Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Encircled


Have you considered the possibility that he will land directly at Sydney btw?

He won't, but one can only hope that he does!

[Lowpe]

Planning a battle...below is the current situation, along with the above map you can get quite a good idea of the setup.

Wake cannot be invaded with the next turn, except for a fast transport invasion, in which case I think the defense are more than strong enough to not only hold, but inflict some serious damage on the enemy ships.

There is a 33% chance Wake could be bombarded at night. 9 hex range is extremely long for a bombardment by cruisers, but it can happen if the local decision making goes correctly. It can easily be bombarded during the day.

There are some juicy detected targets at Wake -- St. Mihel and a large xak convoy with only destroyer escort. Hard to see Japan not making a flank speed run with the destroyers to catch them, or at least spoil their unloading. Catching a convoy with destroyer escort is too good to avoid.

I want to play to the USN current strengths: which namely is better intel, much stronger daytime surface experience, local resupply. Therefore, our forces will be using multiple small task forces and will dogleg away during the night, and return during the day...to protect Wake Harbor and be in range of the invasion/CVE fleet for an air strike. We will keep our heavy cruisers in reserve...risking only destroyers in the daytime encounters.

I would like to skirmish with the IJN surface fleets in the morning or afternoon, after they have bombarded if possible, if not my destroyers will deplete IJN ammo supply...it is a pity our six sboats aren't in position yet.

Since I expect to lose a few planes on any strike...we will flood the probably encounter area with our subs. They can provide a slight boost to DLs and perhaps drain some ops points.

[BBfanboy]

The last S-boat is 10 hexes from Wake if I counted the dots correctly. Wouldn't a full speed run put them in the port or one hex out?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

The last S-boat is 10 hexes from Wake if I counted the dots correctly. Wouldn't a full speed run put them in the port or one hex out?

That is right, but they don't have the fuel stocks to make a full speed run without oilers at Wake to replenish from. And yes, there are 3 oilers at Wake now, but only one has any fuel left and only 2500 units.

Plus a sboat full speed run is only 8 hexes...normal speed, keep heading west and hope play a part tomorrow.

There is a school of thought I retire for this day, and hit the fleets on the following day...but that is risky if the Japanese spot my forces.

[Lowpe]

Turn is finished and away...

Allied High Command did decide to threaten the landings north of Perth, but at the beaches during the night and then the day, but also trying to get behind his leading elements into what I hope to be support shipping.

Lexington and Enterprise are preparing for a maximum effort, while the surface ships are moving into position for daytime intercepts.

CAP trap for the IJN CVs, although our P40 pilots aren't really all that skilled.

It will be a thrilling turn...

[CaptBeefheart]

I like this: "Wow, look what I'm about to do at Wake! That Oz invasion? Ah, no biggie." [;)]

What do you have at Geraldton and vicinity? EDIT: Not to mention in NE Oz?

Cheers,
CB

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Checking this after some very busy times, good to see you are defending with aggressive attacks!

I am a bit surprised he moved to Australia, I thought it was going to be India, and I think it is a better idea,

Lexington can take a lot of damage, a real pounding and still survive, in my game it had been bombed and torpedoed several times, catastrophic damage in pretty much every main battle and it is still afloat, just keep the fleet carriers far away from the KB and everything will be fine

[Sardaukar]

I think landing in Australia is a mistake. Difficult to keep troops supplied for IJA and Allies can reinforce easier.

[Lowpe]

Dec 30, 1941

The IJN pulls back...Deathstar not spotted.

[Lowpe]

Perth front -- all our carefully planned encounters fail to materialize, although the TF Java is threatening...

[Lowpe]

No experience fighting here at all...we have gotten 99% of Australian shipping away.

[Lowpe]

IJA lands more than I had planned on...I was thinking of a fast transport...meanwhile the two armored units are now just making their way down to Pegu.

[Lowpe]

More Yanks for the defense of Australia...

I wonder if I should take the 30K supply in support ships in Luganville and drop them in Oz...

[Lowpe]

I can never find the emergency reinforcement rules in the manual...they are hidden to me[;)] -- but I recall a line somewhere in the south of Australia. I also don't know where the troops activate at -- probably off map.

