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ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510

Depends which Preston for the Fletcher. I believe Dyson is the only other Fletcher listed there. I could be wrong. Bagging them is always nice for Japan.

Well played.

I will do a little research, I thought the Case was a Fletcher too, but could be wrong. Pretty sure I sank a Preston before.

1st Preston MAY be a Mahan - not 100% sure but I thought a Preston II shows up in the game.. a simple Google search would tell us - I'm just lazy.

Just Googled it...

Case and first Preston were Mahans and the second Preston is Fletcher. So, if this is the second one you've sunk, well done! Well done either way.

To me.. depending on how far forward either side is, Port Blair is like Port Moresby - a trap. I couldn't agree more with Sangeli and witpqs

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

Leaving so many ships in a front line base like that is an egregious mistake. I counted 6 CLs disbanded in port. Allies get a lot of cruisers but they can't afford to lose them in port like this. This is just a case where the Allies got lazy and careless and paid for it...nicely done.

+1

Well done! Even damaged ships have a better chance to survive getting out of the line of fire. This should help your Moulmein army as well, as control of the Andaman Sea will make it tough for him to bombard often or support later moves along the coast.

Where are his CVs?

Most of the larger warships were previously damaged, which is why he left them there.

The turn is away and we shall what the morrow brings.

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

Leaving so many ships in a front line base like that is an egregious mistake. I counted 6 CLs disbanded in port. Allies get a lot of cruisers but they can't afford to lose them in port like this. This is just a case where the Allies got lazy and careless and paid for it...nicely done.

+1

Well done! Even damaged ships have a better chance to survive getting out of the line of fire. This should help your Moulmein army as well, as control of the Andaman Sea will make it tough for him to bombard often or support later moves along the coast.

Where are his CVs?

Refueling and refitting at Pearl Harbor.

I have the Kaga, Akagi and the CVEs in the Central Pacific, but the KB has to leave the area and head back to protect the Marianas now. Time to group everyone together I think.

I hope to have gained a month or so here. Remember, I will be happy if I can keep the oil flowing until Jan 44, anything after that is gravy.

Japan shot down 28 F4U-1 yesterday, which was about one month of production for a running total over 250. With the Allied Deathstar getting the CV capable Corsair right now, I think I have a little time to regroup before the Allies next major push.

Back in action today is the premier George unit filled out with fresh planes, if the Allies think Japan's fighter strength is starting to wane, they will be in for a rude surprise.

In other news, I now have 5 size 30 factories going after the final George, and I will add another engine factory to speed the engine even more (it is also used in the SamJ).

Impressed with the Tony sweeping, I had doubts, but they did well even as the got dived on.

I noticed that his bombing runs at Moulmien will now be vulnerable to LRCAP, as I think his fighter pools are running thin - his escorting planes are getting fewer and fewer.

Several surprises for the Allies this next day, perhaps a visit from an old friend, and light a candle that we avoid his numerous subs in the Andamans.

I started r&d for the Zero NF, phasing out some Nicks.

I started r&d for the Lorna.[:D] [:D][X(]

October 27, 1943

Night raids: Emilies hit Rangoon, and find Allied NF there.

Two bombardments and more sweeps of Port Blair find the Allied Jugs forces, so planes losses were higher, but we still manage to clean up the port a little more.


What does it take to sink some of these ships?[&:]

Port Blair down from a high of 53 ships two days ago to 14 this day.

Hey, our old friend the Val still in service. How bout that![:)]

Plane losses much higher this turn George versus Thunderbolts not a great matchup.[&:]

Two sentai of Lillie divebombers fly without their Oscar escorts and get chewed up but manage to nail several xaks. My bad, left the Oscars on training.[:-]


The Helen strikes on Port Blair get chewed up with some poor coordination, but still strike the airfield and port and 50 fighters show up in Chungking despite the 50 percent airfield damage there (must be mostly service damage).

KB is retiring, more bombardments of Port Blair for the morrow, and even more ships are showing up for the next day, but the KB I think is gone from this theatre for a while.

Damaged battleships safely in Singers...repair time looks ugly, but the shipyard is crowded with destroyers and Iboats so we shall see what it looks like in a few days.

