Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[ny59giants]

I train my fighters first and foremost in Air until the reach or are very close to 70. Then, I switch over the Straf to get Defend up to the high 60s before transferring into the Reserve pool. Training any type of pilot in a second skill will get the Defend skill up regardless of what it is. Once you get to late 43 or early 44 the fighters second skill will be NavB or LowN as some of them will fly the late war Oscars that carry a nice bomb load. They can fly higher than Hellcats, but not Corsairs to get to Allied CVs.

[John 3rd]

October 2, 1942
Regional Update
The Coral Sea Area

I have made my decision as to where my noble opponent is coming next. He is going to hit New Guinea and either turn left and move across the southern underbelly and threaten the DEI OR he will move along the NE Coast of NG and make a dash north threatening Rabaul. My certainty of this is so strong that I am committing the ranch to the area.

My I-Boats are spotting MYRIADS of Convoys going south around NZ and delivering their men and cargo to either Hobart or Melbourne. A Glen Search of Melbourne 5 turns ago revealed a BUNCH of troops, ships, and planes. Miracle the Glen lived to tell the tale! Am about to do the same search over Hobart and Sydney.

I have kept three ID in reserve within this region for just such a moment:

1. Move the 38th to Horn Island (Protect against the left turn into southern NG.
2. Move the 6th ID to Milne Bay to prevent the right turn.
3. The Sendai ID moves to Munda (Maxxed out AF and Fort 4) where 54 Tina and 27 Topsy wait for them. The Tina's give me range to rapidly move troops. The 2nd ID (Sendai) is the Theatre Reserve with enough shipping to move fast to a new location if needed.

Additional Moves:
1. The SNLF Brigade at Horn Island moves to buttress Port Moresby's Brigade.
2. CD unit at Rabaul heads for Terapo. I have CD at Milne, Tagula, PM, and Horn.
3. Two Naval Guard move to Terapo.
4. Order several construction units to move on Merauke and either Gove or Grute Eylant to begin AF creation/expansion.
5. ML SS and CM moving to add to present mines already at Tagula, Milne, PM, and Horn.

Aerial Movement:
I cannot hide the ground moves but I can try to obscure the air component. Have planes gathering at Rabaul, Lunga, and Koepang. Given 10-14 days I shall have roughly 600-700 aircraft present and ready for duty. ALL of KB shall be together in about 3 days when Junyo-Hiyo-Ryujo arrive at Rabaul. Total aircraft there is over 650 planes.


IF...if I am wrong and he swings east to towards New Caledonia, Efate, and Luganville then that will work as well. These bases are simply tripwires for the MLR starting at Ndeni--Lunga--Tagula--Milne Bay. Movement here will still be workable for me to come after him with most of what I describe above.

IF....IF....IF I am wrong completely then I am royally screwed and will beg forgiveness from the Emperor.

This is the Gathering Plan. I move then welcome construction commentary.

Dan has proven to be somewhat predictable. Michael and I spoke on the phone today that he is playing just like some of his other campaigns. He buttresses the Aleutians early, worries about and concentrates on India, and then uses Aussieland as a spring board for massed campaigns.

Winter starts up North in the Aleutians in less then a month. If I see no Invasion TF by October 15th then I will free-up nearly 200 planes up there and bring them south to the party as well as several Brigade-sized Inf units.

[John 3rd]

October 3, 1942
Regional Update
Coral Sea Region: East


I don't think Dan is coming this way. Reason I say this is due to no activity at Suva--Nadi--Pago Pago. I've been using my Emily for long-range search and spotted little-to-nothing here. I've started grabbing the dot hexes and bases SE of Tabitueau. Most interestingly, CANTON fell on October 2nd. The bases was totally deserted. He ain't cummin from this hare direction...


Luganville, Efate, and New Caledonia are set as a massed tripwire to hang-up an Allied Assault allowing for KB and LBA to create havoc with any approaching/invading force.

Luganville has Fort 4 and an Inf Brigade and CD unit on it.

Efate is Fort 4 moving towards 5 with the Imperial Guards Brigade holding it.

New Caledonia has Forts between 3 and 5 at Koumac, La Foa, and Noumea. The 56th ID is split into Combat Commands with support units at each base. A CD unit anchors each end of the island.

This should be enough to keep the enemy riveted while the counter-stroke is hurled.

[John 3rd]

I've got a bright pair of shiny new Tone-Kai CAs coming. Will they be done in time for the brawl???

[John 3rd]

Sent a pair of AMCs into the IO where they have actually done a bit of damage. October 5th reveals a carrier, probably CVE, in the IO:

[John 3rd]

Same Day: October 5th.

S-46 scores BIG hitting CV Junyo (AGAIN) with a DUD, then a hit, then ANOTHER hit, and then an AMMO Storage Explosion.



State: SYS 26, FLOT 66, ENG 22, Fires 14

Can only make 3 hexes and Rabaul is FOUR hexes away (naturally). Set course for Gasmata (2 hexes) and start flying in the 4th Fleet HQ to that base. IF she makes it to Port we have a slight chance.

CRAP!

[Capt. Harlock]

S-46 scores BIG hitting CV Junyo (AGAIN) with a DUD, then a hit, then ANOTHER hit,

USN torpedoes that actually work? Not fair! [;)]

[zuluhour]

Truly a lucky shot (shots) and from a sub comissioned in '25.

