Wrangling Loki - Mind_Messing (J) vs Lokasenna (A)

[mind_messing]

November 18th to November 27th, 1943

AE is a real emotional roller-coaster.

North Pacific

Nothing to report.

I need to sort CAP for the industry up here when I get the turn back. Loka should be able to hit something at long range now I'm sure.

Central Pacific

The IJN gets a bloody nose in the Marshalls in a series of battles lasting most of the month.

The first skirmish takes place on the 20th, with a monster Fletcher force marauding into a Japanese cruiser force.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Mili at 136,121, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Shell hits 4
CL Natori, Shell hits 7
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 3
DD Murasame, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
DD Harusame, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DD Samidare, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bradford
DD Charrette, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Chauncey
DD Conner
DD Cowell
DD Franks, Shell hits 1
DD Heermann, Shell hits 1
DD Hoel, Shell hits 3
DD Kidd, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Murray, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Abner Read, Shell hits 3
DD Sigourney, Shell hits 2

The Allies retort with a carrier raid on Mili on the 22nd, which catches the IJN ships despite the best efforts of the CAP over the island...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mili at 136,121

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 10
N1K1-J George x 16
Ki-100-I Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 34
SBD-5 Dauntless x 36

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 11 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Ariake, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CA Takao, Bomb hits 16, and is sunk
DD Shimozuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Wakaba, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
CA Chokai, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yugure, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

To capitalize, Allied troops storm ashore at Tarawa and swiftly take the base.

There's some minor air battles as Japanese aircraft from the northern Marshalls take pot-shots at the various task forces moving around the region while the Allies consolidate their position on Tarawa.

Then, on the 25th, the KB appears on the scene.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 137 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 41
B6N2 Jill x 7
D4Y1 Judy x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Poelau Laut, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Tjisadane, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Sculptor, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC-742

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 40 (36 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (39 destroyed, 16 disabled)

In other words, a massive failure of a raid. The Allied ships promptly scatter for cover and the KB heads back to Truk with their heads held in shame.

Meanwhile, the defenders of Ocean Island, long starving, are at last completely destroyed by air attack, and Allied ships are spotted heading to claim possession of the cratered island.

It should have been easy, there was no garrison. The island was empty. But the KB wanted some blood.

A suicide sweep of Oscars from Kusaie Island keeps the CAP on Narau Island busy from interfering, with massive losses, while the KB goes to town on several undefended Allied task forces.

fternoon Air attack on TF, near Ocean Island at 130,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
A6M5 Zero x 9
A6M5b Zero x 35
B6N2 Jill x 14
D4Y1 Judy x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 10 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Newcastle, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS Hovey, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Hopkins, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CL Montpelier, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APA Leonard Wood, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tenedos
AK Cheleb, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AK Ascella, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA John Penn, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 60 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 45 (35 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
14 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ocean Island at 131,132

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7
B6N2 Jill x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAK James L. Breck, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK John F. Myers, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Frederick Billings
xAK John W. Hoyt, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Charles G. Coutant

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ocean Island at 130,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 41
B6N2 Jill x 12
D4Y1 Judy x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 7 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Montpelier, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Newcastle, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APA Leonard Wood, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA John Penn, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Ascella, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA George F. Elliot, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tenedos, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Allied ground losses:
1881 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 72 (69 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 47 (41 destroyed, 6 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ocean Island at 131,132

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 13
B6N2 Jill x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK John W. Hoyt, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Henry C. Payne, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Jeremiah M. Daily, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Don Marquis, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Frederick Billings
xAK John M. Bozeman, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Charles G. Coutant, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

It's textbook use of the KB for me - no opposition, no serious losses and the KB will run into the upper Marshalls for cover to avoid any Allied carrier force hiding in the wings.

However, as I mentioned to Lokasenna via email, it's nothing in the grand scheme of things. Minnows. However, I'm trying to drive home this notion of every invasion costing him shipping and troops. So far, my track record isn't too great. Shortlands and Tarawa both fell without any serious resistance from me, but hopefully I'll be improving that track record as the Allies work their way closer.

Plus, it feels good to catch Lokasenna on the wrong foot.

South-West Pacific

We catch a bunch of Allied barges and other small ships unloading at Kiriwina Island with a cruiser force. Nice, but not all that useful.

At Torokina, the last units are wiped out . We're officially pushed off Bougainville for good. New Britain and New Ireland are now on the frontline, and I'm shoving troops into New Ireland at a good rate.

After shifting air groups around, I leave Hansa Bay without any aircraft stationed at it. Loka mounts a "recon" raid on the 26th, and follows it up with a larger scale raid on the 27th. But there's a welcome party in the skies...

]Morning Air attack on Hansa Bay , at 97,121

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 42
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hansa Bay , at 97,121

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

I've set up a big Jill group up in Rabaul, along with whatever fighters I can gather. They'll hopefully go after shipping trying to unload at Shortlands. At this point, I'll do anything to slow the Allies down - I really want to see 1944 with the Allies not having passed beyond the New Britain Barrier.

