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Oscars vs Hurricanes is a losing proposition, IMO. [:-] No armor and a gun value of 6 vs armor and gun value of 16 or 24 (depends on the model of Hurricane). I stopped operations until the Tojo arrived.

How soon until you get the Tojo IIa?? How many do you have under R&D?? I am two months behind you, but playing scenario 2 so I got the Tojo 1/2 month early in late May '42 (I had 180 planes under R&D with 2 x 30 factories and 2 x 60 factories). As I have learned you will want to move to the next generation Tojo when some of your Tojo IIa R&D factories are fully repaired (BUT before the begin production). I didn't do so, but you should move from 60 to 90 planes worth of R&D factories forward. They don't reset as long as they are in the upgrade path, they stay totally repaired. Neat!! [8D] Look to do the same thing for your Zero. You can advance a plane about one month for every 100 of FULLY repaired R&D factories. I took my 2 x 30 R&D factories of A6M3 and moved them up to 3a before production started. I should get the 3a at least two months early (currently 6/42 and the 3a is due in 12/42). Size 30 factories work the best, but don't go over a size 60 factory.

ny59giants: I will be getting the Tojo IIa in September which is 2 days away [;)]. I have already switched R&D to the Tojo IIb and yes the factories stay repaired along the same branch of the tech tree which is huge. I have been taking advantage of this feature as often as I can.

In regards to the Oscar/Hurricane comment. I totally agree, but I don't have much choice. PDU off severly limits what I can do. Many of my Oscar Sentai's can only upgrade to the later models of Oscar's. I'm going to have to rely on the Oscar's for some time yet. I'm not free to crank out as many Tojo's as I can produce as only a few Sentai's upgrade to them. If I want to try and attrition Allied air I can only work with what I have unfortunately. Had I known how limited PDU off would be and how many air units would be stuck flying inferior aircraft for so long, I'd never have chosen that option. Live and learn! In my limited experience I believe playing with PDU off is one of the best advantages a Japanese player can give the Allies.

vicberg: Thanks for your post! I've started to spend naval points to crank out as many ships as I can by acceleration as I agree with your point that HI won't sink any enemy ships but a carrier will. [:D] I'm in the process of reinforcing Burma with more air units, but as I've commented above I'm severly limited in the number of front line combat aircraft I can commit. I have no intention of fighting in clear terrain in Burma either, all my defensive efforts will be spent in rough terrain unless absolutely unavoidable. Allied airpower is simply devastating in clear terrain. Allied 4E's are what they are and luckily my opponent has not used them effectively to this point. However, I'm sure when they make a regular appearance they will be in such numbers I'll be defenceless against them. They will take their pound of flesh and then some.

It's been awhile since I've updated.

Aug. 29/42:

Australia:

Daily bombing of Darwin continues. Only 1 Runway hit is recorded from 40 Sally's this raid.

China:

Changsha's airbase is hammered today in two air attacks. The first raid consisted of Sally's (42), Helen's (24) and Sonia's (12) escorted by Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (25). Damage was 14 AB, 1 ABS and 58 Runway hits. The second raid by unescorted Sonia's (21) inflicted another 1 AB and 7 Runway hits. There has been no sign of the Chinese airforce for weeks.

Miscellaneous:

Fenton expands airfield to size 1 (The only Allied activity in Northern Australia are airbases at Katherine, Fenton and Daly Waters being expanded)

Aug. 30/42:

Australia:

Darwin hit again.

Burma:

The 17th Indian Division is strafed west of Myitkyina by Ki-45 KAIa Nick's (12) based at Lashio. Damage is slight at 0(1) infantry and 0(3) non-combat squad losses totalling 20 casualties. The intent here is only to slow the Allied advance to allow my BF and two AA Co.'s a chance to withdraw from Myitkyina unmolested.

Following this attack the 4th British Bde. is also attacked by Sally's (31). Casualties was 0(1) non-combat squad disabled. It may be rough terrain, but only 5 casualties seems ridiculously light from 30+ bombers attacking in clear sky against moving troops whether they are in combat or move mode.

China:

Changsha's airbase takes another pounding today from 4 air attacks throughout the day. Damage was reported at 16 AB, 5 ABS and 84 Runway hits. That being said, there are so many Chinese troops that the damage is quickly repaired. The intent here is not to close down the airfield, but rather score supply hits to strain Chinese logistics when the bullets start to fly at Kweilin.

Miscellaneous:

Device Nakajima Ha-45 advances R&D

Tinian expands fortifications to size 2
Ternate expands fortifications to size 3
Kalemyo expands airfield to size 4

DD Teruzuki arrives at Maizuru
DD Takanami arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
AG Hayasaki arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
SC Ch 34 arrives at Kobe

Aug. 31/42:

Australia:

Darwin bombed.

Burma:

Akyab swept by Oscar's (20) and no Allied CAP. An air attack against the airbase follows in the afternoon and damage is reported at 5 AB, 2 ABS and 51 Runway hits.

Myitkyina has been abandoned and my troops safely extracted, however I do suffer a 1 VP loss from lack of a garrison.

China:

Changsha's airbase damaged with 11 AB, 5 ABS and 36 Runway hits.

The 96th Chinese Division is strafed by Nick's (9) at 64,45. These enemy troops have been moved out of Paoshan to threaten cutting road travel from Lashio to the north. The 5th Division has been ordered to engage Chinese forces and block this move.

Miscellaneous:

Chengchow expands fortifications to size 2

Genzan Ku S-1 converting to size 45 from 27
59th Sentai converting to size 36 from 30

TK Ceram Maru arrives at Maizuru
SC CHa-41 arrives at Kagoshima

Repairs completed on AO Kyokuto Maru at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service (This ship was torpedoed near Truk and survived the trip back to Yokosuka for repairs)

So ends August 1942. A dull campaign to date. The allies are making a push in Burma against outlying weakly defended bases and are advancing along a broad front. Mandalay and Magwe are not threatened at the moment as all Allied movements are restricted to rough terrain. Im adjusting troops deployments and rushing reinforcements to the theatre. By early September I will have just over 5000 AV in Burma. I plan a total defensive campaign here. I may try an Amphibious invasion of Akyab if I can then isolate some Allied units for destruction.

