sabang AF-4  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Normal story of massive Allied Airpower being used all along Nate’s perimeter hitting troops near Myitkina, the base at Mandalay, Akyab, and elsewhere.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Rangoon          The only exception to this is the first 4EB Raid on this important base on July 31st.  A large force of 64 B-17 fly in to pound the base and find 67 Oscars and 12 Zero flying CAP!  A total of 11 Flying Fortresses are shot down and another 42 are damaged!  Not bad…  They do drop their bombs though…We lose 10 Fighters (6 on the ground), 3 Bombers, and a recon plane.  Damage to the AF is less then 10%.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Pretty good result!  Just wait until those B-17s have to fight Tonies/Tojos soon…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Andaman        We spot what appears to be a bombardment force approaching this outer base on the 31st.  Unfortunately, it appears that the Allies change their mind and go back to Ceylon.  TOO bad…there were 54 Helen/Sally and 81 Betty ready to strike from Rangoon and Sabang as well as nearly 5,000 mines…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yenen              The siege drags on and on and on and on…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Things MUST be getting serious for the Chinese here.  The Allies are trying to drive the Japanese troops from their blocking positions west and southwest of Yenen.  There has a marked addition of Allied planes here.  Two large groups of P-40s are operating here as well as several British and American medium bomber squadrons.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Combat Summary[/font]
[font="times new roman"]July 31-August 3rd[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Planes[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan—43 total—14 Fighters, 29 Bombers, and 1 Recon.  Nearly all of these planes were destroyed on the ground with no pilot loss.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies—21 total—6 Fighters, 3 Bombers, and 12 4EB.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shipping[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]For the first time in AGES, no shipping losses for either side…[/font]

[John 3rd]

NY Giants
 
I too am concerned about this possiblity.  I can EASILY deal with 3 Brit CVs but if you add 3 more American...  This would be a nightmare.  Very soon, I will explain the plan for flushing out the Allies and then CRUSHING thewm!  This planwas devised by Adm Yamamoto (I mean Cochran) himself...
 

[Canoerebel]

Well-done on this game, John - from formulating grand-strategy and operation plans to bold campaigns that have you in Australia, Samoa, Midway, etc.

If you come to grief in Australia (I have no idea whether you will, I'm just making an observation here) it would model the real Pacific War. A juggernaut may finally exceed its grasp - then what seemed to be a fairly routine gambit becomes the battle that turns the tide. So what if that happens here? You've fought well.

I hope you are victorious in Perth simply because it will be fun to see how the Allies fight back as the initiative changes to their side. From a spectator's perspective it'll be more fun to see the Allies start from a line that begins in Australia and runs through Pago Pago to Midway and the Aleutians. So good luck!

[moses]

"NE Australia
Perth Normal routine of naval, air, and land bombardment every day. Troops are out of supply but holding up pretty well.

7,97 My beachhead is threatened by the arrival of 2 Aussie Brigades and a TK Brigade. I have a full strength Inf Brigade, a partial Inf Brigade, and support troops there. Things look more serious though on the 3rd when I spot a pair of Allied AP offshore. Could the Allies be dropping off troops or supplies? Move an SS to the hex.

I THINK I can hold since the Allies are at the end of LONG logistical supply line. We’ll soon see…"

Not to be a prophet of doom but I would make the assumption theat the allies are fully supplied. Perth is normally a dumping ground for supplies and resourses evacuated fromJave early in the game. I usually send supplies from India to Perth early on as well. I would expect that he has 200,000+ supplies just sitting in Perth.

Do you have any subs hanging around the south coast of Austrailia looking for those allied CV's to see if they are coming. A couple Glen subs would be real useful here.

[John 3rd]

Thanks guys!
 
I am debating on the entire operation around Perth.  To answer Moses' question, YES--I have 4 Glen-SS operating SW of Perth.  They have overlapping arcs and SHOULD provide me warning on any large naval movement.  I LOVE Glens...
 
Perth Supply is always a concern.  The thing is that the Allies only have about 350 Assault Points here.  Figure Forts at 9.  I COULD have nearly 2,000 here if I drop the second lift right on the base...
 
Dan--Thanks for your thoughts as well.
 