DEI

Supplies and units are moving in to start setting up the second line here. Ambon and Timor are the main benefactors here, as well as Sumatra.

The Allies are creeping up the Australian coast towards Darwin from both the east and the west, so that requires a close eye kept on it. Gove is maxed out as a level 8 airbase...

Burma

The poor 104th Division at last reaches the shelter of the jungle, where the survivors are glad to collapse after continual bombing.

Elsewhere, nothing really is taking place. I've a crack squadron ready to take the Ki-84 Frank, so I'll be trying a limited air offensive in the next few weeks.

I'm debating a limited withdrawal of units in north-eastern Burma and re-focusing the defence on Central Burma. More information to follow shortly.

China

Long range Liberators hit the oil at Sian, totally destroying it. Well, I had a good two years out of it.

Home Islands

Forts and airbases are being built like mad up here. I want to take maximum advantage of the static aviation support and CD units, so those bases with static units are being as developed as far as they can be.

General Thoughts

The IJA is starting to bulk up, and so far, I'm liking what I see. Plenty of brigades that are reinforced to division strength in late-44 are due to arrive in China, so they're ear-marked for Luzon.

The smaller units will be expended in the DEI and on Mindanao, and all the naval guard units I'm buying back will get trips to various Central Pacific Islands.

My recent efforts into ASW efforts seem to be paying off. Apparently the Gato's a goner, and we've hurt a fair few subs in the last few weeks. Tracker tells me ten Allied subs have been sunk in November. Even so, Allied subs have did a good job - the Natori took two torpedoes between Truk and Saipan and will likely sink, and she'll join a whole host of smaller ships that have suffered at the hands of the Allied submarine fleet.

In general, I just need the calendar to keep creeping forward...

[mind_messing]

November 28th to December 15th, 1943

Well, we're holding on. The Japanese Empire is like a boat with several leaks - so far I've enough to plug the leaks, but we're fast getting to the stage where there's little we can do.

North Pacific

Two Fletchers run into Paramushuiro-jima on a bombardment run. One hits a mine and the other does no damage. The first move up here in weeks, so I'll keep an eye out to see if there's a follow-up or if it's just a probe.

The Yamato and Musashi are detached from this theater for duties elsewhere.

Central Pacific

The Allies are consolidating their position in the Gilberts, with 2 and 4 engine bombers raiding the Marshalls every turn or so. I have a big concentration of fighters at Mili, and a smaller concentration at Roi-Namur - enough to keep the Allies honest.

I get sloppy, and the damaged heavy cruiser Agato is caught by 4E's in harbor at Kawajalein. The 500lb bombs don't sink her, but she's more or less a flush-decked ship now - almost all her topside weapons are destroyed. She's trying to limp back to Eniwetok for emergency repairs before heading back to the Home Islands.

South-West Pacific

The Allies get a bombardment of Rabual in by a fast cruiser force when the heavy crusier force I had covering Rabual had pulled back to Truk for repairs:

Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 34 damaged
J1N1-S Irving: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 44 damaged
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 6 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 20 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 40 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 5 destroyed on ground
B6N2 Jill: 29 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
D4Y1 Judy: 10 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 9 damaged
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 23 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
H6K4-L Mavis: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CL St. Louis
DD Fanning
DD Carmick
DD Satterlee
DD Thompson
DD Gansevoort
DD Frazier
DD Waller
DD Stanly
DD Bennett

Japanese ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 45
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 60

In addition to this, we lose a bunch of small ASW craft, but they're small fry in the grand scheme of things.

We'll abandon Rabual as a major air hub and pull back to Manus and Kaiveng - both are much more difficult to reach. For good measure, we'll throw some extra CD guns down on Rabual as well. I want to stalemate this theater as best I can.

DEI

In a lightning campaign, the Allies make their first in-roads into the DEI. 4E's roar in over the Japanese airbases at 2000ft in daylight and smash them to ruin. Dobo and Taberfane are sized after a short, sharp fight, and Allied troops storm ashore on Saumlaki, but are bogged down by stiff resistance.

An Australian brigade sneaks ashore at Ambon (the garrison was three days out, grrr!), but will either have to be withdrawn by the Allies or destroyed by superior Japanese forces. Darwin is re-occupied by the Allies.

The KB and Mini-KB both intervene, but the results are disappointing - only a small number of unimportant Allied ships are sunk. The most severe loss for the Allies is the heavy cruiser Northampton, which was caught on a bombardment run to Timor. In turn, the IJN loses three destroyers and suffers two torpedoes into the Shokaku by a USN submarine - she's sitting in Babeldoab before moving back to the Home Islands for repairs.

Despite these setbacks, I am feeling pretty good about the situation here. I have strong positions on Ceram and Timor. Allied troops are isolated at Ambon and at Saumlaki. Dobo and Taberfane are distant from the nearest Allied bases at Merauke and Darwin.

