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Can allies bomb cities/resources in conquered countries?
That is very important question and should influence whole strategy planning.

If they can not by HR go for Borneo and Palembang as fast as You can with forces to take bases in one Deliberate attack.

If they can - dont. Secure the perimeter first. They are not able to bomb own bases which is the only way to harm installations.

Palembang is like a Holy Grenade of Antioch.

... and do not forget about all of those small and unimportant bases and dot bases.
They really make a difference point wise. You have a dozen or so small SNLF Cos and IJAF Cos with AV. Load a single per 2 xAKs, no supply required, and take every single undefended base You can. Even in the deepest Pacific south.
And China garrisons. Keep them!

Plus:

coserve Your PPs. Avoid any unnecessary leakage. Trick is to:

a) do not disband TFs. Switch to escort mode. Transfer ships you like (to a port). Leave at least one ship. You will keep a chosen commander avoiding spending PPs again.
b) swtch Air assets in range of a new HQ if possible.

Happy adventure!

Also, regarding your plans for KB-2, remember that the large ships cannot move into Saigon due to the river. Cam Ranh Bay however is an option, though not able to rearm the largest of ships.

That's why large capacity AKEs are needed at strategic points (CamRahn Bay, Babeldoab, Truk). I will look at what available, but some Lima AKs will be converted on day one.

Michael and I are going to layout 'the plan' (just like in Battlestar Galactica) today in a Command Conference.  Will examine the HR suggestions as well.  We need to finalize the HR as well as our plans.  Juan will redeploy the LCU, shipping, and Fleet into a custom version of the Mod so we can follow through with our attack strategy.
 
Got a couple of questions regarding my artwork used for postings.  I usually grab them from Cranston Fine Art Military Galleries.  Paula does the loading work since I am inept with anything computer-related.  [8|]

Looking forward to the Plan. Love the artwork - Nevada running for the open sea on 12/7. Not going AFB on us, are you?

That isn't Nevada running for the open sea! That is the USS Nevada about to be CRUSHED by the 2nd Wave! All a matter of perspecitve you see...

Have successfully downloaded the game--with Technical HELP!--and all I have to say (paraphrasing the Joker) is "where did I get all these wonderful toys??!!" Holy CRAP!

Michael and I THINK we have what we need for repositioning of ground and naval forces. These changes reflect a more accurate layout of the Japanese intentions for December 1941. We have some swapping of ships and redeployment of shipping. A good number of LCUs also move to either the Marshalls or Truk.

Here is what was just sent to Juan and Michael:

The Shipwreck of Our Hopes
2x2---Japan Redeployment

Truk
Osaka 4th Inf Div

Maizuru 8th Base Force

Hiroshima 14th Shipping Engineer Regiment
Combined Fleet

Kagoshima 16th AA Regiment
44th Fld AA Bn

Takao 12th Air HQ
2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th Nav Construction Bn
1st & 2nd BF

Samah Yokosuka 4th SNLF
Sasebo 3rd & 8th SNLF


Marshalls
Maloelap
1st & 3rd Yokosuka SNLF (para)

Kwajalein
Kure 2nd SNLF – Ambono prepped

Babeldoab
TF 89 which includes Kure 1st SNLF prepped for Ambon
TF 120 with 15 Nav Gds 1st turn bonus move towards Babeldoab
TF 121 with 16 Nav Gds 1st turn bonus move towards Babeldoab
I/81 & III/81 Nav Gd moved to Babeldoab

4 JAAF BF—Taken from Anywhere
These need to be spread to Maloelap (1), Kwajalein(1), Jaluit (1), and Babeldoab (1)

None of these repositionings should take the Atolls over 6,000 men by our calculations.



