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The HI/LI is in range, sure, but it's well protected by fighters and AA (as far as I can tell from the intel).
This means I cannot do anything...not at an acceptable cost at least.
Having 100 Shidens and KI83s on CAP is enough to prevent any long range mission of the 4Es. You know that Joc.
My fighters are too busy protecting my AFs to be able to also do long range sweeps. Also my pools are not looking good as you may understand.

30 divisions Joc? Not at all... I have 12 divisions stuck in Malaya, unable to move any further. More or less in a defensive position... 10 more are in Burma...
I have 10 more divisions between Makassar, Kendari and Koepang... waiting for the next advance... but the next advance will be bloody. Kendari cannot be conquered... I have not enough units prepped for it... I have a whole army prepped for Balikapan (defended by 3 Japanese IDs and lots of AAs) and another army prepped for Menado... but that's pretty far from my closest base...I thought I could take Kendari in order to support the advance towards Mindanao...but I don't think I can anymore.
We'll need the full DS to move up there and that will trigger the KB intervention...which is still as strong as our DS...intact... I cannot accept a battle right now... I'll lose the initiative even if I get a draw... been unlucky with the previous CV battles in 1943 and early 1944 and there I lost the chances to really change the balance.

Let's not look at the clock guys. I'll keep on playing as if there was not any "ending date"

ORIGINAL: obvert

Also. I haven't seen mention of China since the Burma road was opened. If they have supply ...

In DBB India doesn't produce enough supplies to feed a complete Burma campaign..let alone China.
The Burma road is open, but China industry is completely wiped out since 1943 so the supplies that arrives from Burma is barely enough to survive...I still have many units that gets DISPERSED every turn due to the lack of supplies...
The supply must come from CT to feed both Burma and the campaigns in Malaya, Sumatra and Java... I barely have enough for them...cannot really support anything in China rather than a defensive stance.

I haven't mentioned China in a while because since we managed to stop his advance in the North, the front has been stabilized and there has been a kind of "armistice" in China...with the Chinese that were able to hold their major cities...that is already a very good result imho

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

The HI/LI is in range, sure, but it's well protected by fighters and AA (as far as I can tell from the intel).
This means I cannot do anything...not at an acceptable cost at least.
Having 100 Shidens and KI83s on CAP is enough to prevent any long range mission of the 4Es. You know that Joc.
My fighters are too busy protecting my AFs to be able to also do long range sweeps. Also my pools are not looking good as you may understand.

Ah, but he cannot CAP every base now can he? The B29s have a long range and in China for example there are many, many small LI factories. Start hitting whatever he doesn´t guard and see if you can force him to disperse his CAP a bit?

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
30 divisions Joc? Not at all... I have 12 divisions stuck in Malaya, unable to move any further. More or less in a defensive position... 10 more are in Burma...
I have 10 more divisions between Makassar, Kendari and Koepang... waiting for the next advance... but the next advance will be bloody. Kendari cannot be conquered... I have not enough units prepped for it... I have a whole army prepped for Balikapan (defended by 3 Japanese IDs and lots of AAs) and another army prepped for Menado... but that's pretty far from my closest base...I thought I could take Kendari in order to support the advance towards Mindanao...but I don't think I can anymore.
We'll need the full DS to move up there and that will trigger the KB intervention...which is still as strong as our DS...intact... I cannot accept a battle right now... I'll lose the initiative even if I get a draw... been unlucky with the previous CV battles in 1943 and early 1944 and there I lost the chances to really change the balance.

Let's not look at the clock guys. I'll keep on playing as if there was not any "ending date"

Well, that pretty much makes it 30 IDs (12+10+10). Can you sneak some of them out? If you are stuck in Burma and Malaya can´t you sneak 1-2 out from each place? That would give you a reserve of 5-6 IDs which you can then use to advance somewhere else? No need to keep banging your head in Burma right now right?

I think right now he has the psychological advantage over you. You need to break loose of that. He is doing a very good job but he cannot defend everywhere. Its impossible. Force him to spread out his troops and airforce. Open a new axis of advance.

But you must start hitting his LI/HI. Look in China how many small LI centers there are. No chance to cover them all. There are more in Thailand too. Start knocking them out. 20 here and there will soon add up into the 100s. [:)]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

The HI/LI is in range, sure, but it's well protected by fighters and AA (as far as I can tell from the intel).
This means I cannot do anything...not at an acceptable cost at least.
Having 100 Shidens and KI83s on CAP is enough to prevent any long range mission of the 4Es. You know that Joc.
My fighters are too busy protecting my AFs to be able to also do long range sweeps. Also my pools are not looking good as you may understand.