[center]
The situation in the DEI. Note Saumlaki and Ambon: Allied troops isolated and ripe for destruction.[/center]

To that end, I've massed almost the entire IJN at Soerabaja. KB, Mini-KB, the Yamato's and both the fast and slow battleships and nearly all of my remaining cruisers. I've all my combat ready destroyers en-route as well, and I've even went as far as stripping the fast E-class ships that started the war as torpedo boats.

I'm going for the Soviet solution to my problem - mass all my heavy guns on a narrow section of the front and blast the enemy until we win. My goals are as follows:
- Secure and garrison Ambon
- Push Allied troops off of Saumlaki
- If practical, bombard Darwin.
- Attrition Allied naval power.

I'll set up shuttle bombardments of the Allied bases in the Lower DEI and encourage them to come out and fight me on my terms or abandon their troops on the ground.

I'm slightly concerned about what this concentration of the IJN in one theater will do to the Pacific theater, but even with a free hand the Allies still have a lot of distance to cover. Plus, the Allies already out-number me, so I may as well concentrate on the economic heart of my empire.

Burma

As if to drive home the point about being outnumber, the British make an appearance off Rangoon on Dec 14th.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Sussex, Shell hits 2
CA Suffolk, Shell hits 1
CA Frobisher
CL Emerald
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Braine, Shell hits 1
DD Dyson
DD Fullam, Shell hits 2
DD Relentless, Shell hits 3, on fire

Over the course of several engagements, every Japanese ship is sunk. The Allies suffer minimal damage, though the Frobisher collides with Emerald, so it wasn't a complete wash for Japan, right?

Based on this result, I'm pulling the IJN off the Burmese coast. I'll keep some IJN anti-shipping air assets sitting in Rangoon in case the Allies want to bombard Rangoon, but other than some PT boats and small ASW ships, I won't be giving the Allies any more free VP's.

On the ground, there's no real change. I'm pulling troops back down the road from Akyab to better terrain and a shorter front. Apparently the Chinese in Northern Burma are marching back to India. If that's the case, I'll pull everything bar a screening force back to Southern Burma and centralize my defense in the jungles on the Rangoon-Tuang-gyi axis.

There's been some sparring in the air, but the Japanese have came off much the worse for it. It's to be expected when the opposition has Thunderbolts, Mustangs and Spitfires! Nevertheless, it's an impressive achievement that Magwe is still producing oil in late '43.

[Walker84]

The game has reached a fascinating stage as you try to marshal limited resources to fight back on multiple fronts and the Allied manpower and materiel superiority is really starting to bite. It will be a great bonus if you are able to concentrate enough force to counterattack in the DEI and blunt the Allied advance for a time.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Walker84

The game has reached a fascinating stage as you try to marshal limited resources to fight back on multiple fronts and the Allied manpower and materiel superiority is really starting to bite. It will be a great bonus if you are able to concentrate enough force to counterattack in the DEI and blunt the Allied advance for a time.

To be quite honest, it shouldn't have taken the loss of the Aoba and company to make me realize the Allied material superiority. The wake up call for me should have been the carrier raid on Mili. It is only right that I suffer for making the mistake of using the IJN in penny-packets all around the Empire rather than as a single unified body.

Still, mistakes are the best learning tool.

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Still, mistakes are the best learning tool.

I totally agree - having made enough of my own! Certainly, it makes sense for Japan to concentrate her forces in an attempt to achieve local superiority. The problem is that, given the distances involved, it takes a long time to get from A to B and then back again if you need to respond to a different emergency...

EDIT: By way of example, in my current mid-42 game I really need the KB to be in the Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea simultaneously. Only time will tell if I have made the correct decision. [&:]

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Walker84

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Still, mistakes are the best learning tool.

I totally agree - having made enough of my own! Certainly, it makes sense for Japan to concentrate her forces in an attempt to achieve local superiority. The problem is that, given the distances involved, it takes a long time to get from A to B and then back again if you need to respond to a different emergency...

That's the only thing that is a real worry for me at present. My solution is pretty extreme.

Burma and the North Pacific aren't getting any naval support - they'll fight with air power alone. The IJN will focus exclusively on the DEI and the Central Pacific.

It's the best solution I can think of - it's a week at most from Soerabaja to Truk, less to Babeldoab. If the Allies are planning any big jumps in CentPac, my second line of bases should give me warning enough to re-position in time. If they make lots of small jumps, good - it helps run the clock down.

Or so I hope.

EDIT: By way of example, in my current mid-42 game I really need the KB to be in the Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea simultaneously. Only time will tell if I have made the correct decision.

In my view, the best use for the KB in mid-42 is to keep it hidden, and only bring it out if you've got a really worthwhile target. I think, in the long run, you do more damage to the Allied timetable by keeping the KB a threat waiting in the wings than you do by raiding.

Raiding is a hit-or-a-miss affair. For me, to make revealing the KB and the cost in fuel worthwhile, I'd need to sink something really worthwhile.

