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Bloody or not the Air Losses look admirable on your part.

January 1942:

P40E and P40B Losses Total : 60+59 = 119

A6M2 Losses : 175.

A good day in the air war is fine.. A good month in the air war is even better.

PDU on or off Japan's ability to produce quality and quantity turns very quickly.

You have done remarkably in holding the line.

Ok. So after almost two weeks away I'm in he last spot on page 1. In past years I might have made it close to page 3, but still there is some activity here, so that's good.

A lot has happened in game during this time even though we've not played a turn. I have two still to report on, but the main attraction now is that Lowpe ran some amphibs carrying supplies into the Soviet coastline. That activated the Soviets!! [X(]

In spite of offers to go back, redo the turn, return to normalcy, Lowpe has opted to continue this crazy scenario and actually play the game with Soviets fully active in January 42!! [X(][X(][X(]

I'm in awe of his cahones. This will be fun, and has potential to really get to unseen territory, since he's still dealing with the SRA and will have to consider transferring some forces up here, including air units. I plan to take out any industrial targets I can, and surprisingly even Tokyo is just barely in range! Who needs Doolittle and two CVs? I've got the DB-3M and plan to use it!! [:)]

So. Once I figure all of this out a bit more I'll give a detailed report. At first glance though, the Soviets are like an advanced Chinese at this point in game. None of the troops are great, the devices need upgrades (especially tanks, as the T-34 doesn't arrive until 44), and the fighter strength is old and weak. Pilot and plane replacements are almost non-existent. There are a lot of ground units though, and arty is plentiful,, which in a defensive role will be a BIG help. My favourite chess player was never Kasparov, but Karpov. I will play this as a defensive war first, hoping he chooses to overextend.

We just agreed that Soviet bases won't handle other Allied units, but that borders of China, Manchuria and Soviet territory are open to all units, restricted or not. This will help him move Chinese Expeditionary Army units to attack Russia, and for me to add a few key units to defending China. I'll also try to get supply flowing there through the Western deserts, but we'll see how that goes. It'll probably take some work.

A very interesting turn. More soon.

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 19, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] In spite of 30-40 subs tracking IJN TFs no attacks this turn.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI: [/font] At Singers it was a slaughter in the air. I'm thinking some sweeps didn't fly? A good number of Oscars went down too, which is a plus.

Even better, a bunch of Oil is hit at Djambi. Somehow no CAP was up over the 250 wells there!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PACIFIC: [/font] Our CVs whiff on capturing the Japanese vessels up here. Tone must have scooted past or is in hiding somewhere. The amphibs were nowhere to be seen, although we know now why! [:-]

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 19, 42
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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
P-38E Lightning x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 14000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 11
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 11
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
P-38E Lightning x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 14000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Toboali , at 50,93

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6
B-339D x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 3 x 300 kg GP Bomb
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 3 x 300 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Djambi , at 48,88

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Oil hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 2000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 2000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 2000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Djambi , at 48,88

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 5

No Allied losses

Oil hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 2000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 28,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 10
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 3
P-38E Lightning x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]A stellar day in the air!! [&o][/font]

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[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 20, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI: [/font]This was not a good turn for the Allies. The IJN sent in a 3 CA 8 DD force to Singers and caught our CL force starting at 5k. These ships had gotten into the 60s in night combat, so I thought they could hold their own, but the IJN CAs massacred the USN CLs. Marblehead went down in the first combat and Phoenix and Honolulu after the second. Not good. Ashigara did hit a mine after the battle, one of 491 the ships dodged previously during the night. [:-]

Still no sign of any fight from the CD guns here. I hope they're saving up for something devastating, but I doubt it.

Now a large BB force looks to be headed this way. Perhaps another round of bombarding? If so, the many subs and more mines will be the only defences.

The only caveat of this turn was another good strike on Djambi oil. It's now reading as (59) 191.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PACIFIC: [/font] This is the turn Lowpe's amphibs made the Soviets mad. No action up North, but the end of turn showed all kinds of new Allied units being made available, including a whole new range of subs. This might be fun!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] I'm hoping I can get Russian supply into China. I'll try to send some engineer units to Urumchi and build things up, then hopefully extend that south. I'll send a few small beat up Corps that can build up into the far NW and see if they start filling out.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 20, 42
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Sub attack near Muntok at 49,89

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo
CA Furutaka
CA Ashigara
CA Chikuma
DD Yanagi
DD Tsuga
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Trout, hits 2

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ASW attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, heavy damage
CL Kiso, heavy damage
PB Nagata Maru
SC Ch 3
DMS W-16
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Toyokawa Maru
DD Okikaze
PB Shonan Maru #17
PB Nikkai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

SS Tarpon launches 4 torpedoes at DD Shikinami
Tarpon diving deep ....

