Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[RangerJoe]

Not just bombers on those tanks, strafers as well.[:D]

Prepare a unit to move in to open an escape route if you can, move in right behind the tanks.

One time, playing the AI, I moved a unit from Bataan to Clark airfield after my units retreated. That unit got to Clark and captured it because the AI sent all the units from Clark to Bataan. His units were then trapped and eventually destroyed.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

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! [;)]

Damn grognards...it was at typo this time.[:'(]
[:D]

There is only one infantry division at Perth for Japan...but 45 fighters at Geraldton.

[RangerJoe]

Well, the Germans fired a 28mm shell and it came out as a 20mm! [X(]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2.8_cm_sPzB_41

You could probably use strafing fighters one time, especially if the bombers tended to fly higher. [;)]

Do so at least 3 hexes away from any enemy fighter base to increase ops losses. Don't forget a 10% LRCAP over the enemy base to increase ops losses as well. [X(]

[Lowpe]

That is the role of the Dinah Fighter for Japan...LRCAP enemy bases. One of its best uses....do the Allies have a similar plane? My P40s definitely don't have the legs for it in this case.

[BBfanboy]

Nothing with good legs until the P-38E arrives. Even when drop tanks are available the P-40s only get one extra hex of range IIRC.

I vaguely recall one of the fighters available to the Chinese having a range 6-7 - the Lancer I think. The F2A Buffalo also has some range.

EDIT: I just remembered that the British have a fighter version of the Blenheim I. One Squadron in Malaya at start uses it. The plane has range but is a dog not fit for a dogfight.

[Lowpe]

Jan 3, 1942

Trapped like rats the Australia and Perth and Patterson attempt an escape....in a bold move the steam towards the KB's known position, and then past them heading for islands...

Australia and Patterson make it for now, but are short fuel.

Perth doesn't make it...too much damage from the previous day's torpedo strikes.[:(]

[Lowpe]

Countering the Perth Invasion...

Main supply line I think is secured for now...it might get cut for a couple of days, but there is sufficient force to make 2 IJA tank regiments flee I think...those US 105mm howitzers are game changers here.

I might get my first Stuart tanks here tomorrow too depending upon the rng gods...

The IJA will have to heavily reinforce here...which no doubt they can do. The southern ports are at risk to fast transport invasion or paratroop landings...but we will use the accumulating Naval forces to counter that hopefully, or at least make it expensive.

We badly need more AA here...just a few guns at Perth. The US 205th Coastal AA is at Sydney boarding trains...this unit is definitely strong enough to prevent an IJAAF bombing campaign at one location, probably Perth.

So the point here is not to keep Perth indefinitely, but to force Japan to waste time and troops to take it while keeping an valid retreat path which is the tricky part. Allied forces are definitely vulnerable to a sweeping envelopment.

[Encircled]

He can't have AKEs at Geraldton can he this early?

So if he uses the BBs to bombard, then he can't use them as SCTF, and he must know you'll have naval forces around

He's going to struggle there without significant reinforcements, but it all depends on how good his supply/air support situation is, and it can't be that good as its still early.

I don't think you can force him out, but you can certainly hold him

But I have to ask, with 3 Aus Divs and a 4th on its way, doesn't that leave you a bit weak on the east coast?

[Lowpe]

Townsville Theatre

Cloncurry has such a force defending it primarily because of the resources there, we don't want to make harvesting VP too easy. Might even be able to get some fighters there, too eventually.

Hindsight, I had sufficient naval forces several days ago to really challenge here now that the KB has moved away...the lone IJN BB is moving away too....they can't rearm I think.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Encircled


But I have to ask, with 3 Aus Divs and a 4th on its way, doesn't that leave you a bit weak on the east coast?

See the above post...he hasn't landed here yet in strength, so I have plenty present for the east coast. Plus so much is on the way from both east and west.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

He can't have AKEs at Geraldton can he this early?

I don't think you can force him out, but you can certainly hold him

But I have to ask, with 3 Aus Divs and a 4th on its way, doesn't that leave you a bit weak on the east coast?

He might have AD? Likely, there are 5 ships disbanded into port, and lots of destroyers in this thrust.

The Perth CD guns gave him a nasty surprise here, and overall I believe three of Japan's battleships have to seek repairs between here and the Thundering Herd trap.

