Forlorn Hopes: The Japanese Respond

[Big B]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: Big B

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli




That being the case, I'd stop production on the Topsy altogether and build only the Tabby. That's if their stats are the same as stock, of course.

EDIT: figured out why the Tabby is showing up as IJ Army.

In stock scenario 15 the Tabby is IJ Navy
In stock scenario 16 the Tabby is IJ Army.

Weird, but it depends on which scenario you are playing.

B

Sounds like a typo to me. Big B, you out there?

I'm here now.
Check out the screen print below. STOCK scen 16 (which you cannot alter)

[Mistmatz]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
...
OK, back to my game against the AI to learn about this stuff first hand. [:D]

I always thougth it's more fun to let other people testplay ones strange ideas. [:'(] [;)]

[ny59giants]

I always thougth it's more fun to let other people testplay ones strange ideas. [:'(][;)]

My ideas are logical and practical.
Therefore, John will not use them. [:D][:D]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Big B

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: Big B


EDIT: figured out why the Tabby is showing up as IJ Army.

In stock scenario 15 the Tabby is IJ Navy
In stock scenario 16 the Tabby is IJ Army.

Weird, but it depends on which scenario you are playing.

B

Sounds like a typo to me. Big B, you out there?

I'm here now.
Check out the screen print below. STOCK scen 16 (which you cannot alter)

Wow. I'm surprised that never got caught after all these years. [X(]

[John 3rd]

That is cool.
 
I did a down-and-dirty with the turn I just sent to Dan.  Actions:
1.  TK headed to all my oil ports to pick-up even small amount to send to Bangkok, Saigon, Phil, etc...
2.  Expanded 150 HI in Korea/Manchuria/China
3.  Split a TK Convoy so ships are headed to 5 HOme Island ports instead of just Osaka.
4.  Accelerated 10 TK in the building line.
 
When I return from seeing my Father (stroke victim at a Good Samaritan), I will take my time with that turn and do a comprehensive review and update.  Will post whatever changes I make and we'll see...
 

[Saso]

Hi John 3rd,

My compliments for your AAR, I like how you have detail it and I'm learning a lot about production [:)]

[John 3rd]

Saso:  Thanks and welcome to the AAR!  Obviously by Mike and Michael's work I have a lot to LEARN about the production model as well! 
 
To me this is the great strength of the Forum.  By simply putting the figures out there a highly detailed conversation then ensues where people jump in and want to help with good, solid suggestions and meaningfull commentary.
 
Am going to do a comprehensive review of my current turn tonight and make serious changes.  Dan is finally moving on Midway (July 8, 1943) and we'll see how well my CD does as well as the single Brigade holding it.  They have lots of supplies, Fort @ 9, 9,000+ mines, and are 100% prep.  I don't expect them to hold out for more then a few days but--hopefully they will extract some real damage on the units that land.
 
BANZAI!
 

[John 3rd]

July 9, 1943

From: Major General Ushida, Commanding General Midway Island
To: Imperial HQ

As expected enemy encircled this island during the night and has landed in considerable strength. Enemy force massive: several battleships and numerous support vessels surround island and have conducted ineffectual bombardment.

American MSW attempted to clear minefields but numerous ships have been sunk by mines. Observers report at least 15 vessels sunk--mainly MSW--before and during enemy landing. American freightors and assault transports also heavily damaged by at least 50-60 seperate mine explosions.

While entangled with the mines, the Americans still managed to land in considerable force on the northern island. Intelligence from captured (then executed) soldiers reports at least 4 1/2 Infantry Divisions are involded in the landing. Situation bleak but we have preformed excellent bombardments of enemy shipping and have hurt 1,000s of American soldiers.

Still control the airfield and there are no enemy planes overhead. Recommend bombers be flown into AF to conduct close-in Torpedo attacks tomorrow. Am certain that we can hold through tomorrow but after that I cannot guarantee control of AF.

Will fight to last man and continue to send updates for as long as is practical.

BANZAI!

Maj Gen Ushida

[Q-Ball]

[/quote]

Wow. I'm surprised that never got caught after all these years. [X(]
[/quote]

Probably because JFB's love the Tabby for Army units, and don't want to lose her! SHHHHHH!

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

July 9, 1943

From: Major General Ushida, Commanding General Midway Island
To: Imperial HQ

As expected enemy encircled this island during the night and has landed in considerable strength. Enemy force massive: several battleships and numerous support vessels surround island and have conducted ineffectual bombardment.

American MSW attempted to clear minefields but numerous ships have been sunk by mines. Observers report at least 15 vessels sunk--mainly MSW--before and during enemy landing. American freightors and assault transports also heavily damaged by at least 50-60 seperate mine explosions.

