ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Additionally I am thinking about a follow-on Operation that looks to the east and a pair of BIG ISLANDS...
I guess these islands make a nice booty. Yet keeping PzB's key move in mind, I would see what could be done about the Line Islands. Maybe they are not a game changer per se, I consider them so critical to the Allied routes (and approaches) to SoPac and CentPac that they perhaps should be on every Japanese menu... They will get harder to digest the more you get towards autumn.
Things have really calmed down in Australia over the last few days. Lew's planes have been beaten up pretty badly and their morale sucks at the moment. This respite is giving me a chance to unload, move units, and move along with THE PLAN.
We'll go round the horn:
North Pacific
Since sinking of BBs Colorado and Warspite things have been very quiet up here. I am moving troops around to strengthen the bases I shall fight for (Umnak, Adak, and Attu) and expanding them so I can use aircraft without issue.
The Kuriles continue to develop with AF and Forts continuing to be expanded.
Central Pacific
Things are beginning to look a little bit better as I have reinforcement convoys unloading at Marcus, Wake, Rio-Namur, and Truk. Others shall soon reach Tabitueau, Luganville, and Noumea.
The naval situation is improving with the arriving of Junyo and Nisshin at Truk and the additional formation of a true Strike Force at Jaluit (2 CA, 3 CL, and 8 DD).
South Pacific
Moving supplies and fuel around to buttress the Aussie Operation. Went through to make sure that everyone is properly preparing for where they are or need to be. Have a significant aerial reinforcement coming in over the next few days. Once rested and set, these planes (2 Daitai of Zero and 1 of Betty as well as some Mavis-Emily) will fly to Truk for training and join-up with other units for the creation of an aerial reaction force.
Australia
Skipping as it will be its own separate AAR Post.
DEI--Phil
Everything in the Philippines is taken but there are still lots of small bases/dot hexes that need to be grabbed. Have some small Inf units arriving and will use these to create 3-4 small landing TF so I can get everything set-up and taken.
With the freeing up of large numbers of AKs, I can now truly begin to form my resource convoys so more can be freely flowing to the Home Islands. Right now I am using Davao, Manila, and Singapore as my hubs for the smaller AKs/TKs to move thing to and then using larger vessels at the bigger Ports to get it home.
Burma
Calm.
The 5th ID arrives at Schwebo and begins moving north towards Katha to take it. There are 2 TK Reg and a Cavalry unit one hex from Katha waiting for this heavy-hitting ID to arrive for the attack.
Recon is showing NO UNITS along the west coast of Burma. Wonder if I should grab those bases? Thoughts here?
China
Stalemate near Sian. I may pull a few units back to re-equip and provide a reaction force...
SS Ops
4-1 I-164 sinks AK El Madina with 2 TTs off Trivandrum.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Ran out of time for writing yesterday before going to work. Lew and I got in the April 2nd turn so I will get everything caught-up and detailed in a little bit.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
If your two Islands mean NZ, I see no porblem there, rather a necessity. You Can't allow to have it built up into a stronghold and have more than enough forces at hand to conquer it in time.
Without any doubt: I am the spawn of evil - and the Bavarian Beer Monster (BBM)!
There's only one bad word and that's taxes. If any other word is good enough for sailors; it's good enough for you. - Ron Swanson
If your two Islands mean NZ, I see no porblem there, rather a necessity. You Can't allow to have it built up into a stronghold and have more than enough forces at hand to conquer it in time.
BANZAI!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Combat Report
Operation Cherry Blossom
March 30-April 2, 1942
With one exception, things appear to be going fantastically well. Regional Australian Report:
NW Australia
The 65th Brigade moves into the hex NW of Daly waters and find the 1st Australian ID. Figuring they are probably out of supply, I order a Shock and Attack and BOY DOES IT WORK! The 65th scores a 3-1 result forcing the 2nd to Retreat and lose over 1,000 men. 65th takes 775 Casualties but they are all in disruption. This is the second time the 1st ID has been forced to retreat so this ID is more-or-less shattered.
I've got 3 TK Reg moving south towards Tennant Creek.
There are 4 Sentai of Bombers hitting everything traveling down that road slowing it down.
Western Australia
Fly my Tinas (about 60 of them) back into Western Australia. These planes have proved invaluable. Their range is amazing. West to East and back to the West again. They help finish moving the 1st and 2nd Raiding units to Geraldton for new operations. Shorter ranged transports (about 36) are helping here as well.
The 16th ID is lifted off of Gerladton and, initially, I planned to have it grab Cape Esperance but now I've decided to send it to Port Augusta. Got to stay FOCUSED here. Melbourne and Sidney are the keys to the kingdom. I leave a full Inf Div and 2 TK Reg to move south and take Perth. This will add some time but the big targets are south of here.
Aircraft shall prevent Allied reinforcement. I've got mavis and Emily as well as two Daitai of Betty at Geraldton. They SHOULD be enough to keep the door closed.
SW Australia
The Port Augusta and Wyalla (that base just west of Port Augusta) Invasion Forces are two days away. There will be no Invasion Bonus so this might be ugly. They Invasion Forces have some warship protection (BB Fuso) so CD should be absorbed. We have a Brigade and Inf Div landing here as well as some support units.
Hiryu continues moving SE to hunt some shipping spotted at the edge of Jake Range.
Will Cover the main area in the next Post.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
You take my life but I'll take yours too
You fire your musket but I run you through
So when you're waiting for the next attack
You'd better stand there's no turning back.
Time for plenty of sake at the Imperial Army Headquarters? This is quite an achievement, and me wonders how your opponent will respond to this whole crisis. I am trying to picture myself in his position, but I have not played the Allied so much that I could see how he could save the situation.
What has he left? Enterprise and Victorious are damaged, Lex is scratched, right? That leaves Yorktown, Sara, meanwhile Hornet, and within 10 weeks Wasp. That's already pretty impressive, but only if your opponent would correctly guess that a few of your carriers are in the yards. Yet even then, what ground elements could he muster to keep a foothold in Southern Oz? Americal? 1st Marine? 24th ID? Good question. Maybe not enough to save anything, so would he try or rather attempt something else? Perhaps reinforce some islands to avoid further intrusions? I am really curious how this is going to continue...
Just got done with the last day of school for the boys. FIELD Day and everyone had a good time.
Will do a thorough update in a little while.
There is only ONE unit in Melbourne.
If you look at the screenshot above you will see a stack of units west of Sydney. There are six unknown LCUs present...
Port Augusta is now MINE now as well. The whole Australian continent is sliced into pieces right now. Don't want to count chickens but it truly looks like GAME--SET--MATCH right now.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Time for plenty of sake at the Imperial Army Headquarters? This is quite an achievement, and me wonders how your opponent will respond to this whole crisis. I am trying to picture myself in his position, but I have not played the Allied so much that I could see how he could save the situation.
What has he left? Enterprise and Victorious are damaged, Lex is scratched, right? That leaves Yorktown, Sara, meanwhile Hornet, and within 10 weeks Wasp. That's already pretty impressive, but only if your opponent would correctly guess that a few of your carriers are in the yards. Yet even then, what ground elements could he muster to keep a foothold in Southern Oz? Americal? 1st Marine? 24th ID? Good question. Maybe not enough to save anything, so would he try or rather attempt something else? Perhaps reinforce some island to avoid further intrusions? I am really curious how this is going to continue...
The sake is flowing freely right now!
What do the Allies get if I take New Zealand? This is now a serious question...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.