I believe the next Allied push will be in the Southeast Pacific. To that end airbases are being expanded all along Northeastern Australia and I think the first real offensive will be against Port Moresby and the islands of the Solomon's. I think late October to early November will see some Allied attempt to gain a foothold in New Guinea. I'm beginning to rebase Combined Fleet units to Truk and move reinforcements to the theatre for counterinvasion operations.

My overall strategy at this point is still defensive and focus on resource movement back to the Home Islands. The Tojo IIa comes into production and I will then upgrade air units as quickly as I can. The Tojo's will be kept in reserve and deployed to Burma. I've bought out two Nate Sentai's from the 2nd Air Division in Manchuria that can upgrade to the Tojo, and they have begun the long trek towards Burma. Tojo production is non-existent, so it will take all of September to get the numbers up. I totally neglected to make sure I was ready to produce this aircraft in sufficient numbers.

I've zoned out through much of July and August and I'm not prepared on many fronts. Luckily the Allies are moving slowly and I have time to get myself back up to speed. The only theatre I enjoy right now is China as my forces move into position to attack Kweilin. Will it win me the war here, no...but it's one area I know where the enemy is and can come to grips with him. I'm starting to move and create a lot of noise around Hengyang to try and mislead the Chinese into thinking that is the primary target. I'm reconning and bombing the area to try and keep attention focused here until I can strike at Kweilin.

Sept. 1/42:

Burma:

The 7th Armoured Bde. was strafed at Akyab by Nick's (9) but no casualties were inflicted. Akyab's airbase was attacked by Sally's (13) for another 1 ABS and 10 Runway hits.

China:

Bombing Changsha has bee stopped and Siangtan was hit instead today. The airbase was damaged to the tune of 4 AB, 7 ABS and 23 Runway hits. There was again no sign of the Chinese airforce.

A Chinese unit occupying clear terrain at hex 78,53 along the railway line from Hengyang to Kweilin is going to be pounded by air attack to clear the way for the 13th Ind. Mixd Bde. ordered to cross the river and block the rail line prior to the assualt on Kweilin. The plan is to block reinforcements reaching Kweilin in time to bolster the defence. The 39th Chinese Corps suffered 2(13) infantry and 1(14) non-combat squad losses totalling 152 casualties.

Miscellaneous:

Nagoya expands fortifications to size 2
Chiang Mai expands fortifications to size 2
H6K2-L Mavis upgrading to H6K4-L Mavis at Osaka/Kyoto

CVE Hosho beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore

Sept. 2/42:

China:

There are now 2 units occupying 78,53 and they were hit hard today by Japanese bombers. The 3rd New Chinese Corps and 39th Chinese Corps suffered 3(14) infantry, 2(22) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 311 casualties.

Miscellaneous:

Cam Ranh Bay expands fortifications to size 3

Device Mitsubishi Ha-43 advances R&D

SS I-33 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto

Low garrison leads to damage and 1 VP loss from partisan attack at Myitkyina

Sept. 3/42:

Burma:

Warazup was captured in an airborne assault by the RM Viper Force. The base was undefended.

Southeast Pacific:

The Allies hit with a surprise invasion of Baker Island today. The CL's Boise and Trenton pound the 2nd Ind. SNLF Coy for 0(7) infantry and 0(8) non-combat squad losses totalling 103 casualties. The AP President Polk begins unloading the assault troops consisting of the 1st Marine Raider Bn.

CL's Raleigh and Detriot then pummel the defenders and begin unloading the 24th (Sep) Infantry Rgt. from the AP Heywood.

The defenders shatter during the shock attack and the 2nd Ind. SNLF Coy is wiped out to a man. Baker Island falls to the Imperialist's. So it begins in the Southeast Pacific. [>:]

China:

The two Chinese Corps at 78,53 are pounded again. 1(10) infantry, 4(19) non-combat and 0(2) engineer squad losses totalling 241 casualties.

Miscellaneous:

Maizuru 4th SNLF arrives at Maizur

Sept. 4/42:

Burma:

Myitkyina is captured today by the 44th and 45th Indian Bde.'s, 17th Indian Division and the 4th British Brigade totalling 771 AV.
China:

Chinese forces at 78,53 suffer 3(15) infantry, 2(18) non-combat and 1(0) engineer squad losses totalling 400 casualties today.

Miscellaneous:

Ominato expands airfield to size 6
Woleai expands fortifications to size 3
Lomblen expands fortifications to size 4

Device Nakajima Ha-44 advances R&D

Sept. 5/42:

Just the usual bombing of Darwin, Akyab and the Chinese rabble. Nothing noteworthy to report.

Miscellaneous:

Shikuka expands port to size 6
Wuchang expands airfield to size 5
Taung Gyi expands airfield to size 2

Device Toko Rocket advances R&D
Device NE turbojet advances R&D

Sept. 6/42:

See above [>:]

Miscellaneous:

Tsiaotso expands airfield to size 2

Sept. 7/42:

The usual bombings in Australia, Burma and China.

Miscellaneous:

Palopo expands airfield to size 4

That brings everything up to date. I will post some China and Burma screenshots to show the current situation and go over the immediate plans for the near future. Enjoy.

Northern China Sept. 8/42:

Southern China Sept. 8/42:

Here's the latest war news.

Sept. 8/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Greenling torpedoes the DD Shirayuki near Batan Island. The DD is slightly damaged and will be able to make port and repair. This burns me though. This was a dedicated ASW TF made up of four DD's vectored onto a spotted submarine by air and after one DD is torpedoed not one DC charge is dropped in return. So many aspects of playing Japan just downright suck. More to come on that later.

Burma:

I continue to sweep and bomb airfields along the coast.

China:

I continue to bomb Chinese units in the clear terrain at 78,53.

