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1 November 1943

The Allied air power gets its collective act together today and opens open a good ole fashion can of Whoop Arse on the Japanese. Air losses were 107 to 15 today with my sole notable loss being 5 F6F fighting over Wake. The Japanese lost 84 frontline fighters including 18 Jacks. Here is how it played out:

* From Victoria Point 60 Thunderbolt II escort 40 B-25J to Georgetown. RAF losses were one Jugg. USAAF losses were one Mitchell to flak. This attack puzzles me as I have read that fighters on Sweep have an advantage over CAP while CAP has an advantage against fighters on Escort. When I swept Georgetown with Juggs a few turns ago, losses were about equal. This escort mission anialated the CAP before they could attack the bombers

* A huge strike from the CVTF hits Wake. Bad weather in the AM phase meant no sweep mission. Here the US lost its five F6F's but again ripped the CAP to shreds.

* Larry has been training a A6M3a unit in central China on an isloated LCU. I sent some P-40-N-1 flown by some Chinese aces to meet him. Just a couple of Zero's downed by the goal here is deterrance not to actually shut the Japanese down in China.

* Between Wake and Georgetown there are seven fewer G4M1 to harass the Allied shipping

Switching units around in the NG theater. The 72 plane P-47C unit at Madang is being rotated out and will be replaced by two 24 plane SQ. This game doesn't like USAAF 72 plane groups for some reason. The % of ready aircraft rarely exceeds 50% even with plenty of AV support at a good base. The few places I have been able to divide the FG into sq have demonstrated this perfectly as I can keep 60 or more a/c ready divided while only lucky to see 35-40 combined. The same goes for the 64 plane B-25 BG's. Very happy to see this changed in AE. In addition the P-38J units are being rotated to Darwin to support the TImor Op. PM is getting Aussie Kittyhawk IV sq to replace the departing Lightnings.

Once the Bikini and Nauru Is ops are complete, the 4E force in the Gilberts weill be largely transferred to OZ. This will support the beginning of Operation Porky Pig by reducing the AB's in the Banda Sea region. Porky Pig will start with Lautem but will eventually involve all of Timor. The AB's there can then shut down a lot of oil andd resource production. I am worried about the Japanese CV fleet operationg out of Singers. They could hurt this operation. I am thinking about splitting the US CV fleet but have serious doubts about that wisdom. My full CV force of 6 CV and 8 (soon to be 9) CVL is more than a match for the six or so IJN carriers. I don't want to find myself in a position where I have overall superior assets but give Larry the chance to achieve local superiority

2 November 1943

Gen Pownall, a capable if not inspiring leader is simultaneously struck with Beri Beri, Typhus, and Malaria. He is replaced by LGEN Haig who sizes up the Commonwelath dispositions, declares them a Bloody Shambles, and rewrites the future SEAC strategic plan in less than 24 hours. After weeks trying to slog through the jungle to get into Lop Buri (hex just NE of Bangkok) and getting no where in a hurry and facing a river crossing when every body does get there, I was having second thoughts about the wisdom of this move. Then this turn five Japanese units show up in the hex south of Victoria Point where I had an IND ID acting as a blocking force. This combined with the huge stack of units at Bangkok that would have to be faced down if and when I took Lop Buri (or is it Lop Duri?) ended the SIAM offensive before it started. The Commonwelath troops just north of Bangkok head west. Troops marching from Tavoy are stood down except for four Chinese ID that will guard the back door. All the rest of the combat units will be lifted into VP post haste. We will attack from there. The immediate goal is Aloe Star which is a west coast port. Once there I can bring supplies in by sea.

Larry tried to sneak some planes back into Kwajalein while I was fixated on Nauru Is. They died trying to attack the US CV fleet.

I looked at the Ship Reinforcement screen. The only major combatants due in the next 60 days are BB Iowa and New Jersey plus one CVL. I am going to be fighting with what I have on hand for a while here.