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Same Day: October 5th.

S-46 scores BIG hitting CV Junyo (AGAIN) with a DUD, then a hit, then ANOTHER hit, and then an AMMO Storage Explosion.



State: SYS 26, FLOT 66, ENG 22, Fires 14

Can only make 3 hexes and Rabaul is FOUR hexes away (naturally). Set course for Gasmata (2 hexes) and start flying in the 4th Fleet HQ to that base. IF she makes it to Port we have a slight chance.

CRAP!

Junyo should need a level 5 port to dock and Gasmata can only be expanded to level 4 in stock. Or is this differnt in RA?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Here is the overview of the Region. NW of Maqwe is the 6th Aust ID and 5th brit Brig. South of them are Five Brigades of Allied troops moving towards the red box. Waiting there is an ID, two TK Reg, and two RF Gun units. This blocking force will be augmented by another ID with a pair of days.

Troops are advancing down the coast as well and I prepare to deal with that.

Have a full strength ID arriving at Prome to move up the coast as well as another about to show in Magwe. The 2nd TK Division, a TK Reg, ID, and two Inf Reg are refitting in Rangoon presently...

Looks like you've lost central Burma already. Get back to the trees in a line from Prome-Tougoo-Taung Gyi now. Forget the rest. Toast.

[JohnDillworth]

Junyo should need a level 5 port to dock and Gasmata can only be expanded to level 4 in stock. Or is this differnt in RA?

I don't think she can dock anywhere with those fires. Hopefully they will get put out. this ship is in rough shape

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Here is the overview of the Region. NW of Maqwe is the 6th Aust ID and 5th brit Brig. South of them are Five Brigades of Allied troops moving towards the red box. Waiting there is an ID, two TK Reg, and two RF Gun units. This blocking force will be augmented by another ID with a pair of days.

Troops are advancing down the coast as well and I prepare to deal with that.

Have a full strength ID arriving at Prome to move up the coast as well as another about to show in Magwe. The 2nd TK Division, a TK Reg, ID, and two Inf Reg are refitting in Rangoon presently...

Looks like you've lost central Burma already. Get back to the trees in a line from Prome-Tougoo-Taung Gyi now. Forget the rest. Toast.

While I don't disagree with obvert's conclusion here, there may be some merit to returning the 'bombing in the open' favor while you can. I hope you're bombing anything in the open to slow them down and induce disruption. I'd have most of my IJAAF bombing forces here working these troops over-particularly those Allied units in 'move'.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Can only make 3 hexes and Rabaul is FOUR hexes away (naturally). Set course for Gasmata (2 hexes) and start flying in the 4th Fleet HQ to that base. IF she makes it to Port we have a slight chance.

Don't bother. Save yourself the trouble. Get her to Rabaul or she's toast anyways. So it'll cost you another day at sea trying.

[John 3rd]

Hey Guys.

The fate of the Junyo has to sit for a day. Couldn't get a turn in. Life intervened. Will have one tomorrow after I get home from work.

[zuluhour]

.......it's tomorrow [:'(]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

.......it's tomorrow [:'(]

It is indeed!

OK.

Junyo is STILL with us! She made it to Gasmata and disbanded in the Sz-2 Port. I had sent her there prior to sending the turn and before I got you guys thoughts. So.....she made it and ALL the fires went out! SYS went up 2 to 28, FLOT did not change but stayed at 66, and ENG went up 1 to 23. An AR will disband in Port this coming turn.

I was able to unload ALL of her aircraft so this is good.

PLAN
We shall see if we can stabilize and repair the minor damage then move to Rabaul. At Rabaul we'll keep working and then try to make for Truk and home. Am tempted to look at moving to Soerabaja for repairs there. Not sure but worth thinking about some.

Next turn awaits...

[John 3rd]

October 7, 1942

I just did a mouse-over of the Burma Theatre from Akyab south and from Katha south. I counted---can you believe this???--SEVENTY-FIVE Allied Units! What a load of horse CACA. How is this even possible? I have lost count of the Infantry Divisions, Brigades, and Regiments facing Japan in this area. To say that this is beyond insanity--all the while during the flipping MONSOON--is an understatement. Is there even a point in trying to fight? This is the late-1942 for Pete's Sake. Better be careful due to this rant about to be blocked out by the Moderators...



Junyo Front:
The AR arrives and disbands at Gasmata. Situation takes modest step in the positive. Flot drops by 3 from 66--63. Nothing increases and the 4th Fleet HQ is now on fast AP to get there in three days. Already have 15 Naval Support present from the Mavis TR flying them in. Now we'll bring the whole command.

[zuluhour]

I read back aways and appologize if I missed it, but are you playing with stacking limits? I wish I still had DaBabes loaded to see what exactly will fit in a Burmese jungle hex. I saw where you mentioned RA was compatable with DaBabes but not that you were using it.

[John 3rd]

Yes: We have Stacking limits in place.

My question is WHERE does all the supply come from? If I get a chance after church tomorrow I will do a screen shot with units #s in the hexes.

[ny59giants]

My question is WHERE does all the supply come from?

Probably Cape Town. Could be supplemented by have CS Convoys running from Eastern USA to CT.