While entangled with the mines, the Americans still managed to land in considerable force on the northern island. Intelligence from captured (then executed) soldiers reports at least 4 1/2 Infantry Divisions are involded in the landing. Situation bleak but we have preformed excellent bombardments of enemy shipping and have hurt 1,000s of American soldiers.

Still control the airfield and there are no enemy planes overhead. Recommend bombers be flown into AF to conduct close-in Torpedo attacks tomorrow. Am certain that we can hold through tomorrow but after that I cannot guarantee control of AF.

Will fight to last man and continue to send updates for as long as is practical.

BANZAI!

Maj Gen Ushida

[John 3rd]

July 10, 1943

From: Major General Ushida, Commanding General Midway Island
To: Imperial HQ

May it please His Majesty I write on the second day of battle.  The enemy continues to surround our island with well over 100 ships of various types.  We continue to get bombarded by two Battleships that I have been told were hit at Pearl Harbor.  They do little damage to our defenses!

I wish to thank my fellow officers at Kwajalein for the arrival of a full Daitai of Betty torpedo bombers.  These planes launched several strikes against enemy shipping.  Unfortunately the American devils must have read our mind and they placed about 20 of their new carrier fighters planes on CAP over our island.  Nevertheless, our brave crews managed to sink a freightor and nearly hit BB Pennsyvania several times.  Losses in aircraft were heavy but fortunately only one crew was lost.  On my authority I am sending these planes--plus the Float Plane Recon group--back to their home bases.

Our mines continue to exact a steady toll on the Americans.  At least ten more smaller ships were sunk by them during the day.  Our observers reported nearly 30 mine explosions along the sides of various freightors and transports today.  This makes for over 60 detonations over the last two days.  The enemy will have considerable difficulty launching another operation with this many damaged ships!

The situation on the ground is growing quite serious.  It is estimated that nearly 40,000 American soldiers now reside on the shores of our small island!  I cannot imagine how this is possible.  We have been driven from the northern island but still maintain control of the airfield.  I cannot imagine how long we can hold out but we shall die knowing that the Emporer shall reign for a thousand years!

Humbly,
Maj Gen Ushida

[John 3rd]

July 11, 1943

From: Major General Ushida, Commanding General Midway Island
To: Imperial HQ
 
I regret to inform His Majesty of my failure to hold this island for the Empire of Japan.  The enemy--now estimated at 60,000--has broken through our defensive lines and is approaching my HQ.  Hand-to-hand fighting has broken out throughout the perimeter and I hold out little hope that we can maintain control of this island. 
 
There is gunfire outside of my HQ right now and I must sally forth to inspire my troops.
 
May the Sunburst that is our flag never see sunset!
 
Banzai!
Maj Gen Ushida
  

[John 3rd]

Imperial HQ does not hear from Midway on the 12th and then does receive this somewhat garbled communication from a short-ranged radio on the 13th:
 
Maj Ushika
2nd Battalion Commander
 
Gen Ushida was killed on the evening of the 11th when HQ was overrun by the Americans. (Loud explosions in background) ...most support personnel launched a Banzai attack last night and died gloriously for the Emporer.  We are sharpening our bayonets for a last ditch assault tonight.  (nearby Machine Gun rattles close to mike)  May the Emporer live a Thousand Years!
 
 
There are no more communications from Midway after this...
  

[John 3rd]

Here it is:

[John 3rd]

This arc comprises the first defensive line I will fight for in Australia:

[John 3rd]

The Inner Arc of Japanese Islands:

[String]

Only 90 AS on Guam? That's asking for trouble imho.

[Mike Solli]

Why are you building your airfields beyond level 4?  You don't need it.  You're just doing Allied work for them.

[John 3rd]

I plan to stash a BUNCH of aircraft at the larger bases.  When Dan approaches the Marianas, he will be greeted by massed LBA first and then I will attack with my Kido Butai.  My goal is to begin stocking these bases with aircraft in about a month.
 
The Americans will land with so many engineers ANYWAY that the size of base will grow from 4 to 7 within 2-3 weeks...
 
I didn't list reinforcements that are on the way to these bases.  I forgot to add that.  Since I am finishing the Philippines right now, I will add that to the screenshot.
 

[John 3rd]

Here are the Philippines that will serve to hold off the eventual attack. I describe this as Phase Three of Reinforcements:

Phase One--Beginning of War to now featured leaving enough units behind to work on AF and Forts. Mainly small BF and Construction Battalions comprised the initial forces.

Phase Two--(January 1--May 1943) My drawdown of Australia served to bring the first HQ units, more BF and Engineers as well as the first infantry.

Phase Three--(June 1943 on...) I had to wait for those reinforcements to arrive during June. They are now moving into the Philippines as well as more troops from Australia.