30 divisions Joc? Not at all... I have 12 divisions stuck in Malaya, unable to move any further. More or less in a defensive position... 10 more are in Burma...
I have 10 more divisions between Makassar, Kendari and Koepang... waiting for the next advance... but the next advance will be bloody. Kendari cannot be conquered... I have not enough units prepped for it... I have a whole army prepped for Balikapan (defended by 3 Japanese IDs and lots of AAs) and another army prepped for Menado... but that's pretty far from my closest base...I thought I could take Kendari in order to support the advance towards Mindanao...but I don't think I can anymore.
We'll need the full DS to move up there and that will trigger the KB intervention...which is still as strong as our DS...intact... I cannot accept a battle right now... I'll lose the initiative even if I get a draw... been unlucky with the previous CV battles in 1943 and early 1944 and there I lost the chances to really change the balance.

Let's not look at the clock guys. I'll keep on playing as if there was not any "ending date"

All good. No need to think to hurry, of course. I just have a feeling that the pace will take care of itself once the supply stops flowing.

Seems now the best route might be to go around the islands on the South side of Borneo, just by-pass the whole South DEI and let them sit there. He can lift some of it back, but not all. Those dot islands look pretty tempting, and once you're on the East side, that whole transit to the North is in serious doubt. There are a TON of bases on the NE side of Borneo and into the PI once you decide to jump further. Some of those will have nothing on them, guaranteed.

Also, meeting the KB in the South China Sea is much better than in the dense, heavily CAPed area around the Celebes and Java.

You're plenty able, I know, just trying to spur thoughts and new options that already look to be on your radar, judging by the moves you've made to the islands off of Sumatra.

Dec 21, 1944

Sosarbaja is falling, thanks God!
After 3 days of fightings, we achieved a 3-1 and the forts down to 4... we're getting there. A Para bde was dropped at Kalidati, stopping the movement of a Mixed Regiment railing south...
More troops are pouring in southern Java, under the umbrella of the CVs...
Bombings at Batavia and Palembang continue.
Shidens keep on sweeping, achieving tremendous victories against P-51Ds... even if the allied fighters are set higher...ouch[X(]

ARDs, ARs, AKEs, AVs, ADs, ASs are all ready to be moved to Sosarbaja as soon as the base falls, along with many base forces, 2 Naval HQs and 2 Air HQs...

More Marines are getting to Java... once Sosarbaja is taken, i'll be able to deal with Medioen and Buitznetog AFs...
Ki-83s swept Makassar, obtaining a 4-1 kill ratio in their favour... damn how I hate the jap late war fighters...

Congrats on liberarating Soerabaja! [&o]

I don´t think its so much the planes but rather he has a some REALLY good pilots by now... [:(]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Congrats on liberarating Soerabaja! [&o]

I don´t think its so much the planes but rather he has a some REALLY good pilots by now... [:(]

For sure, but he's being fighting throughout the whole war over my own bases, so he must have had a lot of MIA/KIA, while I managed to lose quite few pilots comparing the the numbers of planes lost.
My pilots are very good too to be honest. But simply, when KI-49r, KI-83s or Shidens arrive at 40+ feet all togheder in groups of at least 49 planes, it's pretty impossible to have a decent number of planes ready to fight them and get the dive bonus (even with no altitude HR)... so you always end up in inferiority and that makes the difference
The Shidens is also faster than anything I have and the KI-83s worths, more or less, a P-47...so the weapons on my side aren't much of a use.

However, I need to stop complaining and focus on the strategical goals. Now I need Sosarbaja and then i'll be able to close down any fuel/oil sealane left to Japan...

You used up all the P47-25s you got? If so I can see it being seriously tough. [:(]

Good news is that its only 4 month until you get the "N". Its pretty awesome! [:D]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

You used up all the P47-25s you got? If so I can see it being seriously tough. [:(]

Good news is that its only 4 month until you get the "N". Its pretty awesome! [:D]

Yes, all of them. Pool is empty and only 100 remain operative within the active airgroups.... they have been mauled during the attempts (failed) to break down Singapore and Kotha Baru.
Japan at Singapore managed to place more than 1000 great fighters on CAP. With forts up to 8 (I guess), hundreds of mines and CD guns, even a series of naval bombardments of 8 BBs (in combo with 300 4Es, 200 escorts and 300 P-47s on sweep) failed to close the airfield even for a single day...was quite horrible to watch[X(]

Well, I´m glad I´m not you! [:D]

December 25, 1944

Sosarbaja has fallen! The 2nd AUS corp, composed by the 6th and 33rd US IDs have broken the stiff defence of the 103rd jap ID. Now, with the support of the 4th USMC ID they are marching north.
After 6 months of constant bombing we attacked Palembang.... An armoured ID, an infantry ID, several combat eng units, artillery etc....result? Not a single fort taken down and a 1-10 AV result....

