Westerley Wind, Fine NJP72 (J) vs Lowpe (A) DBB Sce 30

[njp72]

So June 20th is a dark day for the Allies but hardly fatal, just a sting.

There is no way you could be as aggressive as Lowpe has been without consequences. I am now hoping he pulls back a bit and regathers his thoughts. Some of the lodgements he has already established are going to be quite troublesome.

In the interim, the IJN and air will swarm the disrupted Allied forces and attempt to panic the Allies.

By design the IJN is heavily concentrated around the recent ambush (Batjan) but are low on ammo and fuel. The USN on the other hand holds numerical superiority but due to Lowpe's tactics are relatively dispersed and critically, not mutually supporting.

The next turn should be a cracker with action going to erupt everywhere as the Allies fight their way out of the trap/traps.
Its a wonderful game!

[njp72]

Another wild turn as shipping from both sides collide heavily in the night.

The IJN couldn't quite avoid fighting with the USN which did cost a couple of DDs and likely a CL.

The cost to the Allies was much greater with probably another 2 x APAs, 4 x DDs and numerous small craft being put to the sword.

[njp72]

Certainly not the way I like to employ Yamato.

Still I am not going to miss few less Fletchers zipping around!

[njp72]

The tactics of avoiding (when I can) Lowpe's surface ships and CV task forces and targeting his assault shipping continues to reap some dividends.

This SAG was a bit tired by the time they encountered this group after an earlier run in with some screening Fletchers.

[njp72]

CA Kumano's Captain then decided off his own initiative to win the war despite being banged up and low on ammo.

I salute this digital warrior!

[njp72]

In summary over the last 3 days of very vicious combat the Allies have definitely lost:

10 x APA's sank (many with troops on board)

They have also had another 12 banged up to varying degrees.

By my calcs the Allies have ballpark 45 x APAs with now close to half, damaged or sank. The cost to Japan has been very minor ( 3 x DDs and a CL though plenty have been damaged). KB has not been employed in this latest round of fighting.

I think my aim has been partially achieved here. Given the scale of damage, I can't see a big assault on either the Home Islands (my biggest fear) or the Bonins and maybe even the Marianas are safe to early 44.

The biggest issue with his lodgments is the threat to the shipping lanes from the oil fields to Japan. Nothing I can do about that.

There you go kids- it works, target the assault amphib ships and not the CVs and the Allied offensive should eventually grind to a halt.

[stuman]

I just caught up on your posts. Very interesting game so far. Good luck !

[njp72]

I just caught up on your posts. Very interesting game so far. Good luck !

Thank you very much. It has been a great game with a wonderful opponent.

The next 12 months should be a blast.

[njp72]

The 11th APA is now resting at the bottom of the Pacific.

12 more banged up. All sustained in the last 10 days. Will keep pushing on this HVT.

[njp72]

And the majority of the banged up APAs are hiding out at Davao.

The $64 dollar question is what am I prepared to risk to get at these bad boys?

*Lowpe has split me right down the middle with his frenetic advances and para drops. The plan will be to shore up the flanking positions and attrit his forces through 43 and into 44 as he has now committed decisively to the PIs.

The oil/ fuel situation are at great risk but at least the Home Islands should now be secure well into 44. Bodes well for my Frank R plans.

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

And the majority of the banged up APAs are hiding out at Davao.

The $64 dollar question is what am I prepared to risk to get at these bad boys?

*Lowpe has split me right down the middle with his frenetic advances and para drops. The plan will be to shore up the flanking positions and attrit his forces through 43 and into 44 as he has now committed decisively to the PIs.

The oil/ fuel situation are at great risk but at least the Home Islands should now be secure well into 44. Bodes well for my Frank R plans.

Is the extra manueverability and climb of the R over the A that important? or is there something else i'm missing?

[njp72]

And the majority of the banged up APAs are hiding out at Davao.

The $64 dollar question is what am I prepared to risk to get at these bad boys?

*Lowpe has split me right down the middle with his frenetic advances and para drops. The plan will be to shore up the flanking positions and attrit his forces through 43 and into 44 as he has now committed decisively to the PIs.

The oil/ fuel situation are at great risk but at least the Home Islands should now be secure well into 44. Bodes well for my Frank R plans.

Is the extra manueverability and climb of the R over the A that important? or is there something else i'm missing?

