Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2019 8:28 am**

Game date April 01, 1944

Banzai! Our Imperial falcons have scored a great victory against the Allied dogs and have sunk five carriers, four battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers.

[:'(]

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:45 am**

Since the Japanese don't have (?) the April 1 tradition, I am certain these reports are entirely accurate. [:D]

Posted: **Wed Feb 27, 2019 12:15 am**

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Since the Japanese don't have (?) the April 1 tradition, I am certain these reports are entirely accurate. [:D]

If you can't trust Tokyo Rose, who can you trust? [:D]

Posted: **Wed Feb 27, 2019 11:46 am**

What!?

No sign of instrument of surrender in nice white house yet.

Posted: **Fri Mar 01, 2019 8:13 pm**

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

Java has long been evacuated and only token units remain - the island won't become an Allied POW camp.

Except for Palembang, Singapore and Bangok, the deep SRA has been largely abandoned and valuable assets - base forces and engineers have been or are in the process of moving to the "main defensive line" spanning from the river east of Hanoi (with speedbumps at the Mekong crossings and Vinh) through Formosa and Luzon.

With the SRA oil centers already lost or as good as cut-off with the Allies on Celebes and the Death Star roaming freely, the aim is now to delay the bombing of the home islands. The Marianas have been reinforced to about 20-25k men each, a division plus AA, arty and AT, behind level-6 forts and slowly rising. Frantic digging is going on on all islands between Iwo Jima and Formosa.

The fuel situation is becoming more and more desperate, most of the heavy industry is no longer producing. Refuleing of TFs has been suspended, and the first AKs have been run dry and disbanded in port. I will retain one replenish TF with oilers for a last sortie of Combined Fleet.

There are 520k HI points left in the pool, and factory output has been severely curtailed - no floatplanes, no transport planes, no Oscars, no Zeros, no ships except a few DDs, subs and MTBs. Production of Frank-r, George, Ki-100 Tonies and Nick night-fighters continues at full speed.

Java: good job. Many players are not able to do so.

Hanoi: watch out with your forces so far west, if they force a landing at HK and drive North you don't want those cut off. I don't think pull back, but just watch out and be prepared to exit further east. Maybe think about another line from Changsha to Kukong … something like that.

Fuel: ouch. suck all the fuel outta the xAK's and disband everything. TF's use fuel even in port, only disbanded do they use zero.

Oil: what is your oil in HI? Hopefully high, and if so your fuel will rebound if you disband enough TF's.

HI pts: that is really low unless your ARM/VEH are high.

Please keep posting econ data. You are at an interesting stage in the game and unusual situation. Very interested to see how your economy plays out.

Thanks!!!

[&o][&o][&o]

Posted: **Mon Apr 15, 2019 3:58 am**

NEWS FLASH!!!

Fresh from the latest turn:

Full story later, the previous turn / reports leading to this engagement are on a different computer at home.

Posted: **Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:28 am**

[X(][X(] Score one for the little guys! Why did the Allies only have one DD with that carrier? [&:]

Posted: **Tue Apr 16, 2019 6:44 am**

So, game date April 26th.

Since the Kamikaze strike a month ago, the Allies have advanced with impunity.

Bases lost in the meantime:

- Sumatra: Palembang, Benkolen > no Japanese forces left on Sumatra
- Java: Merak
- Celebes: Kendari, Koala, Makassar, Madjene and bases in-between
- Ceram Sea: Bara and Obi (near Ambon), Ternate. Morotai invaded but not captured yet
- PNG: Sorong
- CentPac: Satawal, Woleai

With southern Celebes in Allied hands, the oil centers at Balikpapan, Samarinda and Tarakan are effectively isolated - they are in Allied fighter-range and bombers have begun to destroy the oil facilities. I am not contesting this in the air - no point to defend the oil centers when no tanker survives the air blockade and the roving destroyer task forces Ed has sent out to hunt my convoys.

However, it was time to "show the flag" again to inject some caution into Ed's aggressive destroyer sweeps. So I have sent a handful of old cruisers and DDs to disband and hide at the dot base of Tapul (next to Tawi Tawi), waiting for naval search to announce a new enemy sweep of the waters off Tarakan. By pure coincidence rather than shrewd planning, this happened in a period of waning moon.

Alas - the next naval stab of the Allies wasn't a destroyer sweep, but the whole bloody Death Star!