Keeping the KB hidden, on the other hand, pays off in a passive way. The Allied player needs to consider that the KB could appear at any time anywhere, and that forces plans to become really reined in.

That's not to say don't go raiding. I just wouldn't do it with the KB. The slow CVE's, perhaps, or some of the longer-legged light cruisers.

[mind_messing]

Regarding Burma, I'm faced with a dilemma.

Assuming Magwe's oil is bombed to dust (as it very likely will be at some not-so-distant point in time), is there any real benefit to holding on to Northern Burma and the Central Plains?

I'm torn over the issue. So long as Magwe is intact and producing oil, I want to keep the Allies out of Burma.

So I was considering a limited withdrawal in Burma to the more favorable terrain around Rangoon if/when Magwe no longer cranks out oil.

Advantages:

- Easier supply lines: some stacks have difficulty drawing supply out in the sticks
- More concentrated defense: I'll be able to build a stronger mobile reserve, and possibly free units up for the garrison of Malaya/Sumatra
- Lengths the Allied supply lines: without Rangoon, they're limited to Ramree Island to ram supplies into Burma
- Removes the chance of Allied bombers being able to attack units in the open plains of Burma.
- I'll get the time to pick the terrain I fight over.

Disadvantages:

- Gives the Allies free territory.
- Possibly could lead to an offensive against China (I'd welcome this, the mountain passes to Paoshan makes the Alpine Line look like a couple of open foxholes).
- Might not actually harm Allied logistics: there's no China to air-lift supplies into, and it may be that Burma becomes the next air-bridge...
- May lengthen my lines if the Allies shift their attack towards Thailand.

Anyone with experiance in Burma care to chip in? Am I best to stick with the forward defense in the jungle, or should I consider a limited withdrawal? 1944 is just around the corner, and as soon as Magwe goes Burma loses all intrinsic value for me: it's only worth fighting over to deny it to the Allies.

At any rate, preparations for the defense of Thailand are already well underway.

[Lowpe]

Burma:

Allies will be able to supply themselves thru Ramree eventually.

The biggest danger is having an end run done to you, and it will happen eventually. Tavoy to Hong Kong took Joc what 5 months? Less? Have a plan for that day. Make sure you have lots of transports in the pools.

Falling back behind Magwe still gives you some good defensive terrain, gets you out of the clear.

Perhaps, because you have China you can hold significantly longer.

Just watch out for paratroopers, I know Lok used them already on you, but it seem the Allies have an inexhaustible supply of them.

In your position I would watch out for Sumatra...

[mind_messing]

My proposed plan for the withdrawal in Burma.

Red: Rangoon line - best troops and most of the artillery park, focused on denying the Allies use of Rangoon for as long as possible.

Blue: Thailand line - deny the Allies a quick route into Thailand with a strong blocking force in x3 terrain behind a river.

White: Mountain line - deny the Allies entrance to China with a strong blocking force in x3 terrain, behind a river and in level 6 forts. The units that arrive in China that I don't bother buying out (IOW, the crap ones) will shore up this sector.

[center][/center]

In an ideal world, I'd like to defend the Pegu/Tuangi-Gyu/Lashio axis so that I've decent interior communications, but with so many Chinese in India I don't think that will be possible as my forces will be spread too thin - even with the CEA in Burma it's a lot of hexes.

I'll withdraw nice and slow, hopefully we'll burn the clock off till the end of January.

Anyone with some hands-on experience of Burma in '44 want to chip in? I've no clue what I'm doing here, and I haven't had a clue for some time.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Walker84

Still, mistakes are the best learning tool.

EDIT: By way of example, in my current mid-42 game I really need the KB to be in the Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea simultaneously. Only time will tell if I have made the correct decision.

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

In my view, the best use for the KB in mid-42 is to keep it hidden, and only bring it out if you've got a really worthwhile target. I think, in the long run, you do more damage to the Allied timetable by keeping the KB a threat waiting in the wings than you do by raiding.

Raiding is a hit-or-a-miss affair. For me, to make revealing the KB and the cost in fuel worthwhile, I'd need to sink something really worthwhile.

Keeping the KB hidden, on the other hand, pays off in a passive way. The Allied player needs to consider that the KB could appear at any time anywhere, and that forces plans to become really reined in.

That's not to say don't go raiding. I just wouldn't do it with the KB. The slow CVE's, perhaps, or some of the longer-legged light cruisers.

In general I agree. It does depend on what the Allies are doing though. If it's obvious that their CVs are in one spot (or depleted to the point they can't control an area against even a split KB) then it might be viable to show the KB. When Jocke lost his CVs the KB was kept in the So Pac area very visible, and that definitely limited what the Allies could do there.

I did a lot of raiding in that game, which I most likely would not do again.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Burma:

Allies will be able to supply themselves thru Ramree eventually.

The biggest danger is having an end run done to you, and it will happen eventually. Tavoy to Hong Kong took Joc what 5 months? Less? Have a plan for that day. Make sure you have lots of transports in the pools.

