Speedy vs Swift - Jap perspective. Fight to the death

[Speedysteve]

Hi Roger,

Main reason I plan to take more of the south Pacific is to divert his forces further south to get to Australia. Also since I think most players after reading the forums think either India or Australia is a target. Nice to choose something different.

Also if knowing Werner as I do he will have something down there to defend the area. After my victory at Wake I doubt whatever he has can cope with KB as such I can sink more Allied stuff and increase my safety barrier further. As it stands points:

Allied: 4200
Japanese: 18200

How is it going in your game?

Steven

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Slow going at the mo since i'm busy with RL stuff and probably will be until the end of the weekend....however.......

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First the excellent news...Zuiho is saved!!!!

To those who remember she was damaged at the Battle of Wake Island whilst dueling with American CV's. She limped into Wake harbour damaged and listing heavily. Today I can officially announce she is free of water. She will be accompanied by the damaged CA Takao and the fully operational Destroyer Murasame...destination Tokyo........

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The good news -

I'm really liking the current plan in Burma. Draw Werner forward to Ledo and NOW Kohima/Imphal WHILST airlifting 3 divisions + support to Akyab and marching to India from there. If he doesn't use the 'W' key he won't know about it. My NLF should reach Akyab within 4 days. When captured. Transport planes based in Rangoon will move men to Akyab who will march from there.

Today orders were given to 33rd division to advance from the railroad to the trail junction that splits towards Imphal and Kohima to keep Werner honest.

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Case Blue -

KB has moved 120 miles in the past day escorting the 3 BB Divisions and the troops headed for PM........

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Wake Operation.

I can now confirm the total ship's lost during the Operation.

In total I lost 24 ships. All of which were auxilliary - 9 MSW in there and the rest are AK, TK or AP.

Werner lost - 2 CV, 4 CA, 8DD, 4 PT and 3 SS.

Provided Zuiho makes it to Japan i'm still very happy with this outcome.

Steven

[DuckofTindalos]

Even if you lose the Zui, Wake is still a HUGE victory...

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Speedy


Transport planes based in Rangoon will move men to Akyab who will march from there.


Steven

Be careful of the air transport bug (disappearing LCU's)!

[Speedysteve]

Hi there,

How does it work? Anything I can do to prevent it?

Thanks for your comment.

Regards,

Steven

[DuckofTindalos]

Check out this thread, Speedmeister...

tm.asp?m=962990

[Speedysteve]

Wicked, great, fantastic. My northern push could be a potential black hole. I must meditate on this [;)]

Thanks T. Check yout inbox in about 15. You should have something from me.....

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Anything I can do to prevent it?

Yes. First of all, if you use enough air transport to move the entire LCU in one turn, there is nothing you can do to prevent it - either it will happen or it won't.

The key is for the air transport to take multiple turns. If the parent unit is at the origin on the last turn of the transport, then the LCU might disappear. What you do is simple: monitor the LCU to see where the parent is (origin or destination). If the transfer is close to finishing and the parent is still at the origin, stop the transfer! Wait for the parent to switch to the destination, then resume the transfer.

Warning: If the transfer takes more than one turn after you resume it, keep monitoring because sometimes the parent switches back to the origin! If so, stop the transfer again until it switches to the destination.

This procedure was recommended by someone else on this board (I forget who so can't give proper credit) and has worked for me every time. Good luck!

[Speedysteve]

Thanks witpqs [:)]

Will proceed as planned!

Regards,

Steven

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The past 2 days have been relatively quiet as the hammer moves towards PM for Case Blue. I wonder if Werner's intel has detected i'm coming?!?

The other notable action over the past 2 days has been my capture of Sabang on the northern tip of Sumatra. 500 Allied stragglers were picked up there by the 4th Mixed Brigade. Plenty of roads for them to build [;)]

The island of Bali should also soon fall.

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I'm sad to report that I-20 damaged a few days ago by convoy escorts sank north of Palmyra today. No survivors were reported.

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My NLF has reached Akyab! No Allied men have been reported. We hope to take the place tomorrow! In anticipation of this 137 transports of various types flew into Rangoon today. Another 50 or so will move in the next week or so. I'm looking forward to see how the northern drive goes.

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Still little from Werner except sub detections by my scouts. I still think he is mining forward bases.

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Below shows 'the hammer' moving towards PM. The 8th NLF was embarked at Truk today to head to Buna to seal of any escape route for the Allies from PM..........

Steven

[Roger Neilson]

Have a look at the AAR... its interesting that there have been very few Japanese postings of their successes - either because they are too busy with devious, cunning plans that will suddenly manifest themselves, or because they are a bit discomfited by our wasp sting tactics..... as a Japanese player normally I'd be a mite put out by my timetable being derailed in places like this.

tm.asp?m=943426


Of course at any moment the big boys of the KB may come out ans stop our little games!

Cheers

Roger

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Akyab falls! 133 transport planes are pull on full readiness and aremoving elelments of the IGD, 4th Division and 4th mixed Brigade to Akyab. More transports will help in due course. This could be interesting......