Sept. 9/42:

Australia:

Darwin is bombed, but no escorts fly. A look at Saumlaki's supply situation shows it in the yellow and that drop tanks are not available for my Oscar's hence no escort. A supply TF is being organized to stock the base up.

Burma:

Cox's Bazar's air base is bombed. The damage is 7 AB, 3 ABS and 42 Runway hits.

China:

Rinse and repeat.

Miscellaneous:

Wuchang expands fortifications to size 6
Bhamo expands fortifications to size 1
Hong Kong expands fortifications to size 3
Madang expands airfield to size 3

Previous report of sinking of SS Seawolf incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service (What else is new)

AMC Gokoku Maru arrives at Hiroshima/Kure

Sept. 10/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Pompano takes a near miss DC hit from the SC CHa-20 near Davao. Again this submarine is spotted daily by air and the ASW attacks are a waste of time. [8|]

Burma:

Cox's Bazar hit again for 7 AB, 2 ABS and 28 Runway hits.

The 38th Japanese Div. has reached Bhamo and has started digging in against the 3 British units which have crossed the river and are advancing on the base. The 56th division is en route by rail to reinforce Lashio.

Schwebo is all but abandoned and Japanese troops take up position south of the river. The Japanese 4th Div. has debarked at Rangoon and will rail north to reinforce the defence. The 18th Japanese Div. is about to reach Moulmein and then strat move by rail to Taung Gyi.

The 33rd Div. has deployed to block the road south to Prome along the coast.

I should have a force of 3 Divisions supported by various Tank Rgt.'s to counterattack the Allied spearhead. I still expect to see Allied troops enter the clear terrain N.E. of Schwebo any day. My gut tells me they will travel along the secondary road north of the river skirting Magwe and area to drive south. If they do cross the river I will counterattack. I have given the impression of little strength in Burma at these forward bases, my plan is to mass behind the lines and hammer the Allied spearheads, then withdraw back into rough terrain. I must keep the rail line to Lashio open as long as I can, my strength here lies in mobility.

China:

The 39th Chinese Corps at 78,53 take a pounding today as the 13th Ind. Mixed Brigade is days away from crossing the river and I'm stepping up the bombing in prepartion for the river assault. Chinese troops suffer 18(8) infantry and 3(16) non-combat squad losses totalling 228 casualties.

A small ground combat occured today at 63,45 just inside the Chinese border east of Lashio. Chinese units had occupied this hex recently and I feared an attempt to cut off my troops advancing north to Bhamo in Burma. The Japanese 5th Div. was ordered to advance and attack. They arrived today and a deliberate attack threw the rabble back in disorder. The Chinese 96th and 200th Division's took 45(36) infantry, 13(9) non-combat and 1(0) engineer squad losses totalling 1218 casualties. Japanese losses were 160 casualties of which all were only disablements. On a side note, I did end up spending a few PP's to replace the commanders of both the 5th and 38th divisions. It paid off as I received a (+) leadership modifier against the Chinese. Usually they have that honour which I completely don't understand and they have consistently better leadership modifiers than I do.

Miscellaneous:

Pisanuloke expands fortifications to size 1

Previous report of sinking of SS Pollack incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service (Whatever) [8|]

19th Ku T-2 arrives at Tokyo

Sept 11/42:

Burma:

Massacre over Cox's Bazar. I'm sure Smeulders will be crowing in his AAR about the results today, but I think they are complete BS.

He prepared a nice little surprise for my sweeps and bombing missions today and absolutely dominated the skies. I lost 26 Oscar's and 26 Sally's against only 2 P-40E's and 4 Hurricane IIb Trop's.

I'll just post the combat reports as they speak for themselves. Please note the number of CAP aircraft having to scramble and the times it will take to reach altitude against my sweepers. I should have been downing some of these as they tried to reach altitude, yet I get completely shafted. If it all comes down to the Oscar only having a gun value of 6 and can't shoot their way out of a paper bag despite numerous tactical advantages what's the point of playing Japan. All their aircaft are outclassed except against Dutch and Chinese rabble and pilot skill obviously counts for crap. With PDU off 75% of my LBA are based on these pieces of &^%$ and it's not going to get any better anytime soon. Did my 70 experience actually mean that 50% were saved instead of being completely wiped out? Wow, so my skill saves me from being shot down, yet I can't down an Allied fighter outright in A2A except one Warhawk while I lose 26 fighters in total for the turn? I know there is FOW, but I doubt the Allies lost more than 5 planes total and probably the majority to Ops. I lost 52 aircraft...BS.

Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 46
P-40E Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 10 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 10 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 13 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 48
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 29
P-40E Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 16 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 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 22000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers

China:

A small measure of revenge. The 39th Chinese Corps is pounded by air for 33(2) infantry and 34(0) non-combat squad losses including 1(0) guns totalling 414 casualties.

Miscellaneous:

Rangoon expands port to size 5

Hiyo-1 on CV Hiyo converting to size 30 from 19
Hiyo-2 on CV Hiyo converting to size 23 from 19

I really shouldn't complain about the air losses today as I haven't had many of these kinds simply because my opponent has turtled the entire game and I'm not used to seeing them. It still smarts. My escorts actually lost less aircraft than my sweeps.

I guess I'll add the Oscar's to the list of grounded aircraft that can't compete against Allied fighters along with the Nate's. Considering 75% of my LBA consists of Nate's and Oscar's this just simply sucks. I'll have to wait a month till I can have two whole Sentai's (sarcasm) of Tojo's to try and achieve something in the air. Japan truly sucks, other than KB and a decent navy the rest of their forces just blow chunks.