With two-day turns, the fast-moving gaggle was upon me without time to react. I did write-off my ships and without real hope gave orders to flee to Manila.

To create some confusion among the Allies and to give my ships a fighting chance, I spawned a MTB squadron at Tarakan and sent them charging.

This has led to a rather hectic night and day:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 72,91, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashimo
DD Umigiri
DD Isokaze

Allied Ships
DD Bennion
DD Haraden
DD Healy

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Haraden at 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Asashimo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 4,000 yards
DD Umigiri engages DD Haraden at 4,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Healy at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 3,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Isokaze at 3,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Bennion at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 5,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Asashimo at 5,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Asashimo at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Healy at 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Asashimo at 8,000 yards
DD Bennion engages DD Isokaze at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Isokaze at 10,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Umigiri at 10,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Bennion at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Isokaze at 13,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Umigiri at 13,000 yards
DD Umigiri engages DD Bennion at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Caught a DD sweep - now, that was the original intention.

But it turned out to be just the ASW cover for...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 72,91, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 2
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 2
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kiyonami

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, Shell hits 3, on fire
CV Bunker Hill, Shell hits 2
CV Intrepid, Shell hits 1, on fire
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn, Shell hits 2
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
DD Stembel
CA Boise II

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Bunker Hill at 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Wasp at 10,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages CV Intrepid at 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CA Wichita at 10,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Stembel at 10,000 yards
DD Conner engages DD Kiyonami at 10,000 yards
DD Beale engages DD Kiyonami at 10,000 yards
DD Anthony engages DD Shimakaze at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 9,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Bunker Hill at 9,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 9,000 yards
DD Stembel engages DD Kiyonami at 9,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages CVL Unicorn at 9,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CL Montpelier at 9,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Ammen at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 7,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Wasp at 7,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 7,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CVL Unicorn at 7,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Clarence Bronson at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Bunker Hill at 8,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 8,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Stembel at 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CVL Unicorn at 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CA Wichita at 8,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 11,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Bunker Hill at 11,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Hornet at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CVL Unicorn at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CL Montpelier at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Bunker Hill at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Wasp at 12,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Then what looks like a genuine anti-convoy SAG (wondering why the CLAA isn't with the carriers?)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tapul at 73,90, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashimo, Shell hits 1
DD Umigiri, Shell hits 1
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CLAA Reno
DD Lansdowne
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Sterett

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Sterett at 8,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Asashimo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Isokaze at 4,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Sterett at 4,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Isokaze at 2,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Umigiri at 2,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Umigiri at 2,000 yards
Imazato, Hiroshi orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Isokaze at 7,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Ralph Talbot at 7,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages DD Isokaze at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Sterett at 11,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

My cruisers find them as well:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tapul at 73,90, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 3
CL Tama
CL Kiso
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kiyonami

Allied Ships
CLAA Reno, Shell hits 1
DD Lansdowne
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sterett

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CLAA Reno at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Sterett at 12,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Ralph Talbot at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Lansdowne at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CLAA Reno at 6,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Sterett at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages CL Tama at 6,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Lansdowne at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Shimakaze at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Shimakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Shimakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Lansdowne at 4,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CLAA Reno at 4,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Sterett at 4,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Shimakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Sterett at 4,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages CA Kinugasa at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Sterett at 10,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 10,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Lansdowne at 10,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Lansdowne at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Attracted by the light of burning ships, the cavalry arrives - first detachment:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawau at 69,91, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-542
MTB G-543
MTB G-544
MTB G-546

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, heavy fires
CV Bunker Hill
CV Intrepid, on fire
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn, on fire
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
DD Stembel
CA Boise II

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
MTB G-546 engages CVL San Jacinto at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Boise II engages MTB G-546 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
MTB G-546 engages CV Wasp at 5,000 yards
DD Anthony engages MTB G-546 at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB South Dakota engages MTB G-546 at 6,000 yards
DD Dyson engages MTB G-542 at 6,000 yards
DD Beale engages MTB G-542 at 6,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages MTB G-546 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
MTB G-546 engages CV Hornet at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Second detachment doing better, a "shell" hit causing panic among the Allies:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawau at 69,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-547
MTB G-552
MTB G-553
MTB G-554, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Shell hits 1
CV Wasp, heavy fires
CV Bunker Hill
CV Intrepid, heavy fires > fires increasing - good!
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn, on fire
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
DD Stembel
CA Boise II