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A Catalina spots the 1st of my invasion forces for Case Blue 60 miles south of Rabaul It's the TF carrying a SNLF bound for Gili Gili. Part of me almost hopes Werner thinks i'm going for something in the south and he reacts to it. If he does KB will smash any ship interference he could offer.

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In China my victorious forces are moving inland from Wuchow. They moved 180 miles and encountered fleeing Chinese forces. These will be assaulted and routed tomorrow......

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As predicted Bali falls along with 1200 Allied men and 9 aircraft that appear to be relics of CVL Hermes (Sea Gladiators for example).

Steven

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The great airlift has started in Burma as the Invasion fleet for Case Blue passes near Gasmata!

Both the north and south of the Theatre will potentially be action areas soon.

Staff Officers informed that the airlift had lifted between 700 and 1000 'points' of each major land unit in Rangoon. Further transports arrived today in Rangoon with 24 more Tabby's arriving within 4 days time. I predict all units will be airlifted to Akyab within 2-3 weeks provided no major mishaps.

If I can pull this off unoticed it will be a great coup. Recon still spotted 2nd UK Division at Ledo. Stay there boys [;)]

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Case Blue's progress below.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

We're getting nearer to D-Day in the south!

According to Intel he still hasn't spotted the huge number of ships approaching New Guinea. I don't overly care either way. In some ways it would be nice if he spots them now though to divert his eyes from the North (Burma).

Depending on sea conditions SNLF troops may begin landing at Gili Gili tomorrow.

Dinah recon of PM indicates that Werner may be evac'ing the place of planes. Fine either way. I can't see how it can withstand all my invading forces. Fingers crossed anyhow.

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Interesting in Burma. Werner attacked Akyab with 20 Blenheim's yesterday. They caused no damage. But he clearly is thinking something of me being there.

More troops wre flown in. Come on men!

To 'keep him on his toes' 27 A6M3 from Rangoon will fly CAP over Akyab tomorrow.

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More sub success in the Eastern Pacific.

I-28 found a TK convoy inbetween SF and PH. 1 of 6 fish hit the TK Gulfcoast. No fuel was reported burning - she is returning to SF.. Accordingly I-28 is ordered to move 120 miles further NE and another I-boat is vectored to a possible trajectory.

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Invasion progress.......

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Case Blue is in action!

Today Werner detected all the TF's heading for PM. The American submarine Sculpin happened upon the various fleets and was pummeled until there was nothing left other than bubbles rising to the surface............

SNLF troops are ashore at Gili Gili. No enemy men detected just local primitives. The place should be taken tomorrow.

An Alf also planted a bomb on the SS Seadragon 120 miles SW of the fleet.

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I-28 found the TK Gulfking again and put another fish into the burning hulk. She'll sink now........

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Burma -

A dilemma! Werner is moving!

In the last 2 days 2 out of 8 units have moved from Ledo. I can only assume he has detected troop concentrations at Akyab. If so sh*t.

I have to do something up there. As such i'm continuing the airlift to Akyab from Rangoon.

Regards,

Steven

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Gili Gili is taken with no opposition. The fleet moves nearer to PM. The sub damaged yesterday (Seadragon) by an Alf was found on the surface today and pummeled by PG's.


Tomorrow KB will take up a patrol station 240 miles from PM to protect the invasion fleet and to sink any ships that dare come near the area.

NLF forces should take Buna tomorrow.
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The TK Gulfcoast hit twice by I-28 is coinfirmed sunk today............

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In Burma air attacks are now daily on both the 55th division near Ledo and the 33rd moving on Kohima IF Werner just maintains these and does not spot the build up Akyab there is a chance of cut-off and success. Time will tell.

The sheer size of the forces being moved is delaying things as predicted.

For example the following has been moved/yet to be moved from Rangonn to Akyab:

IGD 4000/2000
4th Division 3000/19500
Mixed Brigade 4000/12000
4th Engineer Rgt 700/4000

+ 2 ARM Rgts
+ ART battalions
+ BF's.

Below is a current pic of the progress of the PM invasion fleets.

[fabertong]

Steven....maybe I missed this earlier, but do you know what Werner has at PM............

[Speedysteve]

Hi bud,

I know he has 7 units there. At least recon tells me this. I suspect at least this:

2 base forces, the garrison it starts with + maybe another 2-3 brigades/divisions worth. I have 4 divisions + 2 brigades in my main invasion fleet along with ENG/ARM/ART and a large NG unit.

I have 3 BB's divisions + KB for additional support if needed.

I think this should be enough to take the place. At least I hope it is.

You know what they say no plan ever survives contact with the enemy!

Landfall within 2-3 days........

Thanks for the comment.

Regards,

Steven

[fabertong]

Fingers crossed it goes as well as your Wake Op........

[Rob Brennan UK]

you did remember to bring some mine sweepers along didnt you ?