HUGE ERROR ON MAP: Bangkok unit count is 19 not 2

3 November 1943

I was right. Larry brought the kitchen sink down the Malay/Siam RR. The imperial Guard is here plus a couple of Tank RGT. The Calvary is racing down from Tavoy. I have two ARM BGD plus the Carabiners in theater. Plus that US Army monster at Aden will load next turn. An Aussie attached to SEAC comments, "Tank? That's not a tank. Now THIS is a tank!" (No pics of Panzer V's or T-34 will be tolerated to prove a point)

Successful raids on Georgetown and Hong Kong plus some ill advised attempts to attack British shipping at Tavoy yield an air loss ratio of 117 to 16. I am consistently having ten to fifteen such "Big Days" a month now. That is 1000 to 1500 airframes a month being destroyed. How can the Japanese industry keep up with this? There has got to be a point where it is going to get ground down or is there?

Bikini and Nauru Island invasions are both four days off.

4 Nov 1943

Dawn breaks over the Allied airbases at Rangoon, Tavoy, and Vicoria Point. To the amazement of the pilots at all three bases they all can see the sun rise - there is no rain at any of these base for the first time in weeks. It has been months since all three bases were fully combat capable on the same day. A RN TF had departed Tavoy at dawn heading to Victoria Point. The Indian divison south of that base is under siege. All in all spirits are high and then the first sighting reports of the day come in - Japanese carriers are back in the Gulf of Siam!!! Perhaps they came hunting the convoy moving up reinforcements up the coast. Every available bomber is loaded up for bear and for some of the pilots that is not just a colloquialism.

The Japanese CAP rose to protect their charges but the inexperienced were no match for the honed veterans of the RAF who had been fighting for almost two years.

AM Strikes Victoria Point Strike

Day Air attack on TF at 27,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 40
J2M Jack x 10

Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 10
Spitfire Vb x 26
Thunderbolt II x 42
Beaufort I x 18
Beaufighter VIC x 7
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 11
B-25J Mitchell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 38 destroyed
J2M Jack: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 10 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged
Thunderbolt II: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Beaufort I: 18 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 2 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Unryu, Bomb hits 1
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CV Katsuragi
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,43 Tavoy Strike

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 29
B-25C Mitchell x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CV Unryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet

PM Strikes

Here the mystery is solved. It is the B-25 groups dropping the 2000 lb bombs

Day Air attack on TF at 27,43 Victoria Point Strike

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 8

Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 2
Spitfire Vb x 13
Thunderbolt II x 30
Beaufort I x 12
Beaufighter VIC x 3
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 5
B-25J Mitchell x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 2 damaged
Thunderbolt II: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort I: 10 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (at least one 2000 lb'er)
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 1
CL Agano

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,43 Tavoy Strike

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 24
B-25C Mitchell x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage - at least 6 2000 lb hitsCVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage another 2000 lb'er
CL Kitakami

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,43 Rangoon Strike


Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 34
B-24J Liberator x 33


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Katsuragi, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 3
CVL Ryujo, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
8 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
7 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 15000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 15000 feet


As the Catalinas turn toward the setting sun, Ryujo and Katsuragi are both seen slipping beneath the waves. LBA out of PM trashe a convoy at Adm Is also.

Bad new is a raid on Hong Kong diidn't go so well with 11 a/c loss. SS Guardfish was sunk by an ASW TF near the Marianas

Here the mystery is solved. It is the B-25 groups dropping the 2000 lb bombs

And to excellent effect! Looks like the Gulf of Siam is no longer an IJN health resort . . .[;)]

5-6 Novemeber 1943

The USN subs swing into action in the Gulf of Siam. On the 5th, Soulpin puts two fish into a DD in the retreating Japanese surface forces and she sinks. Soulpin is moderate damged in the ASW couterattack. On the 6th, SS Salmon finds stricken Unryu which had only moved four hexes in two turns. Salmon suffers as badly as her sister but I think Unryu is hurting. That TF has two more RN SS it will have to skip past to make Singers. Even is she makes it I doubt I will see her again for a very long time. That leaves Akagi, Kaga, Taiho, and Amagi. This also means I can move in the Banda Sea region without worrying about immediate intervention by Japanese CV's