Falling back behind Magwe still gives you some good defensive terrain, gets you out of the clear.

Perhaps, because you have China you can hold significantly longer.

Just watch out for paratroopers, I know Lok used them already on you, but it seem the Allies have an inexhaustible supply of them.

In your position I would watch out for Sumatra...

Good points.

For Buma holding forward has benefits if the Allies have committed significant assets deep into the jungle areas and you don't think based on the full map that they could land behind you. I held Central Burma until earlier 44 and the area you've outlined in red, blue and white for much longer into late 44. I would now think of a controlled, steady and gradual retreat that would make you less vulnerable to the landing behind along the coasts. Depends on what you have to contest any move to Sumatra/Java and the rest of the DEI plus how far the Allies get toward the PI.

Some players have held central Burma to the end and did not lost an army as I did, but now I think most Allied players wouldn't settle for this situation. Certainly not Loka. You have a China buffer to run to if necessary, but you don't want to fling the doors open to Indochina either.

I like the plan you have outlined and it's possible to hold in good terrain longer than you'd think. I'd also hold Prome, even though it's in the clear, just because it forces a decision to cross a river, and that takes time to prepare for. Also, I like holding Tougoo just for the extra possible forts and denying a closer airfield. You may also consider holding, at least temporarily, the little island base West of Rangoon, whatever it's called. Again, it forces a crossing and if you don't have it he can pile toward Rangoon quickly, plus use that as a very good airfield. Allied fighters are mostly short ranged still.

[Lowpe]

Be careful with the Blue position behind the river, as retreat path to Lashio could be troublesome.

I would say don't give up Toungoo without a fight, but it also can screw up retreat paths.

This is probably your strongest theatre...and I always wondered why the Allies would pick to go here in your game. Tie down your troops, yes, plan for an end run thru Tavoy or south or Sumatra. Yes.

Ramree will allow the Allies to stay in supply. If possible make him fight for it.

[mind_messing]

Good points.

For Buma holding forward has benefits if the Allies have committed significant assets deep into the jungle areas and you don't think based on the full map that they could land behind you. I held Central Burma until earlier 44 and the area you've outlined in red, blue and white for much longer into late 44. I would now think of a controlled, steady and gradual retreat that would make you less vulnerable to the landing behind along the coasts. Depends on what you have to contest any move to Sumatra/Java and the rest of the DEI plus how far the Allies get toward the PI.

I've one full division and three regiments in Northern Sumatra and three full divisions in Southern Sumatra, plus assorted trash like a couple of the INA regiments.

If I can, I want at least another three regiments worth of troops in Northern Sumatra, so I'll probably ram it full of the Naval Guards units that I've lost in CentPac to cover garrison duties

North-western Malaya also needs a garrison, so I'll keep steadily reinforcing this area from reinforcements arriving in China.

Some players have held central Burma to the end and did not lost an army as I did, but now I think most Allied players wouldn't settle for this situation. Certainly not Loka. You have a China buffer to run to if necessary, but you don't want to fling the doors open to Indochina either.

Well, that's it. Once the oil is gone from Magwe, what is there left to fight for in Central Burma? The denial of Rangoon and access to China can be accomplished from far better terrain than Central Burma.

While it galls me to give up territory without much of a fight, do I really want to take on the hoards of Chinese in the Burmese plains in order to defend 100 points of oil that may or may not be bombed out tomorrow?

Yes, I might be able to bloody the Allies noses a few times, but I'll settle for stalemating Burma for '44, even if it is at the expense of territory surrendered without a fight.

I like the plan you have outlined and it's possible to hold in good terrain longer than you'd think. I'd also hold Prome, even though it's in the clear, just because it forces a decision to cross a river, and that takes time to prepare for. Also, I like holding Tougoo just for the extra possible forts and denying a closer airfield. You may also consider holding, at least temporarily, the little island base West of Rangoon, whatever it's called. Again, it forces a crossing and if you don't have it he can pile toward Rangoon quickly, plus use that as a very good airfield. Allied fighters are mostly short ranged still.

Hmm.

I like it. I like it alot. I had rejected Prome out of hand as it's an open hex, but with flak, CAP and forts I'm sure I can make a nice dependable base out of it. The fact that it's behind a river is even better.

If I defend Prome, it lets me keep a nice short five hex frontline. If I stretch it out to six hexes I can defend the hex due east of Ramree Island and keep it's only hexside closed - a big IJA stack outside of Ramree in x3 terrain will mean no supplies flowing out of there for the Allies unless there's a big effort.

Prome and Toungoo also give me two frontline CAP bases on railroads...

Yeah, much better idea.

[center][/center]

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Be careful with the Blue position behind the river, as retreat path to Lashio could be troublesome.

I would say don't give up Toungoo without a fight, but it also can screw up retreat paths.

This is probably your strongest theatre...and I always wondered why the Allies would pick to go here in your game. Tie down your troops, yes, plan for an end run thru Tavoy or south or Sumatra. Yes.

