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December 29, 1944

The enemy's Fleet has returned--having replaced about 3-400 Fighters--and it trying to gain aerial superiority again. Today's target is Fukuoka. The fight starts with a bang: 206 Japanese Fighters (mainly Tony) vs 287 F4U:

December 29, 1944

My pilots are developing a distinct taste for wild horse meat!

As said above the target for the day was Fukuoka. Here are the raids and one can see why those Mustangs got beat-up BAD:

206 F v 287 F4U
137 F v 16 P-51
129 F v 15 -51
117 F v 16 -51
107 F v 16 -51
78 F v 13 -51
70 F v 42 B-24 Libs
46 F v 6 -24
26 F v 16 -24
22 F v 11 -24
20 F v 6 -24
19 F v 15 F4U
6 F v 16 -51

The -24s went after manpower targets.

Move in 200 Fighters to see if he comes back.

Fighting all at low, stacked altitude.

Nice riposte! Make 'em pay! [8D]

Good to see that you're spreading the losses amongst your different airframes too. That'll keep you in the fight much longer. How many pilots did you lose? I assume that all of his A2A losses involved pilot losses as well (perhaps with the exception of the OPS losses), so you're likely maintaining a good cadre of pilots for replacement too.

ETA: Why are there no IJN submarines in the area? It only takes one to get a lucky shot into a CV. If he's loitering with Death Star banging away on Kyushu's facilities, I'd rotate some subs through the area to at least try, John.

I've got three nearby and will try it. Money says they all get sunk for no result but will try it.

Lost only about a dozen pilots. Fighting over my bases has been very good for pilot losses to this point.

Have sent my last turn to Dan until returning from Vegas on Monday morning.

We are home from LOST WAGES!

Campaign to re-commence this evening with the turn sitting in my email.

Yay, the war continues.

Any strange vibes from LV?

Actually a very strong, POSITIVE energy was felt. Lots of Vegas Strong T-Shirts, signs, etc...

December 31, 1944

The current line in China. These units have been locked in a fight for this hex for over 2 weeks. Time to pull back a bit and try to get one Armored Division free for some R&R.

January 1, 1945

Well...gang...it is the 14th Round of a scheduled 15.

Welcome to 1945!

This game started November 15, 2012 and, after many twists and turns, has now reached 1945.

Thanks to the readership. Dan and I truly and humbly say thank you for the support and 'loving' commentary...

BANZAI to all who make it to 1945!

Congratulations on reaching 1945. You and your opponent have played a very interesting game (can't comment, reading both AARs), so thank you to both!

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Thanks to the readership. Dan and I truly and humbly say thank you for the support and 'loving' commentary...

BANZAI to all who make it to 1945!

Quite an uncommon accomplishment, John. Well done! [&o]

1945 and you still have some shiny toys to play with! Not bad at all

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Just an FYI: I am flying to Lost Wages to hang with my Best Friend of 36 years. We gonna play cards, drink some adult beverages, talk, and play some cards...

Leave on Friday and back Monday morning.

Adult beverages. Would that be Metamucil? [;)]

January 1, 1945

At this point, ANY day that does not see some form of attack upon the Home Islands is considered a blessing. In this case, we are now three days into peace reigning throughout the Home Isles and I greatly appreciate it. Checked today and saw that my Fighter Production is nearly 50 Frank, Sam, Tony-100, and George a day. Three days of no attacks equates to 150 Fighters produced without any drain on the pools. GOOD!

My small Japanese CV Attack Force just reached Truk and will mosey down to Tulagi before deployment.

The three Heavy CV TFs of Kido Butai arrive at Soerabaja this day. They will wait a day and pick-up two CAs coming off of their upgrade. After that, they shall cover a HUGE Oil/Fuel TF that should depart in 2-3 days. Once escorted out the CVs will head for home. I plan to off-load the aircraft and retire the Carriers to somewhere way up North.

The fighters will augment Kyushu/Honshu while the DB/TB continue training for the Invasion of Japan. If I disband the CVs and leave a few DDs, I could use the CLs, CAs, and Capital Ships to attack the Allied Fleet. This is just a thought at the moment...

Do you really need the oil / fuel in the Home Islands? Once you get to a certain point running those ships is simply a risk you may not need to do anymore. And it frees up your ships for offensive actions.

Good Question.

FUEL: I've been placing fuel at Saipan, Truk, and Tulagi. I've got 65,000 stored in AOs as well.
Oil: Taking it all back to the Home Islands.

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Do you really need the oil / fuel in the Home Islands? Once you get to a certain point running those ships is simply a risk you may not need to do anymore. And it frees up your ships for offensive actions.

As discussed previously, John doesn't have an exhaustive supply or HI reserve. The oil and fuel, once refined and run through HI will generate both. Having an unassailable HI store will be very important for him maintaining resistance until the bitter end-whenever that will be. Arguments about what he 'should have' had in reserve by now are water under the bridge. So long as he can return this oil and fuel at low opportunity cost (the 'cost' of not interdicting CRs DS and the cost of potentially lost AOs/TKs), he should do so, IMO.