Although none of my defensive traps and ambushes worked this day, I bought some more time...and that is what I need the most right now.

Up to four fleet CVs now....getting respectable.

[Lowpe]

Jan 1942 Device upgrades...we need those Matildas [:D]. It seems the Australian Tank units currently really are only good for paratroop defense...

[Encircled]

I've successfully defended Oz in my last game.

Very hard to defend coastal hexes from heavy bombardment and round the clock bombing

Sydney and Melbourne need to be forts six as fast as possible, and the inland airbases near Sydney need to be built up (Port Augusta as well)

Hard to hold the Brisbane line btw if he really pushes for it, but once he's past that I think emergency reinforcements kick in.

But while we were fighting in Oz, I managed to land (but ultimately fail) in Parashimo-java and Northern Sumatra, and the casualties I took in troops and ships was high, but he had to divert enough troops to make sure Oz failed.

If he's still struggling in June, then he's not going to get it

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I can never find the emergency reinforcement rules in the manual...they are hidden to me[;)] -- but I recall a line somewhere in the south of Australia. I also don't know where the troops activate at -- probably off map.

IIRC a little north of Sydney, but not too far north. Some troops might come in at either Aden or Cape Town. Maybe allof them for Australia.

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe
I can never find the emergency reinforcement rules in the manual...they are hidden to me[;)] -- but I recall a line somewhere in the south of Australia. I also don't know where the troops activate at -- probably off map.

Although none of my defensive traps and ambushes worked this day, I bought some more time...and that is what I need the most right now.

The trigger line starts 1 hex south of Brisbane AFAIR. Most of the reinforcements will come off-map, yes. But you will also have a reinforcement convoy with loads of squads and devices to pump up your Oz units
This info is pretty solid methinks -> https://witp-ae.fandom.com/wiki/Emergen ... forcements

In general it is pretty hard for Japan to push south along that coast. Anzac units are good, and Allied fighters are concentrated there early enough provided you cover now and then against the bombardments. If you don't defend too forward that is, cause with KB commitment cut-off landings are always on the menu. Taking Sydney against a competent human player is nigh impossible in my opinion with all the logistics involved and a stream of US reinforcements. Watch for long range paratroopers, there are loads of inland bases on the RR track.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

ORIGINAL: Lowpe
I can never find the emergency reinforcement rules in the manual...they are hidden to me[;)] -- but I recall a line somewhere in the south of Australia. I also don't know where the troops activate at -- probably off map.

Although none of my defensive traps and ambushes worked this day, I bought some more time...and that is what I need the most right now.

The trigger line starts 1 hex south of Brisbane AFAIR. Most of the reinforcements will come off-map, yes. But you will also have a reinforcement convoy with loads of squads and devices to pump up your Oz units
This info is pretty solid methinks -> https://witp-ae.fandom.com/wiki/Emergen ... forcements

In general it is pretty hard for Japan to push south along that coast. Anzac units are good, and Allied fighters are concentrated there early enough provided you cover now and then against the bombardments. If you don't defend too forward that is, cause with KB commitment cut-off landings are always on the menu. Taking Sydney against a competent human player is nigh impossible in my opinion with all the logistics involved and a stream of US reinforcements. Watch for long range paratroopers, there are loads of inland bases on the RR track.

+1

I don't defend North of Brisbane, just south of it to kick the trigger. The reinforcements really help your units upgrade. You want your units to be the best they can be to stave off Sydney/Melbourne attacks.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

I've successfully defended Oz in my last game.

Very hard to defend coastal hexes from heavy bombardment and round the clock bombing

Sydney and Melbourne need to be forts six as fast as possible, and the inland airbases near Sydney need to be built up (Port Augusta as well)

Hard to hold the Brisbane line btw if he really pushes for it, but once he's past that I think emergency reinforcements kick in.

But while we were fighting in Oz, I managed to land (but ultimately fail) in Parashimo-java and Northern Sumatra, and the casualties I took in troops and ships was high, but he had to divert enough troops to make sure Oz failed.

If he's still struggling in June, then he's not going to get it

Did he do strategic bombing?

Where you able to keep Alice Springs?