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CL Santa Fe engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Stembel engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Anthony engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
BB South Dakota engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CA Boise II engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CA Wichita engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CA Wichita engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CV Intrepid collides with CL Montpelier at 69 , 91 > must have been blinded by the fires!
CA Boise II engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-547 engages CV Intrepid at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
MTB G-553 engages CV Intrepid at 3,000 yards
MTB G-547 engages CV Intrepid at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 engages CV Intrepid at 2,000 yards
MTB G-552 engages CV Intrepid at 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 engages CV Hornet at 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 engages CV Bunker Hill at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
MTB G-547 engages DD Fletcher at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Bell collides with CL Santa Fe at 69 , 91 > what's their excuse?
CA Boise II engages MTB G-554 at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...

3rd detachment:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 70,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-548
MTB G-549
MTB G-550
MTB G-551

Allied Ships
DD Caperton
DD Hickox
DD Walker

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
MTB G-551 engages DD Walker at 2,000 yards
DD Hickox engages MTB G-550 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-551 engages DD Caperton at 2,000 yards
MTB G-548 engages DD Caperton at 2,000 yards
MTB G-551 engages DD Walker at 2,000 yards
DD Hickox engages MTB G-551 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-549 engages DD Walker at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

The Allies get some revenge:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-71, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC CHa-76, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bennion
DD Haraden
DD Healy

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Sauerbrey, N.B. crosses the 'T'
DD Healy engages SC CHa-76 at 5,000 yards
DD Healy engages SC CHa-71 at 5,000 yards
DD Bennion engages SC CHa-76 at 5,000 yards
DD Healy engages SC CHa-76 at 5,000 yards
SC CHa-76 sunk by DD Haraden at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
SC CHa-71 sunk by DD Healy at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

And some more:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-547
MTB G-552
MTB G-553
MTB G-554, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Cotten
DD Evans
DD Albert Grant
DD Haggard
DD McDermut
DD Melvin
DD Spence
DD Stevens

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Scott, Norman crosses the 'T'
DD Stevens engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Haggard engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Spence engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Melvin engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD McDermut engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Haggard engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 sunk by DD Evans at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 7,000 yards
DD McDermut engages MTB G-553 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 8,000 yards
DD Albert Grant engages MTB G-553 at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...

And some more yet:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-542
MTB G-543, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-544
MTB G-546

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Cotten
DD Evans
DD Albert Grant
DD Haggard
DD McDermut
DD Melvin
DD Spence
DD Stevens

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
MTB G-543 sunk by DD Stevens at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-542 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-542 engages DD McDermut at 2,000 yards
DD Cotten engages MTB G-542 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-546 engages DD McDermut at 2,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages MTB G-544 at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-544 at 2,000 yards
DD Melvin engages MTB G-542 at 2,000 yards
DD McDermut engages MTB G-546 at 2,000 yards
DD Albert Grant engages MTB G-546 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Haggard engages MTB G-544 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Massachusetts engages MTB G-544 at 8,000 yards
DD Melvin engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
DD Albert Grant engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Then it's Tarakan's turn to take it on the chin:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarakan at 67,91

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 42 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 5 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
AG Indus Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Stevens
DD Spence
DD Melvin
DD McDermut
DD Haggard
DD Albert Grant
DD Evans
DD Cotten

Japanese ground losses:
656 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 50
Port fuel hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Massachusetts
BB Massachusetts firing at Tarakan
CA Vincennes firing at Tarakan
DD Stevens firing at Tarakan
DD Spence firing at Tarakan
DD Melvin firing at Tarakan
DD McDermut firing at Tarakan
DD Haggard firing at Tarakan
DD Albert Grant firing at Tarakan
DD Evans firing at Tarakan
DD Cotten firing at Tarakan

Dawn breaks and it isn't over yet:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tandjoengselor (near Tarakan) at 68,92, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-542, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-544, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-546, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bennion
DD Haraden
DD Healy

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
DD Haraden engages MTB G-544 at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-544 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Healy engages MTB G-544 at 14,000 yards
MTB G-546 sunk by DD Haraden at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Healy engages MTB G-542 at 11,000 yards
DD Haraden engages MTB G-542 at 11,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-542 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages MTB G-544 at 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
Niimi, W. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-544 at 13,000 yards
MTB G-544 sunk by DD Haraden at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Healy engages MTB G-542 at 16,000 yards
MTB G-542 sunk by DD Bennion at 16,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Japanese MTBs creating panic again even in broad daylight - those Allied sissies...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tawau at 70,92, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-548
MTB G-549
MTB G-550
MTB G-551