The ground situation in SEAC is a mess. The Japanese shock attacked on the 4th and pushed the Indian ID back into Victoria Point. Larry had the three ARM RGT set to pursue so they followed. The forces at VP did a Deliberate Attack on the 5th and pushed them back. The first elements of the force originally tabbed for Bangkok arrived south of VP on the 5th also - Two ID and an ARM BGD. The rest of the Bangkok units took the scenic route and are now in Jungle hext SW of Tavoy. The 2nd UK ID is unloading at VP with the BRIT 12th Army HQ. The Carabiners were lifted in by barge. There are two more ID at Tavoy that will also be lifted in. Talk about a bloody shambles. Then I forgot to stop the Chinese troops sent out of Tavoy to block the big stack at Bangkok from interfering. One lonely Corp crossed the river and was mauled. It retreated back and now has a AS of 1.

Both the Bikini Op and Nauru Is OP go off tomorrow. Assembling ships at Townsville to move everything to Darwin. WIth half the IJN CV fleet gone or in extremis, I feel safe in moving now.

I don't understand why he didn't use LRCAP from Kompong Som over his carriers as it was only two hexes. [&:]

What is going on in SW China?? Any possibility of getting some Chinese to start moving towards Hanoi??

Last question, can we get a screenshot of the sunken Japanese CV/BB/CA??

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I don't understand why he didn't use LRCAP from Kompong Som over his carriers as it was only two hexes. [&:]

What is going on in SW China?? Any possibility of getting some Chinese to start moving towards Hanoi??

Last question, can we get a screenshot of the sunken Japanese CV/BB/CA??

Counter air operations have been very effective of late. I don't have the exact count but over the last two week of game time the Japanese have lost probably close to 800 to 1000 airframes. I would say 80% of those losses have been front line fighters. My most recent sweeps over Georgetown were met by about 15 Tojos where a few weeks ago they were met by 40 to 50 of the same. Also, I suspect that Larry was attempting to combine strikes from Georgetown, Kompong Som and his carriers. The weather Gods were smiling on me that turn as those fields were socked in while mine were open. As I have waited weeks on end for one mission to fly out of Rangoon at times, I do not feel bad about this.

Screen shot included and we have a new addition. CV Unryu sunk overnight giving credit for the loss to SS Salmon. The corresponding Allied screen would show Lexington, Hornet, Saratoga, Essex and four CVE on the carrier side plus Repulse, Oklahoma, Tennesee (PH), and Valiant

7 November 1943

The troops hit the beaches at Nauru Is and my ADD got to me. I forgot the MSW. Hazards of attempting multiple ops at the same time. I lost an LCI and two LST are hurt. Shock attack came off at 7 to 1 and reduced forts to 0 but did not take the base. As 140 troops are still on board the transports, another shock attack will come tomorrow. I suspect it will take the base. The transports heading to Bikini must have paused to refuel as they did not make it. Next turn for sure. LBA (Thunderbolts and Beaufighters) are hitting barge traffic in the Gulf of Siam

First bombardment attacks in the hex south of Victoria Point(one for each side) reveal almost identical AS of 1200. The difference is I have a lot more coming.

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I don't understand why he didn't use LRCAP from Kompong Som over his carriers as it was only two hexes. [&:]

What is going on in SW China?? Any possibility of getting some Chinese to start moving towards Hanoi??

Last question, can we get a screenshot of the sunken Japanese CV/BB/CA??

China is in flux. Honan is hanging by a thread. The forts have been reduced to 5 and it is just a matter of time I fear. At th Crossroads south of Hengchow a huge force of IJA/Chinese troops have been staring at each other for over a year. I am moving once again to cut these units off and this time I will bleed them dry. There are 13 Japanese units about to meet their doom even if it takes several months.

Notice a change in the title?

Yesterday, November 7th, 1943, a day which will not live in infamy, the Allied forces exceeded the Empire of Japan in total points (it was Unryu)

Notice a change in the title?

Yesterday, November 7th, 1943, a day which will not live in infamy, the Allied forces exceeded the Empire of Japan in total points (it was Unryu)

That is an impressive bag of IJN capital ships![&o]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Notice a change in the title?