 
 

[John 3rd]

Dateline:  August 4, 1942
 
Nearly 90,000 Imperial troops began their landing at Port Moresby this afternoon.  Covered by numerous Zeros, the Invasion had to deal with quite a lot of CD fire that didn't do much damage to the transport fleet.  Three Imperial Battlewagons are preparing to provide gunfire support!
 
The base was hit by nearly 200 bombers today and they all concentrated on the Austalian troops of the 1st Aussie Corps. 
 
BANZAI!
 

[John 3rd]

While I ponder this stupid game's developments, I begin to think that the chance to WIPE out a Corps HQ, 2 Inf Div (though Aussie), an AT Regiment, and 3 BF is a one-time golden oportunity for a TRUE vicotry.  Like destroying the 2nd Marines at Pago-Pago a few months ago this would serve to lesson the sheer numbers of troops that can come at me in 1943.
 
Perth remains a conundrum.  I move forward but will be QUITE cautious there.  If PM is a CERTAIN victory then why hurt that with a Naval disaster 2,000 miles away?
 

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Combat Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]August 4-5, 1942[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]To the thunderous sound of 3 BB’s large guns, Operation Black Wind begins landing four reinforced Infantry Divisions at Port Moresby.  The Aussie 1st Corps HQ, 2 Inf Div, A-T Regiment, and 3 BF tremble in fear at the Japanese onslaught![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Like a coiled serpent, Operation Urgent Fury begins to unfold as it slowly moves towards Perth, Australia.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The hope is to see-saw the Allies back-and-forth between the twin objective so that they are not in the right position in EITHER case!  [/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"]Dutch Harbor               My small Northern Fleet TF of 3 CL and 5 DD sweep into Dutch Harbor and sink MSW.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kiska               When returning to the base the TF hits a minefield on the 5th and I lose DD Manazura!  This sucks!  Will send a couple of MSW up here to clean it up.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Midway            Midway is hit both days by 33 and 27 B-17.  They inflict some damage, destroy 4 Betty on the ground, and cause a couple of casualties.  I decide to move the Daitai of Betty back to Wake.  There are two Chutai of Mavis/Emily still there to conduct recon.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]South Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lae      The AF moves to Sz-5 and strikes continue to radiate from here to Port Moresby.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Port Moresby   Operation Black Wind begins!  My massed invasion fleet begins landing on the 4th and take a large amount of ineffective CD fire.  I have about 10 ships damaged but there is no interference otherwise.  By the 5th, 2/3 of my troops are offloaded.  I send back 33 of 98 ships on that day.  My bombardment force of 3 BB pound the base during both phases of the 5th.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I am surprised by the massive CD with little damage.  In two of the four invasion phases, there were OVER 3,000 shots fired and I have had only 4-6 ships heavily damaged.  It is weird but a nice development…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Things look pretty good.  Spot no Allied movement by sea and I’ll be done offloading on the 6th.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Gili-Gili This base takes a MASSIVE hit on the 5th by (catch this!) 46 B-17 and 104 B-24!  HOLY CRAP!  They are intercepted by 27 Zero and AA fire.  Considering the scale and scope of the attack, casualties are very lite.  I lose 4 Zero, 3 Helen, and 8 Kates on the ground for 2 Liberators and 21 others damaged.  The AF goes to 33% damage.  Raise the CAP over the field and see… [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]On the brightside, the B-17s WERE over at Perth 10 days ago.  They have moved and that ONLY helps my other planned operation…. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Noumea           I load 2 Engineering Regiments as well as 2 Artillery units onto a convoy.  This group will head to PM and augment the initial forces if needed.  The convoy departs on the 5th.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sub Action:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS Finback puts a TT into a PG near G-G[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I-175 sinks an Aussie PG with 2 TT near Brisbane[/font]
[font="times new roman"]SS Flying Fish hits an AK near Lae with 3 Shells and 1TT but takes 3 Shells back[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]NE Australia[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Perth    Normal routine of naval, air, and land bombardment every day.  Troops are out of supply but holding up pretty well.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]7,97     Life get scary here VERY quickly when I spot a new Aussie Infantry Division arrive.  They Shock Attack on the 5th and my troops hold.  It is a frightening 17-1 attack.  They won’t hold for very long…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kido Butai passes the DEI barrier islands on the 4th and enters open waters on the 5th.  I set my Zeros to 70% CAP, Vals and Kates are on Naval Attack, and my CAs are providing Recon with Alfs, Jakes, and Daves.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DEI[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Koepang          On the 5th, CVEs Unyo (Sys-39), Taiyo (Sys-25), Chuyo with 5 DD as escort depart heading due west.  They each have a Daitai of Zeros (two are A3 and one is A2) with experience in the 70s.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lautem The base gets a supply convoy and two SNLF reinforcement units.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Dili                   I begin to expand Dili’s facilities by landing a small construction unit and base force.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Continous story of massive Allied Airpower being used all along Nate’s perimeter hitting troops near Myitkina, the base at Mandalay, Akyab, and elsewhere.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Andaman          The British continue to show some interest in hitting this base.  Small B-17 strikes hit here on both days—no damage.  Pick-up the approach of a Bombardment TF on the 5th.  Nate has 18 Sally strike from Andaman.  There are no hits but BBs Valiant and Warspite are attacked.  Nearly 90 Betty (at Sabang and Rangoon) as well as 80 Sally prepare to attack the next day…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]If the Brits do bombard the base then the 5,000 mines there will certainly raise havoc.  We hope to get some ships damaged this way and then FINISH them with the Bettys![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yenen              The siege drags on and on and on and on…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]49,26               The Chinese are desperately trying to break Nate’s cordon around Yenen.  There are two Deliberate Attacks staged on these days that both result in 0-1.  As mentioned in the last update, there are now about 80 Allied Bombers (B-25, Wellington, and Chinese) and 100 fighters (some Chinese but mostly P-40) attacking this hex.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Nate has been waiting for the Zeros to rest up some before trying to make a fight here.  Should happen sometime soon.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Home Islands[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engineering                   Sapporo Pt-8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My exhausted ships from Noumea begin approaching the Home Islands.  I spread CVs Shokaku, Zuikaku, BC Hiei, 5 CA, 1 CL, and 1 DD around various repair facilities.  All these ships are at Sys-15 to 20 in damage.  I have significantly expanded my repair yards, we’ll see how fast they can repair and then upgrade.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Combat Summary[/font]
[font="times new roman"]August 4th-5th [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Planes[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan—19 total—4 Fighters, 7 Bombers, and 8 Torpedo Planes.  Nearly all of these planes were destroyed on the ground with no pilot loss.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies—7 total—3 Fighters, 2 Bombers, and 2 4EB.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shipping[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan—1 Ship—DD Manazura[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies—2 Ships—1 MSW and 1 PG[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]