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Bunker Hill
CV Intrepid > Fires out on the CVs - bloody efficient Allied damage control!
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
CA Boise II

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 27,000 yards
Yokoo, G. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 24,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards
CA Boise II engages MTB G-549 at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
DD Bell collides with CL Santa Fe at 70 , 92 > another kiss between the two - they must love each other!
CA Wichita engages MTB G-549 at 20,000 yards
Yokoo, G. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 17,000 yards
MTB G-549 engages CV Intrepid at 17,000 yards
CL Santa Fe engages MTB G-551 at 17,000 yards
DD Ammen engages MTB G-551 at 17,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages MTB G-551 at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CL Santa Fe engages MTB G-551 at 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tandjoengselor at 68,92, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-547
MTB G-552
MTB G-553

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Cotten
DD Evans
DD Albert Grant
DD Haggard
DD McDermut
DD Melvin
DD Spence
DD Stevens

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

Meanwhile, down at Balikpapan, small fry is sparring:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,97, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MGB G-225
MGB G-226

Allied Ships
PT-62
PT-64
PT-84
PT-111
PT-113
PT-184
PT-238
PT-252
PT-277
PT-303
PT-305
PT-312

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
PT-312 engages MGB G-226 at 2,000 yards
PT-113 engages MGB G-225 at 2,000 yards
MGB G-226 engages PT-312 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Thus ended the engagement in the Celebes Sea - the 23rd of April was anticlimatic.

For the next turn, I figured some damaged Allied ships may retire from the area towards the nearest Allied port. The shortest path passed through the channel NE of Manado. Manado air base is thrashed, but the base has had enough supplies left to spawn midget subs and MTBs - so I emptied the pools and stacked the small fry in the channel.

It paid off, apparently "Evil I" has been damaged enough to split-off during the April 24th turn with a lone DD escort - to be sunk by the MTB.

BANZAI!!!

Posted: **Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:10 am**

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Java: good job. Many players are not able to do so.

Hanoi: watch out with your forces so far west, if they force a landing at HK and drive North you don't want those cut off. I don't think pull back, but just watch out and be prepared to exit further east. Maybe think about another line from Changsha to Kukong … something like that.

Fuel: ouch. suck all the fuel outta the xAK's and disband everything. TF's use fuel even in port, only disbanded do they use zero.

Oil: what is your oil in HI? Hopefully high, and if so your fuel will rebound if you disband enough TF's.

HI pts: that is really low unless your ARM/VEH are high.

Please keep posting econ data. You are at an interesting stage in the game and unusual situation. Very interested to see how your economy plays out.

Missed that post, will grab some econ screenshots next turn. Oil in HI is very low, 20k. Some convoys with a few more thousand tons are still at sea. The SRA oil centers are lost or under air and naval blockade. I try to sneak single-ship TKs to Java, Tarakan and Miri to see if I can get a few more drops. No success so far, Allied subs everywhere, air blockades and DD sweeps pick them off. But since I won't need TKs anymore with the oil centers gone, I might as well try my luck instead of waiting to have them sunk at port later - maybe one will get trough. Regarding ARM/VEH points - VEH is low at 1700, ARM about 100k - no idea if this is high or not. Re Hanoi-HK backstop - couple of divisions and plenty arty have marched all the way from the Chungking front via Changsha to Wuchow. Will try a stab against Kweilin. When the Allies discover the Hanoi defense line, I hope to have time to shift the Kweilin gaggle south.

Posted: **Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:30 pm**

Might have been due to the collision it suffered with the CL earlier, that resulted with the Evil I being split off with a lone escort.

Posted: **Fri Apr 19, 2019 12:36 pm**

For PaxMondo

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:00 am**

Game date June 1st, 1944.

Overall: So far my retreats stay ahead of my opponent's advances, no unplanned large-scale losses of ground forces. However, soon fighting will start for some stand-and-die locations. The lack of supplies is being felt more and more, exclamation marks pop-up all over the map. Frank-R, George-2, Jack-5and Tony-100-I are in production, as well as Nick-D, Irving, Judy and Zero night fighters.