Yesterday, November 7th, 1943, a day which will not live in infamy, the Allied forces exceeded the Empire of Japan in total points (it was Unryu)

That is an impressive bag of IJN capital ships![&o]

TY Capt. Hard to beleive it is 1943 and the IJN is down to three BB's two of which are wounded (Hiei and Mutsu). The funny thing is I don't know that I have seen Ise at all. I wonder if that means she is being "hybridized".

8 November 1943

Nauru Is falls under the weight of the second shock attack. Bikini is taken by a RCT. The engineers start landing next turn. Very little action to report otherwise. AMerical is converted to SWPAC and sent to Townsville. This unit will need some R&R before heading toward the SRA.

About eight units cross the river out of Bangkok and run into the Chinese. I am moving up the theatre reserve to meet this threat. The US ARM BTN are loading at Aden. The should depart for Rangoon next turn. I will let them rest there to recovery before going forward. These units represent nearly 500 additional AS to be commited. Also the FP factor of M4 units is pretty high too I suspect.

With AE looming even closer, I decided to try to end this war in 1944. I think it is within my grasp. Oil is the key.

9-12 November 1943

Things are getting messy. Nauru Island has been cleared of Japanese troops. The TF will reload the ID and take it back to Savali for R&R. The WC-Townsville path is now clear. Trrops still unloading at Bikini. With no Japanese resistance, two CVTF are ordered back to refuel then head for PH. Last few units and ships heading for Townsville. Timor Op is good to go in a few weeks.

SEAC is a mess. Larry busted out of Bangkok and pushed the Chinese troops out of their blocking position. IJA troops now on the Siam-Malay RR heading west. This is a very large army. Seems Larry has decided to make a stand. Tavoy is well stocked with 1200 AV and Level 9 forts. Once the Chinese recover disruption, the AV here will be near 2000. More troops unloading at Tavoy. US Army units heading for Rangoon and then to wherever the action is. Got another 500 AV at Chittagong ready to commit plus another full UK ID at Trico. The unit counts seem to indicate Larry may have abandoned some bases. Doing recon now to figure out where the troops were pulled from. Larry may find himself trapped as the UK units moving wsw out of Tavoy may end up cutting the RR behind his huge stack. I think I can win this battle on logistics. I have plenty of transports plus my 4E to lift in supply. He will be hard pressed to do the same

A lot has happened over the past week. Highlights:

* The RN loses a BB and has numerous other ships damaged as weather goes against me and they are caught in the BoB with Cap.

* The IJA moved a large portion of the Bangkok garrison across teh Siam-Malay RR and now are invested south of Victoria point. AV is now 3400 for IJA vs 1400 Allied but a lot more is inbound. This looks to be building toward a great siege if I can get my AV in place in time.

* Forces are gathering at Townsville for the Timor op

* Two CVTF are in bound to PH from the conclusion of the Marshalls campaign

* Honan falls and all the Chinese troops surrender. That plus the Royal Sovereign loss put Larry back in the lead just barely.

Time to make some waves

20 November 1943

An eventful turn.

* LBA hits Amboina's Oil for 21 hits. The facilities are about wiped out. Now listed as 12/39

* SS Truant is sunk off Singapore. Like losing an old friend.

* Heavy fighting in both sides in China. I think Larry is hurting bad for supplies here.

* First deliberate attack by IJA south of Victoria Point bare makes 1 to 1 but the Japanese take big casualties. Even though the AV ratio is against me right now, I have over 1000 more in bound. I think the great battle of the CBI theatre will occur here. I have overwhelm advantages in suppy and air power. It will be a grind but I think I will win. With so many troops commited in China and Malaya, I have to wonder if Larry has left the back door open. The SRA may be ripe for the picking.

The RN loses a BB and has numerous other ships damaged as weather goes against me and they are caught in the BoB with Cap.

I assume you meant "without CAP". Which battlewagon was it?

With so many troops commuted in China and Malaya, I have to wonder if Larry has left the back door open. The SRA may be ripe for the picking.

