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OK. We're back from a few days off and getting ready to run turn.

Lecivius: What do you mean?

Welcome back. How was the train watching?

Combat Report
March 17, 1942

The family got in a good couple of days AWAY from LaSalle and all returned without incident. Might Post some pictures once Paula downloads them off the camera.

North Pacific
The fall of Akutan was very easy. It has led to to think about grabbing Cold Bay as well. Recon shows three units present. There are also three at Dutch Harbor. He has some PBY present at DH. Need to think of this some. Taking Cold Bay would be nice but really think I need to have PH dealt with and can then give thought to threatening Alaska/Canada.

Cold Bay
A TF of 4 CL and 4 DD bombard the base and deal with some CD return fire. No big deal. Tomorrow BB Ise will hit the location.

Central Pacific
Operation Eastern Storm
Operation KO--Phase ONE starts in LOVELY fashion as BB Owari and BC Ishitaka BLAST (19 16" Rifles) PH and cause a bunch of chaos. It appears that 9 planes were destroyed, 33 damaged, BB Idaho was hit twice, 213 Casualties, 24 Guns, 44 Vehicles as well as solid AF damage inflicted. An hour later three Japanese BC unload with the new Kawachi leading the venerable Hiei and Kirishima in gunnery practice. Results are not quite as good but are still OK. Losses: 315 Casualties, 18 Guns, 26 Vehicles, and some AF damage.

A two day stand down of all aircraft has helped morale and repair some planes. Tomorrow (18th) will see EVERY Zero, Betty, Nell, and Kate hit PH and its AF. Three BBs will bombard during the night to help the aerial assault.

KB
The Japanese CVs have managed to rest nearly all Daitai to 100% morale and attitude. These air groups will jump into the fray on the 19th. may have a return engagement by one of the Bombardment groups from today hitting the base then.

South Pacific
Mopping up going on here. Landings at Talasea and Gasmata today.

We have Horn Island, Port Moresby, Milne Bay over to Lunga. This is the Outer Defense Line.

Philippines
Load what was the most banged-up Japanese ID at Manila and send it to capture Cebu. Everything else is taken. I've waited for the ID to rest up before using it prior to April 1st. This unit will finish up the Central Philippines and then head south to grab Broome to begin the conquest of NW Australia.

DEI
Mopping up as well with troops landing at Morokai, Boela, and that other small oil base east of there.

Troops about to take Kendari and then they will spring board to Koepang.

Java
Batavia
Michael refers to the Dutch at Batavia as the 'Battling Bastards of Batavia.' He is correct. I have not been able to take this base with THREE ID present. NUTS! It gets bombed everyday and will be taken once we have everywhere else.

Soerabaja
Have got one ID present holding the troops there for the moment.

SW of Soerabaja
The last Japanese ID is about to take the base direct SW of Soerabaja and then it will join at Soerabaja to finish resistance there.


Some places have to give when you are dealing with Scenario ONE IJA Troops. Eastern DEI and Java has been it for me. As soon as Manila and Bataan fells I pulled out LOTS of artillery and troops and sent them east instead of south. This has really slowed the pace a bunch. Since the ENTIRE JAPANESE NAVY is off Hawaii, I have constantly worried about Michael showing up with that HUGE TF of CVs and other warships. That he hasn't has really surprised me.

No activity has led me to worry about him sending it all the way to the West Coast for decisive concentration for saving PH. Don't think that is a remote possibility but there is always a chance.

Burma
Looking good. Have Cox's Bazar and everything along the coast. Port Blair is building up nicely. All Burma is taken and I am thinking of a different idea for my playing style. Am giving serious thought to sending 2-3 ID down the raod towards Paoshan, China.

China
I've PUSHED really hard around Changsha to no avail. Have inflicted casualties on Michael but nothing exciting. Have pulled back a number of ID to create a defensive line. Most of the the Changsha activity was a massive staged diversion to bring troops down from the north and west creating possible openings elsewhere.

Just took that dot base in the north on my way to grab the Chinese oil. This 'northern force' isn't too big. It has two ID, 3 TK Reg, and 3 smaller units.

Moving in from the west might be interesting. Wonder if we could seriously threaten Kunming? Hmm...

Haven't really done any engineering reports or SS Activity in forever so I shall detail from March 10th forward:

Engineering
March 10th: Nanchang AF-5
March 11th: Kona AF-2, Fanning AF-3
March 13th: Benkoelen AF-2
March 14th: Lihue AF-3
March 15th: Fusan Pt-6
March 16th: Lahaina AF-5
March 17th: Shanghai AF-7, Saigon AF-7, Hilo AF-4

(EDIT--Got called over to the store for a few minutes!)