Thailand:

The forces blocking the three roads from Burma to Thailand have been outflanked by an enemy column advancing through the jungles and by amphib invasions of Tavoy and Mergui. Frontal assaults have pushed back the defenders of the Moulmein-Bangkok road. A sacrificial brigade tries to occupy the enemy while the balance of the forces is in full retreat towards Bangkok for a last stand. About 1000AV of "B" and "C" detachments will die in place - probably pretty quickly despite fort level = 5 since supplies are very low. In the North, Rahaeng and Utaradit are being held by the remnants of the Thai Army, which will "withdraw" in 61 days. From Mergui, enemy units are moving south into the Kra Isthmus. There is nothing to stop them from advancing down to Singers, just some logistic troops like port companies etc. to establish a presence. At Singers, five "B" and "C" detachments are digging in to deny the base as long as possible.

Indochina:
The next defensive line at Vinh is getting ready with about 800 AV made up of independent brigades and forts at level 4.5. The main line east of Haipong holds a dozen "A" detachments and independent brigades which have had time to dig-in to level-3 and 4.

China:
The theatre has stabilised for the moment in a giant U-shaped front around the bases in south-central China which remain out of reach for the IJA. The Chinese forces have been reinforced with Allied tanks, but there are no enemy ground and air activities. The quiet before the storm? Most hexes of the long line contain just one IJA division, and supplies are low throughout the theatre. Another house of cards waiting to collapse... Japanese forces are conducting a limited offensive operation between Liuchow and Kweilin with the faint hope to open a corridor through Nanning to Hanoi, but this will probably be aborted soon in favor of coastal defence.

Pakhoi, Kwangchowan and Hong Kong are being held by one brigade each, but these brigades will grow to divisions with "sister units" scheduled to arrive at Peiping and Tientsin within two months. Fingers crossed that I will have the time to move them down into place. From Swatow on east the coast is lightly defended, but I hope "fortress Formosa" will offer some protection - I have evacuated all AV support from Burma, Thailand and Malaya to Formosa and the Pescadores, the five good airbases in close proximity will create a "hornet's nest".

Java:
Java has been lost within two weeks or so after initial landings, being occupied by just enough troops to cover the minimum garrison requirements. Everything else has been pulled-out successfully when the Allied success on Sumatra and Timor made it clear that the days of the ARA are numbered.

Borneo:
Balikpapan and Samarinda have been invaded against just a token defence. No point to invest heavily into ground defences of the oil centres when the oil cannot be moved out any longer due to air blockade and surface threats. Airdrops of Commando units have taken all the other - undefended - bases in western Borneo and even Brunei. Before pulling-out the base forces from Kuching, I managed to punish some enemy DDs which had ventured up to Miri with a Kamikaze strike, sinking at least one DD. I have airlifted most base units to the Phillipines, leaving radars and mot support behind. Those remnants will be marched to the nearest enemy base to die.

Philippines:
Enemy submarines everywhere, but I have several "hunter killer groups" working on them and plenty of Jakes flying ASW. Fast TFs and transport planes have pulled lots of units and splinters from bypassed bases further south as far as Roti, Koepang, Babar, Ambon, Noemfoer and Biak. At some locations only the heavy gear remains behind.
The enemy is sweeping and bombing the central transport hub at Cagayan, but here I do offer resistance with George-2 and Frank-R fighters - losses against Lightnings, Corsairs and T-Bolts are about 2:1. Last turn saw a furball when a huge convoy including several CVEs providing additional fighter cover pulled into Cagayan to take off several brigades and assorted units that need rebuilding, they will eventually die defending Manila.
I really hope Ed will attack the Philippines soon - I have 800+ Kamikaze planes waiting which are in groups due to withdraw on or about July 10th...

Cent Pac:
Has been the focus in the past month, with enemy landing and capturing Talaud Is., Yap and Ulithi. The attackers again did cut through the defenders and level-4 forts like a hot knife through butter. Is building forts really worth the efforts?!? I have tried some long-range bombing and Kamikaze attacks with obsolete Betties and Nells, string TFs of Ulitihi from the Marianas - nothing to show for. This last turn Rota in the Marianas has been invaded. Cowardly Allied dogs going for the weakest of the four southern Marianas. Well, guess they have to try Saipan and Tinian one day - hope level-6 forts will do better.

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:01 am**

Thailand

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:02 am**

China

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:02 am**

Borneo

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:03 am**

CentPac

Posted: **Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:20 am**

The game is motoring on in slow motion with one to three turns max per week, real life getting into the way. Another game month has passed, we are at July 7th, 1944 now.