I disagree, US Artillery is such a game changer here, there is no way he can stick around contesting anything. He has to bring up artillery which isn't anywhere in theatre. Until then he really does have to retreat. If he does stick around in Perth, I bet I can force his division there and tank support to retreat from a deliberate attack in 3 days time barring another division landing at Perth which I think is doubtful. More likely he will seek to envelop.

[Encircled]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Encircled

He can't have AKEs at Geraldton can he this early?

I don't think you can force him out, but you can certainly hold him

But I have to ask, with 3 Aus Divs and a 4th on its way, doesn't that leave you a bit weak on the east coast?

Yup, should have waited till you'd put the other post up! He's trying to do too much, too early

He might have AD? Likely, there are 5 ships disbanded into port, and lots of destroyers in this thrust.

The Perth CD guns gave him a nasty surprise here, and overall I believe three of Japan's battleships have to seek repairs between here and the Thundering Herd trap.

I disagree, US Artillery is such a game changer here, there is no way he can stick around contesting anything. He has to bring up artillery which isn't anywhere in theatre. Until then he really does have to retreat. If he does stick around in Perth, I bet I can force his division there and tank support to retreat from a deliberate attack in 3 days time barring another division landing at Perth which I think is doubtful. More likely he will seek to envelop.

Look forward to seeing it!

[Lowpe]

China

Still increasing supply here in China, up to 133K.

Chinese forces evacuated Sian prior to the 600 AFVs blitzing the city...we should be able to set up strong position in WR and Mtn hexes...but countering those tanks is darn tough. I will send the 57th AT Rgt, and hopefully it will have time to dig in. Also a base force will be present, and the AA it has might also help a bit (although this isn't proven). We simply don't have enough AT capability.

On the Sian road we force an IJA mixed bde to retreat...now a lot of those troops will traverse cross country while others continue to dig in just to be a roadblock. On the road west of Nanyang we continue to dig in and block the road leading to Ankang.

[RangerJoe]

I think that an AD and an AKE start in Indochina. The AKEs can convert faster than the ADs. While he might have AKEs from conversions, I doubt if they can make it to Australia yet. The ADs would not be finished yet.

This shows just how important those IJN CAs really are if the BBs can hardly be used while burning lots of fuel.

[Lowpe]

16th Indian Bde will be able to hold Rangoon long enough to allow the 88th Chinese Div and 1st Burma/A Div to flee Rangoon and head north. The 1st Burma A will go to Lashio in a long march, while the 88th Chinese will retreat up towards Akayb. Both were shattered at the Pegu landings.

The goal here is to retreat most elements towards Lashio, which will become a festung and blocking position securing the western approaches to China.

Our days of unloading supply at Ramree Island are coming to an end...it is getting super dangerous there.

Commonwealth armor is leaving Prome for Lashio and then China....it will be months before they are upgraded to decent tanks though I bet, with the demand for tanks in Oz taking immediate priority.

The British Navy might make an appearance here...





That invasion force could very well be heading for India.[X(]

[Lowpe]

The Philippines are pristine...they could use supply. I haven't taken any land reinforcements here...

Only 100 P40s, the other 20 are P35A's.

Dutch boats and Sboats are working aggressively on hunting IJN shipping. Coordinating with PBY searches. 3600 supplies at Wenchow, so that base can keep being used as a search base for quite a while. No DL on it.

Laog will get an HQa...we could base some P40s in a naval attack role here if something is spotted, and certainly put some PBYs here to search.

[Lowpe]

Japan drives their planes hard.[;)]

Trying to figure out where that Babs got shot down at...have to admit rl was so hectic didn't have time to really watch the replay, and didn't take any screen pics from it either.

Singapore has over 1000AV, 50K supply, forts 3 30%. Will stop building forts at 4. All Philippines in Allied hands.

Of major concern: IJA Tank thrust from Sian; Invasion India coming? One is a big threat for China, the other this early is an opportunity. Got another Chinese Division flown out they are boarding trains at Ledo for rear area in India.

[Lowpe]

Ship repairs

Colorado has four more days and already has the radar upgrade, but we won't be using her...just allowing here to go on shakedown cruises.

The only currently active battleship is Warspite...location top secret.

[Lowpe]

Will probably pull back a lot of the support shipping that is at Wake now, back around Midway. They are too valuable to risk longer here they did great work! ...

It will take a pretty concentrated effort now to take Wake...buying time for the Allies. 6 Sboats here will refuel and head for Luzon.

[Lowpe]

I got this note from Japan -- I am inside his ooda loop![:)]

You are still managing to surprise me every turn

Great game.