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Yep, a lot of the subs are now going through upgrades. Looking forward to trying out the Kaiten.

The Ohka hasn't been completely useless and it personally got the CL Phoenix the other day so I am happy to experiment with the wonder weapons.

The Allies have been quiet in China apart from mopping up isolated pockets. The Russians are currently on steroids and are attacking everywhere, though they can be stopped and killed.

First massive daylight strat bombing just took place at Nagasaki and it was largely ineffectual and cost him 40x 4e bombers. I suspect he will be switching over to night very shortly.

Still in the fight [:)]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Have you been able to start the upgrade process for Kaiten Iboats since you are now into Dec of 44?

Carnage, sheer carnage as old Josef demands the Soviets win the war this month.

A mass shock attack across a river from a large Soviet formation is detailed below. I was able to disrupt the assault by air so his units arrived piecemeal. The counter attacks start in the next turn as I roll them back. [:)]

Against the Ruskies the IJA continues to get the better of the exchanges (as opposed to US forces). I have formed 3 to 4 combined arm battlegroups of around 1200 to 1500 AV who roam the country side and are deployed for local counterattacks or plug holes. Weaker units are place in good defensive terrain to slow and attrit the Soviets.

Not wedded to any city (except Harbin and Port Arthur)and I will often give up a city to try and draw him deeper before attacking his flanks. Russia is still great fun as opposed to China.[8|]

I should have added that as pockets form in China and rail lines cut in Manchuria I have requested a relaxation of the border restrictions between both localities.

As much as I have tried to prevent it, units will get stranded, cut off or in China forced to retreat into Manchuria.

Mike has always been very understanding (as he slowly crushes me [:D] ) so I don't think it will be a problem.

Manchuria

I have abandoned all of the north as the Allies press me from all angles. There are 3 major Soviet troop concentrations that are in the process of attacking or regrouping.

IJA local counter attacks are shown by the blue arrows.

China- not so much fun fighting against the armour and the 4 E beasts.

All clear terrain has been surrendered and the main defensive positions established up north bordering onto Manchuria.

Once again supply is starting to run low despite big resupply efforts.[:@]

Great updates, don't lose heart and keep punching.

There are several CLs (if they are left) that upgrade to the Kaiten too!

Thanks Lowpe

Despite the smashings in China, the Empire is still in not bad shape. The IJN is pretty battered (-4 Fleet CVs, -4 BBs and there are not many CA or CL still operational) but the airforce and Army are still very strong.

I am still sitting around 67K in points and very little of this total is base points- about 4 K. My plan is to get to 80K in points which will require the Allies to amass 160K to win. Whilst very doable for the Allies I think that is still a pretty big number which should get the game to June/July 45????

He has around 81K in points at the moment.

Well that is the plan anyway

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Great updates, don't lose heart and keep punching.

There are several CLs (if they are left) that upgrade to the Kaiten too!

Well, you know what to do -- you just have to do it!

Why I am asking for things how about a world map and a victory screen post.

I wanted to comment on your Oscar IV builds and engine builds I saw a while back.

Over 500 Oscar IV factories built, plus I added up all the Army fighter builds and think it is spot on (I can quibble with the frames, but the total is good) and Ha32 and Ha33 engines at 15 or so per day.

If more JFBs would look at the level needed to fight the endgame, then I think the early game would be much different for them.

For example Going back and looking your production of Ha32 and Ha33 was 8 & 10 per day back in March of 1943. An early Dec 41 expansion of these factories might mean you stockpile more early and not have to build them so large at the end? Just a thought. One engine per day is of course 30K supply.

How much do you think crossing the line of death in Oz has hurt you?

Here you go Lowpe [:)]

I'm pretty happy about the score given it is almost 45. You will see most of my points are perm and I am confident I can get to 80K before being destroyed.

It is going to get ugly from here on in and I expect/plan to lose 10K a month in points, which I hope I'm wrong but......



[quote]ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Well, you know what to do -- you just have to do it!

Why I am asking for things how about a world map and a victory screen post.

Behold the incredibly shrinking empire of Japan [8|]

I still hold Singapore, Chungking, Java, parts of Sumatra and all of the Marianas.

My fear is an invasion on the coast line of Korea if he doesn't start pushing into northern China shortly. A logical move which would bring the bloobath against the Soviets to a pretty rapid end.

Still he will face the full remainder of the air and navy forces from the HI which would not be pleasant.