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ASW attack near Tandjoengpinang at 50,86

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Ashigara
CA Chikuma
DD Yanagi
DD Yamagumo
TB Hato
DD Tsuga
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Shark

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 50,84, Range 5,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 3
DD Yamagumo
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 1
DD Yanagi, Shell hits 1
TB Hato
TB Kiji, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Craven
DD McCall, Shell hits 1
DD Downes
DD Cassin, Shell hits 1
DD Reid

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 10% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 5,000 yards

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 50,84, Range 1,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Yamagumo
DD Yudachi
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Tsuga
DD Yanagi
TB Hato
TB Kiji

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DD Downes, Shell hits 1
DD Cassin
DD Reid

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 10% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
CL Phoenix engages CA Ashigara at 1,000 yards

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TF 61 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Mine hits 1, on fire

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Sub attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
xAK Argun Maru
CA Suzuya, heavy damage
CL Kiso, heavy damage
DD Shikinami, heavy damage
PB Nagata Maru
SC Ch 3
DMS W-16
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Toyokawa Maru
DD Okikaze
PB Shonan Maru #17
PB Nikkai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

SS Tarpon launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Argun Maru
Tarpon diving deep ....

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Submarine attack near Billiton at 52,92

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KX

DD Usugumo is sighted by SS KX
SS KX launches 4 torpedoes

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Morning Air attack on Djambi , at 48,88

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 21
Ki-27b Nate x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 10 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 1

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

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Bomb hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 14000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 14000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Djambi , at 48,88

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
P-40E Warhawk x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Oil hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Ia Oscar (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Djambi , at 48,88

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 7
B-17E Fortress x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Oil hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Ia Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Raid is overhead

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Afternoon Air attack on Djambi , at 48,88

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Oil hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Yuck. [:(][/font]

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[font="Times New Roman"]SOVIETS: Air[/font]

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I've gotten through the first turn after Soviet activation and its a huge endeavour. A few observations about this new theatre of the battle.

1. Air forces are plentiful, but that is deceptive. All but one group fly obsolete I-15 and I-16 fighters, and nothing has range to sweep or escort bombers effectively. There are some nice bombers, especially the DB-3, but also the surprising old 4E birds, the TB-3. I've got 60 of them and plan to use them only for industrial targets. They have 8 x 250kg bombs. I hope to hit some of the Manchurian industrial centres by targeting manpower. Worth a shot anyway. I'll have to start at night and see if they hit anything.

2. Trained pilots are non-existent for the Soviets. I'd started a program from day 1, but most have only 50-55 skill by now. This will be a problem for both fighters and bombers. I'll pull back some of the I-153, the worst of the bad fighters, to train up more, but most will be on the job. The pools are thin too, with only 350+ in the reserves right now and something like 50 a month graduating. Still, this is not the biggest problem.

3. Replacements are nearly non-existent. There are 16 MIG-3, a decent mode for 42 especially, but these don't last either. Then nothing until late 44! For bombers the IL-2 comes in early 42 but this is only a tactical plane, with 2/3 range, and won't do much but harass ground troops in clear hexes. They'll likely get eaten up once Tojos and 2nd gen IJN fighters appear, and even A6M will have some success.

All of that said, over a thousand fighters and 500+ bombers can't be too easy for the Japanese to handle right now. Soon, they'll have production going flat out and they'll start getting improved airframes, but until May or so the Soviets may have some opportunities.

I'd like to conserve the MIG-3 and use it in only 1-2 groups, tops. Those should be sweepers to keep him honest and allow some strikes out to 6 hexes I believe. I'll have to see what the IJ air forces get up to in the area. I know that right now modern front line airframes (Oscar Ic and A6M2) are at a premium after the heavy losses in the DEI. He does have the KB though, and A6M2 with expert pilots will slice through the Soviet fighters with their mediocre pilots I fear. I'll adopt the low CAP here, since the manoeuvre of the small Soviet fighters lend themselves to this tactic. Fly low and fly in numbers.

[font="Times New Roman"]SOVIETS: Ground[/font]

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On the ground the Soviets have the real advantage. Numbers and reinforcements are available, at least of the key arty and troops. For AFVs it's a different story. There are no T-34 until late 44. Then it's only ~50 month. So the many tank brigades here will have to use the old BT-7 and T-26S. These are suspect, not even as good as the Japanese light tanks. The mid-42 Type 1 Medium tanks will look like Tigers here!