Ramree will allow the Allies to stay in supply. If possible make him fight for it.

Yeah, Obvert has changed my mind as to Prome and Toungoo, they'll be good anchors for the defence.

The Allies are moving here because they've advantages of their own. The bulk of the Chinese Army in Exile, plus the Australians and the Indians are all here. The Chinese alone are reinforced by 350 squads a month - essentially a full division in raw AV. The Chinese give the Allies the numbers, and the British/Commonwealth/Indian troops provide the quality. On top of that, there's all the airbases in North-eastern India to base all the aircraft in the world from, and what's better is he doesn't need shipping to mount any offensive.

Tying down my troops is vital when you consider that China isn't in play - if Loka is content to let Burma sit in stalemate, that's a lot of IJA units free to go elsewhere.

I suspect the end run around Burma as well - bashing through with frontal attacks isn't his style. Even in his game with Bullwinkle, he was very careful about losses when attacking Chungking, whereas I simply didn't care. I've taken particular attention to ensure that Northern Sumatra, Malaya and the Burma pan-handle are suitably looked after.

Ramree is a nice little problem for me. I can't supply it except by sea, and I don't want to commit any more shipping to this theater, as it will just end up sunk. My hope is to throw a Thai division onto Ramree to keep it safe against everything but a major naval landing and keep control of the jungle-rough hex to the east of Ramree. It's only hex in or out of Ramree, so if I control it supply shouldn't flow out. While that's better for the troops on the ground, it does give the Allies a potential size 8 airbase within touching distance of Rangoon.

Then again, part of me wants to try to see Loka keep Ramree supplied when two size 8 airbases are within seven hexes of it...

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Then again, part of me wants to try to see Loka keep Ramree supplied when two size 8 airbases are within seven hexes of it...

Akyab is fully big enough to base 4-5 P-47 units. Supply can come down the coast under full fighter cover. LSTs unload in a day.

[obvert]

It's all about time. Whatever you think will stall him without costing you a poor VP ratio or too much fuel/supply expenditure is useful. You should also be able to see where he's coming at you from pretty far away and react accordingly if he is moving units overland. Until he gets and builds Ramree he'd also need a bunch of CV support for a landing behind your lines, and I guess you'll know best where you think his main CVs are at this point. It's a somewhat dangerous game, but withdrawing of your own accord may in fact change his mind about a landing behind you. We all like the path of least resistance. [:)]

If there are ways to show you're interested in shrinking your perimeters elsewhere you can in effect encourage moves to fill the void, thus choosing where the attack vectors are more likely to come in the future, maybe. That said, things move a LOT faster in 44, and the Allies should be prepped for a variety of options at this point if they're thinking ahead.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Then again, part of me wants to try to see Loka keep Ramree supplied when two size 8 airbases are within seven hexes of it...

Akyab is fully big enough to base 4-5 P-47 units. Supply can come down the coast under full fighter cover. LSTs unload in a day.

I forget that the Allies have an excess of expendable shipping.

Even so, if the hex due east of Akyab flies the Rising Sun, nothings going to flow out of Akyab regardless of how many LST's land.

My thinking is rapidly shifting to concentrating my best forces there: Lokasenna will know the value of Ramree as a supply dump, and if I've a strong stack blocking it, it may be a chance for me to tie down a lot of his raw AV power mounting attacks against IJA troops in x3 terrain. Or so I hope...

ORIGINAL: obvert

It's all about time. Whatever you think will stall him without costing you a poor VP ratio or too much fuel/supply expenditure is useful. You should also be able to see where he's coming at you from pretty far away and react accordingly if he is moving units overland. Until he gets and builds Ramree he'd also need a bunch of CV support for a landing behind your lines, and I guess you'll know best where you think his main CVs are at this point. It's a somewhat dangerous game, but withdrawing of your own accord may in fact change his mind about a landing behind you. We all like the path of least resistance. [:)]

If there are ways to show you're interested in shrinking your perimeters elsewhere you can in effect encourage moves to fill the void, thus choosing where the attack vectors are more likely to come in the future, maybe. That said, things move a LOT faster in 44, and the Allies should be prepped for a variety of options at this point if they're thinking ahead.

I really don't know what's the best course to play for time. The one thing I keep telling myself is that Burma is a good block for the IJA to get it's head chopped off, so everything from Victoria Point northwards has at least a division - once my withdrawal from the jungles is complete I'll probably be able to double that, and send extra stuff to Malaya and Northern Sumatra. At this point, I'd rather be defending those two that Burma.

Anyways, update to come, seeing as Loka sent me the turn from his game with Bullwinkle by accident.

[mind_messing]

December 16th to December 29th, 1943

A crash course in how to quickly give an overview of a hectic half-month.

North Pacific

Three naval guard units that I've purchased back after their destruction in the Pacific are being redeployed here. Two are headed for the Kuriles and one for Sakhalin. Seeing as I have more robust IJA units to serve as garrisons, I'm going to be buying the naval guard units back and using them as garrisons for the numerous smaller islands closer to Japan.