In his emails my opponent Ed is wondering where the Empire will make a real stand and resist. He is right – I am running away faster than the Allies can advance. The problem is - for the Japanese, the game is no longer about fighting a war, it is merely awaiting death and destruction. The lack of fuel and supplies is paralysing everything. Total supplies Empire-wide are less than 1.2 Million supply units and there is less than 360k fuel left - and dropping. The import of resources from Korea, China and Sakhalin is dropping as well as merchant ships run out of fuel one by one and are being disbanded in port. I hope the resource stockpiles in the Home Islands will last until the end. Heavy Industries have largely grounded to a halt for lack of fuel - and so did their supply production (I have deliberately stopped production at some places in order keep a fuel reserve for naval operations by small fry like MTBs and midget subs). Light industries do produce about 10k units of supply per day (and I will lose a large chunk when Bangkok, Saigon, Singers and Manila will fall).

This is not enough to sustain the existing forces, and there are also many LCU reinforcements (finally – but too late) to flesh-out, fortifications to be constructed (even if they seem to be useless for Japan) and pilots to train. Look at the image below – there are just seven bases with more than 20k supplies, and two of them are isolated island bastions in the Marianas. What little supplies can be scrapped together from the Home Islands to be shipped-out is a drop in the bucket – and it prevents the building-up of reserves in the Home Islands for the end game. Choices, choices…

In short, there are not enough supplies and fuel to conduct any meaningful operations anymore. Offensive ground actions are simply impossible to sustain, prolonged defensive actions are severely impacted – without ample supplies, arty and AA won’t fire. Air operations have become almost impossible as well. Even defensive CAP is no longer an option outside the Home Islands since only a sizeable number of aircraft on CAP have a chance to succeed – and the lack of supplies prevents the use of huge numbers of aircraft on bases which already lack supplies just to sustain the ground forces present. All that remains are pinprick actions by weak forces and waiting for the hammer blows to fall.

Therefore, my “strategy” if you may call it such is to delay with expendable units like Port Engineers etc. as speedbumps where available and to defend with a limited number of infantry units a few strategic as long as possible – Bangkok, Vinh, Singers, Manila and Hongkong. All other forces are being redeployed, combat units to bases close to the Home Islands to delay the establishment of enemy airbases within fighter range of Japan, base forces and AA to the Home Islands itself to prepare their air defense (almost the entire AV support available is being concentrated in the Home Islands).

In the last month I have conducted and continue to conduct large-scale evacuations of “eaters” from the SRA and China which are useless without ample supplies – engineers, arty, AA, AV support, air units. This was largely successful, although I have lost a bunch of barges and a few hundred troops to low-level strafing / skip-bombing and a few merchantmen to subs. The timing was good, the main evacuation convoys from Haiphong and Manila sailed a few days before the Allied Death Star arrived in Philippine waters. The remaining forces in China, Indochina, Thailand, Malaya and the Philippines are basically written off and must make-do with locally produced supplies. As a consequence, red exclamation marks indicating a lack of supplies litter the map.

The Air Forces are largely in “preservation mode” as well and training in the Home Islands. Fighter units and float planes train air combat and bomber units train low naval attack for the Kamikaze Corps. Experienced fighter pilots are in very short supply by now, most pilots are run-of-the mill replacements. While it is relatively easy to get their air skills up to 70, I struggle to increase def skills – training sweeps at 1000 feet is supposed to work, but I see little progress. Same for bomber pilots trained for conventional attacks – practically no reserves in the pools and those deployed in LBA units are not fully trained yet (the good guys are on the carriers). However, I have about a thousand pilots trained to 70 skill in low naval in the reserve, a mix of inexperienced fresh recruits and experienced old hands with skills no longer needed, like ground attack and ASW re-trained.
A large number of air units is scheduled to withdraw around July 10th, I have withdrawn them a bit earlier because this yields a few political points in order to repurchase destroyed units – of limited value since it takes supplies to flesh them out.

The production of airplanes is concentrated on modern fighters – I have about 400 each of Frank and George in the pools, plus lesser numbers for Zeros, Oscars and Tonies. Limited numbers of bombers remain in production, mainly the Torpedo-totting Peggy version and the Judy version that carries the 800kg bomb. There are about 200.000 HI points left, in theory enough to build 5000 planes – but there also is need for HI points for vehicles, armament, the monthly pilot training costs and a few naval shipyard points to finish the last few subs and DDs whose construction has advanced too far for wanting to stop them. I estimate that I might be able to produce about 2000 additional planes.