Fleet Redeployment

Truk
BB Yamashiro/Fuso w/3 DD (longer-legged) move from Nagasaki to Truk

TF 19 from Takao to Truk

Move disbanded ships from Hiroshima to Truk: BB Harima, CA Kinugasa, Aoba, Hokkai, and Hikaru, CL Takase, and 6 DD (longer-legged)

Kwajalein
TF 20 and TF 6 move to Kwajalein from Chichi-Jima


Palau
Transfer CVL Ryujo, Shinyo and CVE Hosho into the Carrier TF present in hex


Home Islands
TF 9 and 10 (1st Turn Move Bonus) to Hiroshima

Create Transport TF with 1st Turn Move Bonus at Hiroshima, Osaka, and Tokyo

Transfer CS Naniwa from Port to KB TF 1

From Shipping Disbanded in Ports:
1. Osaka to Truk: 3 AP and 20 AKL
2. Ominato to Truk: 10 xAK and all PB
3. Takamatsu to Kwajalein: 1 PB, 2 SC, 1 xAP, 3 AKL

Juan wrote back twice last night to make sure of some changes.  Everything looks good.  We had to spread the forces around in the Marshalls due to the 6,000 limit but everything looks fine.  The final version of the Mod should be back to us sometime today and we can then enter the HELL of Turn 1 planning.
 
Michael and I had a good chat yesterday and I think we are in sync for the Operational moves at the start of the Campaign.  We made several small changes to the planning but things remain more-or-less solid.  That reality will be tested as the concrete work begins.
 
I'm going to try and get the House Rules done this morning so we can post them.
 

Are you going to start with the Beta?

Are you going to start with the Beta?

Yes, I installed it last night and just talked him through it a few minutes ago.

Juan has sent out the custom scenario files. We hope to get some form of finalized HRs out by John asap.

John will do his orders as his is less than mine (SRA, China, and economy which includes setting up Resource/Oil convoys).
I "hope" to start doing orders tonight and finish tomorrow (I'm off work Thursday). Run a test opening turn and then send to Allies. Bullets flying and bombs dropping by weekend. [:D]

I've sent out the 'tentative' final HR.  We'll see what people think and then put them onto the AAR.
 

I'm looking forward to seeing how things go and how soon the plans get shot to hell.  

I've fired off the turn to Michael to work on for the evening.  Had a heck of a time getting things right.  Took three tries before things were good.  Did a stupid thing and forgot to turn Auto SS Ops off!  Fixed that--Reload turn.  Oopps.  The second time saw the 144th Inf Reg and 15th Base Force NOT sitting snug in their transports.  Fixed that--Reload turn.
 
Third time worked.
 
Planned out the Pearl and Manila Strikes, set-up my initial TF at Truk and Kwajalein, and my first re-supply convoys from the Home Islands to Kwaj and Truk.  The 29 SS under my control got orders as well.  Any commander with a rating of under 50% has been recalled to Kwajalein to be replaced.  A "hunting squadron" of 9 boats has been dispatched to the West Coast while another group is moving south to Canton--Suva--Pago Pago.  Several boats are also moving along the Midway--French Frigate Shoals area too.
 
Will detail the actually TF compositions and objectives later tonight.
 

Sounds good. I'd pay money to be able to modify the starting location of units. I long for the "setup phase" like in the long lost days of 1980s Avalon Hill board games!

Good luck. With reference to the Darwin threads, don't forget to garrison the DEI!

I sent Michael the turn last night and he has steadily worked on it going region-by-region.  MAN there is A LOT of work involved!  With WitP I got to the point of being able to crank out that First Turn in an hour or so.  NOT SO now!  [:-]
 
He sent me the tentative opening and I ran the turn watching to see what the results were, invasion fleet locations, and supply convoy plots.  Everything looks pretty good.  Think it is safe to say that we'll send the turn to our opponents tomorrow.
 
I THINK the HR are settled.  We had some discussion regarding Manila and Singapore having the chance to have CAP aloft.  This made some sense and it just provides us more opportunities to shot down P-40s!    The other side wanted to LIMIT Fighter altitude some and so we'll see how that shakes out too.  Once we know these are final we'll post them on the AAR.
 