I think something that is a completely unfair disadvantage to a Japanese player is this. I move first. The Allied player always sees my force composition prior to me seeing his and can act accordingly. I don't get to see his movement of aircraft until after I run the turn and get massacred. Last turn after bombing and recon there were no Allied fighters based at Cox's Bazar...fine. However, if I had a chance to know that 60+ Allied fighters had been moved there well that changes everything. I would have A) not sent bombers or picked a different target B) sent more fighters on sweep and C) used my BB force off the coast of Burma to shell the airfield during the night. The Allied player being able to adjust his strategy based on my force disposition means these kinds of massacre's will always result against the Japanese. The Allied player can cherry pick at will and then withdraw prior to a Japanese response. That's just plain unfair IMO.

I will send my bombardment TF which has not been spotted to shell Cox's Bazar next turn and I will almost guarantee you that the Allied fighters will have been withdrawn prior to that. Of course I won't know this until I run the turn, but that's my point. Instead of me being able to hit an airbase full of fighters I will shell an empty airfield, give my hand away and achieve nothing except the damage to the airfield. I want to hit a loaded airbase, not waste bombardments on an empty one.

I too have great pilots having lost only a few all war and the Hurricane does not hold all the advantages against the Oscar. The Oscar can outclimb, out maneuver and under the hands of a skilled pilot I would think should be able to achieve something, instead by September my entire air force is outmatched?

Screens to follow.

Burma Theatre Sept. 12/42:

Sept. 12/42 Update:

Japanese forces give a little paypack for the rough treatment of the Oscar's and Sally's yesterday. My Bombardment TF was undetected and more importantly the Allies did not withdraw their aircraft from Cox's Bazar. I guess after the slaughter they caused the day before there was no reason to move them out. Here's the Bombardment report. I had hoped for more aircraft losses, but the intel report indicates that 10 enemy aircraft were destroyed.


Burma:

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 4 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CL Yura
CL Natori
DD Asashio
DD Arashi
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shiranui
DD Oyashio

Allied ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 133
Port hits 14
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 4

BB Mutsu firing at Cox's Bazar
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Nagato
BB Nagato firing at Cox's Bazar
CA Kinugasa firing at Cox's Bazar
CA Aoba firing at Cox's Bazar
CL Yura firing at RAF 224 Group Base Force
CL Natori firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Asashio firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Arashi firing at 2/11th Field Regiment
DD Hamakaze firing at RAF 224 Group Base Force
DD Urakaze firing at RAF 224 Group Base Force
DD Tokitsukaze firing at RAF 224 Group Base Force
DD Amatsukaze firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Shiranui firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Oyashio firing at RAF 224 Group Base Force

Allied troops were bombed advancing on Shwebo, but only 2 squad disablements totalling 7 casualties were reported. The conditions were clear sky and 29 Sally's attacked at 10k, seems awfully poor results.

China:

The 39th Chinese Corps at 78,53 is pounded again suffering 26(0) infantry and 27(0) non-combat squad losses including 1(1) guns lost totalling 384 casualties. The hex is now empty so I believe they had been moving west or were possibly destroyed? The 2nd Ind. Mixed Rgt. crossed the river unimpeded and now blocks the railway from Hengyang to Kweilin. The following screenshot shows the Southern China. The offensive against Kweilin is days away...Banzai!

Miscellaneous:

Sibolga expands fortifications to size 1
Ruteng expands airfield to size 1

85th Sentai at Saigon takes Ki-44-IIa Tojo replacements (Tojo production is low right now, but nice to see the units building up)

Burma Theatre Sept. 13/42:

Doubts.

I have a sinking suspicion I've not committed enough troops to the taking of Kweilin. Between the terrain modifier and a fort level of at least level 4 or higher I'm not sure 4200 AV is going to be enough.

Depending on how many troops leave Hengyang I may actually cross the river with my feinting force and drive west along the main road to reinforce the attack on Kweilin. It may be worth the risk although there's always the chance my force could be isolated and then. A roundabout way to the south would take 3-4 weeks to arrive and that's just too long. I think I'll be able to get one deliberate attack against Kweilin before my feint actually does cross the river to decide on the proper course of action. I really should not have defended against a move out of Changsha or Hengyang and sent 6000 AV against Kweilin. Time will tell, but I will have 4 turns of nagging doubts until I know for sure. At worst I'll find out I'm too weak and downgrade the offensive to a probe in force. [:D]

Sept. 13/42:

Burma:

Katha's airfield was bombed by 30 Sally's for minimal damage consisting of 1 AB, 1 ABS and 5 Runway hits.

The British 5th Bde. advancing on Shwebo was strafed by Ki-45 KAIa Nick's (11) and suffered a few disabled infantry and non-combat squads totalling 25 casualties. The Nick's were treated to a FLAKfest and 6 were downed overall. They bombed at 100' and were decimated. So much for Japanese armour although Allied stack now accounts for 17 units so the number of guns is impressive I'm sure.

Miscellaneous:

Bhamo expands fortifications to size 2
Prome expands fortifications to size 2
Lunga expands fortifications to size 4
Madang expands port to size 2

1st RGC Capital Division arrives at Nanking (Will immediately rail for Wuchang)

The most action today was from Japanese shovels as fortifications are improved daily. The toll on the native worm population must be beyond comprehension! [:D]

Sept. 14/42:

Burma:

Another bonehead move on my part. I forgot to change the orders for the Nick's. Being the brave little pilots they were they performed their duty and saw another 4 planes ripped apart by FLAK. Another 20 casualties in disablements to the Allies. That leaves one aircraft in operational status out of 11 in two days. [8|]

Myitkyina's airbase was bombed for 2 aB, 3 ABS and 23 Runway hits. I'm rotating targets to try and avoid another ambush. So far I've been succesful even though the damage has been minimal. The idea here is strictly supply hits and to try aand disrupt Allied movements.

China:

The 35th Chinese Corps at Shaoyang was heavily bombed today for 0(21) infantry, 0(19) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 199 casualties.


Miscellaneous:

Previous report of sinking of SS Tarpon incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service (Sigh...truly pathetic Japanese ASW to this point in the war)

CMc Ma 4 arrives at Tokyo
SC CHa-42 arrives at Hakodate (Excellent, another useless one, keep em' coming!) [:D]

Sept. 15/42:

Sub Ops:

SS Skipjack was spotted by two SC Cha's and...you guessed it, not one DC dropped in anger. Is it the commanders perhaps? Not aggressive enough?