Central Pacific

Makin Island is invaded and falls in two days to a bunch of Allied tanks. Lokasenna gets sloppy with his CAP settings, and planes from the Marshalls get a free ride at the amphibs, but so few planes fly for me that it doesn't really make much of an impact other than two AKA's eating torpeodes.

Part of me wishes I'd a big concentration of planes to have a go at these ships, but much of my fighter strength has been diverted to SWPAC and the DEI that I'm thin on the ground here. I'm committed to defending Truk with what fighters I have detailed to this theater.

Fortress Mili is next, but I'm not sure I'll make much noise over this base either - I can base at most 300 aircraft within striking range, but if the Allies bring even CVE CAP I may not have the strength to punch through and get a good hit. We'll see - I do want the size 5 forts and decent CD guns on Mili to go out with some thunder rather than a whimper, but first I'll need to offload a great deal of supply onto the base so that it can withstand a decent run of bombardments.

The Agato runs afoul of a USN sub making for Eniwetok and is sunk.

South-West Pacific

The Americans are evidently planning to use Rabual as a stand-in for the moon after the war is over. I'm working towards setting Kavieng up as a second Rabual, and getting Manus ready to serve as a back-stop. I'll be setting up the Aitape-Wewak area as a sheild for Manus, even if we already have Hansa Bay as a size 9 airbase: once the Allies have pushed past New Britain, I want to make it as difficult as possible to advance up New Guinea.

The usual naval sparring has occurred here: the Allies like their shuttle bombardment runs of Rabual, and I've did my best to make them dangerous:-

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Uranami
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
DD Thompson, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Satterlee
DD Carmick
DD Fanning, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

This won't stop Rabual from being pounded into dust, but it's something.

The end looks nigh for Kiriwina Island - the Allies are landing more troops, and the brave men of the 22nd IMB are low on supply. They've delayed the capture of this base for months, and are considered an inspriration to troops all over the Empire.

DEI

Having the entire IJN in one theater certainly makes life easier here. I've been bombarding everything I can with great gusto, and the Yamato and Musashi make their combat debut with a daylight bombardment at Taberfane:-

Naval bombardment of Taberfane at 82,117

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 4 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato

Allied ground losses:
862 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (2 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 55
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

BB Musashi firing at Taberfane
BB Yamato firing at 4th Australian Division

They're attacked by low flying US two-engined attack bombers, but mere 500lb bombs do no damage worth reporting to those two monsters.

The IJN also bombards Dobo and Saumlaki, where the tide has turned firmly in the favour of Japan. The Allies will now be pushed off this island unless there is a second landing.

The Allies are pushed off Ambon, and I'm working to set this base up as a fighter base to help hold Boela while reinforcements of all types pour into the region.

Towards the end of the month, the IJN makes a major effort against Darwin to hinder the Allied air campaign in the DEI. The operation goes much as planned. Until an Allied CVE force and amphib ships are reported a few hexes north-west of Gove. Still, fortune favors the brave.

A sweeping force swings past to destroy the omni-present hoard of destroyers:-

Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Oi
DD Sazanami, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Unlucky there
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
PT-63
PT-64
PT-74
PT-105
PT-107
PT-111
PT-112
PT-113, Shell hits 1
PT-114, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-121, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-122, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-123, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

...but some are still left when the big guns appear...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
E Otori
E Kasasagi

Allied Ships
PT-38
PT-61
PT-67
PT-68
PT-73
PT-106
PT-108
PT-109
PT-110
PT-115
PT-116, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-118

This was lucky, as I've never ever seen the Yamato's do well against PT boats. The pride and joy of the IJN then get to fire freely at Darwin, and make a lovely mess.

Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 26 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 25 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
F6F-3 Hellcat: 50 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed on ground
P-38E Lightning: 26 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 7 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 13 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24D1 Liberator: 6 damaged
Kittyhawk IV: 6 damaged
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 17 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 11 damaged
F-5A Lightning: 6 damaged
F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 11 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato

Allied ground losses:
427 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 80

The only losses are a single destroyer and one E-class ship that was sent to have a go at the Allied CVE/amphib force, but they ran away. I had detached a force of four crusiers to have a go at a night intercept on these ships as well, but they found nothing.

In retrospect, they might have did more good smashing Darwin up some more, but that's AE for you.

Burma

I've pretty much covered Burma in my previous few posts. The drawback from Northern Burma is almost complete, but it will take about two weeks for my troops to move through the jungles of Central Burma and into their new positions.

The air war has calmed down. After a drubbing trying to fight Allied P-47 sweeps from Magwe, I give up and pull my fighters back to Rangoon, where they're recovering their strength. Once they're back up to full strength, I'll throw them back into the fray.

I've also assembled a fairly decent IJN anti-shipping force in Burma now. Two 18 plane Nell squadrons and a 30 plane Jill squadron are based at Tavoy, so hopefully the next Fletcher task force that wanders into range will get a good welcome.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

Then again, part of me wants to try to see Loka keep Ramree supplied when two size 8 airbases are within seven hexes of it...