Whilst I am no expert, the difference in performance in my previous games between the A and R has been huge. With enough Rs from relatively secured bases, you can almost achieve local air parity against the Allies if you concentrate them enough and protect their airfields.

To me the most important airframe in the game for Japan is the Frank R

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

And the majority of the banged up APAs are hiding out at Davao.

The $64 dollar question is what am I prepared to risk to get at these bad boys?

*Lowpe has split me right down the middle with his frenetic advances and para drops. The plan will be to shore up the flanking positions and attrit his forces through 43 and into 44 as he has now committed decisively to the PIs.

The oil/ fuel situation are at great risk but at least the Home Islands should now be secure well into 44. Bodes well for my Frank R plans.

Is the extra manueverability and climb of the R over the A that important? or is there something else i'm missing?

Whilst I am no expert, the difference in performance in my previous games between the A and R has been huge. With enough Rs from relatively secured bases, you can almost achieve local air parity against the Allies if you concentrate them enough and protect their airfields.

To me the most important airframe in the game for Japan is the Frank R

Thanks, I've never had them but i will keep that in mind when i get there. I did get the A7M2 in one game and that seemed to really make a difference.

[njp72]

[

To me the most important airframe in the game for Japan is the Frank R
[/quote]

Thanks, I've never had them but i will keep that in mind when i get there. I did get the A7M2 in one game and that seemed to really make a difference.
[/quote]

Personally I haven't had a huge exposure to the A7M2 as usually I stop off at the A6M8 and plough my effort into the Frank A/R. I generally only play pdu-off which also makes it slightly more difficult.

I wonder if I will survive long enough in this game to use the Sam- probably not

[njp72]

Still implementing the plan- ignore the CVs and target support vessels and assault shipping.

Because the allied penetration through the Philippines has been so rapid, strong flanking Japanese positions have largely been left untouched. When the US CVs disappear, the bases come back to life hosting attack aircraft and surface groups.

The logistical tail now required by the Allies is significant and vulnerable. Using boxing analogy, instead of targeting the head I am trying to slow Lowpe down with body shots. It is certainly not working at the moment but give it time and I reckon it will

Got lucky this turn sinking a vessel (I am sure it has sank) which is on my list as a high priority target. Just as good as nailing an APA but not as satisfying because there are no troops left swimming in the ocean.

*Fletcher raids have dramatically increased and he is having some success. Something I will need to plan for moving forward.

[njp72]

Ready for the big assault on Chungking on the morrow.

This should reduce the forts to 0 and smash hard into the Chinese.

What is amazing is, despite the incredible effort and skill demonstrated by Lowpe and the use of Indian/ British units, Chungking still looks like falling sometime in Jul 43 which is on par with the majority of my other games. He has made me work harder than I ever had to before, but ultimately the result is still the same.

Surely this is a reflection on supply and how critical it is to sustaining a credible defence.

[njp72]

The Allies aren't stopping so more pain needs to be dished out.

Plenty of places to hide in the PIs to spring up and ambush his merchant shipping (not warships!)

2 good outcomes on this engagement:

1. There were troops on board and more importantly,

2. Tama and Arashi get away scott free to play the same trick again in a week or so

[njp72]

Another juicy AMC bites the dust, though Hector fought hard and winged one of my DDs.

In more troubling news, his subs are now starting to run rampant against some of my convoys but c'est La vie.

My job is to attrit the Allied amphib forces so heavily in the PIs that the Home Islands are safe into early/ mid 44.

[njp72]

Jul 43- a deadly dance recommences as Lowpe continues to drive forward at a slightly reduced pace.

IJN Surface groups with strong air cover surround Jolo looking for a way into his assault shipping. No joy over the last week, Lowpe has been too good to repeat his mistakes of the past.

KB is parked further back around Hong Kong providing distant cover for fuel/ oil convoys to the mainland and troop transports steaming out of China headed towards the PIs.

The surface group assembly areas are roughly circled in red below.

[njp72]

Hold on to your hats boys and girls, a massive Allied armada is heading into the South China Sea.

Goodness gracious me, the next week threatens to pitch the combined strength of the IJN vs the USN in a likely apocalyptic showdown.

So much for slowing Lowpe down but an incredibly exciting game. The million dollar question is where is KB and friends....