Concerning the Navy, lack of fuel has forced it into hiding as well. There are a lot of long upgrades in June and July so a large part of the combat ships are currently in the yards. I have reserved a few AOs with fuel for a last sortie of the Combined Fleet. What is available of the fleet is being kept in the North. Sub-launched Glen recon flight show that the Allies have built-up the Aleutian islands – maybe in order to support a new front up in the North? I have read a couple of AAR sporting Allied landings in the Kuriles, it seems to be a popular avenue of advance for the Allied dogs.

Let’s turn to the different regions.

In Thailand, Bangkok has been encircled. An attempt to cut-off some exposed elements of the Allied pincer had to be aborted under a hail of bombs – 4Es on ground attack are murderous, two brigades of infantry plus supporting arty and tanks have been reduced to battalion strength in a few days. The sacrificial troops at Bangkok and Ayuthia have been digging in behind the protective river, but without a roof they are suffering heavy attrition from heavy bombing as well. Worse, the few supplies available are being destroyed, dooming any hope for a prolonged defense. Last turn, a single Indian Mot Brigade has shock-attacked across the river into Ayuthia – in move mode! (some brigadier misunderstood orders it seems). Apparently, the personnel of the two defending infantry brigades were busy scanning the sky for bombers and didn’t see the Indians coming – my troops have been ejected from their trenches without much of a fight and heavy losses. Maybe I should have saved the supplies instead of wasting it on apparently useless fortifications? With the Allies across the river, the fate of Bangkok is sealed – four relatively fresh brigades plus the shattered remnants from Ayuthia will act as speedbump – they won’t last long without supplies.
What is left of the loyal Thai troops have finally been pushed out of the “Iron Triangle”, the three bases in Northern Thailand around Rahaeng, into the surrounding jungles. The units will disband at the end of the month, I hope the Allies will send units in pursuit anyway. In Eastern Thailand, Udon Thani is under siege. Soon the Allies will enter Indochina from Thailand.

In Indochina, they will link-up with paratroopers which have captured undefended Quinhon and Soc Trang. Without a doubt other troops will be airlifted and there are probably convoys bringing heavy stuff and supplies as well. I can only assume – Japanese airpower is non-existent in the entire area and even the AV support has gone. Apart from real estate there is little of interest to defend in Indochina, the resources produced there cannot be shipped home anymore for lack of fuel and the menace of enemy bombers based in Borneo and Thailand. Therefore there are only token defenses at Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay. But a hardpoint has been prepared at Vinh with a second line at Haiphong and east of Hanoi in order to delay the link-up between the Allied liberators of the SRA and the Chinese troops in southern China.

These positions however are in danger of being cut-off by amphib operations in Southern China. I have reinforcements spawning in Peiping and Shanghai earmarked to defend Pakhoi and Kwangchowan, but those troops need to move down which takes many weeks – I hope they will arrive in time. In order to “demonstrate strength” (yes, a bluff) which may give my opponent second thoughts to attack Southern China, I have been conducting limited fighter sweeps and a ground offensive against Kweilin. However, Ed has deployed the dreaded P-47-D25 and I have exhausted the supplies in Southern China, so even this last show of offensive spirit had to stop. The stretch of coast between Hongkong and Shanghai remains weakly defended – it is giving me nightmares already although the enemy is not even close yet. No further offensive ground operations are being planned or conducted in China – from my side. I have a lot of recon planes in China trying to keep an eye on any signs of an Allied counteroffensive. The long and overextended frontline in China cannot be held, if the Allies move, I plan to withdraw the forces in the interior to “Fortress Chungking” and the forces closer to the coast to Hongkong resp. Shanghai – but with the superior mobility of the Allies, China might turn into a catastrophe. But what can I do to prevent it?

South of China, the Allies have liberated most of Borneo - except Tarakan. Some remnants of Japanese ground forces are moving around, some of it is heavy equipment like radars and mot support that had to be left behind when airlifting out the balance of units heading towards Allied bases in order to be destroyed, other units with airliftable devices left are heading towards Tarakan in the hope of escape.