And now for something completely different!

Australia:

The AM Bundaberg was spotted by naval search and tracked for two days travelling west along the Northern Australian coast. Seeing that none of my Betty torpedo bombers was reacting despite being on naval attack I decided to send a small SCTF from Soerabaja to intercept as insurance. The CL Jintsu and 2 DD's surprised the hapless minelayer near Broome and dispatched her quickly after 13 hits. I understand the ship was completed at Darwin and the Allies were trying to sneak it past. If the Allies had chosen to head east they would have had a better chance. Regardless, Smeulders stated he was not happy losing her, I wonder what the reaction will be if one day I finally find and sink a CV! [X(] Tally another VP for the Empire! [8|]

Burma:

To try not to be too predictable I stayed with Myitkyina as a target. Another 1 AB, 1 ABS and 5 Runway hits.

China:

Shaoyang's airbase was hit today for 3 AB, 10 ABS and 57 Runway hits. The attacking bombers were 41 Sonia's so I'm pleased with that kind of damage, especially the 10 supply hits.

Miscellaneous:

Manado expands fortifications to size 4

Sept. 16/42:

Burma:

Akyab hit for 4 Runway hits.

The Japanese 5th Div. one hex east of Lashio was bombed today by Blenheim IV's (15) and suffered no loss. Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (2) on CAP over Lashio and intercepted the bombers. Intelligence report indicates 2 bombers were downed for one Oscar lost to Ops. Are all Japanese planes made out of matchsticks? My Ops losses are horrendous.

China:

Hengyang's airbase hit hard today for 12 AB, 1 ABS and 48 Runway hits. The Sonia's are showing some teeth these days.

More importantly, my forces have reached Kweilin! The first deliberate assault goes ahead tomorrow with 3700 AV and another 400+ to reach the hex just as the attack will be launched. Banzai!

Miscellaneous:

Maizuru expands port to size 8
Soerakarta expands airfield to size 4
Katha expands airfield to size 2 (The allies are busy)

DD Kiyonami arrives at Kobe (Nice, another DD is always welcome)

That brings things up to speed. I'm pumped about finally seeing what may happen at Kweilin. Fingers are crossed that my offensive will be a success.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Just a follow up to my question posted earlier for JFB's out there.

I currently have 34843 naval points in the pool and am wondering what to do with them. The Musashi is still under construction and is about 90 days away from completion. I have the Taiho and two other CV's currently accelerated. Should I be reducing the number of points I'm producing? Should I begin to accelerate more surface ships? Do I need to have this many points in the pool, or should I be using them up regularly to eventually reach a zero balance? Mike, Q-Ball, cap_and_gown...anyone? Bueller? [:D]

Thanks in advance!

Hi SqzMyLemon,

Hope you don't mind-I'm way behind on your AAR. Forgive my tardiness in comments.

34843 naval points is more than enough. In addition to accelerating your ships that you want to get before war's end (Mushashi will free up even more), you may want to consider cutting back in order to preserve HI. I've tried to make it a goal of having a reserve of >1,000,000 HI by the end of the first year of the war. Doable, but you have to cut back a few things production wise.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ny59giants: I will be getting the Tojo IIa in September which is 2 days away [;)]. I have already switched R&D to the Tojo IIb and yes the factories stay repaired along the same branch of the tech tree which is huge. I have been taking advantage of this feature as often as I can.

Great mid-war planes for the IJAAF. These will be your mainstay for as long as possible. The b and c models are particularly effective interceptors.

Thanks for posting Chickenboy.

Naval points are being used to accelerate as many ships as I can right now and I've stopped production of some of the smaller naval shipyard bases to conserve HI. I'm done to about 26k in naval points. Once the Musashi is completed I'll probably scale back heavily on actual naval point production. I'm nowhere near to having 1,000,000 HI saved by the end of 42, if I was to produce 4000 HI/Day from now on I'd only have just over 500k. I will look at tweaking things to turn off as much production as possible right now simply because I'll be having new generation aircraft in a few months and I want to make sure I'm not wasting HI on airframes I'll never use. I certainly can't produce Tojo's fast enough though. I will need them shortly to contest the skies over Burma as the Allies push deeper. I certainly look forward to "retiring" some Ki-43-Ic Oscar's!

Sept. 17/42:

A good day for Imperial forces. The assault on Kweilin has commenced and there was a kill from a Japanese submarine. On to specifics.

Sub Ops:

SS I-26 patrolling the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and the West Coast of America finds a tanker TF escorted by four AM's. I-26 puts a torpedo into the Tanker Seirstad and sets her on fire. Later in the turn I hear the waves lapping and I know she went down even though unconfirmed in the intelligence report. Chalk one up for I-26! [8D]

China:

The 35th Chinese Corps was bombed at Shaoyang suffering 0(18) infantry and 0(14) non-combat squad losses totalling 220 casualties.

Hengyang's airbase was bombed for 11 AB, 1 ABS and 18 Runway hits.

Kweilin. Here's the major news of the day. The first deliberate assault went well. Forts were level five unfortunately, but that's no surprise given the time frame. What was surprising was the lack of preparation on the part of the defenders. Here's the combat report:

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 104167 troops, 1020 guns, 334 vehicles, Assault Value = 4234

Defending force 29457 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1146

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 2827

Allied adjusted defense: 3243

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5418 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 331 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 374 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Vehicles lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3388 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 124 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
70th Division
22nd Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Armored Car Co
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
15th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
51st Division
116th Division
60th Division
104th Division
1st Ind.Inf.Group
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
China Expeditionary Army
13th Army
23rd Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
22nd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Base Force
13th Chinese Base Force

Two Japanese divisions, the 7th and 22nd, suffered the majority of the disablements and will be put into reserve. The 104th division just arrived in the hex and did not participate in the attack if I understand how things work properly. By adding the 104th division of 400+ AV that still gives me an AV of 3700 to attack with. Disruption is less than 20% and moral is 98% so I will order another deliberate attack for tomorrow. Speed is key, as I don't want the Chinese given time to reinforce. I can rest and recover disruption after the second attack.