So it may be up to the good defensive terrain, plentiful infantry squads and masses of arty to shore up the area. The arty is fantastic, and all of the regiments and brigades boast either 122mm or 152mm guns. There are also a bunch of the siege guns from 203mm up to a whopping 305mm howitzer. The IJA has some of these too, and I've found them indispensable in defensive positions in x3 terrain.

I'm developing a very different plan for each region here.

1. NW; In this are all troops will concede forward bases and move to defend the rails. So Ulan Bator, Borzya and other bases will simply be abandoned and troops will head for better terrain and try to block IJ progress to cutting the Soviet territory in two. I had hoped a few Chinese units could move over here and fill out, then work in the Mongolian area to create a flanking threat, but when I set movement to any Soviet territory they would not recognise the movements orders. It seems hard-coded that no Chinese will enter the USSR.

So I'll try to get supply moving to Urumchi and fill a few select Chinese units out there, then send them SE.

2. I'll aim to encircle forward IJ positions using a pincer movement with some deception in the South. I want to see what he'll do, what troops he has to commit, and force some to stay in the area while fighting in tough terrain. If I can knock out some of the border forts and get a few bases closer to Manchurian industrial centres it could mean strat bombing would be supported by the short range Soviet fighters. Harbin is the most accessible target, but it's even out of reach currently.

If I can move to isolate forward IJA units that should provoke a response, giving more time to get units back and build forts to defend the rail in the NW.

3. I have a plan for Sakhalin. Mum's the word for now! [;)]

This map shows a decent, mostly x3 defensive line. If the initial push could take the front out here it would be good to both give a buffer and decrease several approach paths to the inner Soviet territory near the rail line. Several bases within 3-4 hexes of Harbin would be useful, but especially Mutankiang. Tunghua seems a bridge too far.

Any indication of him sending troops across the border yet?

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Any indication of him sending troops across the border yet?

I've just seen the replay but don't have the turn file yet. Interestingly, the recon of Soviet bases and troops looks to be lacking. I'm wondering if all of the recon units have been bought out and transferred to the DEI. This could mean a few turns of undetected movements. Luckily I've started right away, and I've got some units moving over the border! [:)]

Some are for show, some are not. It's an interesting theatre, and although the Russians could be tough for a while, Japan will have a serious advantage in the air and in both quality and numbers of troops at some point in 43. Hopefully the other Allies are moving and putting pressure on by then. I'm guessing the North Pacific will be a focus. [;)]

[font="Times New Roman"]SOVIETS: Sea[/font]

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The Soviet "navy" isn't much to write home about. A lot of mediocre subs, but at least they should have working torps. The best top out at 14 knots though, so hitting combat ships isn't so likely. Unless of course they're damaged. Hmm. I wonder where I could find damaged IJN combat ships? [:D]

So the flood of subs will head South. I'll base at Manila since the USN has made a deal already with the Soviets to let them use the fuel there in exchange for trying to hit the shipping lanes around the PI. The 60k fuel should keep them in business for a while.

There are some good DDs available as well, but the cruisers don't arrive until late. I have no idea what to do with merchants up here in Japan's back yard. I guess they could work for CAP traps.

Not sure yet how to use the DDs. I'll see how things develop.

The subs might be the best short term boost.

Those light tanks are not bad really. In my game they ate up the Japanese tanks, but can't stand up to A/T guns at all.

Most of the Russian sub commanders are pretty good - they get the hits.

You will also get DDs and a horde of merchant ships. The DDs are short-ranged but good for keeping the Japanese honest. Raid the Kuriles! The merchant ships can't convert to xAPs until late 1942 so no way to relieve Sakhalin unless the US sends help. But you can use the short range xAKLs to supply the Aleutians from Prince Rupert, and the longer ranged xAKs to haul supply to Russia proper if he does not set up strong interdiction. Otherwise, use them wherever you wish. They are sitting ducks if left in Russian ports.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
The merchant ships can't convert to xAPs until late 1942 so no way to relieve Sakhalin unless the US sends help.

xAKs/xAKLs can load and transport troop squads with some hefty penalty in amphib mode. 15 support take about 1200 cargo space

The BT-7 with a 45MM main gun is better than most Japanese tanks and these hordes of Russian tanks will keep more Japanese armor in Manchuria instead of being bought out to run wild over Allies who lack any armor for 6 months to a year. No Japanese armor divisions running wild in Java, India or OZ. With you TB-3s you might consider rotation night bombing of Japanese industries, at night especially setting fires to Japanese cities force him to assign CAP at night and you might get lucky and damage his aircraft plants. The Russian fighters, as you state they are good at lower altitude, highly maneuverable and have center-line guns that are highly accurate. The Japanese achilles heel were their lightly constructed aircraft for the 1st half of the war. I think the Russians fighters might surprise you.