SS Ops
March 10th: I-3 SINKS AG Wanaka near Warnamboal
March 14th: Ro-61 SINKS AP David Bianch with 3 TT near Pt. Heiden
March 17th: I-155 SINKS SS KXIII with a TT near Koggala
I-26 hits AK City of Dalhart with a TT and SINKS AK Corrales with 3 TT near San Fran: NICE!

This is the first activity I have seen on the West Coast for a while. Might it mean something? Hmmm...

ORIGINAL: pws1225

Welcome back. How was the train watching?

GREAT! WE went to the bustling community of Hugo, CO (Population 850) and saw the only remaining standing Union Pacific round house left in the state. We've been making a minor contribution to this location for 3 years in our caboose's name (UP 25251) but are going to bump it up some due to actually SEEING the place! The round house is a mess but the walls are sound and they have had a new roof placed on it (cost $500,000) and are now waiting on new windows and doors to make it weather tight. These are another $500,000! Once they have done that then the FUN can start with the restoration of the interior.

We'll be active participants now!

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

OK. We're back from a few days off and getting ready to run turn.

Lecivius: What do you mean?

I think he means that the Aleutians are where you send people when you want them to be miserable.

If so, THAT is funny! I completely agree as well...

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ORIGINAL: pws1225

Welcome back. How was the train watching?

GREAT! WE went to the bustling community of Hugo, CO (Population 850) and saw the only remaining standing Union Pacific round house left in the state. We've been making a minor contribution to this location for 3 years in our caboose's name (UP 25251) but are going to bump it up some due to actually SEEING the place! The round house is a mess but the walls are sound and they have had a new roof placed on it (cost $500,000) and are now waiting on new windows and doors to make it weather tight. These are another $500,000! Once they have done that then the FUN can start with the restoration of the interior.

We'll be active participants now!

Excellent! It sounds like an interesting place to see.

Combat Report
March 18-19, 1942

I am going to declare Pearl Harbor's air MINE at this point. Lord knows Sweeps of 150 Zeros couldn't do it but BB--BC Bombardments certainly could.

North Pacific
Calm for the moment. I divert CV Akagi and Junyo slightly north (just passing Midway) so a large Daitai of Zeros can be delivered to Adak.

Central Pacific
Operation Eastern Storm
The success of Operation KO cannot be denied. Allied air power has been decisively broken at Pearl Harbor. Multiple bombardments and aerial attacks have done the work. The AFs are now at nearly 60% damage. Just a paltry 5 Fighters met the Japanese in the air on the 19th. Here are the bombardments:

18th 3 BB--Nagato, Mutsu and Hitachi destroy 15 planes, damage 63, take out 14 Guns, 498 Cas and 24 Vehicles.
19th BB Owari and BC Ishitaka destroy 4 Planes, Damage 21, 6 Guns, 9 Vehicles, and 187 Cas.
3 BC--Kawachi, Hiei, and Kirishima destroy 3 Planes, Damage 34, 521 Cas, 9 Guns, and 8 Vehicles.

Knocking out the guns is now pivotal. Every gun destroyed is one less faced during the invasion. We're also knocking down his supply. It cannot be good at all.

In the air life is pretty good now. A few planes are lost to ATA and AA but that is it. Lower my bombing altitude for bombing from 13,000 to 11,000 Feet. Am finally beginning to hit other targets then BBs. My Kates are now starting to occasionally drop TTs and the Pacific Battle Fleet is now DOOMED! Four of the BBs are at heavy damage while the other 4 are simply a mess. Sinking all eight would be DELIGHTFUL! Cannot forget the remaining 96 other ships there. I want them...


Kido Butai
All CVs shall be united the day after tomorrow. Neutralizing Pearl's air power now raises all sorts of thoughts. I DO NOT NEED KB hanging here until he makes his breakout. The CVs will refuel tomorrow and we'll look at some serious options after that. Have to stay close enough to crush a breakout but can move a bit without issues...

South Pacific
Capture Talasea and Gasmata.

Philippines
Cebu
The 33rd ID lands here on the 19th. It faces three units but SHOULD be enough to take the base easily.

Java
Madioen falls on the 19th.

DEI
Capture hexes 45,75 and 46,84 in Sumatra, Boela, and Dili on the 18th. Koepang falls on the 19th.

Burma
Very Calm at this time.

China
Pretty static presently. Michael is panicking over my thrust in the north threatening his oil. LOTS of troops arrows pointing at movement. A retrograde movement in a couple of locations is occurring and we'll follow wherever possible.

Engineering
18th: Eniwetok AF-2, Midway Pt-2, and Changchow AF-3
19th: Taichu AF-6

SS Ops
I-19 SINKS AK Makaweo near San Fran with 3 TTs

Isn't this an ominous sight on March 19, 1942:

Yes, I had a lot of confidence that things could go well in Hawaii for you! As you said yourself the BB/BC bombardments are simultaneously devastating and highly sustainable (unlike Zero sweeps).

