Quisling! An AFB does Japan (No PanzerKat)

[John B.]

Taking a look at my CV commanders I clearly adhere to the surface combat ethos of the IJN. They all have high naval and wretched air ratings. I had the high naval since that helps with torpedo attacks. The KB is heading back to port and I suspect that there will be a command shake up soon.

Ranger Joe, you may well be right about the DL level as there were a lot of clouds in the hexes.

In more news nothing much happened in the new day. I lost a small TK at Medan to a mine and both Manakowri and Biak were bombed by the KB. I've also just recieved two new CVs so that will give me four more to throw into the mix once the Kaga is repaired. It and Akagi are in Hong Kong upgrading and repairing.

[John B.]

More work = less time for WITPAE. What is wrong with this picture! [:)]

Not much to report on the Mankowri front. I've run in a few bombardments and the KB is heading back to Tarakan to refuel. At the very least thus far I've managed to slow down his push towards the DEI by two months and maybe more.

In other news heaving bombing of Truk continues and I sank an AKL off of the coast of India. Unscorted in 1943? What was the ship's captain thinking?[:-]

We are now at the start of June 1943. Here is the current VP screen. No real changes but my PP total continues to grow.

[John B.]

The current production screen. all looks fine on here.

[John B.]

Except that I have not been shipping enough resources to the HI. Tokyo is not producing any supply!! Time to fire up some AK convoys.

[John B.]

A couple more days have passed and not much to report. Scott continues to use Truk as target practice and I've shot down 10 medium bombers or so. Main elements of my fleet have fallen back from Ternate to refuel and be out of the way of some surprise CV port strike while I"ve gotten in a few more shore bombardments. Resource fleets are scouring east asia to bring more into the HI to keep Tokyo's industry humming along. News as it develops.

[John B.]

More surface action at Manakowri. In the end Scott lost a Dutch CL and I lost two destroyers. I have bad damage to a CA that puts it out of action and a DD that is on fire. I did hear sinking sounds so he may have lost another DD.

[John B.]

The much more dramatic news is HERE COME THE AMERICANS. Looks like Scott is making a major push to Truk. Now I see his KB which gives me a bit more comfort with my shelling at Manakowri.

[John B.]

Scott also appears to have sacrificed a large number of AMs to sweep the mines at Truk. I don't think that I had too many but from the looks of things, a number of AMs are in serious trouble (there was a second screen just like this with not as many ships).

[John B.]

The sad fact is that there is not much at Truk to defend it there. As you can see, my strongest unit is just 60 in AV. they have good moral and have not been disrupted by the constant allied air campaign. I'll be curious to see how well the naval fort stands up against his huge shore bombardment capability and if I can get any of his transports. I have level 5 fort (sadly just 9% shy of level 6) but not much artillery at all.

But, it's nice to see him heading into the central pacific! The big question will be if he then goes after the Marianas. That will be a much tougher fight for him (Guam is almost at a level 7 fort and it has the imperial guards division stationed there etc...).

[Bif1961]

Wonder how many Divisions he is bringing since you have 220 AV, using the normal rule of thumb he would need at least two divisions plus some armor, artillery, engineers. It will be interesting to see how well prepped they are because that might be the biggest factor in your surviving.

[John B.]

Bif,

It looks as if he brought two divisions plus lots of tanks and TDs. I'll post the first invasion turn results next.

John

[John B.]

Shore bombardment. No real problems here.

[John B.]

And now we see the damage a naval fortress can dish out.

[John B.]

It doesn't get better for the allies.

[John B.]

More pain.

[John B.]

And still more pain!

[John B.]

Go Naval fort go!

[John B.]

Next screen.

[John B.]

I might wind up making VPs on this whole invasion!

[John B.]

Next one.