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One of the enjoyable aspects of reading matched AARs is having full information and seeing how one side of the other is interpreting partial information. With that in mind, here's my thoughts on what the IJN BB sighting means.

These battleships are deployed in the Ocean/Nauru region for one of two reasons: (1) John thought the most likely target was Eniwetok (or maybe Truk) and he wanted the BBs in range to strike from the south, or (2) they're involved in amphibious or bombardment missions in the Marshalls. The former seems unlikely since the ships are now heading east; the latter is possible but seems to be a wasteful use of an important assets, diverting it from the scene of conflict just when it will be most needed.

SigInt continues to suggest that John was almost entirely focused on reinforcing and defending the Marshalls, Carolines, Marianas and Marcus. The Solomons were already strongly garrisoned, so he probably just tweaked things there.

All signs continue to show that the soft underbelly is indeed soft. And if those BBs don't turn around now, they won't be available at the moment of maximum danger to the herd, as it rumbles in proximity to Truk.

As to the WaWahington. If you have a CVE I'm bed that and have the Avengers do 40/40 search/ASW plus add some as ships. She will be easy picking for any subs so maximize your chances

That's one reason I kept Washington at Maloelap so long: John had lots of subs east of the Marshalls. I felt pretty sure that he'd divert them to face Big Tent. I think he already has. But I also thought he might send his aircraft to the Marianas. Then I'd have the window needed to send Washington home. But now he's sniffed her out. I don't want to lose her, but if she serves as bait, drawing John's attention, it migth be worth it.

Well watch your weather. If you get couple of days of storms you might be ably to put some distance between him

So far the movement of "the herd" is doing a great job of selling the Marianas as the target. I don't know if John thinks that or not but it seems likely. I'm impressed that you already have the next op forming

I realize a lot of players think the Kingfishers are not well suited for ASW due to their limited range, but I use them in that role for protecting the close in approaches to my ports, both major ports and front line ports.

I also use rebuilt or orphaned cruiser Kingfisher squadrons to operate from the very few American AVs that have a capacity like the AV Wright.

The Wright with 4 float planes aboard performing ASW becomes a very nice shepherd for wounded ducklings.

ORIGINAL: jwolf

So far the movement of "the herd" is doing a great job of selling the Marianas as the target. I don't know if John thinks that or not but it seems likely. I'm impressed that you already have the next op forming

Yep, and after the next jog southward he will be thinking "That's it! He's going to the Solomons!"

Me thinks it is too late for a coherent naval response but I suspect the air attacks start in the next turn or so. looks like it may be xtream range for Zeros. Enter the Betty's

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I realize a lot of players think the Kingfishers are not well suited for ASW due to their limited range, but I use them in that role for protecting the close in approaches to my ports, both major ports and front line ports.

I also use rebuilt or orphaned cruiser Kingfisher squadrons to operate from the very few American AVs that have a capacity like the AV Wright.

The Wright with 4 float planes aboard performing ASW becomes a very nice shepherd for wounded ducklings.

My major cause for reluctance to use Kingfisher squadrons from front line bases is that I can usually find better uses for my aviation support. I hadn't considered your use on an AV as escort. I'll have to give it a try.

I've spent alot of time trying to figure out how to manage the threat from LBA (or LBA + KB).

I'm trying to minimize exposure to "nests" of multiple big airfields. So I've steered clear of the Marianas, and I'm trying not to let Truk, Eniwetok and Ponape gang up on Death Star. I think I can be mostly successful in this effort, as any raids from these "nests" would be at long-enough range that I think Netties would get chewed up.

Truk is going to be the choke point. The only vector is to sail close to that fortress, which has a level eight airfield. Again, I think Death Star can handle it by itself. My concern is KB teaming up with Truk. John should have a window of two to three turns while proximity is optimal for him.

I'm allowing for the possibility that he'll commit KB, of course, but I don't think he will. I think he'll keep trying to figure out where I'm going (he's probably hoping, praying, beseaching the ancestors, for a Marianas/KB combined strike). It's possible that he'll remain just that bit uncertain until the window closes. Once Death Star is about eight hexes on the other side of Truk, I'll begin breathing again.

The fact that he's using some of his airforce against hard targets in the Marshalls, and the fact that multiple IJN BBs are down there, is the most encouraging thing I've seen yet.

Truk is going to be the choke point. The only vector is to sail close to that fortress, which has a level eight airfield.

Truk is only a Lvl 5 airfield on the stock map. A 60% increase in capacity is huge. Any other changes to bases that were added to the JFB wish list for this scenario?

At the very least, you could (eventually) move an ARD to Maloelap once his attention is sufficiently elsewhere?

ORIGINAL: poodlebrain

Truk is going to be the choke point. The only vector is to sail close to that fortress, which has a level eight airfield.

Truk is only a Lvl 5 airfield on the stock map. A 60% increase in capacity is huge. Any other changes to bases that were added to the JFB wish list for this scenario?

I think it might be a Scen 2 change, which is technically stock.

An ARD is enroute from San Fran to Pearl, but it is 30 tons and Washington is 38 tons. So it won't work, will it?

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

An ARD is enroute from San Fran to Pearl, but it is 30 tons and Washington is 38 tons. So it won't work, will it?

No.

ORIGINAL: poodlebrain

Truk is going to be the choke point. The only vector is to sail close to that fortress, which has a level eight airfield.

Truk is only a Lvl 5 airfield on the stock map. A 60% increase in capacity is huge. Any other changes to bases that were added to the JFB wish list for this scenario?

CR is not an expert in this scenario - John III is. It would be unfair to make CR research all the changes made.

Here is the link to scenarios available which should lead you to this scenario and the developers notes on changes:

tm.asp?m=3088504

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For the ASW, it's not 1944 yet. 1943 Allied ASW is good, but not yet great.
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I suppose results can vary depending on the opponent but I look to have the Japanese sub force subdued by mid 1943 with approximately half sunk by then. Most of your PC, SC, DE and DD type ships have modern radar and upgraded DC platforms by early 43. And you should have plenty of ships by then. Upgrades after 1943 are not that significant. The only real difference is the slew of DE and PFs that you get after 1/44 But frankly, in my last campaign they had little to do. Many overlook the large US minesweepers that get great ASW weapons in early 43 as well. My opponent Viberpol is top notch (just ask John about that) and tends to ignore my merchants and go after war ships with his subs. I actually do the same as the Allies. However, by mid 43 I really just look upon it as an opportunity to sink Japanese subs. After all, Donitz pulled the Atlantic U-boat force out of action in the mid ocean after May 1943.

John has suddenly gone "dark." I'm not pressing him, because it may be an important turn for him or he may be focusing on family or work.

I sent him the turn this morning. He's been online twice while I was on during the day or evening, but he hasn't sent any messages to say, "The turn's coming" or "not coming" or "sorry, I'm busy."

I expect he'll send it sometime tonight. In the meantime, I'm trying to write a story based upon my Summer Solstice Eve full moon hike this past Sunday evening. The words are coming grudgingly, but it's fun to try to find effective words - the right words - to describe the outing while entertaining a reader.

Mark Twain quote: "The difference between the right word and the perfect word is like the difference between a lightning bug and lightning."

How about "It was a dark and stormy Summer solstice night"?

I do like Dark n' Stormies.