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Turn is away...trying to dodge the KB...we shall see. Rangoon might fall this turn and hoping to hold onto Perth.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Minneapolis hit by Iboat...will have to divert.

This early the Allies do not have enough aircraft to patrol Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea, and their ship ASW is not up to the skill of the Japanese sub skippers.
Better to go around Tasmania I think.

Does Melbourne have a size 10 SY in this mod?

Melbourne does have a size 10 shipyard...

I have ships routed to Hobart, but thought this task force would be ok...it has a lot of destroyer and dms in it. Oh well.

Jan 2, 1941

Can the Allied ships avoid the KB this day?

Australia and Perth make a run...right into two destroyers...then continue on their way.

The IJN is hunting us...Perth and Australia alone for now.

Perth...just offshore

Tromp gets some good shell hits in...hopefully the ships still have supplies on them and burn up...

Splash half a dozen Betties...getting those pilots some good skills here.

KB launches a small strike against the lone destroyer east of Lunga...misses. Perhaps our cruisers will survive the day.

I didn't knock on wood.[:(] Last attack of the afternoon.

Japan likes their shock attacks..no aerial bombardment...just fix bayonets.

Nothing but tanks...storm across the river. All troops were in reserve abandoning the city.

Perth holds.

Rangoon survives a shock attack.

Chinese getting some much needed battle experience...that is if they will be able to make it back to Chinese lines eventually.

So, Japan is pursing an aggressive expansion phase...but I think Japan might be stretched thinly, so I am trying to hold bases I would normally cede...to buy time.

Rangoon, case in point. The trick here is paratroopers cutting the rail lines, and not losing everything. But can he really land at Diamond Harbor or Chit without first taking Singers? I think not.

I might fly some jungle guns in to Rangoon...if I knew what the 2nd FA Btln was equipped with.

Japan forced my hand with the invasion of Perth, so now we are all in. Reinforced Perth with another CD unit today, tomorrow the 3rd Aust Div will arrive with more troops trickling in. Going to move an armored unit to Cunerdin looking to cut off the reinforcing IJA tank regiments...

Perth will be bolstered by 36 2pdrs AT guns plus some decent American howitzers. It will be a tough nut to crack, and if we can hold for 5-6 days and keep the rail line open some decent American AA will arrive.

Given the punishment the CD guns gave, I doubt there will be another amphibious invasion.

I very much like the idea of fighting at the end of Japan's supply line. Even this early. Course the trick is not to lose any full units.

In two weeks or less there will be 5 105mm Howitzer (a total of 70) American Artillery Btlns here...that will be pretty damn potent I think. Plus by then perhaps a few Stuarts...

Japan will be forced into a grinding attritional battle here and at Rangoon needing to reinforce both plus worry about Singers.

I think things are looking good on the ground.

Those tanks coming down from the north will be a problem. He'll be trying to cut off Perth both to prevent retreat and resupply.

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Those tanks coming down from the north will be a problem. He'll be trying to cut off Perth both to prevent retreat and resupply.

I figured as much and will use the American howitzers and the 37mm at guns to nail them. Plus bombers, our Hudsons already disabled 7 and destroyed one...

I can't get unpacked from the rail cars fast enough to attack before they open up a supply route for his division at Perth, which is a shame.

The question is does he send them all to Perth for a shock attack...I am guessing yes based on his fix the bayonets shock attack history...so I might turn off allied bombardments for a few days till they arrive...I should still be able to move them east and troops from Cunerdin west to keep the rail line open.

Lots of options here I think. I am think ultimately he will attempt another invasion to the south...but won't be expecting Saratoga and 7 Yank Heavy cruisers plus destroyers.[;)]

He is likely racing those tanks without any AA cover to get to Perth, but once in Perth there may be AA there for them. Nothing wrong with bombing them uncovered in the open! [:)]

Be careful trying to fire your 37mm ammo from those 36mm guns... stand well back! [;)]

Butchers Bill.