Besides the bombing of industry, the TB-3 is the only Russian aircraft that drops a big enough bomb (250kg) to cause losses in good defensive terrain or forts <3. The DB-3M and DB-3T carry lots of bombs to 13 hexes, but they are only 100 kg. OK for open terrain or low forts, and maybe some runway damage but not much else. Never tried using the DB-3Ts with torpedoes - no Japanese targets worth that kind of mission.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Those light tanks are not bad really. In my game they ate up the Japanese tanks, but can't stand up to A/T guns at all.

Most of the Russian sub commanders are pretty good - they get the hits.

You will also get DDs and a horde of merchant ships. The DDs are short-ranged but good for keeping the Japanese honest. Raid the Kuriles! The merchant ships can't convert to xAPs until late 1942 so no way to relieve Sakhalin unless the US sends help. But you can use the short range xAKLs to supply the Aleutians from Prince Rupert, and the longer ranged xAKs to haul supply to Russia proper if he does not set up strong interdiction. Otherwise, use them wherever you wish. They are sitting ducks if left in Russian ports.

They look bad! But good to know they work. Probably a factor of the numbers involved. Lots of them around for sure. Not much for replacements though, so I have to be careful. The have to last from now until late 44 when the T-34 starts coming in.

Here are the specs. Interesting that the T-26S is nearly the same, and in fact better, and the BA-10M armoured car is also almost exactly the same by the stats. They all use the 45mm gun.

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

The BT-7 with a 45MM main gun is better than most Japanese tanks and these hordes of Russian tanks will keep more Japanese armor in Manchuria instead of being bought out to run wild over Allies who lack any armor for 6 months to a year. No Japanese armor divisions running wild in Java, India or OZ. With you TB-3s you might consider rotation night bombing of Japanese industries, at night especially setting fires to Japanese cities force him to assign CAP at night and you might get lucky and damage his aircraft plants. The Russian fighters, as you state they are good at lower altitude, highly maneuverable and have center-line guns that are highly accurate. The Japanese achilles heel were their lightly constructed aircraft for the 1st half of the war. I think the Russians fighters might surprise you.

This is a very good point. I buy out as much as possible from Manchuria when playing Japan. Leaving the AA guns, the siege arty, the tanks and better divisions here slogging it out with the Soviets is great for the other theatres in the war. Burma could really be a bit easier for not having these units there.

I would like to be surprised by the Soviet fighters, and the ultra accurate CL guns on them should hit the unarmored Japanese planes, you're right. The pilots will be our achilles heel, probably. Just not enough trained yet, but maybe the Japanese will be hurting too after a strenuous fist few months of the war. The IJAAF though has a lot of trained pilots to start.

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
The merchant ships can't convert to xAPs until late 1942 so no way to relieve Sakhalin unless the US sends help.

xAKs/xAKLs can load and transport troop squads with some hefty penalty in amphib mode. 15 support take about 1200 cargo space

There is just too much danger from the two IJN CVs thought to be in the area. I stand a better chance to have these ships survive by keeping them in port for now.

Funny how BT-7 armor is the worst in the database even when it is supposed to be the most modern light tank in Soviet TOE.
In reality BT-7 was the most armored (and the heaviest) of the trio, with 22mm front and 15mm side. While T-26s was 15mm all around. And BA-10M was the worst with 10mm (as expected from wheeled armored car).

By comparison, the IJA tanks look much better. The Type 1 Medium will be a monster agains the BT-7 and T-26S when it arrives in mid-42. Of course by then the arrival of Il-2 might help a bit too against ground forces.

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

Funny how BT-7 armor is the worst in the database even when it is supposed to be the most modern light tank in Soviet TOE.
In reality BT-7 was the most armored (and the heaviest) of the trio, with 22mm front and 15mm side. While T-26s was 15mm all around. And BA-10M was the worst with 10mm (as expected from wheeled armored car).

Yeah, I just saw those numbers too. Very odd they messed that up. Not that it would make too much difference, as the IJA tank guns all penetrate to 50mm.