I have postponed the move across the river by my feinting force as I've decided to gather the entire 11th Army and march it south then west to Kweilin. Yes, that's the long way, but I just don't want the possibility of the Chinese forces of both Hengyang and Changsha marching out and isolating my force north of the river once it crosses, or then stuck mired marching in rough terrain losing freedom of movement against a Chinese reaction. Now I really do wish I'd sent more AV to reinforce success at Kweilin than defend against a move on Wuchang or Pingsiang. Then again, perhaps the total AV in the region froze the Chinese at Hengyang and prevented an earlier reinforcement of Kweillin. I may never know for sure. Tomorrow we assault Kweilin again and hopefully reduce the forts even more while destroying more Chinese squads.

Miscellaneous:

Sabang expands fortifications to size 3

Previous report of sinking of DD Evertsen incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service (Are you kidding me, another Allied ship survives?) [8|]
I'm starting to really want to lay a beating on an Allied TF and soon!

Sept. 18/42:

Australia:

Saumlaki has been resupplied to support both sweeps and bombing runs against Darwin. A6M2 Zero's (35) based at Dili swept prior to the air assaults. I was worried that the airfield might have been repaired to the point of allowing Allied fighters to provide CAP. I needn't have worried. I believe the airfield is still heavily damaged and the Zero's encountered neither CAP nor LRCAP.

Ki-21-IIa Sally's (45) escorted by Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (23) then hit the airbase at Darwin for 2 AB, 3 ABS and 55 Runway hits.

Burma:

The big news today is the beginning of an Allied air offensive against the airbase at Magwe with numerous sweeps and bombing attacks.

Hurricane IIc Trop's (16) are the first to arrive and encounter Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (42) on CAP. A rare mistake by Smeulders has the Hurricane's at 100' and they lose three fighters in A2A against no Japanese losses.

P-40E Warhawk's (22) sweeping at 24k are met by Oscar's (39) and the ensuing fight results in two Oscar's being downed to that of 4 Warhawk's.

This is where it gets ugly for Japanese forces. P-38E Lightning's (25) then sweep at 22k and severly maul the defending Oscar's. EIGHT Oscar's are shot down for no loss for the Allies.

A 4th sweep consisting of P-40E Warhawk's (21) encounter a lone Oscar on CAP, but no losses are recorded for either side. A 5th sweep of P-40E Warhawk's (20) encounters no CAP. That's it, my CAP over Magwe is now exhausted and the Allied bombers come in completely unopposed.

The first bomber attacks included Blenheim IV's (30) and B-25C Mitchell's (15) escorted by P-40E Warhawk's (24) and hit the airbase for 3 AB, 2 ABS and 23 Runway hits. A second bombing attack of Blenheim IV's (11), Wellington Ic's (16) and LB-30 Liberator's (7) damage the airfbase further with 4 AB and 23 Runway hits.

For good measure Hurricane IIc Trop's (15) then strafe the airbase for no damage. No Allied fighters are downed to FLAK.

The Allies will have complete control of the air over Burma as the Oscar's just can't contend against the numbers nor quality of the Allied fighters. Until I can get two Sentai's equipped with the new Tojo IIa I will try and limit my fighter losses as best I can.

Shwebo was abandoned by Japanese forces on Sept. 16 and fell today to Allied forces. Allied AV was 1345. Japanese troops dig in across the river at Mandalay.

China:

Chinese forces at Shaoyang are bombed by Sally's (39) and Helen's (24) and suffer 2(19) infantry, 0(23) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 270 casualties.

Japanese ground forces rest for one day at Kweilin, I will resume deliberate assaults tomorrow.

Miscellaneous:

Uttaradit expands airfield to size 3
Toungoo expands airfield to size 2
Dili expands port to size 2
Saumlaki expands fortifications to size 5

Sept. 19/42:

Australia:

Daily bombing of Darwin results in 2 AB, 1 ABS and 10 Runway hits.

Burma:

Allied sweeps of Magwe today encountered no Japanese CAP as the Oscar's have been withdrawn to Taung Gyi. No Allied bombers hit Magwe today.

China:

Hengyang's airbase is hit by Ki-51 Sonia's (41) for 5 AB, 1 ABS and 19 Runway hits.

The second deliberate attack is launched at Kweilin. The combat report follows.

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 105239 troops, 1076 guns, 375 vehicles, Assault Value = 3959

Defending force 27213 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 992

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 3511

Allied adjusted defense: 1003

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3471 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 360 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 255 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 70 disabled
Vehicles lost 31 (5 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1385 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
17th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
116th Division
60th Division
8th Armored Car Co
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Inf.Group
22nd Division
15th Division
51st Division
70th Division
104th Division
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
China Expeditionary Army
21st Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Army
2nd Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Base Force
13th Chinese Base Force

Another successful assault with mostly disablements on my end. I will continue to attack as long as I get results like these. Overall fatigue and disruption are low with only a few heavily disrupted units needing to be put into reserve to reduce losses.

Miscellaneous:

Yokohama/Yokosuka expands fortifications to size 3
Mandalay expands fortifications to size 3

Sept. 20/42:

Australia:

Darwin bombed for 3 AB and 44 Runway hits.

Burma:

Magwe is swept and bombed today with no opposition from Japanese air units. Magwe's airfield suffers 19 AB, 8 ABS and 55 Runway hits.

P-40E Warhawk's (24) sweep Bhamo and leaking CAP of Ki-43-Ic Oscar's (6) from Lashio intercept. One Warhawk and Oscar are reported lost.

China:

Hengyang's airbase bombed for 4 AB and 13 Runway hits.