Akyab is fully big enough to base 4-5 P-47 units. Supply can come down the coast under full fighter cover. LSTs unload in a day.

I forget that the Allies have an excess of expendable shipping.

Even so, if the hex due east of Akyab flies the Rising Sun, nothings going to flow out of Akyab regardless of how many LST's land.

My thinking is rapidly shifting to concentrating my best forces there: Lokasenna will know the value of Ramree as a supply dump, and if I've a strong stack blocking it, it may be a chance for me to tie down a lot of his raw AV power mounting attacks against IJA troops in x3 terrain. Or so I hope...

In our game he has over 45,000 troops in about 12 LCUs at Ramree. I have a huge stack at Akyab, slowly building supply with barges and a few throw-away xAKLs. Ramree is useful for the Allies since they can supply by sea, but harder for Japan with supply coming overland through non-road hexes. A difference for me though is we're still in July and I have only one P-47 unit and one Hellcat to guard Chittagong, Cox, and Akyab all three. He has over 100 great fighters at Magwe (Georges and Oscar IVs) and second-line at some other bases in range. He has swept my useless Hurricanes and Martlets a couple of times. But the equilibrium won't hold; I'm upgrading the Indians and Shermans are coming. Burma is just a stall, but it has some nice VPs for both sides.

I guess my point is he's seeing Ramree from both sides in two games. It can be taken by the Allies. It's just a matter of time and commitment. Once taken Allied engineers can do their thing and it's a nice base for use in the Rangoon phases. All you can really do is delay and make him commit. The Japan Story 1944.

As far as cutting off Akyab to the east, that's a lot harder for you. Akyab is on decent roads and it's well under fighter cover for Chittagong, which ought to be Level 9s by now. Chittagong has infinite supply by rail.

[mind_messing]

December 30th, 1943 to January 1st, 1944

Well, we've made it this far.

The broad strokes, seeing as I've not much time between various real life pressures.

DEI - Allies attempt a landing at a unoccupied hex in the DEI. KB intervenes, with one Allied CVE sunk. More strikes to follow tomorrow while the surface units of the IJN bombard Dobo and Taberfane again to keep the Allies on the back foot.

Burma - Withdrawal well underway

SWPAC - Allies land on New Ireland. Every aircraft I can scrape together will have a go at the amphibs, hopefully we can get some licks in before things really start going south in this theater. What IJN assets are in theater are deploying to assist.

[mind_messing]

January 1st to January 2st, 1944

I have no idea what I'm doing. Morale in the IJ High Command has been low, but this is 1944 and it's war, and there's still hundreds of miles before the Home Islands are threatened.

CentPac

I'm pulling most of my air strength here back to Truk, the Marshalls are for the most part being abandoned in favour of the Kusaie-Ponape-Truk axis. Each of these bases is a good fortress, so no worries here at present.

SWPAC

As is quickly becoming the trend, everything goes to hell.

Kaiveng is bombarded to dust, trashing most of my fighter strength, and what strike planes do fly engage in the slaughter of worthless LST's. 900 Allied AV that landed at Namatanai on the southern end of New Ireland easily take the base, and they'll take Kaiveng in short order as well.

On top of that, USN carriers get to hammer a IJN heavy crusier force that I had dancing too close to the flames.

The New Britain barrier is breached, or at least will be in less than a week. I lose the Mogami and two destroyers, and the Mikuma needs some serious work in the yards.

I'm responding by reinforcing New Guinea and my bases around Manus. Hopefully we can tie the Allied advance down for a bit longer here. The KB is also shifting back to Truk, so we'll have the threat of the KB dashing full-speed from Truk as an asset to keep Loka honest.

DEI

Yamato eats two torpedoes. Flotation damage in the 40's, so she's out of the war for a long time.

We get a confirmed kill on the CVE Altamaha, but it's poor consolation as the bombardment routine screws me over (again), as a bombardment force on waypoints decides to linger in daylight around Dobo. I lose a destroyer to US attack bombers, and the Oi and Furutaka have some serious system damage to repair off.

On top of that, various air squadrons fly to their doom at Darwin, leading to a lot of dead planes and pilots for no results.

There's an Allied carrier force lingering south of Dobo, so I'm sending the KB to just off Bolea to see if it can get a long-range strike, while sending a slow battleship force to smash Taberfane into dust.

On the western flank, I'm sending my best pilots to sweep against Bathurst Island and hopefully get some kills on leakers from Darwins CAP.

Burma

The massed Allied bomber fleets destroy the Mongol Garrison Army on the ground in Central Burma. I've two divisions that are getting pretty plastered, but not much I can do - LRCAP tends to get sweeped to nothing by Thunderbolts, but by picking and choosing my battles I can get a reasonable exchange rate.

The Allies are moving now, evidently having picked up on my withdrawal, but by the time they've wandered through the jungle we'll be well in position