I had the same though a few post ago when you started laying out what forces he had sent here. Made me think of the movie, "Patton" when he ask for another amphib landing to break the stalemate on Sicily.

The more you get stuck in protracted land combat, the better it is for the Japanese. Per Nemo, I would say you need slightly over 1/2 his AV along with the wood hex bonus (x2), to hold him. If your not planning to overwhelm him here, then plan to go where he isn't like....Sumatra!

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

The RN loses a BB and has numerous other ships damaged as weather goes against me and they are caught in the BoB with Cap.

I assume you meant "without CAP". Which battlewagon was it?

HMS Royal Sovereign

21-22 November

I think Larry is feeling the pressure now. He tried a second deliberate attack south of Victoria Point with only part of his AV and it came off at 0 to 1 with 1700 casualties. My reinforcements are arriving with AV no 3400 for IJA and 2000 for Allies. Still tons more AV inbound. My units are fully supplied now and may try a Deliberate attack soon. The Siam-Malay RR is now almost completely Allied controlled now. My Armor is just south of Colombo. They will proceed to Rangoon where the will rest to recover disruption and fatigue. Searching for somewhere where I could put paras into play

A large raid was launched against Victoria Points's AB doing slight damage but a lot of Japanese airframes were lost. Units are repositioned to augment CAP. Victoria Point is one of the bases I am launching ground attacks from to disrupt the IJA units south of the city. Now that supplies are in good order, I am going to put the 4E's on attack.

LBA has nearly destroyed the oil facilities at Amboina. All the AB in the Banda Sea region are shut down except for Kendari.

23 November 1943

Battles rage in CBI. ANother ID arrives south of Victoria Point next turn raising my AV to about 2300 to Larrys 3000. Supplies are hanging in there but tight. I think weather is hampering my ability to fly. Huge stack of 21 units is heading for Sian from Honan - big mistake on Larry's part here. He may well take the city but any movement from there will be over trails. I am move than happy to have 140,000 troops occupied in northern China.

Good day for the subs. Larry has been using a large amount of ASW effort around the Marianas. SS Amberjack torpedoes a DD today. This is the third one the USN subs have hit in about the last two weeks. The hunter has become the hunted

Two CVTF will arrive PH in two days. A TF with the last CVL is 8 days out as is the last CVTF from the Marshalls. A formidible fleet is gathering. The first job will be to support the Wake op but I have bigger plans for this force.

A huge TF with 100 ships forms up at SF. I had sent a batch of DD's from PH to escort this force over. This will be the forces used for Wake

There are now 28 TF at Townsville. I loaded up a US ID, a US Cav Div, 2 Aussie ID, 5 Tank BTN, 3 HQ, an AV RGT, 2 BF, 3 Aussie AF Sq, and 5 EAB. This force will move to Darwin where a huge force awaits. Larry does know it but a steamroller is coming at the SRA. Once I clear Timor I will be able to use interlocking AB to cover a lot of ground.

24-25 November 1943

Even I am in awe of the force assembling at Townsville. Nearly 300 ships of various shapes and sizes are forming up. Just waiting for a few TF with MSW and a SCTF coming up from Brisbane and we are off. Wonder what Larry will think when he spots this monster.

All but one CV and four CVL are at PH. Will rotate units in an out to keep this force a little fresher. Months of continuous operation in the Gilberts and Marshalls had really worn them down. With overwhelming force now on my side I should be able to rotate one CVTF back to PH from now on.

Larry tried to hit Victoria Points AB again on the 24th and ran into my augmented CAP. He lost nearly 100 a/c in this raid and no hits were made on the AB. The US armored units are two days out of Ramree Island. Here the RN CVTF will pick them up and escort them to Tavoy. Then they will join the battle south of Vitoria Point. Why this route you may ask? Well, I know its a bit gamey but when the units leave Tavoy they are one hex off the RR. I then run a barge TF to this hex and offload a ton of supply. The units then emerge from the jungle onto the RR with excess supply.

I have spent the last month or so in preparation and cleaning things up a bit. I am about to loose offfensives on three fronts siumultaneously on poor Larry.