The third deliberate assault is launched against Kweilin. Combat report:

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 85806 troops, 950 guns, 286 vehicles, Assault Value = 3656

Defending force 26049 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 925

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 3179

Allied adjusted defense: 1453

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2568 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 157 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 117 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
833 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

I will continue to assault tomorrow.

Sept. 21/42:

Australia:

Darwin hit for 2 AB, 2 ABS and 43 Runway hits.

Burma:

Magwe was hit hard again by Allied air units and something happened which I was not too happy with. CAP based at Taung Gyi leaked into an unneccessary battle with hordes of Allied sweeps. A morning sweep of P-38E Lightning's (25) sucked an incredible 10 Oscar's based on CAP over Taung Gyi and shot down 5 outright for no loss. Then a follow up morning sweep of P-40E Warhawk's (25) encountered no Oscar's. An afternoon sweep of Hurricane IIb Trop's (16) then sucked out a further 8 Oscar's on CAP from Taung Gyi and shot down a further 4 Oscar's for no loss. A follow up sweep of Warhawk's once again encountered no CAP from Taung Gyi, being all dead the reason. In all I lost 18 Oscar's to A2A and Ops losses over a base I didn't want to defend with CAP from a base I did want defended. I can understand a few fighters perhaps, but sucking 18 Oscar's from a Sentai of 42 aircraft set to 30% CAP over a base two hexes away sucks. Absolute BS and at times I really hate the air model in this game. Of course they also interdict against the best Allied fighters in P-38E Lightning's and Hurricane IIb's and are nowhere to be seen against the weaker Warhawk sweeps...whatever. I've set my Oscar's range over Taung Gyi to zero in the hopes this won't happen again [:@]. Besides the horrendous fighter losses the airbase itself took damage of 14 AB, 2 ABS and 174 runway hits and is now closed to operations. So the Allies hammer what was supposed to be an undefended airfield and the AI provides almost 1/2 a Sentai of Oscar's thrown in as a bonus. [8|] I do envy the sheer hitting power of Allied bombers, they achieve damage results that Japanese bombers can never achieve without having to commit 4x the number of bombers.

Bhamo was swept again by P-40E Warhawk's (23) and leaking CAP from Lashio sent Oscar's (8) to intercept again. One Warhawk was downed for no loss to the Japanese. CAP at Lashio will now also be restricted to a range of 0.

Allied forces appear to be marching on Mandalay now. I sent a force of Ki-21-IIa Sally's (43) to bombard the troops to slow down the enemy force. 105 casualties were reported, all disablements. Of note is the fact they were from the 36th and 88th Chinese divisions. I hit the rabble while the more important Allied units are untouched. [8|]

China:

Hengyang's airbase hit for 2 AB, 1 ABS and 9 Runway hits. Again, the purpose here is supply hits and not neccessarily the destruction of the airbase.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for Imperial forces. Kweiling falls today after the 4th deliberate attack. Combat report:

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83453 troops, 950 guns, 285 vehicles, Assault Value = 3500

Defending force 25330 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 858

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 2964

Allied adjusted defense: 565

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweilin !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2155 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 120 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Units pursuing 5

Allied ground losses:
5322 casualties reported
Squads: 283 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 312 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 67 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 31 (23 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

I'm very pleased with the result here of course as I initially feared I'd not sent enough AV. Total casulties for Japan in the capture of Kweilin was 13612 casualties of which 31 infantry, 18 non-combat and 3 engineer squads were destroyed. Chinese losses were 385 infantry, 386 non-combat and 69 engineer squads destroyed totalling 10628 casualties.

I will pursue north and also assault the three Chinese units to the east of Kweilin requiring a splitting of my forces. I will definitely resume the march across the river to the west of Hengyang now and eventually recombine my forces to launch attacks on the vulnerable bases in clear terrain. The object now is to try and engage Chinese forces in clear terrain to inflict heavy casualties. With the fall of Kweilin I'm curious to see the Allied next move. There is now movement of Chinese forces from Hengyang indicated. It appears the Chinese are going to cross the river both east and southeast of Hengyang. A possible offensive against Pingsiang? I have 1500 AV at Wuchang and a further 1500 AV at Pingsiang. All will be behind level 6 forts if the Chinese press. It also appears some are moving northwest to the interior.

It's going to get interesting. Neither Wuchang, Pingsiang or Hankow are crucial and if they draw the Chinese east I hope to backfill behind them and destroy them, it may take months but that's fine with me. I have ordered my victorious troops at Kweilin to march east in support of future operations around Hengyang. I do have to figure out why the Chinese would drive east now and not pull back though. Perhaps it's a feint to stop me moving north to the interior to buy time for additional troops to arrive. I will recon heavily to try and determine what the Chinese are up to. The priority as I see it right now is clear the road east of Kweilin so that my army crossing the river will be fully supplied, then I can mount a large drive north or east after I determine from recon and current Chinese moves just what they are actually up to.

There is also movement in Northern China as Lanchow seems to be in the Allied crosshairs. There are also 55 Chinese units 92 miles Northwest of Ankang which has been abandoned by Chinese forces. The Japanese 6th Division arrived there today and will assault the base tomorrow. This will be the second occupation of Ankang by Japanese forces, this one to be for much longer I'm hoping.

Miscellaneous:

Pagan expands fortifications to size 3
Guam expands airfield to size 4

SS Cachalot is reported to have been sunk near Kunashiri on May 11, 1942 [X(][&o]


Sept. 22/42:

Australia:

Darwin hit for 5 AB and 33 Runway hits. I may stop bombing Darwin and concentrate on finally securing the Northern Australian bases of Broome and Port Hedland. I am going to see if these will become diversionary targets that will eventually draw some Allied naval assets within range of LBA and submarines.

Burma:

Magwe was swept again today by numerous Allied air units and encountered no CAP of any kind. I hope the range reduction will avoid this leaking CAP issue. Allied bombers continue to pound the airbase into rubble and the airfield remains closed after substantial damage. I will attempt to refuse air combat of any kind until my Tojo Sentai's are ready and I have some reserve aircraft in the pools.

