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43/2/10a: This is a demonstration of LBA on ground units in the open terrain. Majority of the 5th AF blast the IJA 48th div. This does more damage than the following AR shock attack.

In SW China the Japs make no progress and continue to take massive casualties in the mountains.

43/2/10b:

43-2-15a: This day is a decision point for John. He will have to decide how bad he wants to pick up his units in NE AUS.

Sub fleet is active.

Morning Sweep at 30000ft.

43-2-15b: The coordinated airbase strike arrives as planned in the morning. All sqn under command of the AUS 9th Air command, under 5th AirForce. This is a display of the inland based 4e capability now available to the Allies. About 3 more 4e straggler strikes came in unopposed to help shut down the Normanton IJAAF field.

The a24 Banshee sqns rebased over in the morning from Charter Towers. This move caused the delay in the attack into the PM phase which allowed the 4e's to shut down Normanton in the AM.


Massive explosion on xAK Kaiko Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kaiko Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK France Maru

43-2-15c: The b25c on LoNav helps brings more steel to this event. A24s finish off with more 1000pounders.

43-2-15d: The IJA 2nd div and the para brigade are isolated, out of supply.
IIRC, the 2nd ID is a 90exp starting invasion division for the Japs.

Very nice strikes on Normanton! From the devices destroyed on those ships he appears to have packed up a BF and maybe two or three AA units - too soon and too late! [:D] Many an IJ player has found out that India and Australia are tar babies - much easier to get into than to leave.

BTW, that Supply- in the ground combat might only apply to the Raiding Regiment and not the 2nd Division. You should pound them with all that arty you have and bring in a tank unit or two.

I wrote Paul after this turn the following note:

This is the first turn of the war that I truly did not like. I know that it is the first of many but it was not pleasant. Well done!

Very well done.

I managed to pull out a total of 353 men of the 48th ID. YIKES! Lost 2,900+ troops from the air strikes.

To correct BB Fanboy: I have taken ALL of Australia before. Never, EVER, intended to take Aussieland in this campaign but I did want Paul to THINK I might. Had a total of 11 ID committed to the Invasion and have pulled out seven intact so far...

He has thrown the kitchen sink into Australia and I am happy about that. We approach March 1943 and we are fighting in AUSTRALIA. So far, so good.

If Paul and I had started this game then I might have swung for the fence with Australia and might--just maybe--of been able to take it. Instead I wanted a solid distraction to have most of the Allied war effort focused on while I worked elsewhere to plan the defense of the perimeter.

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I wrote Paul after this turn the following note:

This is the first turn of the war that I truly did not like. I know that it is the first of many but it was not pleasant. Well done!

Very well done.

I managed to pull out a total of 353 men of the 48th ID. YIKES! Lost 2,900+ troops from the air strikes.

To correct BB Fanboy: I have taken ALL of Australia before. Never, EVER, intended to take Aussieland in this campaign but I did want Paul to THINK I might. Had a total of 11 ID committed to the Invasion and have pulled out seven intact so far...

He has thrown the kitchen sink into Australia and I am happy about that. We approach March 1943 and we are fighting in AUSTRALIA. So far, so good.

If Paul and I had started this game then I might have swung for the fence with Australia and might--just maybe--of been able to take it. Instead I wanted a solid distraction to have most of the Allied war effort focused on while I worked elsewhere to plan the defense of the perimeter.

My fear in game strategy is John will set a trap to sink my future APAs if I get too aggressive. I sense he is waiting to try catch me within range of his concentrated CV KB. Because of the early allied dfficulty with amphib ops my strategy has been to wait, build up invasion capability. Beginning in May43 we will test John ability to react to multiple fronts at the same time. He knows this.

Not really all the kitchen sink. My attitude is AUS is a great staging area, plus a perfect place to fight desert war with Armor starting with 30exp. So far 2 high exp IJA divisions have been destroyed (5th and 48th). Looks like the 2nd will not get out. The 34th and 37th div are around Cairns.

This game could go to 46. My attitude is to destroy the japs in a logical fashion.

43-2-16a:

43-2-17b:

Unlike Normanton, the withdrawal from Cairns goes without a hitch. Pull 2nd Army, an ID, and nearly all of the support troops out. Had to leave something there so he had to attack!

February 21, 1943
Coal Harbor and Prince Rupert, Canada

Over many days of recon, Allied shipping has been watched at Coal Harbor and Prince Rupert. No carriers are available; however, two small Japanese TFs are. Orders go out for a TF of 2 old CLs and 2 DDs to hit Prince Rupert while CA Magami, a CL, and 3 DDs get the riskier assignment of hitting Coal Harbor. Orders are simple: 1. If spotted by the enemy---retire 2. If not spotted, raise some HELL!

The Knife Fighters depart the Aleutians for the long voyage and manage to approach without being spotted. They ring up Battle Speed and sweep into their targeted areas and catch the enemy totally by surprise.

Prince Rupert finds DD Meredith patrolling for Japanese I-Boats. She is shocked to find herself under attack. By a little after 1am, she sinks having taken several shells and one Long Lance TT. The little TF finishes its sweep, finds nothing, and retires.

Coal Harbor is a jackpot for the Japanese. Two Allied TFs are found anchored. The first one is quickly crushed under shells and Long Lances sinking 4 small AP, an SC, an AM, and an AKL. Better yet, 2009 Casualties with 12 Guns and 35 Vehicles founder in the harbor. The second TF is a pair of modern AP, large AK, and an AM. These are quickly sunk as well and another 533 troops, 66 Guns, and 12 Vehicles are lost during the assault.

BANZAI!

The Knife Fighters retire without being spotted and head home. The hunters have scored for no losses this day...

February 26, 1943
SE Pacific

Though the Allied juggernaut is now building up, Japan works to inflict a few cuts upon the enemy.

Last week was the raid upon Prince Rupert and Coal Harbour. This week is a strike East of Tahiti.

Scratch a CVE and CL Adelaide:

43-3-2:

I hope one day I get the chance to face the IJN under your most honorable leadership sir.

**&^%$ !!! posted in wrong room, good luck to you sir as John has one firm grasp on IJ.

43-3-2:

Mark 6 mines are rather small. A single hit or even two is not going to sink CA Chikuma unless the main magazine exploded, or she already had significant damage.

43-3-4:
Seems BBfanboy has made an astute observation concerning Chikuma.

43-3-5a:
This is a nine series post of one turn. I wanted to be able to review the Arliegh Burke commanded TF makeup. This TF is under SW Pac(MacArthur). Note the US, CW, and Dutch mixed TF. CW would have been given command if I did not form The Burke DD TF first. This first jpeg is really 2 different PT TFs sent into Cooktown to raise DL. I ws please with the damage and mayhem created.