The enemy sweeps continue....Sabang, bankoleng, Makassar, Ohstaven.... I can barely keep an 1-1 ratio against these costant attacks....depressing
The DS is now free to move again. We'll get deeper into the enemy seas now. Next weeks should be interesting to watch

Then how about forget opposing the sweeps? Put in lots of AA to oppose the bombers when (if) they come.

Wherever the Eye of Mordor is turned, look someplace else.

It look's like you are cracking the steel egg! Congratulations on the progress. OK, so Palembang will take a dog's age to conquer (if you bother at all!). If it can't be bombed, it can be blockaded. As you get bases closer he will not be able to protect shipping in the area.

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Then how about forget opposing the sweeps? Put in lots of AA to oppose the bombers when (if) they come.

Wherever the Eye of Mordor is turned, look someplace else.

[:D]

I like the thought of just putting head down, at least up and down, and trusting the Allied AA. You do have to protect ships though, and that might be a problem if you weren't flying CAP.

It look's like you are cracking the steel egg! Congratulations on the progress. OK, so Palembang will take a dog's age to conquer (if you bother at all!). If it can't be bombed, it can be blockaded. As you get bases closer he will not be able to protect shipping in the area.

My view is leave all of these fortresses as they are. How much AA is on the front lines? He can't air lift those back. Leave them there. How many good divisions are up there? Leave them. Go around. (Looks like you're doing just that, anyway).

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Then how about forget opposing the sweeps? Put in lots of AA to oppose the bombers when (if) they come.

Wherever the Eye of Mordor is turned, look someplace else.

It look's like you are cracking the steel egg! Congratulations on the progress. OK, so Palembang will take a dog's age to conquer (if you bother at all!). If it can't be bombed, it can be blockaded. As you get bases closer he will not be able to protect shipping in the area.

[:D] Obvert is right. You need to defend your ships. The AA alone can't stop the enemy bombers. Even if you place lots of heavy AA, a fully crowded AF will be ruined if a swarm of Helens arrive...and the transports in the harbours get targeted by the enemy bombers too... no, you need to have CAP in the air unfortunately

Look, for example, what happened just last turn (it's like that every day):

Dec 27, 44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 45,530 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-83 x 80

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 6
Spitfire Vc Trop x 10
Spitfire VIII x 12
F4U-1D Corsair x 12
P-38L Lightning x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 21
P-51D Mustang x 27
F4U-1D Corsair x 10
F6F-5 Hellcat x 55

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
37 x Ki-83 sweeping at 41530 feet
33 x Ki-83 sweeping at 41530 feet
8 x Ki-83 sweeping at 41530 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-34 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VC(F)-21 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VMF-121 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 39000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
No.16 Sqn RNZAF with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
No.18 Sqn RNZAF with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41500 , scrambling fighters between 40000 and 41000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
No.85 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
No.54 Sqn RAF with Thunderbolt II (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
18th FG/44th FS with P-51D Mustang (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41900 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
58th FG/69th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
18th FG/70th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 41000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
58th FG/311th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 40000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
318th FG/333rd FS with P-51D Mustang (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41900 , scrambling fighters to 41900.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
475th FG/431st FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters between 36000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
475th FG/433rd FS with P-51D Mustang (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41900 , scrambling fighters to 41000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 44,530 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-83 x 33

Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 6
Spitfire Vc Trop x 10
Spitfire VIII x 12
F4U-1D Corsair x 9
P-38L Lightning x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 21
P-51D Mustang x 27
F4U-1D Corsair x 10
F6F-5 Hellcat x 51