Is the IJAAF involved yet? I think level bombers here would help you out a ton. Now that the BBs are finally close to being sunk you need to eliminate the 100 extra ships. The 4x250kg bomb load on your Sally is a better port strike weapon against a crowded port than any armament load that Betty's can carry. And of course those pilot losses are much easier to replace as well. This will also leave your Betty's to fly naval strike which you will need for the inevitable breakout attempt.

Counting down until the landing date...should be fun to watch!

From the Allied perspective, if I lost Hawaii I would not be too upset. It really does not have too much to do with ultimate victory. Basically, I have always said that as long as the Allied player does not f**k up and lose his carriers then he should win the campaign. The big thing about Hawaii is that it is probably going to be a sustained operation which means the Allied player is going to have a good idea where KB is going to be busy for a while. This knowledge creates opportunity. Put up a fight in Hawaii but don't risk all, and use the opportunity to take and secure territory elsewhere.

I have really been waiting for a counter-move by Michael by--so far--there has been nothing.

He has me stymied in China. Course allowing for a month-long opening ceasefire helped that a BUNCH!

Think he still believes I am going to do something else. I have 5 ID prepping for Geraldton and Albany, Australia. We're trying to keep up the pretense as long as possible!

March 21, 1942
Operation Eastern Storm

The good news is that Southern Army HQ will make it in time for the invasion.

Troops begin loading in FOUR days. The Landing Force:

14th Army HQ
5 Infantry Divisions
4 Army Engineer Regiments
8 Artillery units
6 Support units

Loading begins March 26th.

The day we invade Pearl Harbor (Supported by 4 BB and 4 BC) is March 29, 1942.

ORIGINAL: DW

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

OK. We're back from a few days off and getting ready to run turn.

Lecivius: What do you mean?

I think he means that the Aleutians are where you send people when you want them to be miserable.

Ayup [:D]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ORIGINAL: pws1225

Welcome back. How was the train watching?

GREAT! WE went to the bustling community of Hugo, CO (Population 850) and saw the only remaining standing Union Pacific round house left in the state. We've been making a minor contribution to this location for 3 years in our caboose's name (UP 25251) but are going to bump it up some due to actually SEEING the place! The round house is a mess but the walls are sound and they have had a new roof placed on it (cost $500,000) and are now waiting on new windows and doors to make it weather tight. These are another $500,000! Once they have done that then the FUN can start with the restoration of the interior.

We'll be active participants now!

There is one in Como, too. Right up the hill from the cat house [;)] Not sure if it's Union Pacific though.

March 22, 1942
Pearl Harbor

As said previously, this game is up when it comes to Pearl Harbor. NO ALLIED FIGHTERS rise into the skies this day. The Japanese get four strikes into PH and many of the Kates carry TTs! All Betty/Nell drop bombs but it is the Kates that do the damage. The day is FAR BETTER then Dec 7th.

There are eight BBs at PH presently and five oare now heavily damaged, the sixth is on fire, and other two are seriously hit. Torpedo Count for the day is:

Tennessee 2TT
Nevada 1TT
Arizona 4TT
Pennsylvania 2TT
Oklahoma 3TT
New Mexico 1TT
Idaho 2TT
California 1TT

The raids also hit 2 DMS, a DM, and an AK.

Make the big decision to shift most of the Betty/Nell to Ground Attack while all Kates and about 36 Betty stay on Port Attack.

Time to gear up for the loading and a landing team!

One more attack and those BBs will start sinking I think.

I'm not one to count victory points but bagging Pearl Harbor AND 8 BBs would be one heck of a boost. This doesn't count the 96 OTHER ships still in Port.

As said earlier, I am leaving the 81 Kates on Naval Attack/Port Attack.

Thought about bringing in the KB for a massed attack but am not sure if I want to have those TB Daitai knocked about by AA. Definite trade-off in that a Port strike would come in with nearly 200 Kates...

Where are the Army bombers on port attack? Is there a feeling or knowledge that the battleships will shield the other 96 ships so the BBs must be sunk first? Those BBs are already dead, they just don't know it yet. I'd like to see a large Army Air port strike while the BB's are still afloat to see how the game deals with many large ships + many small ships in port at the same time.

Time to kill off those 96 before they sortie and scatter into the wind.

ORIGINAL: Simonsez

Where are the Army bombers on port attack? Is there a feeling or knowledge that the battleships will shield the other 96 ships so the BBs must be sunk first? Those BBs are already dead, they just don't know it yet. I'd like to see a large Army Air port strike while the BB's are still afloat to see how the game deals with many large ships + many small ships in port at the same time.

Time to kill off those 96 before they sortie and scatter into the wind.

Well the targeting AI in effect will shield the other 96 ships because port strikes will primarily target the most valuable ships in port. In this case it is the BBs. Should the army bombers fly port strike, they would certainly target BBs. IMO they should be striking the air base until the BBs are cleared up.