Westerley Wind, Fine NJP72 (J) vs Lowpe (A) DBB Sce 30

[njp72]

Been slow in updating but the game grinds in brutal (but highly enjoyable) fashion.

As stated previously, each turn is a mini game in itself as both sides keep up an unsustainable pace.

Despite a few recent setbacks around India, Lowpe is doubling down and holding his ground. Look at the amount of air he has amassed at Calcutta![X(]

[njp72]

Some decent fighting happening around this area as the Empire moves to secure the oil.

Allied DDs pop out of nowhere supported by the skilful use of low level float planes and P40es to inflict minor losses on the Amphib taskforces.

Despite these pin pricks (which are annoying and included a good AP and an old CL) all objectives are well on the way to being secured.

Fighting would have been far worse for the Empire at this locality if I had arrived here in January rather than March. Lowpe has been much reduced in surface forces over the last couple of months.

[njp72]

Some significant fighting over the first 3 months.

It has resulted in a very exciting game and allowed the Empire to land some half decent blows on the Allies (though admittedly I have not got off unscathed either).

About 20 days left on the amphib bonus and still so much to do.[8|]

[njp72]

This position could be useful for future operations.

At the very least it protects my flank from NZ where there is significant Allied forces gathering.

Heavy sig int is detected at Auckland almost every second turn.

[njp72]

Everything in this particular game does seem to take a couple of efforts to get things done. [:)]

Going straight in to a particular objective is sheer suicide against a player like Lowpe.

A series of feints are always required to draw out his surface forces and air and then subsequently attrit them before landing.

Here we go again- Ceylon Part 2.

*I don't think he is going to re-deploy the hundreds of a/c he has stockpiled at Calcutta for the defence of Ceylon. Will know shortly [;)]

[njp72]

Edging closer to a key victory on Ceylon.

Currently being frustrated by an Indian Brigade but it slowly being beaten down by the veteran 38th inf Division (victor of Hong Kong and Chittagong).

Once this position is secured the rest of Ceylon will fall reasonably quickly.

Still have to sort out Diego Garcia as well which could be the next objective for the 38th.

[njp72]

The 38th- arguably the best division attached to the Southern Army at the moment.

[njp72]

The 33rd operating on the East Coast of Australia has inflicted several nasty hits on the Aussies.

[njp72]

The 4th Brigade bought out from Manchuria has been very active in amphib campaigns in the Pacific (Fiji, Noumea, Canton Island , Pago etc)

It lost about 10% of the brigade from a naval ambush from US DDs which has impacted experience levels as it rebuilds.

[njp72]

Though the real stars are the infantry regiments operating independently to speed up progress and momentum.

I will look to re-combined them into their parent division before the assault on Singapore.

All of the infantry regiments of the 18th Div look similar to the one below

[njp72]

One of the better divisions in China.

Experience across the board for IJA units is gaining quickly due to the success on the battlefield.

[njp72]

Operations accelerating around the PIs as the amphib bonus runs close to expiring.

Each turn the IJN loss an AK or 2 due to DD ambush, air attack or the real killer CD guns and mines.

Again I could be more cautious here which would reduce losses but unfortunately it would burn up too much time. By 44 and 45 entire fleets of Japanese tankers and AKs/APs get vaporised so to be honest as long as it is for a good cause, the losses just need to be sustained to maintain momentum.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72

Again I could be more cautious here which would reduce losses but unfortunately it would burn up too much time. By 44 and 45 entire fleets of Japanese tankers and AKs/APs get vaporised so to be honest as long as it is for a good cause, the losses just need to be sustained to maintain momentum.

I would agree with your assessment ...

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72

Again I could be more cautious here which would reduce losses but unfortunately it would burn up too much time. By 44 and 45 entire fleets of Japanese tankers and AKs/APs get vaporised so to be honest as long as it is for a good cause, the losses just need to be sustained to maintain momentum.

I would agree with your assessment ...

Thanks Pax, it is impossible against a skilled player like Lowpe when he uses subs, DDs, mines and CD guns in a layered and creative manner not to sustain losses when you go into harms way. I just know the horrors of 44 and 45 too well now, so these losses are not really material. Mind you, I don't intend to lose a CV[:D]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: njp72

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72

Again I could be more cautious here which would reduce losses but unfortunately it would burn up too much time. By 44 and 45 entire fleets of Japanese tankers and AKs/APs get vaporised so to be honest as long as it is for a good cause, the losses just need to be sustained to maintain momentum.

I would agree with your assessment ...

Thanks Pax, it is impossible against a skilled player like Lowpe when he uses subs, DDs, mines and CD guns in a layered and creative manner not to sustain losses when you go into harms way. I just know the horrors of 44 and 45 too well now, so these losses are not really material. Mind you, I don't intend to lose a CV[:D]

Exactly. I would argue that as a IJ player if you are NOT losing some xAK's early on, you aren't pressing the attack as hard as you need to .... Not suggesting you throw them away either, but losing 2% - 5% per amphib operation would be sustainable losses ... Even against the AI, I would think that is as good of measure of your operational tempo as any. A few losses means you are pressing about as hard you can, fewer means you are waiting too long and thus losing days ...

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo



I would agree with your assessment ...

Thanks Pax, it is impossible against a skilled player like Lowpe when he uses subs, DDs, mines and CD guns in a layered and creative manner not to sustain losses when you go into harms way. I just know the horrors of 44 and 45 too well now, so these losses are not really material. Mind you, I don't intend to lose a CV[:D]

Exactly. I would argue that as a IJ player if you are NOT losing some xAK's early on, you aren't pressing the attack as hard as you need to .... Not suggesting you throw them away either, but losing 2% - 5% per amphib operation would be sustainable losses ... Even against the AI, I would think that is as good of measure of your operational tempo as any. A few losses means you are pressing about as hard you can, fewer means you are waiting too long and thus losing days ...

Well I'm losing plenty of AKs so on that metric I must be thumping him [:D]

[njp72]

I see Lowpe has updated his AAR so that has spurred me on to at least try and win the propaganda battle. [:)]

Amphib bonus is running out and yet so many places still to visit.

Stuck on Ceylon and Diego Garcia at the moment thanks to a couple of annoying Indian Brigades which I thought wouldn't be there. Another a week or two required before they are despatched.

[njp72]

KB has been an incredibly potent weapon system thus far in this game and I see no point not to continue maximising its usage.

This turn it was unleashed on the trapped shipping at Singapore port, specifically targeting the crippled Repulse which is annoyingly soaking up a large number of 250kg bombs dropped by land based a/c.

[njp72]

A reasonable outcome- perhaps another day or two of air strikes will achieve the required aim. Won't use the DBs though, just the Kates.

After sinking Repulse, KB will re-provision and then set sail for its next objective which will be a special one [;)]

The orders are being cut for Yamaguchi whose next mission needs to bring the Allies to their knees and end the war!

[njp72]

As night follows day it is only matter of time before the USN returns to the Central Pacific and no doubt has a crack at Saipan or Marcus.

One to 2 more months are required to make this a costly and dangerous exercise for the Allies.