July 23rd to August 28th, 1942
More than a month has passed in-game without an update, so I'll try to give as full an update as I can.
North Pacific
Nothing up here worth reporting.
I moved some engineers from Manchuria to Shikuka. They're currently bringing the port up to size 9. Once that's done, they'll develop Shikuka and Toyohara to size 9 airbases to serve as backstops for the Kuriles.
South-West Pacific
From late July into early August, the Allies mount a air and naval campaign against Japanese positions around Fiji. Off the back of this, they are able to funnel supply in to Suva and close IJ airbases in the region.
The KB responds, and with the aid of a large reinforcement effort from air units across the Empire, the situation is stabilized. B-17 raids from Pago-Pago are now effectively opposed by the new Ki-45 Nick.
This then enables a large effort to reinforce Fiji with IJA troops freed from Luzon. Current IJA strength on Luzon is 6 divisions plus change. Opposing them is still the same battered collection of Allied troops:
Ground combat at Suva (132,160)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2944 troops, 203 guns, 176 vehicles, Assault Value = 1449
Defending force 42194 troops, 824 guns, 889 vehicles, Assault Value = 1047
Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
With the Allies have being able to resupply Fiji, the clock is turned back on the eventual Japanese seizure of Fiji. Given the current situation, it has proven difficult for me to close Suva's airbase (and keep it closed) in the face of increasing Allied resistance in the air. On two occasions bombers have been ambushed, and naval assets are unable to bombard due to other commitments elsewhere, combined with a general fuel shortage in the Pacific Area.
There were a number of losses over the fighting in this area. The crusiers Takao, Maya and Chokai were sunk by Allied carrier aircraft in the opening days of the Allied re-supply effort, along with two destroyers.
In exchange, the Allies likely lost the CL Enterprise (the British light cruiser, sadly) and a smattering of smaller ships when the KB arrived to sweep the region clear.
An attempt was made to hunt a squadron of battleships operating in SWPAC, but the KB was unable to get in to a position to attack. Some consolation comes from a IJN sub putting two torpedoes in to the battleship Revenge.
In an effort to harvest easy VP's, I've been using the G3M3 Nell from bases on New Caledonia to bomb Australian industrial centres. I plan to ramp this up going forward in an effort to build a cushion for 1944 and onwards.
Central Pacific
Following events in SWPAC, the Allies responded by embarking on an all-out offensive into the Gilberts.
Japanese commitments here were slim, a few Naval Guards, a collection of floatplanes and a pair of seaplane tenders.
A strong Allied force lands and takes Tabiteuea from a weak garrison, as well as the adjacent bases. Airbases are rapidly developed on Arore and Nikunau.
The IJN is quick to respond, over the month of August, with a good toll of troop and cargo ships sunk by warships, the KB and land-based air flying from the Marshalls. This culminates with the 3 remaining Kongo-class battleships bombarding Arore to great effect.
With the large-scale fleet movements and numerous reinforcement convoys dashing to and fro, the strategic fuel reserves for the Pacific Ocean are completely exhausted. The KB is parked at Kwajalein for the next week, pending an oiler convoy from the DEI. A large number of ships are parked at Truk waiting more fuel as well.
For now, there will be an operational pause to enable fuel stockpiles to recover, at which point the IJN will hit back hard!
Engineers and aviation support is being rushed to the Marshalls in anticipation of a campaign of attrition in the air here.
Northern Australia
Darwin is completely evacuated. The only Japanese position in Australia is a small seaplane base at Broome.
Timor will now become the first line of defence for the Lower DEI, as engineers have work well in hand to make this a formidable bastion.
Burma
Magwe falls, and the oil is taken intact.
Besides some attempts to strike Allied coastal shipping with fighter-bombers, this theatre is remarkably quiet. That may change in the foreseeable future, however!
Allied infiltrators have activated all of the Viet Mihn divisions. I'm actually quite glad of this, as although they are static units and essentially a waste of supply, they free up units for garrison duties and have embedded engineers!
China
Chungking has fallen, and with it China is out of the war!
Well, besides a large number of troops who were able to escape to India.
The IJA forces that were present at Chungking have split in to roughly three parts.
One will remain in China for to recover losses and mop up, before being bought out for Pacific and DEI garrison duties.
One will head to northern China and take control of the oil centre at Urumuchi.
The last part is fighting through the mountains to Northern Burma, where it will become a defacto part of the Burmese Area Army.
A large part of the engineers, aviation support and air units are in the process of being redeployed to the Pacific, where they will be most welcome!
Miscellaneous
All matters industrial seem to be ticking over nicely. Fuel and supply are climbing, and resource stockpiles are nearing the 10 million mark.
Oil continues to fall, but it is manageable for the medium term, and oil exports from Burma and the Eastern DEI have yet to ramp up.
R&D is starting to make some progress. The A6M5c is ticking along nicely, as is the Tony.
VP's are at 3.258:1. This is good, but it could be better.