China:

Hengyang's airbase damaged to the tune of 12 AB, 4 ABS and 35 Runway hits.

Chinese moves continue out of Hengyang and Japanese bombers are attacking to disrupt their movements as much as possible. I have sent the Kweilin force east for the moment to secure the road and supply flow. I continue to march northwest from Pingsiang to cross the river and be in a position for an offensive against Hengyang and area from the west.

Ankang falls to the Japanese 6th Division.

Miscellaneous:

Arshaan expands fortifications to size 3
Bhamo expands fortifications to size 3
Meiktila expands fortifications to size 3

CVL Ryujo beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore
DD Shiranui beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore
DD Hamakaze beginning refit in shipyard at Singapore

I'll post screenshots next posting to update the major theatres and it's time to figure out what to do in Burma to deny Allied airpower a free hand.

SqzMyLemon,

Where are the bombers that are assualting Magwe coming from? This is his weak point. Resisting allied sweeps is a losing game, mate. Find the bomber bases and destroy them on the ground. Or, if he puts up CAP over the airfield, then sweep HIM to maximize the sweep bonus. Don't fight on disadvantaged terms (or even even terms). Never fight fair!

Previous post removed.

I will simply refrain from updating the AAR until something deemed of interest happens as I'm not enjoying the slow pace of the game. I'm sure Smeulders's AAR will highlight any highlights in the game.

A note on the current situation. A large Allied force has occupied Shwebo and is faced by an equally large Japanese force at Mandalay. Magwe is pounded daily by Allied bombers and the airfield is 100% closed. Japanese fighter sweeps against Allied bases encounter no CAP as I believe they are all set to sweep and escort missions. The Allied bases within Japanese bomber range contain no enemy bombers and the damage inflicted on the airbases by Japanese forces are so negligable as to be deemed a waste of time.

Without stripping the entire Empire of air units and commiting them to Burma to contest air supremacy I'm turtling in the air, a lesson learned from my esteemed opponent. The fact that many of my air units contain Nate's, Mary's, Ann's and Sonia's means I can't aggressively take the air war to the Allies. My planes simply lack the range, firepower and numbers to be effective and they remain behind the lines training until they can be upgraded. For those that don't know, that means roughly mid 1943 in most cases. PDU is a killer for the Japanese in my experience and should be avoided. I simply can't mount an aggressive air strategy with outclassed aircraft against superior Allied aircraft.

Bhamo will be abandoned and I'll draw the line at Lashio. If that opens the Burma road so be it.

I continue to advance in Southern China.

There is a lot of Allied recon and submarine activity around Tarawa. Is this possibly an Allied move to invest the Island? KB is at Truk and I've just landed reinforcements at Tarawa. I will send submarines to recon the area and see if there's any whiff of the Allied Fleet.

Other than that I continue to build defences and move reinforcements around. I just received 6 garrison units in the Home Islands and they will be sent to shore up the defence's throughtout the Empire.

For those that follow the AAR I just don't have the heart in it to keep posting daily updates. I'm not enjoying the matchup nor my opponents strategy which I feel has contributed greatly to monumental boredom and a sense of who cares. I acknowledge my fault of not being aggressive enough at start, yet my opponent expected me to invade recklessly far flung outposts or major Allied bases in order to trap and catch my forces far from LBA and other support while he sat safe in port. He wanted me to take all the risks while he conserved his forces. An undeniably smart strategy, but not very fun to play against. I hope to never face an opponent who utilizes a Sir Robin ever again unless it's warranted against a very aggressive Japanese player shooting for auto-victory. I feel it has robbed us of a year of exciting gameplay and with PDU off there is no chance of grand offensive schemes to force an auto-victory nor sustain large scale invasions of India, Australia or Hawaii. So to Sir Robin just for the sake of it and preserve Allied assets in order to minimize losses I feel is unsportsmanlike in the extreme.

There has been no sighting of an Allied ship larger than a PT or DD for months. The only offensive actions are land locked as it allows my opponent to horde his naval vessels and never have to commit anything into harms way. There has been little cause for me to be aggressive as my opponent simply avoids combat routinely and runs away whenever I appear in any kind of force. It's been a game of taking undefended base after base for me and it's painfully boring so I simply lost interest. That's my opinion with nothing other than how I feel and my opponents lack of martial spirit to back it up. Right or wrong I am not enjoying this game, but am continuing simply because I commited to it and want to still be thought of as a reliable opponent. I'm sure this will be one of the most lopsided Allied victories points wise as my opponent simply waits to swamp me with overwhelming strength and technological superiority in 1943.

I have another PBEM as well (PDU on) against a very good Allied opponent who is aggressive and challenges me to the point my play improves daily. I am far more aggressive in that matchup as I feel engaged and my opponent does not Sir Robin. He confronts my forces intelligently and inflicts as much damage as he can with the forces he has at hand. He does not recklessly throw units away and I respect that ability to fight using the forces at hand rather than turtle and await superior numbers and equipment. Above all that PBEM is FUN. I guess I mention this because this AAR doesn't reflect how I envision how the game should be played nor reflect my abilities against an engaged and skilled opponent. I simply lost interest in this current AAR and PBEM months ago simply for the fact that I could not find an enemy to fight within the framework of realistic offensive movements of my forces limited and constrained by PDU off.

After reflection I've edited my previous post to try and better reflect my thoughts at the moment. I put it mostly down to the fact that's it's March 3rd and it's -24 outside. I'm so sick of winter! [:D]

My sympathies SqzMyLemon. I have been up against a similarly extreme Sir Robin, to the point where the whole of the Dutch airforce was disbanded without ever even taking off and all of West and North Australia were surrendered with a shot being fired or a plane or a ship even attacking. As you state it is just utterly boring and I lost interest in the game after the first couple of months.

It is difficult to know what to do against an extreme Sir Robin, I simply went to ground in about March 1942, tried to build up fortifications to a maximum level and save as much fuel and heavy industry as possible but that has made for a terribly boring game in the meantime.