That is the state of things.
 

While the vast majority of the Kaigun is being used in the DEI Region, my opening moves are now plotted and sent to Adm. Benoit for final polishing. My major responsibilities and Opening Moves Ordered:

KB-1 Nagumo Force---A total of 5 CV will strike at Pearl Harbor for a single day. To facilitate a quicker return to the Marshalls and Canton Region, the carriers will sneak into launching range from the SW of Pearl. The TF carries 441 planes that will all be used in the attack. Planes: 30 Zero on Escort @ 17,000 Ft, 80 Zero on AF Attack, 140 Vals @ 12,000 Ft Naval Attack, and a like number of Kates @ 8,000 Ft Naval Attack.

This impressive TF is made even more so in that it includes the new Battleships Yamato and Musashi as well as the two Ikoma-Class BC, 2 CA, a CS, and over a dozen escorts.

Sub Force---As stated in an earlier post 29 I-Boats and Ro-Class are moving throughout the Pacific under my control.

The Marshalls---The Atolls of Rio-Namur, Maleolap, Kwajalein, and Jaluit all sit covered by Japanese Infantry and Support Troops. None are over crowded but it does come close. Objectives:

1. Within days of Pearl Harbor, Ocean and Nauru shall be taken by small Infantry Detachments.
2. Baker Island will be invaded by an SNLF. A follow-on Bafe Force will begin loading Dec 8th.
3. Canton Isle is the real target for earlier attack. A pair of AMC are loaded with an SNLF and they will attempt to race to the Atoll and capture it in a coups-de-main. We'll see if it works. These guys are a potential sacrifice.
4. Going in ahead of these boys will be a STF of 2 CA, 1 CLAA, and 5 DD. They should hit the Canton area on the 9th to clear any shipping out.

By the 10th, the KB should be moving into the area...

Truk---A large amount of Infantry, Engineers, Base Forces, and Support Troops have moved here. HQ--Combined Fleet has set-up shop at this location. While having almost no aircover to speak of, the Japanese early operations will set the tone of the southward thrust:

1. Kavieng will be taken by the 9th/10th.
2. Lae and Shortlands by the 12th
3. Lunga by the 14th---The Lunga Force is an SNLF and 2 Naval Construction Bat.
4. Covering this initial set of convoys is a powerful force of 1 BB, 2 CA, 1 CL, and 4 DD patroling NW of Rabaul.
5. Additional Covering Forces will be dispatched after the 7th
6. The main Invasion Fleet carrying the 4th Inf Div will begin loading on the 7th and will hit Rabaul about the 14th. It will be Covered by 2 BB and several escorts.


DEI---After extensive consultation with Admiral Benoit my talents have been called upon to catch as many of the 'Thundering Herd' as possible when they try to escape the Deathtrap that is Manila Bay. Four fast-moving TF made up of a CL and 2-4 DD are mine to move about in the Philippine/Borneo Region.

My counterpart is VERY interested in grabbing Singapore FAST and wants to ingnore the shipping for the most part. His CVs (KB-2 with 3 CV and KB-3 with 2 CVL and 1 CVE) will help to either support the invasion of Mersing or the reduction of Amboina. While airpower is expected to do its part in sinking the 'Thundering Herd,' these hard-hitting and quick STF should be able to get the job done.

THOSE are the plans from my side for December 7th! Thoughts/Questions?

Here is the initial Truk moves into the Solomons and New Guinea:

Why Naval attack and not Port attack for the PH strike? Did you test if they'll even fly against the anchored fleet with such orders

re Kates what is the max range of the 40mm AA ? If its 8000 than  1 tick more might be good .
 
Also are you sure there are no allied CVs at PH if so a sweep may be wise. Prob a good idea to change 1 daitai of zero from Air field to sweep incase PH puts up a decent cap.