[AdmNelson]

Gili-Gili This base takes a MASSIVE hit on the 5th by (catch this!) 46 B-17 and 104 B-24! HOLY CRAP! They are intercepted by 27 Zero and AA fire. Considering the scale and scope of the attack, casualties are very lite. I lose 4 Zero, 3 Helen, and 8 Kates on the ground for 2 Liberators and 21 others damaged. The AF goes to 33% damage. Raise the CAP over the field and see…

On the brightside, the B-17s WERE over at Perth 10 days ago. They have moved and that ONLY helps my other planned operation

My guess would be the US carriers are headed towards Port Moresby. As a team Cap and tabpub do like mass air assets.

[moses]

Maybe, but Perth is the safe move for the allies. All those Japanese airbases around PM make it near suicide to hang about there. John will make mincemeat out of the US carriers there.

Were I the allied player I would have my carriers sitting about 12 hexes southeast of Perth waiting to see what happens. If Japan's carriers got in any trouble due to the LBA then I'd want to be ready to pounce.

[John 3rd]

I agree with the possiblities raised by Greg.  PM is VERY dangerous!  If they want to strike, LET THEM!  I have enough air to make it costly.  Besides that, my troops are already landed.  With the next turn I will be done and headed back to Gili-Gili/Rabaul.
 
Perth COULD be a trap.  I just added a 4th Glen SS to the area.  I think they will be ordered to scout around S-SW of Perth and see if there are any ships lurking about.  Will issue that order with the next turn and we shall see...
 
Wish I could be a fly on the Allied wall right now...