The Allies have also captured several bases on the approaches to Luzon, like Jolo and Palawan, and have recently landed on Mindanao and Panay. Resistance has been light to non-existent on the ground, nothing bigger than a Naval Guard force per base. There are more substantial forces at the main bases at Davao and Cagayan, but mostly elements of bypassed garrisons further south which have been airlifted out from places like Koepang, Ambon, Boela, Manado, Northern New Guinea. Few if any heavy weapons – which doesn’t matter since there are no supplies to fire them. Davao has 20 units of supplies, Cagayan about 600 – I don’t expect any prolonged resistance. Still, better than the situation at Koepang, Ambon, Boela, Manado etc. where supplies are nil.

The only naval resistance came from a stab in the direction of Jolo by a light cruiser and two DDs which happened to be available from a convoy escorted into Manila – to find a few PTs and lots of aircraft who sank my task force. In the air, on two separate occasions I have sent small Kamikaze strikes from Luzon against transport task forces in the Palawan area, 27 Lilys and 18 Irvings. They have hit two LCI, an LST, an AK type and two destroyers, I believe all of them sank. Looks like the initial Kamikaze strike of a day has good chances to get through CAP, but follow-on strikes get butchered. I actually had prepared airfields on Luzon with lots of AV support and about 800 Kamikaze planes (mostly the groups scheduled to withdraw in July), hoping that the Allied would advance into the PI before the withdrawal date. But quickly I had to realize that the supplies on Luzon were nowhere near the required amount to sustain such a large air ops effort - and more supplies just not to be had. So, in order to preserve a minimum of supplies for the stand-and-die defense of Manila by the poor souls in the infantry, almost all air units and AV has been moved out, as related above.

In the CentPac, Rota has fallen quickly despite level-5 forts and Pagan at the northern end of the Marianas island chain has been lost as well. This effectively isolates the three bigger Mariana islands. The only excitement was a mass sortie of MTBs (about three dozen) sponsored by the well-stocked supply depots on Saipan against the Allied Death Star covering the landings – alas, nothing to show for since moonshine was 100%. Heavy and medium bombers are now pounding Guam, Tinian and Saipan – either to prepare landings or just in order to neutralise the airfields, I don’t know. Doesn’t matter since I cannot change the fate of those islands – although they among the best-supplied bases I have left, I won’t commit LBA to contest the bombings. Any planes sent south would be easily destroyed on the ground by naval bombardments.

Around the Home Islands, i.e. the Bonins and Ryukus, garrison forces have been put in place to prevent quick grabs. Iwo Jima and Okinawa are heavily defended, with garrisons up to stacking limits and forts at 5 and rising. But you know the song by now – the supply stockpiles are low and thus the prospects of prolonged resistance are low as well. The Home Islands itself are being prepared for incoming air attacks and Kamikaze retribution. The base forces and AA units evacuated from the SRA have been deployed to the main industrial centers around Tokyo, Nagoya and Kobe. These main bases have about 300 Army fighters each assigned, a mix of Frank-R, Ki-61-d, Ki-61-II and Ki-100-I plus Ki-45c and Ki-45d as night-fighters. Yokohama and Hiroshima are being covered by the Navy with a mix of groups flying Zero M5c, Zero M8 and George-2. Neighbouring bases like Maebashi, Gifu and Tsu also have fighter planes assigned for mutual support. The bases on Kyushu are holding a mix of Army and Navy fighters and bombers, including Lily dive-bombers, Torpedo-Peggys, Jills and ablative armor i.e. Oscars and Zeros. The planes are optimised by range to be able to reach Naha on Okinawa from multiple bases on Kyushu, with lots of Air HQs present. Have to check the HQ alignments of bases, groups and HQs in order to optimize the chain of command and then hope for a coordinated strike if the Allies stumble into range. But as they say, no battle plan survives contact with the enemy…

Posted: **Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:49 am**

Situation in Thailand, Malaya, Indochina

Posted: **Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:51 am**

Borneo - PI

Posted: **Tue Sep 24, 2019 1:55 pm**

Thanks for the update. That is a fascinating -- and grim! -- presentation of the awful strategic problems faced by Japan. It seems very historical, not in terms of the front line, but in terms of the terrible squeeze on vital resources that the real Japan faced as well.

Matrix Games Forums

IdahoNYer vs LST (J AAR): GAME OVER!

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Fireplug sprinkles dog

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Fireplug sprinkles dog

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Fireplug sprinkles dog

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Enter Kamikaze

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No supply, no fuel, no hope

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No supply, no fuel, no hope

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No supply, no fuel, no hope

RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No supply, no fuel, no hope