Landed some 32cm siege mortars on Trinkat and they can hurt the paratroopers there.[:)]

All troops safely in Moulmien, trying to get supply to flow there in adequate amounts (unloading at Mergui), more Allied bombing at Chumphon and Moulmien.

After a long hiatus Yank subs show up off the Chinese coast to interdict the convoys there...

Pagan is getting a CD unit in the next day or two...

42K of supply making approach to Ponape...

Pulled a regiment off Rabaul...heading to Indochina.

Now that is a big boost to morale!

Excellent strike and plan

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Now that is a big boost to morale!

Excellent strike and plan

I hope it translates into a month or more time gained...just don't know.

The 23rd Division made it to the dirt road from Tuang Gyi, where it will sit and dig in to be joined by more troops. Not sure that this is the best hex to buildup, since the route path is uncertain.

KB going dark again....have to hurry because the Corsair Plane upgrade on the Deathstar might be done for another month.

A week or so again we talked about drawing reinforcements into under strength troops in the Marianas...and breaking down the division into thirds has really paid dividends, although there is also a command HQ close, the units are at rest, and there is plentiful supply.

Now to repeat that in Indochina and Moulmien.

Yes, that is the trick to recovering. Rest, supply, sufficient support and split into thirds..

Oct 29, 1943

No night bombing.

Bombard Port Blair twice...

Siege mortars and artillery killing off Allied paratroopers on Trinkat.

But the big news, is the Invasion of the Marianas is on!!!

I shall be waiting for NYGiants I told you so![:D][:D]

I shall be waiting for NYGiants I told you so! [:D][:D]

Never!!

Well....maybe? [;)]

Good luck Lowpe. Make him bleed for them!

We shall see where the Allies go for. Pagan is the weakest base, Rota next. Guam, Saipan, and Tinian all have divisions and more than plentiful supply.

I am trying a different defence this turn -- we shall see how it goes.[:)]

Created 13 midget sub task forces each with one midget and 500 endurance. I then sent them off to 2 hexes back from the Marianas, most within striking distance of Pagan and Saipan. From there they should be able to steam thru 1 deep sea hex before attacking the invasion forces I hope.

I had to create the ships now, because a port with just one point of damage cannot make midgets.

I am expecting shore bombardments of Saipan, and Pagan. Perhaps Tinian, and then heavy air strikes on Tinian and Saipan. We shall see how many planes survive the shore bombardments to contest the air. Maybe Rota too.

I am unsure what the targets are: Pagan (easy base), Rota next easiest, Guam, and Tinian more difficult, with best resistance at Saipan. I re-routed Pagan's CD unit (1 day out) and sent it to Iwo.

The Cent Pac fleet sortied: 1 CV, 2CVE, 2 BB, 4CA, 22 DD. Kaga will join shortly. Hopelessly outnumbered now. They are moving to a position where they can strike at Pagan, but will be able to move elsewhere the following. I am uncertain as to what to commit...I think long slashing destroyer runs might be the most effective, but a lot depends upon the intentions of the Allies.

The Bonins are reconned too for the first time, and that could even be the target as the invasion ships are pretty far to the north. If so that would activate kamikaze in Jan.

This day the defense of the Marianas is all fighters, with bombers and more fighters staging in the wings. I want to whittle down the Deathstar's planes first and 130 Georges, plus Tonies, Oscars and A6M5cs might be able to do it. I hope I didn't screw up with my CAP and LRCAP settings. I am a little worried I don't have enough radar at Tinian...so I substituted a high percentage CAP with 0 range for some of the planes. I am really only defending Saipan and Tinian in the air, and very weakly Pagan and Rota.

We shall see what happens! I have the 16th Division loaded and ready to reinforce if needed.

Personally, I think this attack is very risky for the Allies as there has to be a very long supply line and for now he is dependent upon his air force sticking around. If I can whittle is down, while maintaining my naval strike planes I maybe in good shape.

But then again, I don't think so. I am expecting at a minimum a 4 divison attack (3 Marine Divisions, plus).

Quick update, invasion force closer and heading towards Saipan now.

75 CV planes destroyed, for about 50 of mine, only 1 corsair squadron visible so far.

Allies spot my reaction naval forces, will hang well back and look to whittle more carrier planes this next day.