Westerley Wind, Fine NJP72 (J) vs Lowpe (A) DBB Sce 30

[njp72]

The A6M5 is starting to re-equip some air groups.

A critical airframe to keep the Allies honest.

The mass production of the HA 35 continues.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: njp72

The Allies keep having a peak at Canton Island.

Is it the real deal or a feint?

Initially I thought it was genuine but as time goes by there seems to be some form of routine to the recon being undertaken so now not so sure....

The recon could be prep for an air bombing campaign at this point - need to know if you have fighters there, and how many. Invasion could be months down the road after units finish prep and your AF is suppressed. Blowing up your supply and disabling troops would be corollary aims of the bombing.

BTW, it's peek, not peak.[:)]

[RangerJoe]

I am pretty sure that Canton Island has a peak as it is probably an old volcanic mountain. So if the Allies are on top there - even if buried - then the Allies have a peak . . .

[njp72]

At long last Clark finally falls. Lack of supply finally does in the Allied defence.

A very skillful defence by Lowpe and a good lesson to most budding Allied players the advantage of a Clark defence as opposed to Manilla if stacking limits are in play.

I am hoping another week before the final bastion is eliminated on PIs being Bataan.

[njp72]

China continues to look better and better.

*Note the number of British and Indian units flown in to stiffen the defensive lines; no doubt due to their superior anti-armour capabilities. Thus far they have been surprisingly ineffective due to a lack of supply. Just more points for me to accrue unless Lowpe can get them some ammo.

[njp72]

A recon mission around Baker Island.

Probably testing:

1. My overall response

2. My anti- shipping capability and naval search

3. KB's whereabouts if I take the bait or

4. A clever deception plan ensuring my focus is completely drawn to this area- thus far it has succeeded, he definitely has my attention.

[ny59giants]

Changsha and those bases around it are a steady supply source for the Chinese. Losing it and Sian has placed him in peril as he does not have enough C-47s to airlift in much more than a daily token. Do some recon on Ledo to see what he has there before sending in the IJA bombers to at least damage his transports/bombers.
Bombing AF at Kunming from Hanoi to get supply hits will have the AI soaking up supplies from the his airlift efforts from the west and prevent much to migrate to Chungking and beyond.

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Changsha and those bases around it are a steady supply source for the Chinese. Losing it and Sian has placed him in peril as he does not have enough C-47s to airlift in much more than a daily token. Do some recon on Ledo to see what he has there before sending in the IJA bombers to at least damage his transports/bombers.
Bombing AF at Kunming from Hanoi to get supply hits will have the AI soaking up supplies from the his airlift efforts from the west and prevent much to migrate to Chungking and beyond.

Thanks Mike, yep I reckon I am looking pretty good here in China and his supplies issues would be mounting.

I will do some recon on Ledo and share the results in the next couple of turns. Again good advice which I will take onboard and implement.

[njp72]

Weekly update

Turn rate has been a bit slow as Lowpe is dealing with the horrendous weather conditions on the East Coast of the US. Nasty stuff and our best wishes to all impacted.

With regards to the war, June has been a month of consolidation and replenishing for the Empire.

A6M5s are slowly being integrated into KB as well as the radar capability for the Shokaku class. Within a couple of weeks it will be a very formidable weapon system until the Hellcats arrive in 43.

China is where the activity is still heavy. Breakthrough into the Chungking plain is probably only weeks away

[njp72]

For those who like to speculate on the market, anybody investing in concrete producers listed in Tokyo back in June 42 would have made a killing. [:D]

Enormous quantities being poured into the Central Pacific for the big four(Canton, Baker, Tarawa etc).

[njp72]

My failure to take Wake Island has also necessitated a fair bit effort having to go into the Marianas (not by choice)

Units rebuilding from heavy action either from China or Oz are slowly making their way here to rest up and absorb reinforcements. Also a nice half way point for air and naval units making their way to Truk.

Marcus will clearly provide early warning in case he gets too ambitious. Doubtful though- too soon and Lowpe would know KB is at its most formidable with the radar upgrades and A6M5s.

[njp72]

These positions are getting a little bit of attention as well.

Again only a matter of time before the inevitable end run happens on the Aleutians and eventually Hokkaido.

Being prepared doesn't mean I will be able to prevent it!

[ny59giants]

Kurile Islands - You do know the trick to change a major base that you plan on developing to the restricted Home Island Command to allow you to move those restricted air groups here, right??

[njp72]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Kurile Islands - You do know the trick to change a major base that you plan on developing to the restricted Home Island Command to allow you to move those restricted air groups here, right??

Yep, got it Mike.

I generally don't do it though until 44 or 45 when bombs start to hit the motherland. [:)]

[njp72]

Update

Game has been pretty slow of late as Lowpe unfortunately has to deal with a few real life issues.

Major action has been around China. Need to break into the open plains by late July.

[njp72]

Hardening up process continues on all of the key atolls.

It will take a bit of effort from the Allies to take them now

[njp72]

Just starting to build the next line of defences in the Marianas with damaged and destroyed units bought out cheap.

Nothing substantive yet but brigade and regt size units are slowly digging in. Inf divisions will arrive after Singapore is taken.

Its the logical place for the Allies to head with Wake in their possession- Lowpe could just bypass Canton, Baker and the entire Marshalls and come here but really that is a 43 play not mid 42. Too risky in my book with KB.

[njp72]

Grinding away at Bataan.

Another week or so?

[njp72]

Preparation is well under away for the Singapore assault.

The units there are completely out of supply which augers well for the assault.

Just waiting for the tank divisions out of China (x 2) to support the initial shock attack. Probably late July.

Plenty of naval and air units keeping a close on the approaches to ensure there is no suicidial Allied attempt to re-supply the garrison. My greatest fear at the moment.

[njp72]

And that's really it.

Nothing happening in Burma or India (which is good until I can free up some divisions).

Allied sig int indicates very heavy traffic around Pearl, West Coast of US and some Pacific islands. I suspect Lowpe's focus is the Pacific and not India based off previous comments on previous games regarding Japan's key weaknesses but time will tell.

Interestingly nothing happening around Oz which makes me more suspicious about the Pacific. I would have thought Perth was ripe for the taking but so far nothing.

KB continues to replenish and upgrade to A6M5s plus radar which makes it a very formidable weapon by 42 standards.

Another couple of quiet months would be a godsend for the Empire to really consolidate the finishing off Singapore, Bataan and smashing big holes into China plus the fortification of the critical islands and atolls. Also there is work to be done in Burma as well.