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x Ki-83 sweeping at 41530 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-34 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 37000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VC(F)-21 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VMF-121 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 39000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
No.16 Sqn RNZAF with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
No.18 Sqn RNZAF with F4U-1D Corsair (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
No.79 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41500 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 41500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
No.85 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
No.54 Sqn RAF with Thunderbolt II (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
18th FG/44th FS with P-51D Mustang (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41900 , scrambling fighters between 36000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
58th FG/69th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
18th FG/70th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
58th FG/311th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 40000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
318th FG/333rd FS with P-51D Mustang (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41900 , scrambling fighters to 41900.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
475th FG/431st FS with P-38L Lightning (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters to 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
475th FG/433rd FS with P-51D Mustang (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41900 , scrambling fighters to 41000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Oosthaven , at 48,96

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 44,370 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J7W1 Shinden x 43

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 36
P-51D Mustang x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
J7W1 Shinden: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 5 destroyed
P-51D Mustang: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x J7W1 Shinden sweeping at 39370 feet *

CAP engaged:
23rd FG/76th FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters between 35000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
80th FG/89th FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 40000 , scrambling fighters between 36000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
311th FG/528th FS with P-51D Mustang (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41900 , scrambling fighters between 37000 and 41000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes


The butcher's bill of the day, with sweeps only in these two locations, is 40 to 6 in his favour...I'm rotating my units on CAP...but the results are always the same...no matter what I do (layered CAP, only high alt CAP, only a single plane model CAP....doesn't really matter)

BTW, the Java campaign is proceeding fine in the south. The enemy is fleeing from Medioen, going north, where Batavia and the other Japanese bases still hold fine. The plan is to keep on pushing until we reach Batavia also from the south and to push the enemy back into a single base in the inner part of Java...so to create a huge pow camp for 200k men
At the same time, my armies are already on the move for the next steps...

Palembang cannot be conquered...absolutely impossible. Supplies never seem to finish there, despite it's been sieged and completely isolated (and bombed!) since July 1944!... i'll leave them there... it cannot be used as a port for the enemy so the oil present there cannot be moved anymore. It's a pain cause I had really hoped to use it but I gotta let it go.
The 8th US Army is so diverted for other objectives...will leave the II US Corp there in order to keep it under control and some 2E bombers will keep the AF shut.

The DS is on the move again. 4 CVTFs of 400 planes each, along with 4 SCTFs and several ASW TFs, are moving towards the South China Sea...CVE-TFs will cover the landings, while the CVs will move aggressively

Tomorrow (dec 28, 1944) could be an interesting day.
A diversion...nothing more...a bait maybe... sort of...
An American Corp will land at Marcus Island, supported by 4 Allied CVs and some 30 CVEs, along with several SCTFs.
As far as I can tell we're unseen so far... Marcus should give us a very good observation spot (along with Wake, already ours) in the CENTPAC... I need to know where the KB is if I want to advance fast towards the PI... and that's the only way I've found to know that.
If the KB is in the Pacific (as I think) it should come up and play... I'll lose for sure a confrontation... but i'll be then free to advance to Borneo without any fear....and, even if I lose, 1300 planes can still be nasty if I get a bit lucky with weather...

Good luck! [:)]

Interesting that, in general, most of your squadrons had 0 aircraft airborne. What are your CAP settings? Is it possible that you are actually getting swamped by your CAP arriving piecemeal throughout the engagement?

Also, you might want to consider setting your fighters to training escort 100% range 0. They won't ever react to sweeps but they often react to bombing runs (some definitely will if you have enough squadrons); some might consider this a little gamey of course but with the huge gap in effectiveness between SWEEP over CAP and the fact that you are fighting advanced airframes so early opens the door for creative thinking imo.

Just a quick update....

It's 1/1/1945!!!!

The Marcus island op went smooth. The shock attack, preceded by several bombins (both air and naval), scored a great 30-1 and easily conquered the base.
Nor the KB nor other forces intervened into the action.

In the DEI, the allied fleet is approaching NW Borneo, while the japs started to sweep my bases with a brand new plane....
THE KI-94 is online!!!!! Sweeping at 442 mph and 48,000 feet is faster and higher than anything i have....[X(]

In the air the allies are really outmatched....

Struggle on!

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Just a quick update....

It's 1/1/1945!!!!

The Marcus island op went smooth. The shock attack, preceded by several bombins (both air and naval), scored a great 30-1 and easily conquered the base.
Nor the KB nor other forces intervened into the action.

In the DEI, the allied fleet is approaching NW Borneo, while the japs started to sweep my bases with a brand new plane....
THE KI-94 is online!!!!! Sweeping at 442 mph and 48,000 feet is faster and higher than anything i have....[X(]

In the air the allies are really outmatched....

Struggle on!

How can he have ALL of these late war planes over a year early? [X(]