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ny59giants wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:00 am Allies get bunches of APAs in '44 but this has got to hurt at end of '43. He will miss that quick unloading of troops for some time. I was surprised no large warships within the TFs. That is where the old Pearl BBs go for me. To soak up CD hits and take on any SCTF that get through to them.

Agree Mike, generally his game play has been excellent and caused me plenty of grief. Lowpe's strength has always been his attention to detail and to never leave anything to chance. That has disappeared to a degree over the last month which is quite sad.

In saying all of that, assaulting on or near Formosa without neutralizing the air strips, PIs or KB prior, is to some degree an act of madness in 43.

I usually comment on his AAR which I look forward to reading but I will mention something here. He stated something happened but did not state what it was so he did not spend as much time on his turn. Maybe that is why what happened in the game happened. In game terms, I guess that it would be the equivalent of Nimitz and MacArthur both getting a bad case of piles at the same time, they just could not concentrate . . .

RangerJoe wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 9:20 pm I usually comment on his AAR which I look forward to reading but I will mention something here. He stated something happened but did not state what it was so he did not spend as much time on his turn. Maybe that is why what happened in the game happened. In game terms, I guess that it would be the equivalent of Nimitz and MacArthur both getting a bad case of piles at the same time, they just could not concentrate . . .

Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated.

I think on the Formosa/ Orchid Island event he was always going to be in a degree of trouble due to force structure/ composition and more importantly there was no element of surprise on this latest adventure as compared to his previous forays.

In saying all of that, absolutely his attention to detail has dropped off and turns have slowed to a crawl. It is always a good sign for me (and this game) when Lowpe is active on his AAR which again, has dropped away sharply.

He has been such a wonderful opponent over the years and there has never been a single dispute for the entirety of this game (closing on a thousand turns). Such a gracious and polite gentleman in all facets of his interaction.

I will politely reach out.

You are most welcome.

War is back on which is great news.

Not much happened this turn as the IJN picked up and moved back away from the formidable USN CVs taskforce.

However, plenty was learnt, as the extent of the vulnerability of the USN taskforces become clearer. Caught in the middle of Hong Kong, Formosa and the Philippines. The only problem is the lack of supplies in the Philippines which is going to curtail air operations. Still it will be impossible to defend against a 360 degree airborne threat.

A handful of small experimental air strikes were conducted this turn to confirm the potential vulnerability of the USN LOC.

A couple made it through. The possibilities here are exciting if he chooses to protect his lodgment at Orchid Island.

Next turn anti shipping strikes will be launched from all 3 major bases supported by a plethora of subs. I intend to continue targeting AP/AKs and perhaps a CVE or two.

After that beautiful sugar hit from the previous couple of turns, reality sank back in.

Multiple unescorted strikes fragmented all over the place to be chewed up by nasty Allied CAP. At least the Hong Kong strikes managed to break through to some extent so that strategy was at least vindicated.

Fighter sweeps over Orchid Island were very disappointing. Need to rethink this strategy and commit only the Frank R.

The only highlight of the turn was the crippling of a US CVE by a Hong Kong based Francis strike. Subs are swarming into the area to finish it off.

Aside from the small issue of Orchid Island which now has 10K of troops on it ( did they all swim there???), the other major point of concern is Chungking in China.

If he manages to get supply into there and break the siege I am going to be in a tough spot.

A bit of time on my hands before the next turn rolls in.

Some analysis on the damage inflicted on Lowpe's Assault shipping:

I estimate the Allies have roughly 51 x APAs in operational service by Dec 43. I am very confident that 25 are definitely kaput with questions marks on another 5. On top of that an additional x 5 were heavily banged up in the last operation around Orchid but were unlikely to be sank. So in total 16 x APAs unscathed.

I am reasonably confident that the HIs are okay with only 16 APAs operational but other targets like Formosa, Okinawa and perhaps the Bonin's are definitely doable with that number. Hmmmmmm I don't think Hokkaido with KB largely operational is a likely target. Time to move some troops.

Not to ruin anything from the other side but check on the ships that are removed and do not return. Unless you are playing with no withdrawls then that won't be a factor.

But I am sure that Lowpe can figure out how to do things with fewer APAs available!

RangerJoe wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:35 pm Not to ruin anything from the other side but check on the ships that are removed and do not return. Unless you are playing with no withdrawls then that won't be a factor.

But I am sure that Lowpe can figure out how to do things with fewer APAs available!

Sure! What army division wouldn't want a 2 month trip across the ocean in an open LST rather than stuffy old troopship berths?

BBfanboy wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:55 pm

RangerJoe wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:35 pm Not to ruin anything from the other side but check on the ships that are removed and do not return. Unless you are playing with no withdrawls then that won't be a factor.

But I am sure that Lowpe can figure out how to do things with fewer APAs available!

Sure! What army division wouldn't want a 2 month trip across the ocean in an open LST rather than stuffy old troopship berths?

Well, with water rationing on the troopships bathing was a luxury. So on an LST, if/when it rained just go topside! But also the troops will be glad to go onto a hostile beach!

But those small KPM transports including those conversions from xAKLs would also work nicely but slow. Their small size should not inhibit unloading their smaller troop load in a turn or so.

Thanks gents,

Based on that analysis there is still a problem? I am guessing yes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kasSSZlBFDs

Another mixed turn but more up than down.

Most tricks failed but Judys coming out of the PIs come up trumps.

First they nailed some DDs with pretty impressive bombing

And then our old friend Copahee slinking away was finally nailed.

I am reminded once more in DBBs scenarios how difficult it is to sink anything (which obviously works both ways) plus the advantages of Allied damage control. After the Francis strike and accompanying fuel explosion I thought it was going nowhere but it managed to move multiple hexes. Another lesson learnt.

The next logical targets.

If he goes for them (which he will) it will provoke a strong response. Just need a couple of turns to finalise the reserves and assemble the required shipping. KB is unscathed from the previous operations around Orchid and now good to go.

These positions cannot be allowed to fall. Paras will be his go to solution to quickly seize them.

Some big turn underway around those circled islands.

Naval clashes and air strikes

Only way to stop a Fletcher- a long lance

After 2 days of heavy combat, I managed to lose approx 200 a/c from KB but accounted for 6 DDs and possibly a CL or 2 with the CV Essex also copping multiple bomb hits.

Despite having CAP set on one of the islands, his paras managed to get through again and seize on of the positions.

On a positive note, the IJN surface forces involved emerged largely unscathed and are ready for round 2. Not letting these positions fall.

With the heavy fighting continuing around Formosa, taken the opportunity to slip through some surface fleet combatants from the DEI back to the home islands.

A very dangerous journey and impossible to undertake a month ago, but all of the USN surface fleet has been drawn up north allowing some gaps to appear. Just need to keep dodging his DBs

6 x DDs have now completed the journey which will be valuable reinforcements for the IJN.

Additional confirmation below as to why I refrain from targeting US CV taskforces.

The lethality of DBB flak is incredible (and I suspect historically quite accurate).