I am re-positioning ground forces for this depressing outcome. He has gone quiet again around Adak.

Not much really. As you may recall nearly all my forces escaped out of Oz and I managed to destroy quite a few ground units, especially around Hobart and Adelaide.

My supply level is still good even now after the OZ adventure and invading Russia.

The major issue was my poor defence of the PI which has cost me a few months and that hurt. It allowed the Allies onto the coast of China and the beginning of the end.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

How much do you think crossing the line of death in Oz has hurt you?

70K in vp for Japan is good, but re-examine how you are going to stop the aerial bombing of Japan for VP. Make sure you cover your bases and don't give away any free VP.

It seems you are off to a good start.

Too bad you didn't score 4000 VP in strategic bombing of Oz....that would be 8k more the Allies have to get. Doesn't sound like a lot, but it is.

Thanks Lowpe, the air defence of Japan either day or night is very solid. Nothing will of course stop the Allies but they will pay a big price when they really attempt to do it.

The scoreboard is showing he has lost 720 B24Js so despite FOW I think his pools with the B24 may be limited. He would be fine with his B29s though.

Agree with the strat bombing in OZ. I should have persisted but it seem a little unfair given he had no fighters left in the country.

I am more afraid of losing the entire Kwangtung Army as it gets caught between the Allies and Soviets. A real possibility and I can only shiver at the consequences on the score board.[X(]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

70K in vp for Japan is good, but re-examine how you are going to stop the aerial bombing of Japan for VP. Make sure you cover your bases and don't give away any free VP.

It seems you are off to a good start.

Too bad you didn't score 4000 VP in strategic bombing of Oz....that would be 8k more the Allies have to get. Doesn't sound like a lot, but it is.

ORIGINAL: njp72

I am more afraid of losing the entire Kwangtung Army as it gets caught between the Allies and Soviets. A real possibility and I can only shiver at the consequences on the score board.[X(]

That is really the key for you now; keep your forces intact and keep setting up successive MLR's. If you can fall back to the Korean peninsula, you have a series of lines there that can be defended in good terrain.
Nothing that will hold forever, but with care can hold month or two at a time. No longer having Shanghai, I wouldn't lose to many units in defense of what you have left until you get to the North end of the peninsula.

Just my thoughts ....

Good advice Pax and I am starting to implement the ideas.

I am still pretty tangled up with the Soviets, so a number of my formations will have to break contact and disengage. Difficult but very doable.

Big news has just occurred as Mike has decided to go all in [X(]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: njp72

I am more afraid of losing the entire Kwangtung Army as it gets caught between the Allies and Soviets. A real possibility and I can only shiver at the consequences on the score board.[X(]

That is really the key for you now; keep your forces intact and keep setting up successive MLR's. If you can fall back to the Korean peninsula, you have a series of lines there that can be defended in good terrain.
Nothing that will hold forever, but with care can hold month or two at a time. No longer having Shanghai, I wouldn't lose to many units in defense of what you have left until you get to the North end of the peninsula.

Just my thoughts ....

Another day of epic battles with the Russians and another Soviet formation smashed.

Still they keep on coming, coming and coming.

1300 Type 3 tanks have been produced thus far and I need a lot more!

The really big news is Mike's push onto Saishu To with the entire USN.

I didn't really think he would launch straight into an invasion without softening up the nearby bases or my naval assets.

He achieved good tactical surprise and my land base air attacks were ineffective and costly against 600 Hellcat/Wildcat CAP. Luckily I had KB set up for a strike from the safety of the inland sea and it managed to inflict some pain.

End result:

Japan: 750 aircraft destroyed (only 200 pilots lost as I owned the base.

USN: 250 aircraft destroyed, 3 CVEs sunk, 5 DDs hit mines, 4 APAs/AKAs sinking/ heavily damaged.

Mike's daring will see the base captured but I suspect the real fighting has only just begun. [:)]

Interesting. If he takes it you'll be able to sweep it which will draw all of his CAP. So if the USN hangs around you could get some good shots in with sweeps and LBA combining with the KB.

Of all the places to project power .. I cannot imagine this to be a positive expected value move .. [&:]
I suspect you will make the Allies pay at least 1:1 points which equates a tactical .. possibly operational if you can make the Allies invest more than they planned for to keep this operation going
Strategically I can see having fighters to keep you occupied and recon opportunities .. but I am pretty sure the IJ will extract a butchers bill